DOES NEEM OIL KILL ANTS?
Does neem oil kill ants? – The neem tree (Azadirachta indica), also known as the Indian lilac or Margosa tree, is native to the northeast of the Indian subcontinent and to some parts of Indochina but is grown in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It belongs to the mahogany family (Meliaceae) and is one of the two species under the genus Azadirachta.
USES OF NEEM OIL IN EVERYAY LIFE
Neem seed oil is widely used in many industries such as
- Cosmetics
- Pharmaceuticals
- Toothpaste
- Dog shampoos and soaps
Indians have been using neem for its medicinal properties since time immemorial. It helps
- Detoxify blood and plasma
- Maintenance of the circulatory, excretory, and respiratory systems.
- Improve the functions of the liver
- Strengthens the immune system
ROLE OF AZADIRACHTIN COMPOUND IN NEEM OIL
The fruits and seeds of the tree are rich in Azadirachtin (0.2-0.6%), a biopesticide, which is being commercialized worldwide and remains the most successful botanical pesticide used in agriculture compared to many others, with no or very less impact on the environment. Azadirachtin does not have any impact on non-target insects and mammals. It works as an antifeedant and insect growth disruptor.
STUDY RELATED TO THE EFFECTS OF NEEM OIL ON ANTS
In recent years, research on neem oil and its effects on ants has shown fruitful results. The related research is cited below
| YEAR | RESEARCH |
| 2006 | Researchers found that neem oil is toxic to leaf-cutter ants when ingested and somewhat less so on contact only. |
| 2012 | A group of scientists found that neem oil repelled red ants and kept them away from beehives. |
| 2014 | It was found that neem oil did not have any significant effect on the pests in the cotton field in the testing area of a group of scientists. |
| 2016 | It was found that neem oil reduced the foraging ability of the leaf cutter ants by up to 75%. |
| 2018 | Scientists noted that neem oil repelled and killed ants.It was also noted that neem oil slowed down or killed of both the black ants and soldier ants. |
Other than the 2014 article others support the claim that neem oil does negatively affect the ants. 2014 remains an exception because the study wasn’t fully focused on the effects of neem oil on ants. hence it can be strongly argued that neem oil can be used as a biopesticide or insecticide.
EFFECTS OF NEEM OIL ON ANTS AND APHIDS
Aphids secrete a honeydew residue after eating the leaves, which is loved by the ants. Hence, they coexist in one place. Neem oil is toxic to ants, aphids, and other small insects. It kills them when sprayed directly on them. When ingested by the ants it disrupts their hormonal cycle, rendering it unable to feed, lay eggs, and grow. Neem oil works by stopping the production of ecdysone hormone in the insect body thus reducing their growth. This kills the ants soon as they can’t perform the activities required for their growth and multiplication.
PREPARATION OF NEEM OIL MIXTURE FOR SPRAYING ON THE ANTS
Neem seed oil can be purchased from shops or can be prepared in home. If the process is done correctly a person can extract around 100-150 ml of oil from one kilogram of seeds. Neem oil can’t be directly applied to the ants because of its highly viscous nature and stinky smell. It has to be mixed with a soapy detergent and water to make it easier to apply in ant-infested areas.
The spray contains a 2:1 ratio of neem and soap for a fixed quantity of water. The general requirements are
- Half a gallon of water
- One tablespoon of neem oil
- Half a tablespoon of soap (liquid soap)
APPLICATION OF THE NEEM BIO-PESTICIDE
Generally, neem oil kills off the ants within a few hours when sprayed directly on them, as the neem oil forms a layer of oily substance on the exoskeleton of the ants that will disorient and suffocate them. When ingested by the ants it will take around 2-3 days for the neem oil to affect the ants foraging and eating habits.
The application schedule usually depends on the scale of infestation.
For a small-scale of infestation, the neem oil is to be applied on the ant mound directly for one day which should be adequate to control or kill off the ants.
For a bigger scale of infestation, the neem oil is to be applied on Day 1 and subsequently on Day 2-4 or alternately till Day 5. This is done till all the ants are killed.
PRECAUTIONS TAKEN FOR APPLICATION
Even though neem oil does not have any negative effects on the environment, there are still certain factors that have to be taken care of before and during application.
The precautions that have to be taken before application are
- Pick a good quality neem oil
The quality of neem oil has to be checked before buying. Usually, the cold-pressed ones are better suited for the application, not the ones sold for health or beauty purposes.
2. Use the mixture within one hour
Neem oil can be stored for up to one year from the date of purchase when stored properly. But when mixed with the soap it has to be used within an hour or so. As exposure to environmental conditions, the rate of deterioration of the mixture takes place rapidly,
3. Spray during the late afternoon or evening
The spraying should be done especially during the late afternoon or early evening. It is mainly because the chances of the plants getting burned are very high.
4. Spray on the ants directly or soil drench the infested area
The ants stay clear of neem oil as it is not desirable. Hence we should spray directly on the ants for its high effectiveness.
5. Use neem oil outside only
Neem oil is stinky, and hence can’t be used indoors.
CONCLUSION
Neem oil is recommended for killing ants. It is highly effective because it affects the hormonal cycle of the insects instead of their digestive cycle, hence killing the insect. There are other benefits of using neem oil over other chemicals. They are-
- Safe to use around people and pets.
- It also kills the ant eggs successfully.
- It does not leave any residue.
The closer we get to the heart of infestation the better. The results can be observed within 2-3 days of spraying. It can take some time for its effects to be visible. But the number of ants will drastically decrease soon after the usage of the mixture.
