The Effectiveness of Betle Leaf (Piper betle L.) Extract as a Bio-pesticide for Controlled of Houseflies (Musca domestica L.)

The housefly, Musca domestica L., spreads disease by contaminating food. However, chemical insecticides used to combat houseflies can pollute the environment and can harm non-target insects and humans; this demands safer alternatives and pest control options.

AIM: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Piper betle L. leaf extract as a bio-pesticide against houseflies.

METHODS: This study using a factorial design with six variations in concentration (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%), four variations in contact time (15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes), and 5-day-old M. domestica adults that were bred from residential areas.

RESULTS: The results show that mortality was affected by concentration (p-value < 0.000), contact time (p-value < 0.000), and the interaction between concentration and contact time (p-value = 0.0007). Of the three, concentration had the greatest effect.

CONCLUSION: As such, the use of Piper betle L. extract is a suitable, cheap, and environmentally safe method for controlling M. domestica.