<![CDATA[The American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, is a pest that can potentially contaminate food and the environment, making its control important in environmental health. The use of plant-based materials with repellent activity may provide an approach to cockroach control. This study aimed to analyze and compare the effectiveness of kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix) and Indonesian bay leaf (Syzygium polyanthum) powders as natural repellents against P. americana. A true experimental study with a post-test only control group design was conducted. Powders of both leaves were tested at doses of 7, 9, and 11 g, with a 0 g control, using six replicates and 10 cockroaches in each experimental unit. Repellent responses were observed for one hour. Active-treatment data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's HSD test at α=0.05. The mean repellent responses of C. hystrix at 7, 9, and 11 g were 7.17, 7.67, and 9.17 cockroaches, respectively, compared with 5.00, 6.00, and 6.50 cockroaches for S. polyanthum. Plant powder type (F=51.735; p<0.001) and dose (F=11.327; p<0.001) significantly affected the repellent response, whereas their interaction was not significant (p=0.410). Tukey's HSD test showed a significant difference between the 7 and 11 g doses (p=0.015). C. hystrix powder produced a higher repellent response than S. polyanthum, with the highest response observed at 11 g. Both plant materials have potential for development as botanical repellents against P. americana.]]>
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