RESEARCH ARTICLE Repellency potential of essential oils against housefly, Musca domestica L. Nitin Chauhan 1 & Anushree Malik 1 & Satyawati Sharma 2 Received: 26 July 2017 /Accepted: 28 September 2017 # Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2017 Abstract In present study, the essential oils such as Mentha piperita (mentha oil, M.O), Cymbopogan citratus (lemon- grass oil, LG.O), Citrus sinensis (orange oil, O.O), and Eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus oil, E.O) were evaluated for repellency against housefly (Musca domestica) in a specially designed chamber. Further, to study any synergistic effect, essential oil combinations, i.e., M.O + LG.O, M.O + O.O, and M.O + E.O, were screened at 50:50 and 70:30 ratios. The results showed superior repellency of mentha and mentha + lemongrass (70:30) with RC 95 value of 0.009 μl/cm 3 . The other oils and combinations showed higher values of RC 95 (0.010–0.041 μl/cm 3 ). The order of repellency was observed to be mentha = mentha + lemongrass (70:30) > mentha + lemongrass (50:50) = lemongrass = mentha + orange (50:50) = mentha + orange (70:30) > mentha + eucalyptus (70:30) > orange > mentha + eucalyptus (50:50) > eucalyptus. Chemical composition of selected essential oils indicated various mono- terpenes as active components for efficient repellency. The essential oil of mentha marked the presence of menthol (38%) and menthone (27%) in major fractions, whereas citral (49%) was found dominating in lemongrass oil. Eucalyptus and orange oils showed the presence of 1,8-cineole (85%), and limonene (87%), respectively, as major components of oils. Further, monoterpenes (menthol and limonene) were also evaluated for repellency against housefly. The data showed 90 ± 5 and 60 ± 5% repellency from menthol and limonene, respectively, after 1 h, indicating the vital role of monoter- penes in overall efficacy of essential oil. Keywords Musca domestica . Mentha piperita . Cymbopogan citratus . Citrus sinensis . Eucalyptus globulus Introduction The housefly, Musca domestica L., is the common insect vec- tor associated with various parasitic diseases (bacterial, proto- zoan, and viral diseases) (Malik et al. 2007; Chauhan et al. 2015). The chemical pesticides such as organophosphates, carbamates, and pyrethroids are generally used for insect con- trol (Srinivasan et al. 2008). However, increase in resistance development and persistent negative effects of chemical pes- ticides raise concerns for the safety of environment and health (Singh et al. 2009; Chauhan et al. 2016). The alternative ap- proach which is efficient, safe, and also biodegradable is the primary objective of current research worldwide. In the past few years, researchers have started exploring the potential of botanicals against insects. Plants contain various secondary metabolites which utilize several mode of action to inhibit various biochemical pathways of insects. Therefore, develop- ment of resistance against these multiple factors by target in- sect is extremely unlikely (Krause 2010). The effect of botanicals against various pests/pathogens is well documented (Jaenson et al. 2006; Toloza et al. 2008; Gillij et al. 2008; Tyagi and Prasad 2015). Among reported botanicals, plant-based essential oils were exclusively report- ed for efficient repellency against insects (Tawatsin et al. 2001; Trongtokit et al. 2005; Erler et al. 2006). The repellent activity of any essential oil depends on the type and concen- tration of monoterpenes present in it. Monoterpenes such as Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues * Anushree Malik anushree@rdat.iitd.ac.in; anushree_malik@yahoo.com 1 Applied Microbiology Laboratory, Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Delhi, India 2 Biochemistry Lab, Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Delhi, India Environ Sci Pollut Res https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-0363-x