4 August 2010
By Satiman Jamin
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The demand for the plant has skyrocketed and ornamental plant nurseries here are doing brisk business selling the citrus-smelling plant to customers who want a more eco-friendly mosquito-repellent.
When the New Straits Times visited a plant nursery in Kampung Belukar Jambu here, there were only a few Jeremin plants left as the stock had been snapped up by those who had come to know of the plant's effectiveness in keeping mosquitoes away.
Nursery worker Shamila Othman, 33, said the plants were supplied to them by a trader from Sungai Buloh, Selangor.
"We are going to increase our orders for the plant as it has been selling like hot cakes since the dengue outbreak was highlighted by the media recently."
She said most customers refer to the plant as pokok nyamuk, in reference to its ability to repel mosquitoes.
Shamila said there was a noticeable absence of mosquitoes from the section of the nursery where the Jeremin plants were stored.
"My customers said they increased the repellent effect by putting the plant under the ceiling fan for the citrus smell to fill the house and drive away mosquitoes."
Teacher Chaizani Mohd Shamsudin from Kampung Gong Tok Nasek here said the plant was a better alternative to foul-smelling insecticide sprays.
"I'll have to leave the living room after spraying insecticide as I cannot stand the smell but the plant's pleasant citrus smell is much welcomed by the family. Even my cats are more comfortable with it," she said.
The plant was said to have originated from Africa but there were numerous research by local experts about its efficacy as an eco- friendly insecticide and mosquito repellent.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Chemical Engineering Pilot Plant (CEPP) website listed Pelargonium radula as one of the plants that had been researched in the production of bio-friendly insecticides.
State health director Dr Nordiyanah Hassan said mosquito repellent of any kind was just a secondary measure in the fight against aedes mosquitoes.
"It is more important to get rid of their breeding ground. Repelling mosquitoes only provides a temporary respite from being bitten."
Source: 'Anti-mosquito' plant selling like hot cakes http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/24JERE/.../#ixzz0vc6osahV
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