THE USE OF BASIL AND SAGE LEAVES AS ANT SPRAY REPELLENT

Abstract

Ant pest control is essential for household maintenance due to the potential damage ants may cause and the health risks they pose. Certain plants, such as basil and sage, possess natural ant-repelling properties that can help prevent infestations while avoiding the harmful effects associated with conventional chemical insecticides. Incidents such as fire ant stings further emphasize the need for effective and safer ant control measures. This study explored the use of basil and sage leaves as natural ant spray repellents. The study employed a controlled experimental research design focusing on the use of basil and sage leaves as ant repellents. The procedure involved washing, crushing, and soaking the leaves in water for two to three days to extract their repellent properties. The resulting solution was used as an eco-friendly ant spray. The experiment aimed to determine the effectiveness of the repellent against red ants, following a systematic approach to experimentation and data collection. The findings showed that basil and sage leaves were effective natural ant repellents, with consistent observations involving 10–15 red ants per test. The effectiveness of the repellents varied depending on the presence of baking soda, with formulations containing baking soda demonstrating a longer duration of effectiveness. The volume of repellent solution produced also varied, with basil leaves yielding greater effectiveness. The addition of baking soda contributed to improved maintainability of the repellent. The results indicated that while commercial ant sprays may produce immediate effects, organic ant repellents made from basil and sage leaves provide a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative. However, further research is needed to optimize their effectiveness and better understand their mechanisms of action. The study found that 10–15 red ants were required to evaluate the repellent action of basil and sage leaves within a controlled container. The organic ant spray repellent demonstrated effectiveness within a duration of 15–25 minutes. Although the organic spray showed promising results, further improvements and repeated trials are necessary to achieve performance comparable to commercial products. Overall, organic ant spray repellents were found to be more affordable and safer than chemical-based alternatives.