Bloodthirsty insects abound in our world.

They can cause problems for people and animals, as well as

spread infections. They are all parasites of humans or other host animals that abundant at certain
seasons of the year. Mosquitoes, flies, lice, and true bugs are examples of blood-sucking insects (Koehler
& Castner, 2018). Mosquitoes are probably the most well-known of all blood-fe eding insects. Diseases
they carry have the potential to cause illness and death. According to Omar Akbari, Ph.D., they are the
primary vectors for major human diseases such as yellow fever, malaria, and dengue fever, which infect
hundreds of millions of people globally and kill millions annually. Also, he stated  that more than half of
the world's population is currently at danger of mosquito-borne diseases, from the World Health
Organization reports (Keeffee, 2016).

Dengue is a viral disease spread largely by female mosquitos of the Aedes aegypti species. Dengue virus
transmission is impacted by variables such as population increase, urbanization, insufficient public
health infrastructure, poor solid waste management, environmental risk factors, and inconsistent
preventive methods, among others (de los Reyes & Escaner, 2018).

Dengue fever is endemic in all parts of the Philippines, making it a major public health concern. In the
most recent analysis of the epidemiology of dengue in the Philippines, the prevalence percentage found
that it was highest among children aged 5 to 14, with over 80% of dengue-related deaths occurring
among people under the age of 20. (Undurraga, et al. 2017). On the one hand, the Philippines has
progressed in dengue prevention and control since the national epidemic was declared in August 2019,
according to the most recent update from the Department of Health. Their data shown that there was
an 81% decrease in dengue cases and deaths in 2020 when compared to 2019.Furthermore, according
to the Philippines' Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response Report, there has been a 55% decline in
dengue cases and a 56% decline in deaths over the same time period.

Although there is no way to totally avoid being bitten by bloodsucking insects, we can take precautions
to avoid becoming their next victim. Insect repellents are essential for avoiding insect-borne infections
as well as painful or unpleasant insect bites. Many mosquito repellents include toxic ingredients.
Commercial mosquito coils are excellent at killing mosquitos, but they contain chemicals that are
harmful to humans when exposed to them. "Not many people know about it, but the damage done to
your lungs by one mosquito coil is equivalent to the damage done by 100 cigarettes" said Chest
Research Foundation director Sandeep Salvi (Indo-Asian News Service, 2011)

As a result, the researchers utilized organic mosquito repellent components such as lemongrass
(Cymbopogon citratus) and garlic (Allium sativum). Lemongrass, according to an article in Conserve
Energy Future, is a powerful mosquito repellant. This article also included Maia & Moore's 2011 study,
which found that the powerful odor of lemongrass oil killed or fully repelled 95% of mosquitos from a
specified range of species. Garlic is a bulbous blooming plant that belongs to the genus Allium. Near
relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, chive, Welsh onion, and Chinese onion (Wikipedia). Garlic bulbs
contain an amino acid that, when crushed, mixed, or minced, turns to a compound called allicin. The
odor that is produced as a result of this procedure has potent characteristics (SavATree Plant Health
Care, 2002). These are free of a potentially harmful chemical that can be present in some commercial
products.

The researchers decided to conduct this research in order to find an alternative organic mosquito
eradication agent. The goal of this research is to come up with an alternative, organic, and safe solution
to the mosquito problem in our area. Furthermore, this was intended to assist residents who are heavily
impacted by mosquitoes by providing a new option for treating the large numbers of mosquito that
have been found in the area.

Undurraga, E., et al (2017). Disease Burden of Dengue in the Philippines: Adjusting for underreporting by
comparing Active and Passive Dengue Surveillance in Punta Princesa, Cebu City. Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5392638/

Keeffee, (2016). Mosquitos: The Most Dangerous Animals on Earth. Retrieved from
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/mosquitos-the-most-dangerous-animal-on-earth-021216#1

Kochler & Castner, (2018). Bloodsucking Insects. Retrieved from http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in019

de los Reyes & Escaner, (2018). Dengue in the Philippines: Model and Analysis of Parameters Affecting
Transmission. Retrieved from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17513758.2018.1535096

Indo-Asian News Service. (2011, September 1). One mosquito coil equals 100 cigarettes, says expert.
NDTV. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/one-mosquito-coil-equals-100-cigarettes-says-expert-466301
DOH OBSERVES NATIONAL DENGUE AWARENESS MONTH, LEADS THE 2021 ASEAN DENGUE DAY
REGIONAL FORUM. (2021, June 17). https://doh.gov.ph/press-release/DOH-OBSERVES-NATIONAL-
DENGUE-AWARENESS-MONTH-LEADS-THE-2021-ASEAN-DENGUE-DAY-REGIONAL-FORUM

What is a Lemongrass Plant? (Introduction). (n.d.). https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/is-

lemongrass-mosquito-repellent.php

SavATree Plant Health Care. (2002, April 2). Natural Garlic Repellent. https://www-savatree-
com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.savatree.com/garlic-insect-repellent.html/amp?
amp_js_v=a6&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQKKAFQArABIIACAw%3D
%3D#aoh=16340574246241&csi=1&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From
%20%251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.savatree.com%2Fgarlic-insect-repellent.html