Utilization of Mosquito paper out of Pepper Mint (M.

balsamea Willd), Basil

(Ocimumbasilicum) and Lemongrass (Cymbopogon)

An Investigatory Project

By

Joi Janelle L. Pajila

Joanne A. Familara
(Research Teacher)

Bansud National High School

Regional Science High School for MIMAROPA
Pag-asaBansud Oriental Mindoro

V. INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Few animals on Earth evoke the antipathy that mosquitoes do. Their itchy, irritating bites
and nearly ubiquitous presence can ruin a backyard barbecue or a hike in the woods. They have
an uncanny ability to sense our murderous intentions, taking flight and disappearing milliseconds
before a fatal swat. And in our bedrooms, the persistent, whiny hum of their buzzing wings can
wake the soundest of sleepers.
Mosquitoes use exhaled carbon dioxide, body odors and temperature, and movement to
home in on their victims. Only female mosquitoes have the mouth parts necessary for sucking
blood. Mosquitoes transmit disease in a variety of ways. In the case of malaria, parasites attach
themselves to the gut of a female mosquito and enter a host as she feeds. In other cases, such as
yellow fever and dengue, a virus enters the mosquito as it feeds on an infected human and is
transmitted via the mosquitos saliva to a subsequent victim.
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease that occurs in tropical and subtropical areas of
the world. Millions of cases of dengue infection occur worldwide each year. Dengue fever is
most common in Southeast Asia and the western Pacific islands, but the disease has been
increasing rapidly in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Today about 2.5 billion people, or 40% of the worlds population, live in areas where
there is a risk of dengue transmission. Dengue is endemic in at least 100 countries in Asia, the
Pacific, the Americas, Africa, and the Caribbean. The World Health Organization (WHO)
estimates that 50 to 100 million infections occur yearly, including 500,000 DHF cases and

22,000 deaths, mostly among children. In the Philippines, by September 2011, the disease had
already resulted in 285 deaths of children between 1 and 9 years of age.
Statement of the Problem
The main problem of this study is to produce a mosquito paper out of pepper mint, basil
and lemon grass. Specifically, this will aim to answer the following question:
1. What are the active components of peppermint, basil and lemongrass that can be used in
producing a mosquito paper?
2. Which is the most acceptable among the three experimental set-ups and commercial setups in terms of:
2.1 Odor;
2.2 No. of mosquitoes died; and
2.3 Time it took before the mosquitoes were killed?
3. Is there significant difference among the three experimental set-ups and the commercial
product in terms of:
3.1 Odor;
3.2 No. of mosquitoes died; and
3.3 Time it took before the mosquitoes were killed?
Null Hypothesis
1. There are no active components present in Peppermint, basil and Lemongrass that can be
used in producing a mosquito repelling paper.

2. Set-up 2 which is the experimental set-up is the most acceptable among the three
experimental set-ups and the commercial set-up.
2.1 Odor;
2.2 No. of mosquitoes died; and
2.3 Time it took before the mosquitoes were killed.
3. There is no significant difference among the three set-ups in terms of:
3.1 Odor;
3.2 No. of mosquitoes died; and
3.3 Time it took before the mosquitoes were killed.
Significance of the Study
People who live near rivers
They will benefit the study because they will use this to kill mosquito that came from the
river. And it is cheap compare to the commercial product.
Schools
As of today, many school have reported that they have issue upon dengue and they will
use this because it is cheap and effective.
Community

This can be used to make a mosquito paper to lessen the population growth of mosquito.
It can help the less fortunate people who cannot afford buying insect repellent.
Future Researchers
It will also a big help in finding ways of producing mosquito paper out of basil,
peppermint and lemongrass. And the result of this experiment could help future researchers in
finding new ways where basil, peppermint and lemongrass can be used.
Definition of Terms
Aedes Mosquito
Of which the voracious Asian tiger is a member, carry yellow fever, dengue, and
encephalitis.
Anopheles Mosquito
It is the only species of mosquito known to carry malaria.
Basil
It is another herb that can also double as a pest repellent.
Dengue
It is a mosquito-borne disease and is endemic in at least 100 countries of Asia. Also, it is
caused by one of the four virus present in mosquito saliva.
Evaporate
It is the process of turning liquid into gas.

Haemorrhage
Is an internal bleeding or gush of blood inside the body.
Lemon grass
It is one of the most common insect repellent in the Philippines and is known for its
ability to repel insects and bugs.
Mosquito
They are carriers, or vectors, for some of humanitys most deadly illnesses, and they are
public enemy number one in the fight against global infectious disease.
Mosquito larvae
It is the second stage of mosquito which is also known as wrigglers.
Peppermint
It has a high mentol content that can repel mosquito. And is also one of the most common
mosquito killer in the Philippines.