Innovators
Ruhan Kumaran, Darmhaveeran A/L Ramesh, Danila Abigail
SMK DATUK ONN BUTTERWORTH
INTRODUCTION
Nowadays, pesticides are the most common method used to control pests. We love plants
and watch them grow. However, as plants get older they change after a certain time, and it is
caused by a problem: chemicals. Therefore, we found a solution and we invented a plant-
based insect repellent. An invention that would kill the pest but would not harm the plant in
any way. These pesticides are important to make plants healthier and greener by killing
insects and giving them the necessary nutrients. The best part? Well, these pesticides are
not nearly as toxic as chemical pesticide because they are made out of green products and it
does not affect human health and the environment.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Ecosystem Disruption
- Chemical pesticides can disrupt biodiversity by harming beneficial insects, such as
pollinators and natural predators of pests.
Food Safety
- Residues of chemical pesticides on agricultural produce can pose threats to food
safety and human consumption.
OBJECTIVE
Our primary objective is to provide an effective solution for controlling and managing
pests that can damage crops or cause harm.
We also prioritize the safety of humans, animals, and beneficial insects by using non-
toxic or low-toxicity ingredients.
We also support sustainable agricultural practices by providing a natural and eco-
friendly pest control option.
METHODOLOGY
Stage 1: Problem Identification and Research
We identified the specific pests and target crops or areas where the repellent will be used.
Plus, we conduct extensive research on the biology and behavior of the target pests and
investigate the existing natural repellent methods and products.
Stage 2: Ingredient Selection and Formulation
After researching, we found the ingredients and apparatus needed to be used and started
to make the formula. The ingredients and apparatus are, 50ml of water, 25ml of vinegar,
25ml of slaked lime, 3-4 mint leaves, lime juice, cooking oil, pestle and mortar, tripod stand,
bunsen burner, 4 beakers, spray bottle, retort stand, funnel, and a filter paper. These are the
steps for our formula:
1) First, grind the mint leaves, lime juice, and a few cooking oil droplets into the mortar.
2) Once the ingredients are turned into a liquid state, pour the solution into a beaker.
3) Add 50ml of water and 25ml of vinegar into a beaker and heat up using a Bunsen burner.
4) Then, add the solution and 25ml of slaked lime into the beaker and mix it well.
5) Once mixed, filter the solution using filtration and pour it into a spray bottle.
Stage 3: Laboratory Testing
We conducted laboratory tests to evaluate our repellent's effectiveness against the target
pests. We also measured the repellency rates and duration of protection. Plus, it ensures the
formulation is safe for humans, animals, and the environment through toxicity testing. We
also conducted tests on soils to ensure the acidity of soil which is perfect for plants to grow.
Result
During our test, we used two plants from the same species which were labeled as Plant A
and Plant B. Plant A was sprayed with our pest eliminator whilst Plant B was not sprayed
with the eliminator. The plants were left outside and watered daily for 4 weeks. Later when
the plants were observed, Plant A was not damaged and grew well while Plant B was
damaged and wilted. This is the graph representing the growth of the plant.
Discussion
We evaluated the effectiveness of the natural pest repellent in controlling the target pests,
based on laboratory and field trial results. Plus, compared the repellent's performance with
conventional chemical pesticides, highlighting its strengths and limitations. Other than that,
we discussed the ease of application and user-friendliness of the repellent for farmers and
agricultural workers. We also discussed potential collaborations and partnerships to advance
natural pest control solutions. Not only that, we also evaluated the cost of our eliminator from
the ingredients that were used and the amount of eliminator in a bottle which cost Rm2.50.
Conclusion
In conclusion, our pest eliminator is both safe and beneficial for the agricultural sector. With
this, the world’s agricultural rates will increase, and more people will start to work in the
agricultural sector due to the increased revenue of farmers from the healthy growth of plants.
Our pest eliminator can be helpful for educational purposes as well as for helping students
experiment with natural ingredients and think outside the box when doing their inventive
projects
Future Plans
Soon, we will continue investing in Research and Development to enhance the
effectiveness and versatility of the repellent. With this, we can explore new natural
ingredients and formulations that may offer improved pest control properties and investigate
the potential synergies between different natural repellent ingredients.
Not only that, we get to expand educational initiatives to raise awareness about the benefits
of natural pest repellents among farmers, consumers, and agricultural organizations. Plus,
collaborate with academic institutions, agricultural research organizations, and experts to
advance the science behind natural pest repellents.
Reference
-Prevention of storage pests by natural products: Species, mechanisms, and sources of
inspiration.
https://malariajournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1475-2875-10-S1-S11
-Pesticides residues in agricultural soils and its health assessment for humans in Cameron
Highlands, Malaysia
http://www.ukm.my/mjas/v20_n6/pdf/YangFarina_20_6_13.pdf
-Farmers’ Criteria for Pesticide Selection and Use in the Pest Control Process
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/8/2/24
