Utilization of Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus) as Natural Mosquito Spray in Lembah Dusun Gading Village

Abstract

This community service program was carried out by a Universitas Riau student team in Lembah Dusun Gading Village, Pasir Penyu Subdistrict, Indragiri Hulu Regency, on 20 July 2026, focusing on the underused potential of citronella (Cymbopogon nardus) as a natural mosquito repellent. The program was carried out in three stages. First, a socialization session was held for residents at Posyandu Anggrek, covering environmental cleanliness and the mosquito-repellent compounds found in citronella (citronellal, citronellol, and geraniol). Second, a demonstration and hands-on implementation stage followed, in which participants practiced making a natural anti-mosquito spray from citronella extract, alcohol, and water, closing with the planting of matoa and durian seedlings. Third, an evaluation stage measured the program's achievement through a questionnaire distributed to sixteen respondents across twenty items, producing an average score of 94.69%, indicating a very good level of participant satisfaction and understanding. The program demonstrates that citronella, a plant already abundant in the village, can be turned into a practical, replicable household product through simple community training.