# Adulticidal and Repellent Activity of Essential Oils from Three Cultivated Aromatic Plants Against Musca domestica L

## TL;DR

This study shows that essential oils from eucalyptus, fennel, and sage can effectively kill and repel house flies, offering a natural alternative to harmful insecticides.

## Contribution

The study identifies eucalyptus, fennel, and sage essential oils as effective and eco-friendly alternatives for controlling house flies.

## Key findings

- Eucalyptus oil achieved 100% fly mortality at 34 µL L−1 air with the lowest LC50 of 18.1 µL L−1 air.
- Fennel oil showed the highest contact toxicity with 100% mortality at 150 µL L−1.
- All oils repelled over 87% of flies, with sage being the most repellent at low concentrations.

## Abstract

House flies transmit diseases to both animals and humans. Their control relies on using insecticides, but these chemicals are becoming less effective and raise safety concerns. This study evaluated the use of essential oils from eucalyptus, fennel, and sage as natural fly control options. The laboratory results indicated that all three oils exhibited insecticidal and repellent properties. Eucalyptus oil was the most effective fumigant, killing all house flies at 34 µL L−1 of air, while fennel oil demonstrated the highest contact toxicity, achieving 100% mortality at 150 µL L−1. All oils repelled over 87% of flies. These findings underscore essential oils as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic insecticides.

The house fly, Musca domestica L., is a pest of great medical and agricultural importance, serving as a vector for various diseases and undermining the quality of agricultural products. Traditionally, synthetic insecticides have been the primary means of control; however, their efficacy has declined over time, and they are now less preferred due to their safety and environmental concerns. This study evaluated the insecticidal and repellent properties of essential oils from Eucalyptus globulus, Foeniculum vulgare and Salvia officinalis against M. domestica. All EOs exhibited insecticidal activity: eucalyptus achieved 100% fumigant mortality at 34 µL L−1 air and showed the lowest LC50 (18.1 µL L−1 air), while fennel and sage required 50 µL L−1 air. In contrast, fennel showed the highest contact toxicity (100% mortality at 150 µL L−1). Repellency exceeded 87% for all EOs, with sage being the most repellent at the lowest concentration tested (94% at 5 µL L−1). These results highlight the potential use of essential oils and their constituents as environmentally friendly alternatives for the control of M. domestica. However, further field validation and studies on individual components and their synergistic combinations are needed to understand their efficacy and fully optimize their use.