Introduction

Background of the Study

Mosquitoes are a group of about 3500 species of
small insects that are flies in the order Diptera.
Within Diptera they constitute the family Culicidae (from the
Latin culex meaning "gnat"). The word "mosquito" is Spanish for
"little fly".Mosquitoes have a slender segmented body, one pair
of wings, three pairs of long hair-like legs, feathery antennae,
and elongated mouthparts. The mosquito's saliva is transferred to
the host during the bite, and can cause an itchy rash. In
addition, many species can ingest pathogens while biting, and
transmit them to future hosts. In this way, mosquitoes are
important vectors of diseases such as malaria, yellow
fever, Chikungunya, West Nile, dengue fever,filariasis, Zika and
other arboviruses. By transmitting diseases, mosquitoes cause the
deaths of more people than any other animal taxon: over 700,000
each year and as many as half of the people who have ever lived.

Commercial coils and mosquito repellant are commonly used in

houses and places that are commonly habitats of mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes carry a dangerous disease called dengue which is very
dangerous once you are affected but not all mosquitoes carry
these disease. So people now continously invent and make
solutions for mosquitoes. They make coils, lotions, sprays, and
many more just for repelling mosquitoes which cause a lot of
money and time to make. The chemicals that are used in making
these products are usually dangerous and has a harmful effect on
one’s health. So in order to avoid using chemicals in making
mosquito repellant we must start using the natural way of making
products. Using organic materials that are commonly found in our
place, these materials are more safe to use and more benefitial
to ourselves. Lemon grass (Cymbopogon) is a genus of about 55
related grass species or varieties. The lemon grass plant or the
oil extracted from it are used in cooking, aromatherapy,
medicinal preparations, teas and cosmetics. Lemon grass also has
insecticidal properties and the extracted oil is used in insect
repellents and insecticidal sprays. The same chemical compounds
are found in all lemon grass varieties, but the amounts may
differ. It has a strong scent that can be used as a candle but
it’s possibilities are yet to unfold.

Statement of the Problem

 This study aims to determine the effectiveness of lemon
grass (Cymbopogon) as a scented candle mosquito repellant

Furthermore, this study seek answers to the following

questions:

1. What are the chemicals present in the lemon grass that

can repel the mosquitoes?
2. Is the scent enough to repel the mosquitoes?
3. How will we enhance the effectiveness of lemon grass as a
mosquito repellant?
4. How long will the candle last?

Significance of the study

This study is significant to the following:

Environment- This can lessen the use of dangerous chemicals that

can destroy the environment and avoid the pollutions that can
cause to kill the earth.

Economy- This research is mainly focused on organic properties,

which means we do not need the help of chemicals and many other
expenses. If we choose the chemical way of repelling mosquitoes
you are going to waste too much money and unhealthy way of
getting rid of the mosquitoes.

Future Researchers- This study can help future researchers in

innovating this study and guide them in their research.

Scope and Limitations

This is only limited on repelling mosqutiros, for the the

users that value their mosquito problems, using only the natural
pesticidal properties of Lemon grass (Cymbopogon). Also this does
not use any dangerous chemical compound and only as a scented
candle that repels mosquito in a safe and healthy way.

Definition of Terms
Aromatherapy – The use of aromatic plant extracts and essential
oils in therapies or baths.

Pathogens – a bacterium, virus, or other microrganism that can

cause disease.