Kelly,

Your conclusions about the efficacy of d-limonene and selective quotes from the referenced study are misleading. To focus only on the 47 day observations is to miss the important points below, made by the study�s author.

� As a "home recipe," emulsified Erath Orange oil appeared to be a very promising treatment in this demonstration.�

�All treatments significantly reduced active ant mounds in plots relative to the water drench (untreated check) 4, 7 and 30 days following application.�

�At 14 days after treatment, the only treatments which significantly differed from the untreated check plot mound numbers were: 1) Diatec III containing the non-"organic" piperonil butoxide (PBO) synergist; and, 2) Erath Orange Oil emulsified with Thoroughbred nonionic surfactant.�

The 47 day observations are addressed in part by the following:

�Little rain occurred during the course of this trial (DATA?) Resulting in a steady decline of ant activity as documented in mounds treated with 1 gallon of water drench only on April 21 (Table 1).�

d-limonene when used as a formulated drench has been shown to be as effective as Diazinon, with Diazinon yielding only slightly faster control. (reference on request for space)

The use of the d-limonene drench is one major part of a three part organic solution for combating fire ants. The idea is to not wait 47 days 30 days or even 7 days before employing the other steps in the regime. It has worked well for me and I am sure it could work well for others.

Fire ant treatment regime:
�Pour a diluted mixture of orange oil, hot pepper tea and molasses on the ant mound - about an ounce of each per gallon of water.

After the ants have started moving around, drench the mound with a full-strength fire ant formula: Mix orange oil, molasses and compost tea together in equal proportions. Then add 6 ounces of this concentrate to a gallon of water and pour it into the middle of the mound. After the liquid floods the bottom of the mound, soak the rest of the mound and then the ants that are trying to run away. Ants that are hit with the liquid will be killed.

A day or two later, apply beneficial nematodes to the site to control the ant stragglers.
This technique doesn't just move the ants around as toxic chemicals do. And biological activity caused by following a complete organic landscape program will prevent the fire ants' return in many cases.�

For exactly the reasons you bring up in your last paragraph, I am surprised that you are not more open to and curious about this regime as a solution. The concerns you raise about humans pets and livestock are exactly why I am interested in ADVION. The answers you have provided on the other thread only serve to encourage me that it may be an effective permanent option.

I do look forward to getting hold of some ADVION so I can try it out.

I strive to be truthful, respectful, and open to other's ideas in these forums and only ask the same in return.

Truce?

JW