Activity of Activated Charcoal Cymbopogon nardus as a Larvicide in Controlling the Larvae of Aedes aegypti

Abstract

Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a disease caused by ectoparasites. The ectoparasite in this disease is the Aedes aegypti mosquito which acts as a vector. Aedes aegypti is a type of mosquito that can carry the dengue virus that causes dengue fever. The symptoms of this disease are rarely noticed and can spread quickly. In addition, this disease also attacks all ages and can cause death. Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle is an aromatic grass from the Poaceae family that produces essential oil mainly in the leaves. The essential oil from C. nardus is known as citronella oil has repellent activity. To determine the effect of citronella powder (Cymbopogon nardus) as activated charcoal packaged in bags for controlling Aedes aegypti in bathroom tubs. This study is an experimental posttest-only control group design consisting of a control group and a treatment group using activated charcoal from lemongrass at a concentration of 1%, 2%, and 2.5%, which was treated on Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae instar III five times test. Data analysis used the One-way Anova Statistical Product and Solutions (SPSS) Version 26 test. The results showed the effect of citronella powder (Cymbopogon nardus) as activated charcoal on the mortality of the third instar Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae. This is indicated by the p-value of 0.197. The high concentration of activated charcoal from lemongrass powder determines the high mortality of third instar Aedes aegypti larvae. This is indicated by the significant difference between the concentration treatments. For further research, an increase in the concentration of activated charcoal is needed to increase larval mortality.