Larvicidal efficacy of selected essential oils against mosquito larvae in Dutse, Northwestern Nigeria

Mosquitoes are vectors of life-threatening diseases, including malaria and dengue, which causes significant global health challenges. This study evaluated the larvicidal efficacy of four essential oils Neem (Azadirachta indica), Clove (Syzygium aromaticum), Garlic (Allium sativum), and Olive (Olea europaea) against Culex and Anopheles mosquito larvae in Dutse, Nigeria. Larval mortality was assessed at concentrations of 0.5%–3.0% over 72 hours. Mortality were corrected using Abbott's formula, and LC50/LC90 were determined via probit analysis. Statistical differences were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test. Clove oil showed the highest efficacy, with LC50 values of 0.065 mg/L (Culex) and 0.058 mg/L (Anopheles), classifying it as highly active. Neem oil caused total mortality but had infinite LC50/LC90 values. Garlic oil showed moderate effectiveness, while Olive oil required higher doses. Most oils achieved over 90% mortality within 48 hours. Future research should explore field applications, environmental safety, and optimized formulations to enhance scalability and efficacy.