THE POTENTIAL OF NEEM SEED OIL (AZADIRACHTA INDICA) AS NATURAL HOUSEHOLD INSECTICIDE
Abstract
Use of synthetic insecticides has resulted into health hazards, ecological imbalance, resistance by pests and environmental pollution. Neem seed oil is reported to be a natural pesticide that has excellent insecticidal properties whose usage will reduce the risks associated with the use of synthetic insecticides.
In this study, attempts were made to formulate neem seed oil-additive emulsions to be used as insecticide on household pests. Solvent extraction method was used for extracting oil from neem seed while acetone and calcium oxide were used as additives (inert ingredients) to formulate emulsifiable medium which were tested on four common household pests (cockroaches, black ants, soldier ants and millipedes).
It was observed that the additive samples to which 5 ml of neem seed oil were added were the most effective and active of all the tested mixture samples. The insects were either killed or their movement retarded within the shortest time compared to other samples with lesser amount of neem seed oil
The results of the study showed that extracted oil from neem seed in emulsions with additives can be used as natural household insecticides. Also, acetone and calcium oxide used as additives (inert ingredient) readily improve the insecticidal properties of the neem seed oil with acetone being the most effective.
