Agricultural Research Service

June 6, 2000

The invention is aimed at various species of ants that pose significant economic and health problems to man. For example: 1) leaf-cutting ants are capable of defoliating a citrus tree overnight and destroying germinating seeds; 2) fire ants cause crop losses, damage to electrical and farm equipment, cause soil erosion and sting humans and livestock; and 3) species of foraging ants find and destroy capsules of parasitic wasps used by man as biological controls for other insects. The invention is designed to provide improved, nontoxic ant repellents based on formulations that consist of certain alcohols. The repellent could be combined with either a liquid or solid carrier, allowing it to be applied, for example, as a liquid spray, a powder and/or slow-release carrier.

Robert K. Vander Meer Medical & Veterinary Laboratory Gainesville, Florida 32608 (352) 374-5860 / Fax: (352) 374-5786
William A. Banks (retired) Clifford S. Lofgren (retired)

repellents specifically for ants, slow-release formulations, Solenopsis invicta, animal protection, crop protection, food storage area, food preparation area, home and garden areas