Effectivity of Citronella Grass and Ginger as Termite Exterminator

  • CAMELA DIANA A. ALULOD
  • RAYMUND BENZ D. LATONIO
  • REEVE ADAM P. MOROTA
  • LIEZEL C. SEMPRON

Abstract

Effectivity of Citronella grass and Ginger as Termite Exterminator was conducted at Brgy. San Pedro, Puerto Princesa City in July 2018 to test the effectivity of Citronella Grass and Ginger extracts against termites, the mortality of termites against different levels of concentrations of Citronella Grass and Ginger and compare the cost with the commercial termite exterminator. The treatments used were Treatment 1 (No Treatment), Treatment 2 (40% Ginger extract + 40% Citronella Grass extract + 20% distilled water), Treatment 3 (60% Ginger extract + 20% Citronella Grass extract + 20% distilled water), Treatment 4 (20% Ginger extract + 60% Citronella Grass extract + 20% distilled water) and Treatment 5 (commercial termite exterminator). Citronella Grass and Ginger extracts and commercial termite exterminator were sprayed into the plastic container containing termite. Termite mortality rate was observed and noted every 30 minutes for 2 hours. Results revealed that the higher concentration of ginger is more effective among the different concentration of treatments. The organic termite exterminator is expensive than the commercial termite exterminator.

Background of the Study

Residential building and infrastructure like hotels and resorts are made of concrete and steel but woods are still essential material to use because of its aesthetic. Apparently, woods are susceptible to termite attacks that weaken and reduce the stability of the structure. Termites can destroy houses undetected that’s why they are called “silent destroyers”. In order to prevent termite infestation, there are chemical pesticides available in the market that contain harmful properties. However, a recent research shows that citronella grass has antifungal properties that can be used as a pesticide (Boldt, 2015). Because of its high citral and geraniol content, citronella grass is known to repel bugs such as mosquitos and ants. In addition, Zingiber officinale basically known as “ginger” is a hot fragrance spice made from the rhizome of a plant, which may be chopped or powdered for cooking, preserve in syrup, or candied and its oil can exterminate insects (Jummie, 2014). The information mentioned above caught the researchers’ attention and came up with this research entitled “Effectivity of Citronella grass and Ginger as Termite Exterminator”.
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