Abstract. The goal of this research is to determine the insecticidal effects of chili pepper leaf extract on termites. Chili pepper leaves were collected then air-dried and oven-dried until brittle. The leaves were then pulverized and milled using the Willey mill. After this, the powdered leaves were boiled in water and filtered. After the preparation of the extract, termites were gathered in two containers. One of the containers was sprayed with the extract. The other container served as the control. The setup was checked every hour for five succeeding hours. Result showed that the extract had no apparent effect on termites.
INTRODUCTION
The chili pepper, or suing labuyo as many of us know it, is a favorite spice of many people around the world, including the Philippines. There are people who cannot eat anything without the taste of real hot pepper. Pepper have health-sustaining properties as well. They have been found to have rich Vitamin A and C contents. Here in the Philippines, even the leaves of the chili pepper are eaten as a vegetable.
The goal of this project is to find out if an aqueous extract from chili pepper leaves have any insecticidal effect on insects, specifically termites. Termites are a common problem everywhere. They cause destruction in furniture, houses, or anything made of wood. If this research proves to be successful, there can now be an alternative solution to this problem and it is also possible that it can be used in the fight against other insect pest.
This research will only test the leaves of the chili pepper for insecticidal properties. Only one concentration of the solution will be used for testing. The chemical contents of the extract will not be determined. The extract will only be tested on termites.
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Insecticides are poisons used for chemical control. Insecticides often are used on a large scale. Low-flying airplanes and
References: Mindscape. Grolier Electronic Publishing, Inc,. Singapore. 1996. The New Book of Kpowledge. United States of America. GRolier Incorporated. 19)80. Note: No part of this article maybe used or reproduced in any form whatsoever without wtritten permission from Philippine Science High School, Diliman Quezorr City except in the case of brief citation embodied in scientific articles and reviews.