Comparison of the Effectiveness of <i>Eucalyptus camaldulensis</i> Extract and Dichlorvos (DDVP) in Controlling the <i>Periplaneta americana</i>

Abstract This study aims to compare the effectiveness of the ethanolic extract of eucalyptus with the chemical insecticide Dichlorvos (Dimethyl Dichloro Vinyl Phosphate – DDVP) in controlling the Periplaneta americana under environmental conditions suitable for the insect’s growth and reproduction, in terms of temperature and humidity. The treatments were applied using a spray method, where the cockroaches were exposed to both types of insecticides. Results were recorded 12 and 24 hours after treatment. The findings showed that the chemical insecticide Dichlorvos exhibited a higher kill rate compared to the plant extract, achieving a 77.8% mortality rate after both 12 and 24 hours. In contrast, the eucalyptus extract reached a 72.2% kill rate over the same time periods, indicating that both treatments are effective, with a slight superiority for the chemical insecticide. The study also demonstrated that increasing the concentration of both treatments led to a noticeable increase in kill rates, suggesting a direct correlation between concentration and insecticidal effectiveness. This implies that, when applied at appropriate concentrations, the plant-based extract can offer nearly comparable results to chemical insecticides. These findings highlight the potential of using botanical alternatives as safer and more environmentally friendly solutions in pest control programs, thereby reducing the health and ecological risks associated with conventional chemical pesticides.