Neem Oil 1 -- Fire Ants 0

Hawgwild 3/5/2022, 4:18 pm

Finally got around to turning my compost pile and found it full of ants, and I mean the bad fire ants. Hate those things. Anyway after searching here on the forum and internet search I decided to use neem oil.

Mixed at 4 TBS per gallon plus 2 TBS of dish washing liquid. The dish washing liquid helps keep the oil suspended. Gotta shake the sprayer every now and then. I started spraying and turning. Think it has to actually get on them to kill but will act as a deterrent in the future. One post I read said it kept their compost free for 5 weeks.

On a more positive note I was VERY pleased with the way my compost looked. Black gold in the making. Got a ways to go but added more greens and raw kitchen scraps to get it started again.

Will turn more frequently in the future...

Scottie

**sanderson** 3/6/2022, 3:24 am

Hawgwild wrote:. . . Mixed at 4 TBS per gallon plus 2 TBS of dish washing liquid. The dish washing liquid helps keep the oil suspended.

For gardens, soap is recommended, not detergents. Detergents, like Dawn, is great for dishes and oil-soaked birds. Soap is different and will break down. Dr. Bronner's Liquid Peppermint Soap is often used. https://www.drbronner.com/all-one-blog/2017/06/dilutions-cheat-sheet-dr-bronners-pure-castile-soap/

On a more positive note I was VERY pleased with the way my compost looked. Black gold in the making. Got a ways to go but added more greens and raw kitchen scraps to get it started again.

Every time raw material is added, the clock starts all over again. To create and keep heat for a while, a minimum volume is needed. A critical mass. minimum 3'x3'x3' to 4'x4'x4'maximum.


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Neem Oil 1 -- Fire Ants 0

Neem Oil 1 -- Fire Ants 0

Re: Neem Oil 1 -- Fire Ants 0