Mosquito control management using phytochemicals: A review

Abstract

Mosquitoes are the most dangerous vectors of diseases belonging to arthropod family. They are important in public health because of the blood-sucking habits of the females. Mosquitoes were declared as the “public enemy number one” by WHO. Mosquito-borne diseases are increasing due to having dirty places near residential area containing still water, lack of cleanness in public places and decreasing immunity. Mosquitoes are known to transmit some dangerous diseases, including malaria, dengue, yellow fever, filariasis, Zika fever, encephalitis, chikungunya fever, West Nile virus infection in almost all tropical and subtropical countries as well as many other parts of the world. A large number of researchers are evaluating botanical extracts containing active phytochemicals to address some of these problems. From early human ages, various plants that contain toxic chemicals are used for mosquito control. Studies and research on mosquito control are generally aimed at cost reduction and increasing efficacy. This review summarizes research and studies that were conducted previously by researchers on mosquito controlling using botanical pesticides.