Laboratory evaluation of 21 insect repellents as larvicides and as oviposition deterrents of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Twenty-one commercial insect repellent products, including 12 botanical, 6 DEET-based, and 3 synthetic organics, were evaluated as larvicides and as oviposition deterrents of Aedes albopictus. Ten of the 12 botanical products at 0.1% concentration provided 57-100% mortality of laboratory-reared 4th-stage Ae. albopictus larvae at 24 h after treatment. Five of the 6 DEET-based products and 3 synthetic organic repellents at 0.1% concentration induced 88-100% larval mortality at 24 h after treatment. All 12 botanical products proved highly effective oviposition deterrents of Ae. albopictus, resulting in 76-100% effective repellency at 24 h after exposure. The 6 DEET-based repellents and the 3 synthetic organic repellents caused 84-100% effective oviposition repellency of Ae. albopictus at 24 h after exposure. Several botanical repellents previously shown to have minimal protection from mosquito bites proved effective oviposition deterrents. Some commercial topical repellents have good potential for development and use in management of container-inhabiting mosquitoes because they deter oviposition and kill larvae.