HULU SELANGOR SCIENCE SCHOOL

CO-CO RODENTICIDE
Lisneza binti Rosli, Ayra Mishael binti Mohd Helmi, Siti Sarah Hayati binti Azhar

Hulu Selangor Science School, Hulu Yam Bharu, 44300, Batang Kali, Hulu Selangor, Selangor, Malaysia
lisnezaroseli@gmail.com

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

All praises to the Almighty for the strength and His blessings in allowing completion of this innovation
project. It is also a genuine pleasure to express our deep gratitude to our advisor, Teacher Lisneza Roseli.
Her dedication and keen interest above all and her overwhelming attitude to help her students has
motivated us to finish this project. Without her guidance and support, this research may have not been
able to achieve the amount of progress as we have achieved today.

Besides, we would like to give a special thanks to our teachers for guiding us throughout this project. This
priceless contribution with many useful information has helped us to run this experiment smoothly and
easily as reliable facts have aided in strengthening the basis of our studies. Many hands have definitely
made our work lighter and ease our burden in conducting this experiment.

We sincerely want to convey our gratitude to our parents, for their continuous support as well as
motivation, financially and emotionally and to everybody who has supported us. Last but not least, we
would like to thank everyone who has helped us in the process of completing this innovation project.

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 ABSTRACT

According to the documentation of The Ministry of Health of Malaysia, our country has been experiencing
an increasing number of Leptospirosis cases with a record of 7,806 cases and 92 deaths in 2014. The
zoonotic disease is a bacterial infection that is most commonly spread by contact with rat urine, however
very rarely transmitted from a person to another.

Co-Co Rodenticide is an eco-friendly alternative to typical rodent repellents. It serves to prevent the spread
of the Leptospirosis disease by killing rodents with a method that will not cause harm to other beings due
to the absence of toxic chemicals. This rodenticide will not have any negative effects on human and
environmental health as it is biodegradable and will not contaminate fields or crops.

Co-co Rodenticide consists of corn cobs and soybean wax which will act as a dehydrant and kill the rodent.
The corn cob absorbs the liquids in the intestine, causing low blood pressure, coma, and thereafter a heart
attack and death. Co-Co Rodenticide is produced by blending dried corn cobs into powder and made into a
mixture by adding melted soy wax. It is then shaped and stored in a container.

Co-Co Rodenticide is affordable even in large quantities hence making this product able to compete with
other rodenticides in the market.

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1.0 RATIONALE
Leptospirosis, a disease caused by leptospira bacteria infection can occur in both humans and animals.
Without proper treatment, leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, liver failure, respiratory distress and
even death. In humans, the symptoms of the diseases are a wide range which includes fever, headache,
red eyes, vomiting, Jaundice and many others. In several cases, a person with leptospirosis may show no
symptoms. Leptospirosis can be avoided with ease by the use of a rodenticide, which kills rodents
responsible for the possible spread of the infection.

Rodenticides commonly consist of active ingredients such as Zinc phosphide, Warfarin, Bromadiolone,
Cholecalciferol, and Strychnine. These chemical substances make the rodenticide toxic when eaten,
inhaled or come into contact with the skin. Long term exposure to rodenticides can lead to health
problems even in small amounts. In a household, these chemical rodenticides can negatively impact the
health of children and even pets. The use of rodenticide can also cause the poisoning of non-target species.
This is because if consumed by the rodent, it does die not immediately. Thus, the poison will continue to
travel up the wildland food chains if eaten by other predators within the remaining time before death.

With this, we are clearly in need of a rodenticide that will avoid causing such problems.

1.1 PROBLEM STATEMENT

● Rodents are able to transmit the deadly virus Leptospirosis through its urine.
● The use of chemical rodenticide that gives out bad effects to us and the environment.
● Harmful if rodenticide accidentally consumed especially by kids or pets.

1.3 ADVANTAGES
● Safe
● Reduces pollution
● Kills specific pests
● Eco-friendly

1.4 PRODUCT COMPARISON

Co-Co Rodenticide Brand X

Eco-Friendly, safe Contains chemicals

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Will not cause pollution cause pollution and

cause ecological damage
 no bad odour Release bad odour

1.4. RESEARCH QUESTION

● Would the percentage of dried corn cobs used in the rodenticide impact on the efficiency of
the product?

1.6 HYPOTHESIS
● The percentage of dried corn cobs used in the rodenticide will make the product more
efficient

1.7 ENGINEERING GOALS

● Successfully minimize the cases of collateral damage
● Prevent the occurrence of health issues deriving from chemical rodenticide
● Reduce the number of rodents
● Supports the rising usage of eco-friendly products

2.0 METHODOLOGY

2.1 MATERIALS

Dried Corn cobs Hot water

Soy wax

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2.2 PROCESS OF PRODUCTION

 Dry the corn cobs under
the sun.

Blend the dried corn

cobs.

Melt the oy wax and mix

it with the dried corn cob
powder.

Shape the mixture and

secure it in a container.

2.3 PROCEDURE
2.3.1 experiment with rodents

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3.0 DATA ANALYSIS

 Percentage of Corn Cobs Days taken to kill rodent
(A) 50% 1 week

(B) 70% 3 days

Based on the experiment that we have conducted, our team has deduced that hypothesis has been
accepted.
During our experiment with rodent A, Co-Co Rodenticide was produced with the ratio of 1:1. On
day 1 until day 3, the rodent remains in its normal condition and shows no sign of weakness. Day
4 and 5, the rodent is seen weakened and moves slowly. Day 6, the rodent makes only little
movements and experiences coma. By day 7, the rodent is confirmed dead. The carcass of the
rodent is then disposed of safely. Whilst in experiment with rat B, Co-Co Rodenticide was
produced with the ratio of 7:10. On day 1, the rodent already shows signs of weakness. Day 2,
the rodent experiences a coma. By day3, the rodent was confirmed dead.
The carcass of rodents are then disposed, safely.

3.1 RISK AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

● The carcass of the rodents could be disposed safely
by using a glove or broom and dustpan instead of
bare hands
● When handling the rodent, glove must be worn as
protection in case of biting

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6.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY
● “Leptospirosis”Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDCP). 2019, 13 March
https://www.cdc.gov/leptospirosis/index.html
● “Rodenticides”, National Pesticide Information Centre (NPIC). 11 December
http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/rodenticides.html
● F.P. Pogue, Paul. Angie’s List. 2017, May 17
https://www.angieslist.com/articles/can-rat-poison-kill-you.htm
● Brodifacoum Health and Safety Guideline, World Health Organization. 1995
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/36901/9241510935_eng.pdf?
sequence=1&isAllowed=y
● “Retrospective Study of Leptospirosis in Malaysia”, Springer Link. 2017, 12 April
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10393-017-1234-0
● PRP Suet Yin, “Updates on Leptospirosis in Malaysia”, Pharmacy Department, HCTM, PPUKM
https://www.ppukm.ukm.my/farmasi/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Bulletin-
2017_11_leptospirosis.pdf
● Kranefuss, Eva. “Impact of Rodenticide Use on Our Ecosystems and Human Health” Eoy Animals.
http://eoy2015animals.weebly.com/impact-of-rodenticide-use-on-our-ecosystems-human-health-
and-economy.html
● “How Does Rat Poison Work and How Long Does It Take to Kill The Rodent”, Rat Relief.
https://www.ratrelief.com/how-long-does-it-take-for-rat-poison-to-work/

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