SCIENCE INVESTIGATORY PROJECT

Research Proposal by Groups 5 & 6

Homemade Organic Insecticide with the Use of Lemongrass Oil

Maddela, Miguel
Mariano, Mark
Cadag, Bethany
Castro, Christine
Lazo, Justine Ruth
Manabat, Christine
Soguilon, Lara
Tan, Iris

10-Matapat

2015-2016

St. Mary’s College, Quezon City

Author Note
This paper was prepared for Science 10, 10 – Matapat, taught by Mr. Jayson Sindayen

Chapter 1: The Problem and Its Background

1.1. Introduction
Nowadays, insecticide are not only expensive but also contains harmful chemicals which is
linked to cancerous cellular activity. Children who have been heavily exposed with toxic
insecticide were indicating losses in cell-mediated immunity. With the innovation of
technology, farmers and householders invented multiple remedies for eradicating insect
infestations from their garden plants. Toxic sprays might eliminate garden pests, but they are
harmful to you and the environment which leads towards this study in finding a cheap
alternative for organic and natural insecticide using ingredients found at home. This study
was also conducted to be more resourceful and to create an effective insecticide without
harming the health of individuals and destroying garden plants.

1.2. Statement of The Problem/ Objective

1.2.1 To propose an alternative insecticide for consumers
1.2.2 To test and discover its quality of eliminating all kinds of insects like
cockroaches, spiders, bed bugs etc.
1.2.3 Will this product be as effective and safer to use rather than common
insecticides?
1.2.4 Aims to produce insecticide out of lemongrass oil
1.3. Significance of the Study
This study was conducted for the beneficial effects of every community. This organic homemade
insecticide is non-toxic to humans and pets and safe for the environment since it’s based on natural
ingredients and contains the simplest chemicals. This study can raise the knowledge and
awareness of its audience regarding the impacts of insects in the ecosystem including evolving
mosquitoes with its increasing number of cases of dengue, malaria and the most recent Zika virus.
This will be beneficial to green thumbs, nature lovers, promote safety, awareness and helping the
environment. By understanding this study, this will be of great help to with good sanitation practices
and proper cultural care.
This will serve as future references to practitioners, and future researchers regarding improving
repellants and future products. The World Health Organization (WHO) will benefit, because of the
useful information and product that can be used for further research. The World Health Organization
is an organization that handles global medical problems; preventing and discovering new things
about health. The Department of Health (DOH) is a Filipino government agency that concerns the
health statistics and status of the Filipinos. It supports the needs of Filipinos in medicinal supplies
and gives free services from the government. Furthermore, DOH will also benefit through the use of
increasing the productivity of people’s needs and to achieve and improve on every person’s health
status, services for health care and as much as possible, avoiding hazardous chemicals to an
individual’s health. Using a non-toxic, and insect-repelling which is easier to use on children and
very effective. Hopefully, a lot of future studies can follow.

1.4. Scope and Limitations

Considering how limited resources can be, the group has moved to alternative ingredients. Due to
having difficulties in finding test subjects, not all kinds of insects will be tried and tested.
Researchers used the following ingredients that are not commonly seen to a regular household
such as the following:
1.4.1 Lemongrass
1.4.2 Lemongrass Oil
 1.4.3 Eucalyptus Oil
This is not usually seen in a household. To get these ingredients, it must be bought in a market and
prices may vary in different stores. You might as well plant your own lemongrass in your garden and
have it for free. This product is for alternative use only.

Chapter 2: Review of Related Literature

The review of literature for this study focuses on the benefits of using homemade organic insecticide
and its effects. Homemade organic insecticide using lemongrass oil, with its pleasing aroma and overall
effectiveness, lemongrass oil has become one of the most popular of all natural insect repellents.
Lemongrass oil, which is closely related to citronella, repels a greater variety of pests than most natural
"one-scented" oil mixtures. This review focuses on the benefits and factors of lemongrass, non-toxic,
lemongrass oil, eucalyptus oil, citronella oil, citral, geraniol, myrcene and limonene. The
following terms are discussed further with its relation in our study:
2.1 Hypothesis
This product of ours may face limitations of killing larger insects. The aftereffects of spraying our
products to cockroaches and spider may just make them dizzy and fainted for a while but there’s no
assurance of instantly killing them. The ingredients used are limited, it is not as strong as with the
insecticides from the markets. Ours does not contain any harmful chemicals compared to others which
can eliminate insects but are toxic. We can say that the other products can kill many insects but in our
experiment, we tried to have an insecticide that is less in chemicals because one our main objectives is
to have an insecticide which is safer to humans and environment. The sprays might eliminate the pesky
culprits, but they are harmful to you and the environment. This insecticide that is more convenient to
ordinary people, for us to be more resourceful in thinking and making different ways to kill or prevent
our health from different insects that we can find in our houses.
2.2 Conceptual Framework
One of the variables presented is the type of insecticide, “Homemade Organic Insecticide with the Use
of Lemongrass” we will use towards this experimentation because we want to create an homemade
alternative insecticide that works as good as commercially sold repellents through processes that will
not harm the environment and consumer’s health. Another variable is the type of insect. It is one of the
variables because there, if you are affected of it you can know what things you should do to prevail
them like what we did, we did a test on where the insecticide works effectively. The variables that we
will use are related to our study because we can determine which insecticide is more effective. We can
also determine which insects are killed by the insecticides.

TYPE OF INSECTICIDE TYPE OF INSECTS

Homemade Organic Insecticide w/ the Use
of Lemongrass
Baygon Insect Killer
Colony of ants, Aphids, Cockroaches,
Moths, Bed bugs, Mosquitos, Flies
Cockroaches, spiders, ants, fleas, beetles,
silverfish, bedbugs and other crawling
insects
2.3 Definition of Terms
2.3.1 LEMONGRASS
Lemon grass (Cymbopogon) is a genus of about 55 related grass species or varieties. The lemon grass
plant or the oil extracted from it are used in cooking, aromatherapy, medicinal preparations, teas and
cosmetics. It also has insecticidal properties and the extracted oil is used in insect repellents and
insecticidal sprays. The same chemical compounds are found in all lemon grass varieties, but the
amounts may differ. Its extracted oil will help repel mosquitoes. Lemon grass has long been used in
natural insect repellents which contain citronella oil and help deter mosquitoes with its strong fragrance.
Lemon grass also has anti-larval activity. A 2004 study in Brazil published by Memórias do Instituto
Oswaldo Cruz, an international journal of biological and biomedical research, showed that the essential
oil of lemon grass could kill the larvae of the mosquito that causes dengue fever.

2.3.2 NON TOXIC

Claim, implies that a product, substance, or chemical will not cause adverse health effects, either
immediately or over the long-term, chemicals that are generally safer for humans and the environment.
While most manufacturers’ assessments of toxicity only take acute impacts into consideration, we also
assess chronic impacts, exposure routes, unique windows of vulnerability, and a wide spectrum of
potential health impacts including carcinogenicity, teratogenicity, allergenicity, neurotoxicity, and more.
2.3.3 LEMONGRASS OIL

Lemongrass oil is non-toxic. The historical long-time and widespread use of lemon grass oil all over the
world also speaks to its safety. As a natural insecticide, lemon grass and its oil are not associated with
some of the toxic or harmful side effects of other insecticides. The oil of lemon grass is extracted from
fresh or dried lemon grass by steam distillation or simply by pouring boiling water over the foliage. The
composition of lemon grass oil depends partly on geographical region or where it is grown. Major
constituents of lemon grass oil are citral, geraniol, myrcene, citronellal and limonene.

2.3.4 EUCALYPTUS OIL

Sny of numerous often tall trees belonging to the genus Eucalyptus, of the myrtle family having
aromatic evergreen leaves that are the source of medicinal oils and having the odor or flavor of the
plant from which it comes; used in perfume and flavorings

2.3.5 CITRONELLA OIL

Citronella oil, which repels mosquitoes, contains large amounts of citral. Citral gives lemon grass oil its
lemony fragrance. Citronella oil and other lemon grass oil extracts are used in sprays and topical
applications. Studies with birds and starved mosquitoes, using topical applications of lemon grass oil in
the form of cream or liquid paraffin solution, was effective protection against the hungry mosquitoes,
comparable to commercial mosquito repellents, according to a 2002 report in the journal
Phytomedicine. Citronella oil, a common mosquito repellent, is extracted from citronella grass
(Cymbopogon nardus).
2.3.6 CITRAL

A mobile pale-yellow liquid, C9H15COH, derived from lemon-grass oil and used in perfume and as a
flavoring.
2.3.7 GERANIOL

A constituent of lemon grass oil, was able to kill helminths, which are intestinal worms.

2.3.8 MYRCENE

A liquid acyclic terpene hydrocarbon C10H16 that is important in perfumery.

2.3.9 LIMONENE

A liquid terpenoid, C10H16, with a characteristic lemonlike fragrance, used as a solvent, wetting agent,
and dispersing agent

Chapter 3: Methodology

3.1 Materials/ Equipment

3.1.1 Lemongrass oil

3.1.2 Rubbing alcohol or distilled water
3.1.3 Rosemary or eucalyptus oil
3.1.4 Liquid hand soap
3.1.5 Lemongrass plants
3.1.6 Spray bottle
3.1.7 Stirring rod
3.1.8 Bowl
3.2 General Procedure
3.2.1 Purchase pure lemongrass oil to use as a pure, natural and safe insect repellent.
3.2.2 Put the chopped lemon grass in a boiling water to release its essence for 30 minutes.

3.2.3 Pour 1 ½ cup of lemongrass oil and ½ cup of rosemary oil in a container. ¼ cup of liquid hand
soap, ½ cup of distilled water and 1/8 cup of alcohol in a separate container.

3.2.4Dilute the lemon grass oil and rosemary oil in rubbing alcohol or distilled water.
3.2.5 Pour the mixtures into one container for easy applications.

3.2.5.1 Note that concentrated lemongrass oil may cause skin irritation if not diluted, so test your
formula on a small patch of skin before spraying all over your body.
3.2.6 Mix lemongrass oil with other types of natural oils such as eucalyptus oil and rosemary oil to
create an even stronger insect repellent.

3.2.6.1 Lemongrass oil can be mixed with eucalyptus oil for an insect repellent than can protect
you for 5 to 6 hours per application.
3.2.7 Rosemary oil, which can be extracted from the common rosemary plant, can be combined with
lemongrass oil for a more aromatic formula than will repel an even greater variety of insects.

3.2.8 Add a few drops of lemongrass oil to liquid hand soap until its scent starts to dominate the scents
of the product.
3.2.9 Mix them all together and put the mixture inside the spray bottle.

Chapter 4: Results and Findings

4.1 Results
 KIND INSECT SCENT TIME INSECTS TIME UNTIL WITHOLDING
WENT INSECTS WERE PRICE
UNCONSCIOUS EXTERMINATED
Ants -contains 2 5
Cockroaches hazardous 8 12
BAYGON chemicals
INSECT Bedbugs which is 4 6
KILLER Mosquitos bad for the 5 8
Flies respiratory 6 9
system P106
-cause (500 mL)
severe
problems in
crops,
livestock,
waterways,
environmen
t
Ants -Lemony, 4 6
HOMEMADE fragrant
ORGANIC Cockroaches scent 10 13
INSECTICID Bedbugs -Safe for the 5 7
E respiratory
Mosquitos system 6 8
because of P168.75
Flies 6 8
its non-toxic (300 mL)
chemicals,
organic
ingredients
and can be
inhaled

4.2 Findings
We had successfully aims to produce pesticide out of lemongrass which is resourceful and easy to
attain when planned to plant in a garden. And is very useful to many people and also to have as
another alternatives of insecticide. Based on our results, seconds varies from the two different
variables. The Baygon insect killer was able to kill or exterminate the insects within a short span of time
ranging from 2 to 12 seconds while our homemade organic insecticide kill insects, not in a very long
time and ranges from 4 to 13 seconds. Both variables can kill but in terms of time, Baygon insect killer
is less was consumed compared to our experiment. In the scent, it was obvious that Baygon insect
killer could kill insect in just an instant second but it releases poisonous hazards and people may risk
their health by poisoning through excessive exposure depending on dose, toxicity, duration of exposure
and sensitivity. We were able to produce an insecticide which can kill insects of higher forms inside a
household. Our homemade organic insecticide was fragrant, lemony essence and assure that it’s
breathable within human respiratory system. The withholding price of our product can remain constant
and free if the consumer had decided to plants his/her own rosemary plants and lemongrass. Baygon
insect killer can increase its price as time passes by in markets.
Chapter 5: Conclusions and Recommendations
5.1 Conclusion
We therefore conclude that we can produce an alternative homemade organic insecticide with the use
of lemongrass and lemongrass oil as our main ingredients. Its quality, odor and effect is not the same
as commercial products sold in markets but it can assure your safety. Its time consumed hold a short
difference of seconds between Baygon. The objectives of this investigatory project were all achieved:

1.2 Statement of the Problem/Objective

1.2.1 To propose an alternative insecticide for consumers
This is an alternative for consumers to create an insecticide instead of rushing towards the
markets and buy insecticides which may harm the children’s health especially the younger
audiences. This is optional for the consumers and this is easily obtained by just following the
general procedures and its ingredients are commonly found in a household.
1.2.2 To test and discover its quality of eliminating all kinds of insects like cockroaches, spiders, bed
bugs etc.

The product has successfully repelled the insects during the test with time table presented
above it shows the seconds on our insecticide was able to exterminate insects within seconds.
Although, its quality is not as accurate as Baygon because of its chemical content and since,

our aims to make an alternative and homemade.

1.2.3 Will this product be as effective and safer to use rather than common insecticides?

It is effective and safer to use compare to commercially sold products in the markets and the
difference was the rate of time. The quality of our product is not as high like those common
insecticides but it can kill insects.
1.2.4 Aims to produce insecticide out of lemongrass oil

Usage of another material or ingredient that can help increase the effectiveness of the
lemongrass. Using lemongrass oil as our main ingredient as it also adds up effectiveness of the
insecticide.
5.2 Recommendations

There are a lot of better alternatives for lemongrass oil and rosemary oil like onion and garlic,
eucalyptus, chrysanthemum flower tea and a lot more. If we were to recreate this product, we would
likely have the oils boiled for a longer time for it to be extracted better. Since we had a problem
squeezing in our time through the hectic week, we would test it for a few more tries to have more
accurate results. Since our product is also homemade and organic, we would also like to try adding in
some more ingredients to test which of which is a better solution. The researchers would like to
recommend more study about our homemade organic insecticide with the use of lemongrass oil and
accurate procedure and measures will be used. The researchers also recommend the use of a test
group that is easier to handle because the mosquitoes were not easy to handle and limitations of
insects in higher form.

Bibliography

 Lemongrass Oil as an Alternative Insect Repellant

https://lemongrassoilip.wordpress.com/2015/02/03/lemongrass-oil-as-an-alternative-insect-
repellent-2/
 Insecticidal Properties of Lemon Grass
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/insecticidal-properties-lemon-grass-55229.html
 How to Use Lemongrass Oil as an Insect Repellent
http://www.ehow.com/how_2164040_use-lemongrass-oil-as-insect.html
 How To Use Lemon Grass To Repel Mosquitoes
http://plantcaretoday.com/how-to-use-lemon-grass-to-repel-mosquitoes.html
 How toxic are these pesticides?
http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/Biology/eh01/pesticides/pestiscide_health_effects.html