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Title: EFFICACY OF THREE CITRUS OIL FORMULATIONS AGAINST SOLENOPSIS INVICTA BUREN (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE), THE RED IMPORTED FIRE ANT

Author
item Vogt, James
item SHELTON, THOMAS - UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII
item MERCHANT, MIKE - TEXAS A&M RES & EXT CTR
item RUSSELL, SCOTT - TEXAS AG EXT SERVICE
item TANLEY, MARLA - AUBURN UNIVERSITY
item APPEL, ARTHUR - AUBURN UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Journal of Agricultural and Urban Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/22/2002
Publication Date: 7/1/2003
Citation: VOGT, J.T., SHELTON, T.G., MERCHANT, M., RUSSELL, S.A., TANLEY, M.J., APPEL, A.G. EFFICACY OF THREE CITRUS OIL FORMULATIONS AGAINST SOLENOPSIS INVICTA BUREN (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE), THE RED IMPORTED FIRE ANT. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND URBAN ENTOMOLOGY. 2003. V.19. P.159-171.

Interpretive Summary: Experiments were conducted to determine efficacy of raw citrus peel extract, a commercial citrus oil product, and a homemade recipe for fire ant control. The homemade recipe (equal parts citrus peel extract, compost tea, and cattlemen's molasses mixed with water at 6 oz per gallon), raw citrus peel extract premixed with water, and diazinon formulations performed similarly, though diazinon yielded slightly faster control. Results indicate that viable "organic" alternatives are available for use as mound drenches against imported fire ants.

Technical Abstract: Experiments were conducted in Alabama, Oklahoma and Texas to assess efficacy of raw citrus peel extract (orange oil) (Erath Earth Orange Oil, Erath Earth Holding Company, Erath, TX) and a commercial citrus oil formulation (Garden-Ville Soil Conditioner, Garden-Ville, San Antonio, TX) for control of Solenopsis invicta Buren, the red imported fire ant. A homemade recipe containing orange oil [equal parts orange oil, cattlemen's molasses, and compost tea at 47 ml L-1 water (6 oz gal- 1)], orange oil premixed with water to form an emulsion, and the commercial product all resulted in 80% or greater control when applied in 3.8 L (1 gal) water as a mound drench. In most trials, the level of activity in mounds receiving citrus oil alternatives was statistically comparable to conventional diazinon formulations. Citrus oil alone presented mixing problems prior to application; some possible solutions are discussed. Citrus oil formulations and commercial products appear to be viable alternatives for people who do not wish to apply conventional insecticides against S. invicta.