Analysis and Evaluation of Organic Waste-Based Briquettes with Essential Oils as Household Mosquito Repellent

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of citronella, neem, and eucalyptus oil-infused mosquito-repellent charcoal briquettes made from organic waste materials. The study aimed to assess the level of repellent effectiveness, burn performance, and quality of the briquettes, focusing on their ability to reduce mosquito presence, burn duration, smoke density, and consistency of repellent output. The briquettes were tested under controlled conditions, and the mosquito-repellent effectiveness was measured by the number of mosquitoes repelled, killed, and the time before mosquitoes returned. Burn performance was evaluated based on burn duration, smoke density, and ignition time. Briquette quality was assessed in terms of physical durability, weight loss, and combustion properties. The study used a quantitative experimental design where charcoal and mixed organic waste briquettes were infused with 2-4% essential oils (citronella, neem, or eucalyptus). Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were exposed to the burning briquettes, and measurements were taken at fixed intervals. Statistical analyses, including p-values and correlation tests, were used to determine the significant differences and relationships between the variables. Key results indicated that citronella oil-infused briquettes were the most effective, achieving an 80% mosquito reduction and providing a burn duration of 4-5 hours with high consistency. Eucalyptus oil-infused briquettes showed a 70% reduction and a 3-4 hour burn duration, while neem oil-infused briquettes demonstrated a 60% reduction and a 3-4 hour burn duration with lower consistency. The study also found that briquette quality significantly influenced repellent effectiveness, with charcoal and organic waste briquettes combined with citronella oil performing best. In conclusion, citronella oil is the most reliable option for mosquito repellent briquettes, offering both long-lasting protection and high effectiveness. The use of organic waste briquettes presents a sustainable alternative to traditional charcoal. It is recommended that citronella oil-infused organic waste briquettes be promoted as an eco-friendly and effective mosquito control solution, with further research on optimal formulations and long-term environmental impacts to improve efficacy.