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CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Cockroaches are widely known pest in households that

cause various problems such as allergic reactions and food

contamination which leads to food poisoning. According to

the World Health Organization (WHO), they are known

carriers of leprosy, diarrhoea, cholera, etc.

There are some ways to eliminate cockroaches and the

most common trap is the use of aerosol spray. On the

advertisements shown on the television screens, there are

products that are said effective. But on the other hand,

the use of these artificial repellents cause negative

effects not only to the environment but to those in the

surroundings who are bound to inhale the chemicals released

by the spray. These aerosols contain petroleum distillates

which are hazardous to human health and may also cause

death on higher level of contact to the living.

Most of the household owners use different pesticides

in repelling cockroaches in their houses without

considering its negative effects on human health. The main

use of pesticides is to harm or kill pests. Hence, too much

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exposure to its chemical content may cause different

illness and diseases.

There are also natural and organic ways that could

serve as an alternative repellent to cockroaches. With

this, the use of baking soda (sodium hydrogen carbonate)

dough as a nontoxic bait is being studied on this research

to determine its effectiveness as a nontoxic bait to kill

cockroach for a cheap, environment-friendly, and natural

way.

Statement of the Problem

This study generally aims to determine the

effectiveness of baking soda (sodium hydrogen carbonate)

dough as nontoxic bait for cockroach.

Specifically, this seeks to answer the following

questions:

1. Which of the treatments of baking soda (sodium

hydrogen carbonate) dough will give the optimum

result as nontoxic bait for American cockroach

(Periplaneta americana)?
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2. What is the indicator of the effectiveness of

baking soda (sodium hydrogen carbonate) dough as

nontoxic bait for American cockroach (Periplaneta

americana)?

3. What is the level of effectiveness of baking soda

(sodium hydrogen carbonate) dough as nontoxic bait

for American cockroach (Periplaneta americana)?

Objectives of the Study

This study generally aims to determine the

effectiveness of baking soda (sodium hydrogen carbonate)

dough as nontoxic bait for American cockroach (Periplaneta

americana).

Specifically, this study seeks to attain the following

objectives:

1. To identify which of the treatments of baking soda

(sodium hydrogen carbonate) dough will give the

optimum result of nontoxic bait for American

cockroach (Periplaneta americana).

2. To determine the indicator of the effectiveness of

baking soda (sodium hydrogen carbonate) dough as a

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nontoxic bait for American cockroach (Periplaneta

americana).

3. To determine the level of effectiveness of baking soda

(sodium hydrogen carbonate) dough as nontoxic bait for

American cockroach (Periplaneta americana).

Hypothesis of the Study

H0: This study aims to prove that the baking soda

(sodium hydrogen carbonate) dough is not an effective

nontoxic bait for American cockroach (Periplaneta

americana).

Significance of the Study

This study will be beneficial to the following:

Household owners. The result of this study can be

beneficial to the household owners as they will know a

proper and cheap method of killing cockroaches in their

houses. This may help them to improve their awareness and

knowledge on how to deal with pests, specifically

cockroaches that can cause food contamination and various

diseases.
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Rural Health Unit. The result of this study will give

the Rural Health Unit data about the practices to lessen

the cases of food contamination brought by the cockroaches.

Communities. The result of this study will help the

communities to raise awareness about the cheap method of

killing cockroaches which is one of the major factors in

food contamination.

Municipal Health Centers. The result of this study

will help the Municipal Health Centers to have a seminar

regarding the pest elimination, specifically cockroaches,

relating to the increasing rate of food contamination in

areas that cause various disease.

Future Researchers. The result of this study will set

a standard for those other researches and will serve as a

basis in proposing related studies in the same field

considering other variables.

Scope and Limitation of the Study

This study focuses only on the effectiveness of baking

soda (sodium hydrogen carbonate) dough as nontoxic bait for

American cockroach (Periplaneta americana). The researchers

will collect data from the five treatments with the same
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number of cockroaches and different amount of measurement

of baking soda in every setup. The study will be conducted

starting from the month of December 2018 to March 2019 at

CBSUA compound, San Jose, Pili, Camarines Sur.

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CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

According to Eggleston, Arruda, Baltimore, and Praullo

(n.d.), cockroaches have 3,500 species and 5 of them are

usually found in the homes causing allergies and other

health issues. Myung and Kim (2012) stated that 40%-60% of

asthmatic patients who live urban and inner-city are found

having IgE to cockroach allergens. Immunoglobulin E (IgE)

is an antibody produced by the immune system as a reaction

when one's physique reacts to his or her allergy. Potter

(n.d.) indicated that the cockroaches are common pests that

cause contamination to food and household items spreading

pathogenic microbes which result to poisoning and other

related diseases. As prevention against infestation, a

person should be able determine the location of the pests

such as the areas that are not given attention at most

times where cockroaches possibly hide.

There are various ways on eliminating cockroaches from

infesting homes and the most usual is by the use of

pesticides and boric acid which are both chemicals that is

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an effective instrument for killing the pest. Yet, these

artificial uses do not just affect the infesting organism

to risk but also those who will inhale and get contact with

the harmful particles spread by using these chemicals.

There are other methods against the notorious home pests

that are alternative remedies which is not harmful on the

health of the non-target organism for being nontoxic in its

nature. Baking soda (sodium hydrogen bicarbonate) is a

crystalline salt that is commonly used in baking, cleaning,

and medicine. This chemical compound is usually found in

the kitchen in every household. Aside from its widely known

purposes, there are still unknown uses of baking soda that

everyone should be knowledgeable about. Williamson (2018)

mentioned in her study the most effective ways to kills

cockroaches including the repellent, spray, and nontoxic

home remedies like essential oils, boric acid, and the

mixture of baking soda and sugar. It is stated that these

cockroaches are attentive to food that can be easily be

taken, whether it is a human food, glue, pet food or

anything that they can eat which makes them a flexible pest

due to the protozoa and bacteria content in their digestive

system. Cockroaches are fond of the environment that is

humid and has a warm temperature serving as reasons why

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these pests are commonly found in kitchens, bathrooms,

sinks and drains that leak, and areas that are filthy and

foul.

Graves and Qualmann (2018) indicated that the baking

soda (sodium hydrogen bicarbonate) has multiple functions

such as the use of it on medicinal purposes, an ingredient

for baking, cleaning agent, and is also found into

pesticides, firecrackers, fire extinguisher, etc. The

compound also has useful against cockroaches. This is

because of its ability to produce carbon dioxide gas when

it gets contact with an acid because of its basicity.

Supporting the study, HyperPhysics stated that sodium

hydrogen bicarbonate is a base that when it reacts with an

acid, it produces carbon dioxide gas. As mentioned by

Shipman (2014) of NC State University, sodium hydrogen

bicarbonate is the only ingredient of baking soda which is

basic in its nature that when mixed with acids, like yogurt

and vinegar, a reaction between the base and acid result in

the form of liquid foams and bubbles that serve as the

indication of carbon dioxide as the product of the two

chemicals combined.
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Ariola, Santos, Taperla (N.D) of Cebu Doctor's

University conducted a study regarding the effect of the

mixture of baking soda and sugar as an agent for killing

American cockroaches (Periplaneta Americana). Based om the

findings, it is concluded in the study that the mixture is

an effective method for killing cockroaches regardless of

the time it consumed to be called effective compared to

another chemical that the researchers used which is the

boric acid due to insignificant difference of time killing

between them.
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Effectiveness of Baking Soda (sodium

hydrogen carbonate) Dough as a
Nontoxic Bait for American Cockroach
(Periplaneta Americana)

There is no indicative
difference with the
Baking soda is can be killing time of
used to eliminate cockroaches withthe
cockroaches due to its use of baking soda and
production of carbon sugar mixture and
dioxide gas when it boric acid. In
comes to contact with conclusion to
acid because of its findings, the baking
basicity. soda mixture is an
effective killing
Graves and Qualmann agent for cockroaches.
(2018)
Ariola, Santos, and
Taperla (N.D)

Figure 1. Theoretical Framework

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Theoretical Framework

In the study on the effectiveness of the baking soda

dough as nontoxic bait for cockroaches is found by the

researchers to have two theories related to it which also

supports the study to be proved, evident, and conducted.

The first theory which is Graves's and Qualmann's

(2018) that the baking soda is an effective cockroach

eliminating agent. Proved by the statement that the baking

soda is a base, and scientifically, when it combines with

an acid, a reaction occurs producing a carbon dioxide gas.

The stomach of a cockroach is acidic. Therefore, when it

makes a takes and eat a basic chemical, the reaction will

occur in its digestive system and will eventually burst

inside due to the production of carbon dioxide gas

reaction.

The second theory which is from the study conducted by

Amiola, Santos, and Taperla mentioned that there is no

particular difference of time consumed by the cockroaches

to be killed between the use of baking soda mixture and

boric acid which is a chemical and already an effective

cockroach killer. It is clearly stated that a baking soda

mixture is an effective killing agent for cockroaches. The

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baking soda mixture has a sugar wherein its aroma to the

cockroaches will serve as an attractor for the organism and

become nontoxic bait when mixed to the baking soda.

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Effectiveness of Baking Soda (sodium hydrogen carbonate)

Dough as a Nontoxic Bait for American Cockroach
(Periplaneta Americana)

• Baking soda
• Onions
• Sugar
• Bacon grease
Input • All-purpose flour
• Cockroaches

• Mixing of the ingredients to produce a dough

having a similar number of cockroaches and
different amount of measurement of baking
soda in each treatment.
Process

• Baking Soda (sodium hydrogen carbonate) Dough

as a Nontoxic Bait for American Cockroach
(Periplaneta Americana)
Output

Figure 2. Conceptual Framework

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Conceptual Framework

The experimental study uses the Input, Process, Output

method to produce the baking soda dough as nontoxic bait

for cockroach.

Input. The production of the baking soda dough needs

the different ingredients which are the baking soda, all-

purpose flour, onion, bacon grease, and sugar. Needed also

is the cockroaches as the specimen that is going to be the

test subject for the effectiveness of baking soda dough as

a nontoxic bait.

Process. Combining the ingredients needed for the bait

with similar number of cockroaches and different amount of

measurement of baking soda in every treatment for the

researcher to be able to determine which set-up will show

the effectiveness of the baking soda dough as nontoxic bait

for American cockroaches.

Output. It is where the product will show the result

of the effectiveness of the baking soda dough as nontoxic

bait for cockroaches when the test subject in at least one

treatment dies.
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Definition of Terms

Bait - baking soda, all-purpose flour, onion, sugar, and

bacon grease producing a nontoxic mixture method to

eliminate cockroaches

Baking soda - is a base which is the main ingredient of the

dough mixture serving as the effective component to

eliminate the cockroaches

Cockroach - the pest that is studied to be eliminated by

the use of baking soda dough

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METHODOLOGY

This chapter deals with the materials and methods used

to determine the level of effectiveness of baking soda

(sodium hydrogen carbonate) dough as nontoxic bait for

cockroach.

The researchers will use the following methods and

materials to achieve a reliable result. An eco-friendly

method will be used in the study to avoid chemical hazard

compared to commercial bait and also to attain a commercial

level output in terms of effectivity and quality.

Place and Duration of the Study

The study will be conducted from January – March 2018

in Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA)

Compound, San Jose, Pili, Camarines Sur.

Cockroaches

A total of 20 American cockroaches (Periplaneta

americana) will be used in this study to determine the

level of effectiveness of baking soda (sodium hydrogen

carbonate) dough as a nontoxic bait for cockroach. The

cockroach will be collected from backyards of different

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houses in Central Bicol State University of Agriculture

compound using a simple trap without harming it.

Research Design and Treatments

Completely Randomized Design (CRD) will be used in the

study involving five treatments.

T1 – Control (plain Dough)

T2 – 1 Teaspoon baking soda in dough

T3 – 2 Teaspoon baking soda in dough

T4 - 1 Tablespoon baking soda in dough

T5 – 2 Tablespoon baking soda in dough

The experimental layout following the completely randomized

design is shown in

Figure 1.

T1 T2 T3 T4 T5

Figure 1. The Experimental Layout

Research Instrument
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The researchers will be performing an actual making of

dough using baking soda, flour, sugar, minced onion and

bacon grease as cockroach killer.

An observation method will be applied in getting

observational data, which will focus only on the level of

effectiveness of the produced nontoxic bait for American

cockroach.

Materials and Equipment of the Study

In the process of making a baking soda (sodium

hydrogen carbonate) dough as nontoxic bait for American

cockroach, the researchers will make use of the following

materials and equipment:

For the preparation of the setups, the materials will

be the baking soda, flour, sugar, minced onion and bacon

grease. And for the equipment or tools to be used in the

experimental procedure are knife for mincing the onion,

mixing bowl for making the dough, nine food containers (250

ml) for experimental cockroaches, and measuring spoons for

measuring ingredients.

Procedure/ Management Practices

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Collecting of Cockroach as a Test Subject. American

Cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) are nocturnal insects.

They prefer to live and feed in warm and humid environment.

The cockroaches will be collected during night using simple

cockroach trap placed on different part of the backyard.

Preparation of Different Baking Soda Concentrations.

The amount of baking soda was dependent on the treatment.

In preparing T1, ½ tablespoon flour, ½ tablespoon

sugar, one tablespoon of minced onions, and two teaspoons

of bacon grease were mixed together.

In preparing T2, ½ tablespoon flour, ½ tablespoon

sugar, one tablespoon of minced onions, two teaspoons of

bacon grease and 1 teaspoon of baking soda were mixed

together.

In preparing T3, ½ tablespoon flour, ½ tablespoon

sugar, one tablespoon of minced onions, two teaspoons of

bacon grease and 2 teaspoon of baking soda were mixed

together.

In preparing T4, ½ tablespoon flour, ½ tablespoon

sugar, one tablespoon of minced onions, two teaspoons of

bacon grease and 1 tablespoon of baking soda were mixed

together.
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In preparing T5, ½ tablespoon flour, ½ tablespoon

sugar, one tablespoon of minced onions, two teaspoon of

bacon grease and 2 tablespoon of baking soda were mixed

together.

Nontoxic Bait Application. Two American Cockroaches

(Periplaneta americana) each was put in every container

with nine holes for the cockroach to breath air. After

securing the cockroaches in the container the treatments

were put in their specific container and will be place in

dark area.

Data Gathering

All data will be taken from the five setups per

treatment.

I. Effectiveness of the bait

a. Hours to take Effect- The collection of data will be

every 3 hours starting from the time was the setup

completed.

b. Application of Nontoxic Bait- The application of the

nontoxic bait will be obtained on how the

researchers will use the produced bait.

c. Lifespan- The lifespan of the bait will be measure

after the production of bait until it obsolete.

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d. Effects to cockroaches- A sensory evaluation will be

used to assess the effects of the produced nontoxic

bait for cockroach during the study.

II. Others

a. Cost- The cost will be measured from computing

the all expenses during the study.

Statistical Treatment

The data collected will be analyzed using the Analysis

of Variance (ANOVA) in CRD. The Duncan’s Multiple Range

Test (DMRT) will be used to point out the specific

treatment that will cause a difference when the treatments

where found significant.