Background of the study
Rainy season here in the Philippines means bug bites and bug-borne diseases. Diseases like malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever and such are caused by a bite of an infected arthropod. There are several ways of getting rid of these pesky arthropods and the most common way is by using bug sprays. Bug sprays on the market – including the ones with DEET (diethyltoluamide) – have been deemed safe if used as directed. DEET is an active ingredient in many insect repellants. According to a study in Duke University, DEET damages brain cells, can cause behavioural changes, and can have harmful interactions with some medications. It was also observed that it caused brain cell death in animals frequently exposed to or after prolonged use of DEET. Even though bug sprays have been deemed safe, we are still being exposed to chemicals that could potentially harm us. So, before you grab a DEET-based repellent, consider using a natural option instead.
In this Investigatory project, we will learn how to make a natural insect repellent. All of the ingredients are organic and can be found at home. The main ingredients that will be used in this project such as the lemon grass, garlic and eucalyptus oil are known to be effective in keeping those pesky arthropods away. Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a natural and effective mosquito repellent. It contains the natural oil, citronella, which is safe and effective. Garlic, on the other hand, is also an effective repellent because of its smell. Lastly, Eucalyptus oil contains chemicals that repels mosquitos and kills fungus.
Statement of the problem:
Is it possible to create an all-natural Insect Repellent using only organic materials?
Is it effective?
Objectives:
At the end of the semester, the students must be able to make an effective Natural Insect Repellent using only organic products.
Materials:
4 pieces of Garlic
Handful of Lemon grass
1 teaspoon of Eucalyptus oil
1 teaspoon of Olive oil
Water
Cloth
Mortar and Pestle
Bowl
Gas stove
Empty insect sprayer
Method
Peel the skin of the garlic
Use mortar and pestle to mash the garlic
Wash the lemon grass
Add a half a glass of water to the mashed garlic and mix
Use cloth to filter the garlic from its extract
Prepare the gas stove and let the lemon grass boil in water
After boiling, remove the lemon grass from its extract
Pour the lemon grass extract into a bowl
Mix the garlic extract into the bowl of lemon grass extract
Pour eucalyptus oil and olive oil into the bowl
Mix
Pour contents into the insect sprayer
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