Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #257333
Title: Deterrency and Toxicity of Essential Oils to Argentine and Red Imported Fire Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Author
item Wiltz, Beverly
item SUITER, D - University Of Georgia
item GARDNER, W - University Of Georgia

Submitted to: Journal of Entomological Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/17/2006
Publication Date: 4/1/2007
Citation: Wiltz, B.A., Suiter, D.R., Gardner, W.A. Deterrency and Toxicity of Essential Oils to Argentine and Red Imported Fire Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Journal of Entomological Science 42 (2):239-249. 2007.

Interpretive Summary: In some situations, the use of deterrent or toxic natural products may be more desirable than contact insecticides or baits or may be used in conjunction with these methods to provide additional protection. We conducted laboratory assays to evaluate deterrency and contact toxicity of six essential oils to the Argentine ant the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren. Basil, citronella, lemon, peppermint, or tea tree oil were effective barriers to both species. Citronella oil was the only treatment to cause 100% Argentine ant mortality after 24 h, wile peppermint oil and tea tree oil also exhibited some toxicity. Only citronella oil was toxic to red imported fire ants. Additional testing is needed to determine dose responses for oils that demonstrated toxic effects.

Technical Abstract: Laboratory assays were conducted to evaluate deterrency and contact toxicity of six essential oils to the Argentine ant, Linepithema humile (Mayr), and the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren. In choice tests, both Argentine ants and fire ants crossed barriers treated with multiple rates of basil, citronella, lemon, peppermint, or tea tree oil less frequently than paired control barriers. Eucalyptus oil did not prevent movement of either species at any of the rates tested. In continuous exposure assays, citronella oil killed 50% of Argentine ants in 34.3 min and was the only treatment to cause 100% Argentine ant mortality after 24 h. Argentine ant mortality after 24 h was 89.8% with peppermint oil and 85.7% with tea tree oil, with the remaining treatments having mortality not significantly different from the control. Only citronella oil caused significant mortality of red imported fire ants, with 50.6% of the ants being dead after 24 h of continuous exposure.