Mentor

Deborah Waller, Old Dominion University

Publication Date

2024

Document Type

Paper

DOI

10.25776/rr3e-mf07

Pages

1-4 pp.

Abstract

This novel research has been conducted to identify the efficacy of cardamom powder to repel ants (Formicidae) in the households and analyze the ant behavior towards the spice. The study was done using a bait and a substrate along with a spice. Granulated sugar was used as a bait material with butter crackers as a substrate. The granulated sugar was topped over the substrate in the control sample while the cardamom powder was added on top of the sugar in the treatment sample. The control sample (no cardamom powder) and treatment sample (with cardamom powder) were kept at a distance of 1 meter in a green field to analyze the ant behavior towards both the samples. Both the samples were analyzed initially for 20 min followed by after every 30 minutes until a total of 2 hours of duration. The number of ants attracted to both the samples were counted and the data were analyzed using the non-parametric Sign test. The data revealed that the number of ants observed on the treatment bait were less than that of the control bait. Hence, the null hypothesis that the cardamom powder does not repel ants was rejected with the p-value of 0.05. Overall, the study showed the positive effect of cardamom powder regarding ant repellency.

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