Chapter 1 : THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

Introduction

Dengue fever is a painful, debilitating mosquito-borne disease caused by any one of

four closely related dengue viruses. These viruses are related to the viruses that cause

West Nile infection and yellow fever. An estimated 390 million dengue infections occur

worldwide each year, with about 96 million resulting in illness. Most cases occur in

tropical areas of the world, with the greatest risk occurring in the Indian subcontinent,

Southeast Asia, Southern China, Taiwan, The Pacific Islands, The Caribbean (except Cuba

and the Cayman Islands), Mexico, Africa, Central and South America (except Chile,

Paraguay, and Argentina). (webm.com)

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are one of the four species of mosquitoes which

carries the dengue virus. This type of mosquitoes are most active during morning.

Male aedes aegypti don’t bite humans or any animal species but female aedes

aegyptis does. They harm humans and cost millions of lives due to its carried disease.

Mosquito coil is a mosquito repellent incense which is usually held at its center

staying in mid-air. The burning begins at the outer end of the spiral and slowly to the

center producing smoke that exterminates mosquitoes . It is mostly used Asia, Africa.

South America, Canada and Australia. However, the use of mosquito coil harm the

health of people because of the chemical content.

To prevent the population and prevent the harm to human's health, ponkan

peelings is one of the organic materials that has insecticidal properties that can cause

extermination of mosquitoes. The use of this will help the society as it kills the

mosquitoes and has no bad effect on citizen’s health.

Background of the Study

Nowadays, diseases like Malaria and Dengue are spreading due to the

continuously increasing population of mosquitoes. However, mosquito coils are most

likely to use for exterminating mosquitoes but it is hazardous and it contains

chemicals and toxic substances that very bad for our health.

That is why, the researchers decided to use ponkan peelings as a mosquito coil.

Based on studies, mosquitoes hate the smell of ponkan, lemon and orange

peelings, for example, rubbing citrus peels on your skin or grating peels around your

porch, patio or composite can help repel mosquitoes. With this natural plants it can

provide affordable and organic mosquito coil. Unlike inorganic mosquito coil this is

much safer and could also be a good source of income. Therefore, mosquito coil

made by ponkan peelings is lore convenient to use than inorganic ones.

Statement of the Problem

This study intended to make mosquito coil out of ponkan (Citrus reticulata)

peelings.

Specifically, this study aims to:

1. make an organic mosquito coil using ponkan peelings to prevent different kind

of diseases caused by mosquitoes

2. test the effectiveness of ponkan peelings as an organic mosquito coil;and

3. provide an affordable and environment-friendly mosquito coil using ponkan

peelings
Hypotheses

Null Hypothesis (Ho):

The use of ponkan peelings has no significant effect to exterminate the adult

Aedes aegypti mosquito.

Alternative Hypothesis (Ha):

The use of ponkan peelings has a significant effect to exterminate the adult Aedes

aegypti mosquito.

Significance of the Study

The researchers used ponkan peelings as a mosquito coil. These ponkan peelings

also have insecticidal effect that can be a substitute in the commercialized mosquito

coils. This product are helpful to our society especially to all Filipinos who suffered in

the itchy bites of mosquitoes that may cause some diseases especially the dengue

fever.

The significance of the study is to create an environmental-friendly mosquito

coils. The researcher wanted to help the community to reduce the large population of

mosquitoes specially in our country that has many cases of dengue and other diseases

caused by mosquitoes.

Nowadays, the common used coils are made up of chemicals and other

substances that can harm the health of the people and also the commercialized

mosquito coils are expensive in the market.

Scope and Limitations of the Study

This study is all about producing an organic mosquito coil from Ponkan peelings

that can have a great impact in the community by lessening or controlling the number

of disease-carrying mosquitoes.

The limitations of the study are the unforeseen circumstances like bad weather in

testing the product. There will be a difficulty in testing the product because the test

subject is very tiny. Though this, the researchers will be able to test the product with

the help of a qualified scientist and with the use of proper laboratory equipments.
Definition of Terms

Aedes aegypti - a mosquito that can spread dengue fever, chikungunya, zika virus,

malaria, and yellow fever viruses and other disease agents.

Binder - a material that is used to hold things together.

Blender - an electric kitchen machine that is used to cut food and ice into very small

pieces and to make soft foods into liquid.

Burning rate - is a measure of the linear combustion rate of a compound or substance

such as a candle or a solid propellant. It is measured in length over time such as

"mm/second" or "inches/second".

Coconut husk - is a rough exterior shells of coconut.

Inorganic - made from or containing material that does not come from plants or

animals.

Mortality rate - the number of deaths in a given area or period, or from a particular

cause.

Mosquito coil - a spiral incense typically made form a dried paste of a pyrethrum

powder, which when lit burns slowly to produce a mosquito repellent.

Organic - not using artificial chemicals.

Oven - a piece of cooking equipment that is used for baking or roasting food.

Peeling - a peeled off piece or strip.

Starch - a substance that is binds specific ingredients like baking ingredients.

Weighing scale- are a device to measure weight.