HERBAL MOSQUITO REPELLENT CONES: A SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE TO SYNTHETIC REPELLENTS – A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, Zika virus infection, and lymphatic filariasis continue to pose major global public health challenges, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths annually. Conventional mosquito control strategies mainly rely on synthetic chemical repellents and insecticides, including DEET, pyrethroids, and organophosphates. Although effective, their prolonged use is associated with several drawbacks, including environmental pollution, development of insecticide resistance, and
potential adverse health effects such as skin irritation, neurotoxicity, and respiratory disorders. These concerns have led to increasing interest in safer, eco-friendly alternatives derived from natural sources. Herbal mosquito repellent cones represent a promising plant based approach that utilizes bioactive phytochemicals present in medicinal plants such as neem (Azadirachta indica), citronella (Cymbopogon spp.), tulsi (Ocimum sanctum),
eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.), and lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus). These cones release volatile compounds during combustion that interfere with mosquito host-seeking behavior
and provide spatial repellency. This review summarizes the importance of mosquito control, limitations of chemical repellents, traditional and ethnobotanical practices of plant-based
repellents, formulation techniques of herbal cones, phytochemical mechanisms of mosquito repellency, and commonly used repellent plants. In addition, it discusses methods for evaluating repellent efficacy, recent advances in herbal repellent formulations, and the
advantages and limitations associated with herbal cones. Overall, herbal mosquito repellent cones offer a biodegradable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable alternative for
mosquito control. However, further research is required to address challenges related to standardization, long-term safety, and large-scale commercialization to enhance their application in integrated vector management programs.

Keywords: Herbal mosquito repellent cones, Plant-based repellents, Mosquito-borne diseases, Essential oils, Phytochemicals, Vector control, Sustainable mosquito management, Natural insect repellents.