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Institute of Agricultural & Environmental Research Tennessee State University |
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Seminar Series Abstract
Insecticidal and repellent properties of moth balls against imported fire ants Samuel Ochieng
Tennessee State University, Institute of Agricultural & Environmental Research, Otis L. Floyd Nursery Research Center, McMinnville, TN
Imported fire ants were introduced in the United States in the early 1900s from South America, and have become major pests in the southeastern states. Fire ant control is heavily dependent on synthetic insecticides which are not specific to fire ants, and whose residues in the environment impact non-target species. Homeowners and ornamental nursery producers are increasingly concerned about traditional insecticides and therefore are becoming interested in the use of less toxic or “natural” materials for fire ant control. Moth balls, naphthalene and para-dichlorobenzene (PDB), are white crystalline compounds derived from coal tar that are commonly used in a variety of household deodorizing and cleaning products to repel insects. We conducted experiments to assess the effects of PDB on hybrid imported fire ants. Laboratory repellency tests against imported fire ant workers were effective at concentrations as low as 1ppm. Field toxicity tests demonstrated 80-90% mound control two weeks after application when PDB was applied at 40 g/mound. Residual effect experiments are on-going.
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