The Effectiveness of Lemongrass
(Cymbopogon citratus) Extract in
Removing Termites
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Proponent:
Veronica B. Andal
Grade 10
School Year 2020-2021
Mrs. ANGELINE C. PAGKALIWANGAN
Adviser
I. RATIONALE
It is a headache to see your house, your closets, and many more wooden furnitures, to
be infested with termites. Termites are insects that do significant damage to buildings and
other wooden structures. These insects can also damage food crops and may attack trees
(Markle, 2007). There are various pesticides that are used for termite control, however these
pesticides was deemed almost unsafe (an example is Chlordane) as there have been several
reports of adverse health effects to humans, such as involuntary muscle movements, caused
by the airborne exposure of the residents to said chemicals. (Srivastava & Kesavachandran,
2015)
Thus, the study presents Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) as a natural fumigant to
exterminate termites and its effectiveness in doing so, including the assessment of the
possible health risks associated with the use of its extract. This aims to introduce a safer and
also cheaper way of eliminating these insects to residents affected, with the chances of
helping the environment reduce the damages done on trees and on agriculture.
II. RESEARCH QUESTION(S), HYPOTHESIS(ES), ENGINEERING GOAL(S),
EXPECTED OUTCOMES:
A. Research Questions
1. What are the properties of the product in terms of:
1.1 color
1.2 cost
1.3 shelf life
1.4 ph level
2. What is the effectiveness of the product in terms of:
2.1 number of termites killed
2.2 long-term repelling action
2.3 cost
3. Is there significant difference between the product and the commercially-produced one in
terms of:
3.1 ph level
3.2 shelf life
3.3 number of termites killed
3.4 repelling action
B. Hypotheses
1. The lemongrass extract is not effective in eliminating termites.
2. There is no significant difference between the lemongrass termite repellent and the
commercially-produced one.
C. Engineering Goals
The study aims to deliver a cheap, easy way of exterminating termites using a less toxic
ingredient, in contradiction to the commercially-produced termite pesticides. It also targets
communities and building-owners with termite problems, such as one’s household or
backyard.
D. Expected Outcomes
The researcher expects that the results address the desired knowledge —that is, if
lemongrass extract is indeed capable of eliminating termites—will be gained to shed light
on the capabilities of the extract, as well as to express the significance of the study by
benefitting the target audience.
III. METHODS
A. Procedures
a. Harvesting.
Lemongrass stalks that would produce 4 ounces 125 ml of extract would be harvested,
washed to remove any dirt and kept in a clean place afterwards.
b. Extraction.
The lemongrass stalks would be chopped into small pieces. The outer stalks would be
removed to reveal the inner stem, and the papery parts will be sliced. The pieces would be
collected and stored in a clean jar. 17 ounces of water will be poured over 4 ounces of dried and
chopped lemongrass to soften the tissues and release the flavors. The extract will be put in a
500ml spray bottle.
c. Application
The extract will be sprayed to the termites and the termitary.
d. Gathering the data
Controlled observation will be used as a means of gathering data by observing how the
lemongrass extract has affected the termites and if the elimination was successful or not.
e. Recording the data
An anecdotal form will be used as a way of recording the data.
B. Risk and Safety
Physical risks can include lung problems after long-term inhalation of
lemongrass, while application on skin can rarely cause skin irritation. To minimize these
potential risks, the researcher will wear a mask as the attempt in elimination takes place and
the area where the extract would be used will be made out of bounds for a time set by the
researcher.
C. Data Analysis
1. Mean- will be used to determine the characteristics
2. T-test- will be used to determine the significant difference on the effectiveness of the
lemongrass termite repellent and commercial termite repellents.
IV. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Dahri, Panhwar, & Naqvi (2011). Determination of Different Trace and Essential Element in
lemongrass samples by X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy Technique. International food
research journal.
Srivastava A. K. & C. Kesavachandran (2015). Acute and chronic toxicity of pesticides. Health
Effects of Pesticides, 11-16.
Paul Eggleton, Yves Roisin et al (2011). Biology of Termites: a Modern Synthesis (2nd ed.)
Md. Aslam Khan, Wasim Ahmad (2018). Termites and Sustainable Management: Volume 2 -
Economic Losses and Management (1st ed.)
Sandra Markle (2007). Termites: Hardworking Insect Families (Insect World).
