Efficacy of Bay Leaf (Laurus Nobilis)

as a Natural Housefly Repellent

A Research Paper in Junior High Department

submitted as partial fulfillment of the requirements
in Research II

__Kirk Patrick Suelto Saan__

Researcher

Lindy M. Lojeco
Research Teacher

May, 2021

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ABSTRACT

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page………………………………………………………………… 1
Abstract…………………………………………………………………... 2
Table of Contents………………………………………………………... 3
List of Tables…………………………………………………………….. 4
List of Figures………………………………………………………….... 5

Chapter 1. THE PROBLEM & ITS BACKGROUND

1.1 Introduction…………………………………………………….
1.2 Conceptual Framework…………………………………………
1.3 Statement of the Problem……………………………………….
1.4 Significance of the Study……………………………………….
1.5 Scope and Delimitation of the Study……………………………
1.6 Definition of Terms……………………………………………..
Chapter 2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE…………………

Chapter 3. RESEARCH METHODS……………………………………

3.1 Research Design…………………………………………………
3.2 Participants of the Study…………………………………………
3.3 Setting of the Study……………………………………………...
3.4 Research Instrument……………………………………………..
3.5 Data Gathering Procedure ……………………………………….
3.6 Data Analysis…………………………………………………….

Chapter 4. PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS &

INTERPRETATION OF DATA……………………..............

Chapter 5. SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS &

RECOMMENDATIONS……………………………………..

References………………………………………………………………….

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LIST OF TABLES

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LIST OF FIGURES

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 Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

1.1 Introduction

The common housefly, Musca Domestica, lives in close association with humans all

over the world. It breeds animal manure, human excrement, garbage, animal bedding, and

decaying organic matter where bacteria are abundant. It can also transmit the pathogens that

cause shigellosis, typhoid fever, E. coli, and cholera. The disease-causing agents can either be

transmitted by the body hairs or by the tarsi, transmitted to food or surfaces when the fly

lands. This animal wreaks havoc and brings illnesses unlike any other on a global scale.

In the Philippines, in large numbers, flies can be a nuisance by disturbing people

during work and at leisure. Flies soil the interior of houses with their feces. They can also

have a negative psychological impact because their presence is considered a sign of

unhygienic conditions.

In the Municipality of Sta. Josefa, one of the municipalities in the Caraga Region,

housefly infestation has been menacing and requires immediate action.

Therefore, the conduct of this study is to test if bay leaf (Laurus Nobilis) can be a

housefly repellent to resolve this problem.

1.2 Conceptual Framework

This research aims to test the effectiveness of bay leaf as a housefly repellent and test

its efficacy against houseflies. The concept of using bay leaf against houseflies is among the

study of plants that are safe and effective against pests.

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 Concentration
Independent Variable
Efficacy
Dependent Variable
Time
Independent Variable

Figure 1. Conceptual Framework

The figure above shows that efficacy is affected by concentration and time.

Concentration refers to the concentration of the bay leaf mixture, it is an independent

variable, and time tells how long the effects of the mixture will last. Moreover, lastly,

efficacy talks about the effectiveness of the mixture and is the dependent variable. Extraction

of the bay leaf mixture is done by boiling; testing the efficacy of the mixture is done on

different concentrations and times.

1.3 Statement of the Problem

This study endeavors to test the efficacy of bay leaf as a housefly repellent.

Specifically, the study sought to answer the following questions:

1. How do the different concentrations of the mixture affect its effectivity against

houseflies?

2. How long will the effect of the concentrations of the mixture last?

Null Hypothesis

Based on the problems above, the following null/alternative hypotheses are made:

Ho1: The conduct of this study may not work due to uncontrollable aspects such as

the weather and other natural phenomena.

Ho2: The conduct of this study may not work due to a lack of working hands.

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1.4 Significance of the Study

This study aims to test the effectiveness of bay leaf against houseflies, make a

significant change in our municipality, and eradicate the houseflies to make a better and safer

world. Furthermore, this study is beneficial to the following:

Citizens. This study will help the municipality's citizens have a more natural way of

getting rid of houseflies safely than chemically dangerous ones.

Teachers. This study will be beneficial for teachers since we will see if there is a

significant effect of bay leaf against houseflies

Other Researchers. This study will help other researchers have a background on the

effectiveness of bay leaf against houseflies and other researchers in the same aspect.

1.5 Scope and Limitation of the Study

The study will be conducted at Sta. Josefa Public Market. The said study will be

conducted on May 24, 2021. The people involved in the conduct of this study are limited to

the researcher only.

The main objective of this study is to test only the effectiveness of bay leaf against

houseflies. The effectiveness of the bay leaf mixture against houseflies in certain

concentrations and its time limit on how long the effect will last are the only variables to be

measured. Other factors not stated in this section are beyond the scope of this study.

1.6 Definition of Terms

Efficacy - is the ability to perform a task to a satisfactory or expected degree. The word

comes from the same roots as effectiveness, and it has often been used synonymously,

although, in pharmacology, a distinction is now often made between efficacy and

effectiveness.

Laurus Nobilis - In the Philippines, more commonly known as bay laurel (Dahon ng Laurel),

is an aromatic evergreen tree or large shrub with green, glabrous smooth leaves in the

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 flowering plant family Lauraceae. It is native to the Mediterranean region and is used

as a bay leaf for seasoning in cooking.

Musca Domestica – This is a scientific name for the animal "The Housefly" fly of the

suborder Cyclorrhapha. It is believed to have evolved in the Cenozoic Era, possibly in

the Middle East, and has spread worldwide as a commensal of humans. It is the

most common fly species found in houses.

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 Chapter 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1 Related Literature

A laboratory experiment was carried out to investigate the chemistry and

insecticidal behavior of bay leaf oil, its fractions, and synthetic derivatives against

Tribolium castaneum Herbst, a stored grain pest of wheat. Column chromatography

was used to separate the fractions of bay leaf essential oil derived from dried and

powdered bay leaves. (Chahal)

“Pest control properties were found in different extents in a number of

essential oils and their constituents. Plant-based volatile oils were promising

candidates for the conservation of storage food items against insect pests due

to their low mammalian toxicity and persistence in the environment.

Monoterpenoids are abundant in the essential oils of aromatic plants” (Roger,

1999)

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