Abstract

Mosquito repellents are essentially required these days. Mosquito’s abound in tropical
countries like the Philippines. They have been pestering land vertebrates for millions of years.
Insecticides are either too harmful to both man and the environment or too expensive for the
consumers. Extensive use of chemical insecticides for control of vector borne diseases has
created problems related to physiological resistance to vectors, adverse environmental effects,
high operational cost and community acceptance. Numerous plant products have been reported
either as insecticides for killing larvae or adult mosquitoes or as repellents for mosquito biting
and are one of the best alternatives for mosquito control.

Guava (Psidium guajava L, (Myrataceae) is one of the parts in folk medicine that has
been used for the management of various disease conditions and is believed to be active. Various
parts of the plant has been used in traditional medicine to manage conditions like malaria,
gastroenteritis, coughs, sore throat, inflamed gum and other conditions. Thus it is used in
traditional medicine is well established against enteric human bacteria. Guava leaves have long
been recognized for their antimicrobial activity. Guava tree produces a fruit highly appreciated in
the tropical and subtropical culinary and also is used in the popular medicine. Extracts from
leaves and fruits of this species presented several pharmacological properties as antispasmodic,
antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory

The study sought to find out whether the extract of guava leaves could serve as effective
natural insecticides for eliminating mosquito larvae in water. Different concentrations of guava
leaves extract were prepared. The different larval mortality percentages were recorded after 6, 12 and
24 hours. The study showed guava leaves extract have significant presence of larvicidal
properties based on their impact on the larvae in the sample water.

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 Data/Result and Discussion

A. Mean Percentage Mortality of Mosquito After 6 hours

Treatments Replication 1 Replication 2 Replication 3 Mean percentage

Treatment 1 12 13 12 12
Treatment 2 55 54 53 54
Treatment 3 68 66 67 67
Treatment 4 0 0 0 0

The table above shows the percentage mortality of four different treatments. After
6 hours, treatment 3 (30 ml guava leaves extract with 20 ml ethanol) has the highest
percentage of mortality.

B. Mean Percentage Mortality of Mosquito After 12 hours

Treatments Replication 1 Replication 2 Replication 3 Mean percentage

Treatment 1 17 16 15 16
Treatment 2 65 65 67 66
Treatment 3 72 72 74 73
Treatment 4 0 0 0 0

The table above showed that after 12 hours, treatment 3 has recorded the highest
mortality rate. It was observed that larvae became slowly inactive within 12 hours and
began to fall towards the bottom of the container. The treated larvae showed curling up,
anxiety and vigorous body movements. The result also showed that as the larvae is
exposed longer in the extract, it records the higher mortality rate.

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C. Mean Percentage Mortality of Mosquito After 24 hours

Treatments Replication 1 Replication 2 Replication 3 Mean percentage

Treatment 1 32 33 34 33
Treatment 2 80 88 81 83
Treatment 3 92 93 91 92
Treatment 4 0 0 0 0

The result showed that after 24 hours, treatment 3, which has the highest
concentration of guava leaves extract, recorded the highest mortality rate. Moreover, it
implies that the longer the larvae is exposed to the extract, the higher is its mortality. The
high rates of larval mortality observed indicate the high toxicity of the extract.

D. Results on Interaction Between Treatment Levels and Duration of Application

Treatment and Duration Mean Percentage

Treatment 1 at 6 hours 12
Treatment 1 at 12 hours 16
Treatment 1 at 24 hours 33
Treatment 2 at 6 hours 54
Treatment 2 at 12 hours 66
Treatment 2 at 24 hours 83
Treatment 3 at 6 hours 67
Treatment 3 at 12 hours 73
Treatment 3 at 24 hours 92
Treatment 4 at 6 hours 0
Treatment 4 at 12 hours 0
Treatment 4 at 24 hours 0

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 The table showed that Treatments 2 and 3 registered the highest mortality. The
highest mortality of the mosquito larvae was obtained after 24 hour. This implies that the
guava leaves extract has the best concentration of at least 60% concentration and will be
effective if the application will last up to 24 hours. The results showed that there is
significant differences between the different concentrations of the extract. Moreover guava
leaves extract cause mortality when compared with pure water because it exhibits the highest
mortality percentages. It has the ability to prevent the development of pest resistance. The
larvicidal activity shown by the guava leaves extract is probably due to the presence of
flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, triterpenoids, cynogenic glycosides, based on the literature
cited.

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 Conclusions

The research study was conducted successfully and the following conclusions were
drawn from the findings presented:

1. Different concentrations of the guava (Psidium guajava L, (Myrataceae) leaves

extract showed different percentage mortality.
2. As the larvae is exposed longer in the extract, it records the higher mortality rate.
3. The guava (Psidium guajava L, (Myrataceae) leaves extract was found effective
in controlling mosquito larvae.
4. The guava (Psidium guajava L, (Myrataceae) leaves extract indicate that the
natural insecticides could be taken in the place of synthetic insecticides and save
our environment from chemical hazards.

Recommendations

Based on the findings and conclusions, the researchers recommend the following actions:

1. Guava (Psidium guajava L, (Myrataceae) leaves extract reduce dependence

on expensive imported products and stimulate local efforts to enhance public
health.
2. Test other locally available plants for their larvicidal effect and;
3. Further studies are needed to determine the active ingredients in the
phytochemicals and to know their mode of action, toxicity, and stability and to
study their impacts on human health and non target organisms in mosquito
feeding habitats.

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 Bibliography

1. De Padua, Ludivina S.; Lugod, Gregorio C.; Pancho, Juan V.; Handbook of Philippine
Medical Plants Volume 1; College of Science and Humanities University of Philippines
Los Baños College, Laguna; Documentation and information Section Office of the
Director of Research, University of the Philippine, Los Baños; 1977

2. Reyes, Angelica G.; Jovita G.; Santiago, Florenda I.; Philippine Plants; Philippine
Christian University, Dela Salle University; St. Paul College Manila; University of the
Philippine; 1985
3. http://medent.usyd.edu.au/fact/mosquitoes.html

4. http://animals.natinalgeorgraphic.com/animals/bugs/mosquito

5. http://www.care2.com/greenliving/8-natural-mosquito-repellents.html

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