Implementing the Use of Lavender (Lavandula

angustifolia) to Repel Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta)”

Malang, Marc Julian Daniel P.

Velasco, Julianne Aleja I.

Laragan, Kyle Gabrielle D.

Mrs. Viola Donato

Caloocan High School

 I. Introduction

Significance of the Study

This study is focuses on how to repel ants using lavender. Red ants’ bites

are extremely painful and can cause bad effects. If you get bit of red ants, expect

to feel skin irritation. If you are having allergy to these ants, you can experience

difficulties in breathing, dizziness, or loss of consciousness. In this study, many

would benefit. Including kids who can’t tell if they were bitten by ants, normal

adults, adults with allergies, and pets.

Pets are also at high risk because they didn’t know if they go to places with

fire ants’ mounds. Ants can stay on pets’ fur and if they go home, making owner

at risk from attack. People that have an allergy to these ants will also benefit the

most.

Background of the Study

Getting bitten by red ants can cause serious irritation and can cause

difficulties in breathing if you have allergies to these kinds of ant. Red ants are

known as bad ants whose bite is extremely painful and irritating. It is also known

for being more aggressive than the other species of ants. Ants’ searches for food

and foods from home attract ants due to its attractive smells but lavender scent is

unattractive to these kinds of pest.

 This study focuses on how to get rid of fire ants using lavender. Lavender

is safe to use even when there is a kid with you because it is environmentally

friendly and doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals. It has a powerful scent and

can also use to repel other insects such as flies, fleas, and mosquitos.

II. Statement of the Problem

• How does Lavender Helps repel Fire Ants using its Strong Fragrance?

III. Research Objectives

1. To be able to make a Lavender Powder that can be using the Extracts of

the Lavender Herb.

2. To see if Lavender Powder can be used as a Fire Ants Repellant.

3. To know the positive benefits and the drawbacks of using the lavender

chalk especially when there are young people around.

IV. Hypothesis

• Alternative Hypothesis:

Ha – The Lavender Powder was successfully created using the extracted liquids

from the Lavender Herb (Lavandula angustifolia).

Ha – e Lavender powder was capable of being a Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta)”

from pestering inside the house.

• Null Hypothesis:

H0 – The Lavender Powder was unsuccessfully created using the extracted liquids

from the Lavender Herb (Lavandula angustifolia).

H0 – The Lavender powder was incapable of being a Fire Ants (Solenopsis

invicta)” from pestering inside the house.

V. Scope and Delimitations

Our main goal is to repel or eliminate the presence of fire ants (Solenopsis

invicta) in the household or chosen place. The product of our research focuses on

that type of ant only, hence will not work on any type of insect except fire ants. It

may not work on black garden ants (Lasius niger). This is scoped to those who

wish to get rid of small inconveniences like ant bites, food contamination, and a

nuisance in the house.

VI. Materials and Methods

7.1 Materials

½ Cup of Cornstarch and was paper are obtained at the local

supermarket, Victory mall. The 5 mL of melted Lavender Oil is

available in Mercury Drug. 2/3 cups of Water, Tape, and Spoon, Used

Towel Rolls, and Mixing bowl are already available in our household.

7.2 Methods

A. Preparation of the powder Mold

The mold in which the liquid component will be placed is the initial

stage in manufacturing the repellent. Cut the wax paper in half and roll

it out to make a powder form. To prevent liquid from pouring out of

the mold, the wax paper must have no holes. To make the mold

sturdier, the used paper towels are put on top of the rolled wax paper.

Tape is wrapped around the wax paper and paper towels are used to

secure the mold. The procedure is repeated five (5) times.

B. Composing the lavender mixture

The ingredients and mixing bowl should be at room temperature, or

approximately 20–22 °C. The lavender oil is heated to easily

transferred and remove the bacteria from the lavender extract. In a

clean mixing bowl, add 1/2 cup cornstarch and 2/3 cup water and

whisk lightly. There should be no bubbles while mixing. After 10

minutes of mixing the ½ cup of cornstarch and water, 5mL of

Lavender Extract was added to the dish.

C. Solidification of the Output

The lavender mixture is then placed to the mold prepared previously

using a silver spoon. It's crucial not to use a wooden or plastic spoon

since they'll melt in the liquid. To cool the powder, the mold is put in a

room temperature area. After 12 hours, the mixture is done and ready

to be removed from the mold

 VII. Statistical Tools

The Statistical Tools that will be used is Chi-Test to be able to

compare the following taken Data from the Experimental Area to see

if it is attainable to assess the Alternative Hypothesis where were able

to successfully create a Lavender powder using the extracted liquids

from the Lavender Herb (Lavandula angustifolia) to repel the Fire

Ants.

BEFORE AFTER D D
2

Kitchen 30 12 18 324

Living 18 9 9 81

Room

Bathroom 12 4 8 64

Bedroom 21 7 14 196

Garage 31 11 20 400

TOTAL: 69 1,065
 √ √ √
2
∑d
N ( N −1)
 112.8
5 (4)
 112.8
20
 √ 5.64  2.375
SD or σ 2 = 2.375

(∑ D)2 (69)2
∑D
2
- N  1,065 – 5  1,065 – 952.2 
∑d
2
= 112. 8

∑D 69 D 13.8
D= N  5  13.8 T= SD  2.375  5.81
D = 13.8
T = 5.81

CRITICAL VALUE = 2.776

Since, the value of T is (5.81) which is greater than the Critical Value (2.776). It is

therefore concluded that the Alternative Hypothesis is accepted and the Null Hypothesis is

rejected.
 VIII. Experimental Design

Implementing the Use of

Lavender (Lavandula
angustifolia) to Repel Fire Ants
(Solenopsis invicta)

30 – 40 Red Ants

5 Minutes 20 Minutes 45 Minutes

25 – 30 Red Ants 15 – 24 Red Ants 0 – 14 Red Ants

Compare remaining visible Red

Ants in the experimental
 Collection and Preparation of Materials
November 12 to
November 18

Experimental Set-ups
November 19 to
November 25

November 26 to
November 30

Collection and Gathering of Data Sampling

November 30 to
December 4

Analysis of Data
November 30 to
December 7

November 12 to
Writing the Research Paper
November 30

December 7 to
December 15
IX. Duration and Schedule of Activities

X. Results and Findings

After experimenting, the experiment has seen the effectiveness of the

Lavender powder, where it completely repelled the Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta)
as soon as it smelled it. The Fire Ants completely take distance as soon as it is

used. This improves the avoidance or effectivity of removing the presence of Fire

Ants (Solenopsis invicta) from a specific location.

Implementing the Use of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) to repel from Fire

Ants (Solenopsis invicta)” has shown how herbal plants can be a great help for

repelling Fire Ants or the Red Ants to be safe from sudden bites that may lead to

severe cases. Lavender can also be used in a lot of ways like oil, medicine and

much more.

The Lavender powder will work best when used in all possible openings

even on how small it is to prevent the Fire Ants from entering.

XI. Conclusion and Recommendation

All things considered, although fire ants are considerably small, it is a

nuisance to our daily lives. A small bite can cause a lot to not just us, but also to

animals alike. Getting rid of these ants can be a big help in our household

therefore the need to repel/eliminate them. Using powder can be easier and much

more convenient to leave aside, unlike liquid or oil which can attract more ants.
 XII. References

DerSarkissian, C. (2020, October 19). Fire Ants Stung Me. What Should I Do?

WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/allergies/fire-ant-stings

How to Make Homemade Chalk. (2021, August 4). WikiHow.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Homemade-Chalk

ANDERSON, C. (n.d.). Lavender oil to repel ants. Hunker. Retrieved September

22, 2021, from https://www.hunker.com/12606047/lavender-oil-to-repel-

ants

What are fire ant bites? (2018, January 4). NEWSLETTER.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/312484
XII. Appendix
Comments: Malang, Marc Julian P.

10 Significant Comments of Our Research

 Easy access of Lavender herb (via. Drugstores and Markets) and cheap / convenient
product to be used.

 Significance shows one statement focus for better reading convenience on how to repel
Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta) with the use of Lavender Herb (Lavandula angustifolia).

 Practical and Efficient Countermeasures that is commonly happening in the

Environment, meaning Research Paper has a Wide Range of Self-Based Experiences
and Realizations.

 Materials and Methods are intended as Home-Based Products for Uncomplicated and
Direct Instructions that can be effortlessly made at home.

 Resulted Product can be made or enhance even further as of own please such as
Hardened Chalk or Crashed Powder.

 Products has been tested in different areas and houses making it capable and effective as
a Fire Ant Repellant.

 Throughout the Methods, the strong scent of the Lavender is greatly reduced via.
Freezing making it liable and comfortable to be used.

 Research paper is relatively short in stature yet very direct to the point making it easy to
read and understand as well as better analyze on how does Lavender Herb affects Fire
Ants.

 Having plantation of Lavender as a source of Repellent can be also utilize for other
circumstances such as medicine, oil, and many more.
 Products is not only beneficial to humans alike but to Animals of Pets can be reassured
as well.

10 Weakness Comments of Our Research

 Though it is direct to the point, introduction and overviews are insufficient and quite
naive enough to be reassure in using as a Product.

 Paper is oriented on focusing only to one problem that may lead or unable to ingress on
other related problems.

 Research Paper only focuses on Fire Ants, and has no study towards other Animal or Pest
Available in the House.

 Unable to yield new information or facts throughout reading.

 Inconsistent Narratives and Statements of Focus of the Study.

 Following the methods of creating a Lavender Powder, during freezing the scent may
scatter and disperse within the area if not properly sealed.

 The Depth of the Research Paper could have been deeper and can gain more benefits
within more research.

 Though testing the results, it is still not 100 percent accurate if the Fire Ants will leave or
may die on the spot and how long will it be affected to run from the Testing Area.

 Research Paper shows Inconsistency in Experimental Design by reason of Time and No.
of Available Red Ants.

 Fragrance and Odor of the Lavender when applied to a Site will disperse widely that may
affect certain individuals with symptoms such as Headache.
Comments: Velasco, Julianne Aleja I.

10 Comments on the significance of your own study.

 The significance of our study is clear and can easily be understood.

 The materials needed for our research can be found at the nearest drugstore.

 The materials and method are specific and accurate.

 The product helps to get rid of the fire ants.

 The ant chalk is not irritating, especially to kids.

 The materials used are not harmful and dangerous.

 The product is tested a lot in different parts of the place to make sure that it is
effective.

 The aroma of our product is strong but still safe for everyone.

 Even animals can benefit from our product.

 Our paper contains enough information to prove our statement.

10 Things to improve or weakness of your Paper.

 Some parts of our paper are not specific enough to understand.

 The evidences in some parts are not enough to prove our statement.

 There are few grammatical errors.

 Some statements in our paper contain too much information.

 Some statements are better to be direct.

 Some of the sources used are not new.

 Some parts of the paper are confusing because of too many words used.

 The conclusion can be longer to emphasize the context.

 Some statements do not have citations.

 Some of the words used are too deep that it can’t be easily understood
Comments: Laragan, Kyle Gabrielle D.

10 Comments on the significance of your own study.

 The significance contains evidences that supports our study.

 The content of the significance of the study is solely connected to the topic if the
research

 It is short but is complete with the details.

 It explains why the researchers conducted this study.

 Explains the benefits of the chalk.

 The concepts or words that are employed in the significance are simple to grasp.

 The information provided is reliable.

 There were no grammatical errors.

 The significance includes the majority of the population.

 In short, the significance of the study was well written.

10 Things to improve or weakness of your Paper.