We evaluated the larvicidal activity of 20 plant essential oils and components from ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi) and Peru balsam (Myroxylon pereira) oils against Aedes aegypti. Of the 20 plant essential oils, ajowan and Peru balsam oils at 0.1 mg/mL exhibited 100% and 97.5% larval mortality, respectively. At this same concentration, the individual constituents, (+)-camphene, benzoic acid, thymol, carvacrol, benzyl benzonate and benzyl trans-cinnamate caused 100% mortality. The toxicity of blends of constituents identified in 2 active oils indicated that thymol and benzyl benzoate were major contributors to the larvicidal activity of the artificial blend. We also tested the acute toxicity of these 2 active oils and their major constituents against the water flea, Daphnia magna. Peru balsam oil and benzyl trans-cinnamate were the most toxic to D. magna. Two days after the treatment, residues of ajowan and Peru balsalm oils in water were 36.2% and 85.1%, respectively. Less than 50% of benzyl trans-cinnamate and thymol were detected in the water at 2 days after treatment. Our results show that the essential oils of ajowan and Peru balsam and some of their constituents have potential as botanical insecticides against Ae. aegypti mosquito larvae.