The Feasibility of Adelfa (Nerium oleander) Leaves as a Termiticide

to Drywood Termites (Crytotermes brevis)

Overview

Rationale
Termites are one of the major pests in houses. They destroy houses that are primarily made of wood.
They also deteriorate furniture that are made of wood, wasting the money invested on valuable houses
and furniture. Adelfa, a plant that are commonly used as an ornament in gardens. Their leaves contain
flavonoids that are toxic to termites. The researchers thought that these can be utilized to formulate a
termiticide that would eliminate the unwanted pests

Statement of the Problem

This study sought to answer the following problems:
1.) How feasible is adelfa leaves extract in eliminating drywood termites in terms of:
a. Mortality rate;
b. Time needed to take effect; and
c. Efficiency ?
2.) Is there a significant difference on the different concentrations of adelfa leaves extract
solution?
3.) What are the possible recommendations to be made after the study?

Significance of the Study

The following will benefit from this research after conducting the experiments and proving that adelfa
leaves extract is effective as a termiticide:
Households. They can eliminate the pests with only theirselves easily before the termites totally destroy
their houses and furnitures
Pest control. They could consider adelfa leaves extract as an active component of their termiticides
Future researchers. They can utilize the procedures and results of these study to help their own
research that have relation to this research
Scope and limitations
The study will focus on developing a termiticide using the extracts of adelfa leaves extract. The product
of this study does not intend to completely replace the commercially available repellants. This intends to
make a new way by using natural components to keep away or eliminate.
The experiments will be conducted in Malabon National High School-Senior High School Department
laboratory from January 2018 to February 2018.

Methods
The researchers will gather adelfa leaves from gardens and shrubs with the permission of the owners.
The researchers will then extract the flavonoids from the adelfa leaves and made into a solution of
different concentrations.
The drywood termites will be collected from their colonies, more possibly from woods that they
infested. Termites will be grouped into specific numbers and placed in containers.
Woods will be treated by the aldefa leaves extract solution. The treated woods will be placed into the
containers where the termites was kept. The researcher will measure the mortality rate and the time
needed for the ALES to take effect