
DEET vs. Lemon Grass Oil on Mosquitoes
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Can a natural oil repel mosquitoes as well as a synthetic spray? You test lemon grass oil against a DEET-based repellent to compare their strength.
Forty mosquitoes are released into an aquarium. Four participants first place an unprotected hand inside for 30 seconds. Then one hand is coated with DEET spray and the other with lemon grass oil. Each treated hand goes back in for 30 seconds.
Bare hands attract 10 to 14 mosquitoes. DEET-coated hands attract only 1 to 3. Lemon grass oil lands in between at 4 to 6.
Hypothesis
The hypothesis is that DEET mosquito repellant is more effective than lemon grass oil.
Method & Materials
You will release 40 mosquitoes into an aquarium, apply DEET and lemon grass oil to participants' hands, and count the number of mosquitoes that come to rest on the participants' hands.
You will need an empty aquarium with a top side cover, 40 mosquitoes, a can of mosquito repellant containing DEET, a bottle of lemon grass oil, 4 participants, and a stop watch.
Results
The results showed that the insect repellant containing DEET was more effective than lemon grass oil in repelling mosquitoes. This proves the hypothesis to be true.
Why do this project?
This science project is interesting because it tests the effectiveness of two different types of natural insect repellants and compares the results.
Also Consider
Consider repeating the experiment by comparing the effectiveness of other natural mosquito repellants like Neem oil. Another variation is to compare the effectiveness of eucalyptus oil in keeping flies away from food.
Full project details
Additional information and source material for this project are available below.Related video
These videos explain the science behind this project and demonstrate key concepts used in the experiment.
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