University Students Test Red Chili as Dengue Mosquito Larvicide in Deli Serdang
Red chili extracts are currently being tested as a natural larvicide against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Deli Serdang Regency, offering residents an accessible alternative for controlling dengue fever vectors when traditional plants become scarce, according to public health researchers at the University of Sumatera Utara (USU).
Researchers initially focused their work on castor bean seeds because the plants were once abundant across Medan. However, declining local populations of the castor tree forced the research team to pivot toward red chili peppers so community members could easily replicate the method at home, according to statements reported on October 27, 2026. Miftahussakdan, a public health student at USU assisting faculty members Ir. Indra Chahaya S., M.Si. and Winni R. E. Tumanggor, SKM., MPH., noted that the shift directly addresses local availability issues. Sakdan explained on Saturday, October 24, 2026, that the original research utilized castor bean extract because the plants were widely available in Medan at the time. The shift to red chili serves to make the practice more accessible for residents to implement independently in their own homes.
Community Testing and Ovitrap Monitoring in Deli Tua
Field testing took place in Deli Tua Subdistrict, where researchers collaborated with members of the Family Welfare Empowerment movement, known locally as PKK. Participants monitored testing sites over a two-week period using improvised mosquito traps. The teams constructed these ovitrap containers from discarded household vessels, wrapping the exteriors in black electrical tape to attract egg-laying female mosquitoes. Sakdan noted that through this two-week periodic monitoring, the team observed changes in the presence of larvae within the traps used.
During the two-week monitoring window, participants tracked shifts in larvae populations inside the treated traps. While local monitors observed visible changes in larvae counts, researchers emphasize that fluctuating counts do not automatically confirm that red chili extracts reliably kill the insects. Methodological controls and proper chemical analysis remain necessary to verify actual toxicity levels against mosquito vectors.
Natural Larvicide Durability and Next Steps
Botanical larvicides present unique stability challenges during home storage and field application, as natural compounds degrade over time when exposed to varying environmental conditions. Researchers stress that regular replacement of trap water and consistent monitoring schedules remain essential to any sustained vector control protocol.
The field trials in Deli Serdang mark an initial step toward exploring environmentally friendly vector control methods tailored to community resources. Academic teams expect the ongoing public health outreach to expand local understanding of how readily available household ingredients might be adapted for vector management, provided future studies validate their active biochemical properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific role did the PKK members play during the field trials?
Members of the Family Welfare Empowerment movement in Deli Tua Subdistrict participated directly in monitoring the ovitrap containers and tracking larvae presence over a two-week testing period.
Why did the research team transition from castor beans to red chili peppers?
According to Miftahussakdan, castor trees became increasingly difficult to find around Medan, prompting the team to test red chili peppers so residents could easily prepare the alternative at home.
How were the mosquito traps constructed for the chili extract tests?
Researchers and community participants built ovitrap devices using discarded household containers wrapped with black electrical tape on the outside to attract egg-laying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
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