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Hey guys! 
 
I think we need to find about five natural mosquito repellents that we can investigate so we can start writing our method. I did some research and the main natural mosquito repellents I found are: 
 
-vinegar mixed with water and garlic 
-cinnamon oil 
-eucalyptus oil 
-citronella oil 
-castor oil 
-chamomille tea 
 
Do you know any others? We really need to find out how to test the effectiveness... any ideas? 
 
Following pages are where the info can be found: 
 
<a class="wiki_link_ext" href="http://www.webmd.com/allergies/features/avoid-mosquito-bites" rel="nofollow">http://www.webmd.com/allergies/features/avoid-mosquito-bites</a> 
<a class="wiki_link_ext" href="http://www.ehow.com/way_5838562_homemade-repellent-garlic-vinegar-water.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ehow.com/way_5838562_homemade-repellent-garlic-vinegar-water.html</a> 
<a class="wiki_link_ext" href="http://chemistry.about.com/od/healthbeautyprojects/a/naturalinsectrepellent.htm" rel="nofollow">http://chemistry.about.com/od/healthbeautyprojects/a/naturalinsectrepellent.htm</a> 
<a class="wiki_link_ext" href="http://www.essortment.com/lifestyle/alternativeheal_sklb.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.essortment.com/lifestyle/alternativeheal_sklb.htm</a> 
<a class="wiki_link_ext" href="http://hubpages.com/hub/NaturalBugRepellent" rel="nofollow">http://hubpages.com/hub/NaturalBugRepellent</a> 
Is it okay if we just write all our discussion in here? 
xx, Amelie 
 
 
 
--- 
Hello 
 
I found in this website http://www.extertronic.com/ecologic-insect-repellents.htm 
 
And these plants work as natural repellent: 
Eucalyptus 
Lavanda 
Oil of citronela-The oil of citronela is applied directly on the skin to drive away to the mosquitoes in India, Europe and the United States. Also it is mixed with the wax of the candles 
The flower of the alfalfa- attracts with the nectar the males of the mosquitoes and these die by the toxic that this plant contains 
basil- mosquitoes do not like the scent of this plant. 
 
 
Should we pick out 4 plants? 
 
We need to take in consideration the type of mosquito, and find out what they are attracted to! 
For example: 
I think to measure the efficiency of the reppellent we need to put around the reppellent something that attracts them like honey and in that way we can see how effective it is. 
 
Then for the method we could say: 
Set up each individual plant with mosquitoes, the sugary substance that attracts them and inclosed them in a jar. 
 
Mariana 
 
 
 
 
- 
Honey is a great idea as they are going to get stuck in it and die (muhahahaha) =) Then we can count the dead ones and this will give us quantitative data... 
 
We could also use syrop in a glass (they will drown in it). We can put repellent on the jar that we put the honey/syrop in and see how many mosquitoes still go in... 
Above all of that we should put a bell jar so the mosquitoes cannot escape. 
How much time should we give them and how many repeats should we do? 
 
I think we should take: 
- vinegar with onions (used frequently and easy to get) 
- oil of citronela 
- eucalyptus oil 
- chamomille tea 
- control (nothing to see how many mosquitoes can be trapped this way9 
 
Those can all easily be applied to the container of the killing substance... 
 
What do you think? 
 
xx, Amelie 
 
 
--- 
 
Yeii 
I don't know which plants are easier to get for poor people!! ... 
 
It says for citronela oil is obtained from the leaves and stems of different species of <a class="wiki_link_ext" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cymbopogon" rel="nofollow">Cymbopogon</a>. ... (dont think this one is easy to prepare) we just need to know if it is accesible for poor people. 
 
vinegar with onions --is an <a class="wiki_link_ext" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acid" rel="nofollow">acidic</a> liquid produced from the <a class="wiki_link_ext" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermentation_%28food%29" rel="nofollow">fermentation</a> of <a class="wiki_link_ext" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol" rel="nofollow">ethanol</a> in a process that yields its key ingredient, <a class="wiki_link_ext" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetic_acid" rel="nofollow">acetic acid</a> (ethanoic acid). (not good for poor people, is not easy to get for them) 
 
eucalyptus oil -- is a good idea 
chamomille tea -- good idea 
 
 
I like the idea of using the Jar, although all the mosquitoes are going to die we can deduce how many mosquitoes die next ot the honey and how many die away from the honey. 
 
I think the honey and the repellent most be together, to have the attractive and repellent forces from the same place and in that way see the amount of mosquitoes are dead around and close to the honey. 
 
We need to find at least two more plants that are accessible to the poorest. 
 
Mariana 
 
- 
I think we should still use citronella oil... it is available to the poorest as the plant is easy to grow... it is actually used in many parts of India already. 
 
&quot;The true citronella plant is a perennial grass similar to Lemon Grass, to which it is closely related. It is not the little scented geranium you find in some stores labeled as a &quot;mosquito plant.&quot; Those may smell like citronella but are about as close to citronella as the lime-scented geranium is to a lime tree. Citronella is a clumping grass that grows five to six feet tall. The coarse, grasslike leaves are gray-green and aromatic and are borne on cane-like stems. Other names for citronella are Nardus or Nard grass.&quot; 
 
<a class="wiki_link_ext" href="http://www.life123.com/home-garden/plant-guides/groundcover/citronella-grow-your-own-mosquitio-repellent.shtml" rel="nofollow">http://www.life123.com/home-garden/plant-guides/groundcover/citronella-grow-your-own-mosquitio-repellent.shtml</a> 
 
You are probably right about the vinegar... 
 
Not all the mosquitos are going to die in the bell jar... just if they drown in honey/syrop... 
 
Amelie 
 
-- 
 
So we have three repellents 
eucalyptus oil -- 
chamomille tea - 
citronella oil 
 
We just need to have two more. 
 
 
 
I think, I see what u mean now about placing honey inside a jar and smear repellent around it, the repellent should keep the mosquitoes from getting killed by being trapped on the honey ... sure we just need to make sure that the mosquitoes will go to the honey.. .. or if the honey doesnt work we can put a glass of vinegar with soap because I know they get attracted with the smell and get stuck there because of the soap.. it works I have it here at home. 
 
The mosquitoes are attracted to: 
 
 
 
<ul><li>Dark Clothing Many mosquitoes use vision to locate hosts from a distance. Dark clothes and foliage are initial attractants. 
 
</li><li>Carbon DioxideYou give off more carbon dioxide when you are hot or have been exercising. A burning candle or other fire is another source of carbon dioxide. 
 
</li><li>Lactic AcidYou release more lactic acid when you have been exercising or after eating certain foods (e.g., salty foods, high-potassium foods). 
 
</li><li>Floral or Fruity FragrancesIn addition to perfumes, hair products, and scented sunscreens, watch for the subtle floral fragrance from fabric softeners and dryer sheets. 
 
</li><li>Skin TemperatureThe exact temperature depends on the type of mosquito. Many mosquitoes are attracted to the slightly cooler temperatures of the extremities. 
 
</li><li>MoistureMosquitoes are attracted by perspiration because of the chemicals it contains and also because it increases the humidity around your body. Even small amounts of water (e.g., moist plants or mud puddles) will draw mosquitoes. Standing water also allows mosquitoes to reproduce.</li></ul> 
I found a list of more natural repellents: 
<ul><li>Citronella Oil</li><li>Lemon Eucalyptus Oil</li><li>Cinnamon Oil</li><li>Castor Oil</li><li>Rosemary Oil</li><li>Lemongrass Oil</li><li>Cedar Oil</li><li>Peppermint Oil</li><li>Clove Oil</li><li>Geranium Oil</li><li>Possibly Oils from Verbena, Pennyroyal, Lavender, Pine, Cajeput, Basil, Thyme, Allspice, Soybean, and Garlic</li></ul> 
Mariana 
 
- 
Soooo, lets take: 
 
-chamomille tea 
-peppermint oil 
-cinnamon oil 
-citronella oil 
-eukalyptus oil 
 
okay? 
 
let's write the method... 
Amelie 
 
--- 
 
I sent this measurements to Mrs Marchetti, please tell me what you think. 
 
We will need- about 70 x 4 = 280ml of each oil . 
-chamomille tea 
-peppermint oil 
-cinnamon oil 
-citronella oil 
-eukalyptus oil 
 
lots of mosquitoes for 21 jars 
21 bell jars 
2L 500 mL apple vinegar 
1L of liquid soap. 
 
Mariana 
 
- 
Thanks for sending the mail! 
 
As Mrs Marchetti said they couldn't get any mosquitoes, why don't we work with house flies? They also carry diseases and are a hazard for hygiene. I did some research and found a place where they sell living house flies: 
 
Reptilien-Center 
Industrie Gaswerk Nord 
Kohlestrasse 10 
Schlieren 
<a class="wiki_link_ext" href="http://shop.reptilien-zoo.ch/000001985b0e5e29a/000001985b0d72576/27318799e20fec467.php" rel="nofollow">http://shop.reptilien-zoo.ch/000001985b0e5e29a/000001985b0d72576/27318799e20fec467.php</a> 
<a class="wiki_link_ext" href="http://www.reptilien-zoo.ch/default.asp?id=11&amp;ACT=5&amp;content=14&amp;mnu=11" rel="nofollow">http://www.reptilien-zoo.ch/default.asp?id=11&amp;ACT=5&amp;content=14&amp;mnu=11</a> 
 
I would be willing to go there Monday after school to buy the flies. 
However, we need to redo our research and find natural repellents for house flies instead... 
 
I don't think we need such large quantities, but other than that I agree with your e-mail. I think we should do the repeats after each other... then we only need 5 bell jars, 5 jars... 
 
What do you think? 
Amelie 
 
--- 
 
Hello Amelie! 
 
I agree with you. I think is better if we investigate the different natural fly repelletnts. 
I will go with you to buy the flies on monday. 
I found on the internet about natural repellents for flies http://www.flyrepellent.org/ 
 
Basil is a natural fly repellent. Placing a pot of sweet basil near your kitchen window and doorway will help to repel those flies away. 
As an alternative, you can also place pots of Lavender around your home. Lavenders are both beautiful and nice smelling plants that can act as 
<a class="wiki_link_ext" href="http://www.flyrepellent.org/fly-repellent/homemade-mosquito-repellent/" rel="nofollow">fly repellent</a> 
in your garden. 
 
What do you think? 
 
We need three more we could use. 
 
We can have 5 bell jars, you are right! 21 jars is crazy. We can use one jar four times for the same experiment. 
 
Mariana 
-

Hey! 
I found some more natural fly repellents: 
<ul><li>Lavender oil - lavender is considered to be particularly effective against flies<a class="wiki_link_ext" href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Natural-Outdoor-Fly-Repellent-with-Essential-Oils#_note-0" rel="nofollow">[1</a>]</li><li>Citronella oil (dilute with water first)<a class="wiki_link_ext" href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Natural-Outdoor-Fly-Repellent-with-Essential-Oils#_note-1" rel="nofollow">[2</a>]</li><li>Eucalyptus oil (dilute with water first)<a class="wiki_link_ext" href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Natural-Outdoor-Fly-Repellent-with-Essential-Oils#_note-2" rel="nofollow">[3</a>]</li><li>Pennyroyal oil (dilute with water first)<a class="wiki_link_ext" href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Natural-Outdoor-Fly-Repellent-with-Essential-Oils#_note-3" rel="nofollow">[4</a>]</li><li>Peppermint oil (dilute with water first; likely more effective against mosquitoes but also considered to work against horse-flies<a class="wiki_link_ext" href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Natural-Outdoor-Fly-Repellent-with-Essential-Oils#_note-4" rel="nofollow">[5</a>])</li><li>Lemongrass oil (dilute with water first)<a class="wiki_link_ext" href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Natural-Outdoor-Fly-Repellent-with-Essential-Oils#_note-5" rel="nofollow">[6</a>]</li></ul> 
<a class="wiki_link_ext" href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Natural-Outdoor-Fly-Repellent-with-Essential-Oils" rel="nofollow">http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Natural-Outdoor-Fly-Repellent-with-Essential-Oils</a> 
 
I suggest using basil, lavender, citronella oil, eucalyptus oil and peppermint. This way we have a mixture of plants and oils... 
Is that okay? 
Amelie 
 
- 
I just wrote the following email to Mrs Marchetti: 
 
Dear Mrs Marchetti, 
 
We found a place where we can buy living house flies, so we are going to investigate those instead of moquitoes. They also transmit diseases such as cholera and are a hazard to hygiene. Is it okay if we buy the flies ourselves? 
Apart from flies we also need: 
 
- 6 bell jars 
- 6 smaller jars with a small opening 
- honey 
- basil (about 16 leaves) 
- lavender 
- citronella oil (20 drops) 
- eucalyptus oil (20 drops) 
- peppermint (about 16 leaves) 
 
If we need to buy those things ourselves, please let me know. 
 
Regards, 
Amelie 
 
okay? Let's go ahead and write the method...- Hi!I just wrote the first draft of our method.Here it is: 
Method 
1. The six jars will be clearly labelled in the following manner: 
Control 
Lavender 
Eucalyptus oil 
Citronella oil 
Peppermint 
Basil 
2. Two table spoons of honey will be put into each jar. 
3. 5g of lavender will be crushed and put around the opening of the jar labelled “Lavender” 
4. 5 drops of eucalyptus oil diluted with 5ml of water will be smeared around the opening of jar labelled “Eucalyptus oil” 
5. 5 drops of citronella oil diluted with 5ml of water will be smeared around the opening of jar labelled “Citronella oil” 
6. 5g of peppermint will be crushed and put around the opening of the jar labelled “Peppermint” 
7. 5g of basil will be crushed and put around the opening of the jar labelled “Basil” 
8. The bell jars will be placed next to each other under same light, noise and air conditions. 
9. One jar containing honey and 20 house flies will be put under each bell jar. 
10. The jars will be left for 20 minutes. 
11. The flies stuck in the honey for each experiment will be counted and their number will be noted down. 
12. The jars will be left for another 20 minutes. 
13. After precisely 20 minutes, the flies stuck in the honey for each experiment will be counted. 
14. The results will be noted down. 
15. The jars will be cleaned. 
16. Steps 2 to 15 will be repeated 3 more times (in total there will be four repeats for each experiment). 
17. The apparatus will be put away. 
18. The results will be compared, analysed and interpreted. 
Should we change anything? 
xx, Amelie------Hello Guys!I think the method is very good!, Thanks Amelie.So, would it be 5 drops of natural oil repellent for each experiment??I think we will need a greater amount of the natural repellents to make it work properly, without diluting it in water.I am a bit confused with the step 9. Where are the flies going to be in the first place? The flies need to be far from the honey. So it has to be placed first the honey, then the repellent and then the flies to see if the flies dare to go to the honey with the repellent. Mariana 
--- 
Hi! 
 
I just read that we have to carry out at least three experiments or investigations... 
 
As we focussed on flies so far, I recommend sticking to that... 
 
How about following investigations/experiments: 
 
- Investigation 1: The effects of flies on health and hygiene (how they transmit diseases) - this knowledge will help prevent diseases etc. 
- Investigation 2: How flies live (climate, reproduction...) and what they are attracted to - this knowledge will help avoid them. 
- Experiment: Most effective natural fly repellent. 
 
We could split up into three groups of 2 each to do one investigation / experiment... What do you think? 
xx, Amelie 
 
- 
Hey! 
 
We found out today that we cannot get citronella oil or eukalyptus oil... I suggest using garlic instead... it's supposed to keep flies away, too. 
 
I changed the method to suit the flies we bought and it now includes only four repellents: 
Method 
1. The six jars will be clearly labelled in the following manner: 
Control 
Lavender 
Garlic 
Peppermint 
Basil 
2. Two table spoons of honey will be put into each jar. 
3. 10g of lavender will be crushed and put around the opening of the jar labelled “Lavender” 
4. 10g of garlic will be crushed and put around the opening of the jar labelled “Garlic” 
5. 10g of peppermint will be crushed and put around the opening of the jar labelled “Peppermint” 
6. 10g of basil will be crushed and put around the opening of the jar labelled “Basil” 
7. The bell jars will be placed next to each other under same light, noise and air conditions. 
8. One jar containing honey, 5 house flies and 10 fruit flies will be put under each bell jar. 
9. The jars will be left for 15 minutes. 
10. The flies stuck in the honey for each experiment will be counted and their number will be noted down. 
11. The jars will be left for another 15 minutes. 
12. After precisely 15 minutes, the flies stuck in the honey for each experiment will be counted. 
13. The results will be noted down. 
14. The jars will be cleaned. 
15. Steps 2 to 15 will be repeated 2 more times (in total there will be three repeats for each experiment). 
16. The apparatus will be put away. 
17. The results will be compared, analysed and interpreted. 
Is that okay? Using different flies will also show how different species react... 
xx, Amelie