Effect of tea tree oil on mosquito repellency characterization of cotton fabric

Abstract

This study evaluated the efficacy of tea tree oil as a natural mosquito repellent finish on 100% cotton fabric. Using the pad-dry-cure procedure, the oil was directly applied to cotton fabric. In a laboratory environment, treated and untreated control samples were evaluated against Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi using standardized exposure assays. The treated fabrics showed consistently high repellency, with percentages of repellency ranging from 94% to 100% during observation periods and total repellency measured at 24 hours. The knockdown results demonstrated acute effects that were species-dependent, with Anopheles stephensi showing more immediate incapacitation than Aedes aegypti. The findings indicate that the effective incorporation of tea tree oil into cotton fabric can greatly improve the fabric's ability to repel mosquitoes.