Insecticidal / Pesticidal

Insecticidal and pesticidal substances kill pests.  A variety of essential oils and herbs have shown powerful insecticidal action, with a less toxic effect than harsh chemicals.

Larvicidal substances kill insect larvae.

Insecticidal Recipes

Blog Articles

RESEARCH

The listings of research below represent a compilation of scientific articles found on the topic, with a very brief overview description of each article/study.  This compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use of any herb listed.

GENERAL

• A detailed review of plant products used in insect pest control is provided. From: Kuppusamy, E., Dhamodharan, K. I., & Jayakumar, S. (2016). Role of plants and plant based products towards the control of insect pests and vectors: A novel review. Journal of Coastal Life Medicine, 4(11), 902-917.
• Essential oils for pest control was reviewed.  From: Regnault-Roger, C. (1997). The potential of botanical essential oils for insect pest control. Integrated Pest Management Reviews, 2(1), 25-34.
• Essential oils offer a variety of insect repelling and controlling actions with less toxicity.  From: Regnault-Roger, C., Vincent, C., & Arnason, J. T. (2012). Essential oils in insect control: low-risk products in a high-stakes world. Annual review of entomology, 57.
• Research studies on the larvacidal activity of various essential oils against the Aedes, Anopheles and Culex mosquitoes were reviewed.  From:  From:  Andrade-Ochoa, S., Sánchez-Torres, L. E., Nevárez-Moorillón, G. V., Camacho, A. D., & Nogueda-Torres, B. (2017). Essential oils and their components as an alternative in the control of mosquito vectors of disease. Biomédica, 37, 224-243.

ANISE

• Essential oils from 40 species were tested against larvae of Lycoriella ingénue using a fumigation bioassay.  Horseradish, anise, and garlic oils showed the most potent insecticidal activities and good insecticidal activity was demonstrated by Chenopodium ambrosioides L., Eucalyptus globulus, and Eucalyptus smithii.  From:  Park, I. K., Choi, K. S., Kim, D. H., Choi, I. H., Kim, L. S., Bak, W. C., … & Shin, S. C. (2006). Fumigant activity of plant essential oils and components from horseradish (Armoracia rusticana), anise (Pimpinella anisum) and garlic (Allium sativum) oils against Lycoriella ingenua (Diptera: Sciaridae). Pest management science, 62(8), 723-728.
• Against three mosquito species, Juniperus macropoda and Pimpinella anisum were highly effective as both larvicidal and ovicidal. Zingiber officinale and Rosmarinus officinalis were found to be ovicidal and repellent. Cinnamomum zeylanicum resulted into highest repellent values.  From:  Prajapati, V., Tripathi, A. K., Aggarwal, K. K., & Khanuja, S. P. S. (2005). Insecticidal, repellent and oviposition-deterrent activity of selected essential oils against Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. Bioresource Technology, 96(16), 1749-1757.
• A blend of coconut oil, anise oil and ylang ylang oil controlled lice infestation in children.  From:  Mumcuoglu, K. Y., Miller, J., Zamir, C., Zentner, G., Helbin, V., & Ingber, A. (2002). The in vivo pediculicidal efficacy of a natural remedy. The Israel Medical Association journal: IMAJ, 4(10), 790-793.
• Pulegone, thymol, eugenol, trans-anithole, rosemary oil, citronellal, and cymene showed high larvicidal, oviposition deterrent, and/or repellent activities against the denge fever mosquito.  From:  Waliwitiya, R., Kennedy, C. J., & Lowenberger, C. A. (2009). Larvicidal and oviposition‐altering activity of monoterpenoids, trans‐anithole and rosemary oil to the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). Pest management science, 65(3), 241-248.
• Anise and ylang ylang showed acaracidal activity against the tick that can spread Lyme disease.  From:  Elmhalli, F., Pålsson, K., Örberg, J., & Grandi, G. (2018). Acaricidal properties of ylang-ylang oil and star anise oil against nymphs of Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae). Experimental and Applied Acarology, 76(2), 209-220.
• Against the yellow fever mosquito, pulegone, thymol, eugenol, trans-anithole, rosemary oil and citronellal showed high larvicidal activity. Eugenol, citronellal, thymol, pulegone, rosemary oil and cymene showed oviposition deterrent and/or repellent activities.  From:  Waliwitiya, R., Kennedy, C. J., & Lowenberger, C. A. (2009). Larvicidal and oviposition‐altering activity of monoterpenoids, trans‐anithole and rosemary oil to the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). Pest management science, 65(3), 241-248.

BASIL

• The following essential oils were tested against a mosquito and a housefly species: peppermint (M. piperita), spearmint (M. spicata), basil (O. basilicum), helichrysum (H. italicum), yarrow (A. ligustica), geranium (P. odoratissimum), cinnamon (C. verum) and verbenea (L. alba). Helichrysum and cinnamon showed the highest insecticidal and larvicidal activities. From: Benelli, G., Pavela, R., Giordani, C., Casettari, L., Curzi, G., Cappellacci, L., … & Maggi, F. (2018). Acute and sub-lethal toxicity of eight essential oils of commercial interest against the filariasis mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus and the housefly Musca domestica. Industrial crops and products, 112, 668-680.
• Ocimum basilicum was larvicidal against the mosquito species Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Aedes albopictus and Anopheles subpictus.  From:  Govindarajan, M., Sivakumar, R., Rajeswary, M., & Yogalakshmi, K. (2013). Chemical composition and larvicidal activity of essential oil from Ocimum basilicum (L.) against Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Aedes albopictus and Anopheles subpictus (Diptera: Culicidae). Experimental parasitology, 134(1), 7-11.

BAY

• Of 53 tested plant oils, bay, caraway seed, clove leaf, lemon eucalyptus, lime, pennyroyal, peppermint, rosewood, spearmint, and tea tree oils were highly effective against the greenhouse whitefly.From:  Choi, W. I., Lee, E. H., Choi, B. R., Park, H. M., & Ahn, Y. J. (2003). Toxicity of plant essential oils to Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). Journal of Economic Entomology, 96(5), 1479-1484.
• Against the red mite, the following oils were acaricidal:  bay, cade, cinnamon, clove bud, coriander, horseradish, lime, mustard, pennyroyal, pimento berry, spearmint, thyme red and thyme white oils.  From:  Kim, S. I., Yi, J. H., Tak, J. H., & Ahn, Y. J. (2004). Acaricidal activity of plant essential oils against Dermanyssus gallinae (Acari: Dermanyssidae). Veterinary parasitology, 120(4), 297-304.

BERGAMOT

• Citrus aurantium (bergamot) and Citrus paradisi (grapefruit) showed good larvicidal effect against An. stephensi, the malaria vector.  From:  Sedaghat, M. M., Sanei-Dehkordi, A., Vatandoost, H., & Abai, M. R. (2016). Chemical Compositions of the Peel Essential Oil of Citrus aurantium and its Natural Larvicidal Activity against the Malaria Vector Anopheles stephensi (Diptera: Culicidae) in Comparison with Citrus paradisi. Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases.

BLACK PEPPER

• Lavender and black pepper powder is used to prevent carpet moths from eating rugs.  Al, A. I. L. Q. I. (2015). The killing، Attractive and Repellent Impact of Some Plant Powders on carpet moth (Tineola bisselliella) in Holy Kerbala (Al-Hussaini Holy Shrine). KARBALĀʾ HERITAGE Quarterly Authorized Journal Specialized in Karbalāʾ Heritage, 2(4), 201-221.

CARDAMOM

• Against head lice, eucalyptus, marjoram, pennyroyal, and rosemary oils beat  δ-phenothrin and pyrethrum and activity of cade, cardamone ceylon, clove bud, myrtle, rosewood, and sage oils were comparable with the test insecticides.  From:  Yang, Y. C., Lee, H. S., Clark, J. M., & Ahn, Y. J. (2004). Insecticidal activity of plant essential oils against Pediculus humanus capitis (Anoplura: Pediculidae). Journal of Medical Entomology, 41(4), 699-704.

CARROT SEED

• Wild carrot seed oil was larvacidal against the mosquitos: Aedes aegypti, Culex pipiens, and Culex restuans Theobald. The most active constituents included: terpinolene, para cymene, and γ-terpinene.  From: Muturi, E. J., Doll, K., Ramirez, J. L., & Rooney, A. P. (2018). Bioactivity of wild carrot (Daucus carota, Apiaceae) essential oil against mosquito larvae. Journal of medical entomology, 56(3), 784-789.

CARROWAY

• Of 53 tested plant oils, bay, caraway seed, clove leaf, lemon eucalyptus, lime, pennyroyal, peppermint, rosewood, spearmint, and tea tree oils were highly effective against the greenhouse whitefly.From:  Choi, W. I., Lee, E. H., Choi, B. R., Park, H. M., & Ahn, Y. J. (2003). Toxicity of plant essential oils to Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). Journal of Economic Entomology, 96(5), 1479-1484.
• Against the sciarid fly, good insecticidal activity was achieved with essential oils of caraway seed, lemongrass, mandarin, nutmeg, cade (Juniperus oxycedrus L.), spearmint, cumin, and red thyme.  From:  Park, I. K., Kim, J. N., Lee, Y. S., Lee, S. G., Ahn, Y. J., & Shin, S. C. (2008). Toxicity of plant essential oils and their components against Lycoriella ingenua (Diptera: Sciaridae). Journal of Economic Entomology, 101(1), 139-144.

CHASTE

• Vitex trifolia and three other Vitex species showed larvicidal activity against the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus.   From:  Kannathasan, K., Senthilkumar, A., Chandrasekaran, M., & Venkatesalu, V. (2007). Differential larvicidal efficacy of four species of Vitex against Culex quinquefasciatus larvae. Parasitology research, 101(6), 1721-1723.
• Vitex trifolia and Vitex agnus-castus essential oils affected the growth of Spilosoma obliqua moth larvae.  From:  Tandon, S., Mittal, A. K., & Pant, A. K. (2008). Insect growth regulatory activity of Vitex trifolia and Vitex agnus-castus essential oils against Spilosoma obliqua. Fitoterapia, 79(4), 283-286.

CINNAMON

• Against three mosquito species, Juniperus macropoda and Pimpinella anisum were highly effective as both larvicidal and ovicidal. Zingiber officinale and Rosmarinus officinalis were found to be ovicidal and repellent. Cinnamomum zeylanicum resulted into highest repellent values.  From:  Prajapati, V., Tripathi, A. K., Aggarwal, K. K., & Khanuja, S. P. S. (2005). Insecticidal, repellent and oviposition-deterrent activity of selected essential oils against Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. Bioresource Technology, 96(16), 1749-1757.
• Pulegone, thymol, eugenol, trans-anithole, rosemary oil, citronellal, and cymene showed high larvicidal, oviposition deterrent, and/or repellent activities against the denge fever mosquito.  From:  Waliwitiya, R., Kennedy, C. J., & Lowenberger, C. A. (2009). Larvicidal and oviposition‐altering activity of monoterpenoids, trans‐anithole and rosemary oil to the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). Pest management science, 65(3), 241-248.
• Pulegone, thymol, eugenol, trans-anithole, rosemary oil, citronellal, and cymene showed high larvicidal, oviposition deterrent, and/or repellent activities against the denge fever mosquito.  From:  Waliwitiya, R., Kennedy, C. J., & Lowenberger, C. A. (2009). Larvicidal and oviposition‐altering activity of monoterpenoids, trans‐anithole and rosemary oil to the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). Pest management science, 65(3), 241-248.
• Against the red mite, the following oils were acaricidal:  bay, cade, cinnamon, clove bud, coriander, horseradish, lime, mustard, pennyroyal, pimento berry, spearmint, thyme red and thyme white oils.  From:  Kim, S. I., Yi, J. H., Tak, J. H., & Ahn, Y. J. (2004). Acaricidal activity of plant essential oils against Dermanyssus gallinae (Acari: Dermanyssidae). Veterinary parasitology, 120(4), 297-304.
• The following essential oils were tested against a mosquito and a housefly species: peppermint (M. piperita), spearmint (M. spicata), basil (O. basilicum), helichrysum (H. italicum), yarrow (A. ligustica), geranium (P. odoratissimum), cinnamon (C. verum) and verbenea (L. alba). Helichrysum and cinnamon showed the highest insecticidal and larvicidal activities. From: Benelli, G., Pavela, R., Giordani, C., Casettari, L., Curzi, G., Cappellacci, L., … & Maggi, F. (2018). Acute and sub-lethal toxicity of eight essential oils of commercial interest against the filariasis mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus and the housefly Musca domestica. Industrial crops and products, 112, 668-680.

CITRONELLA

• Pulegone, thymol, eugenol, trans-anithole, rosemary oil, citronellal, and cymene showed high larvicidal, oviposition deterrent, and/or repellent activities against the denge fever mosquito.  From:  Waliwitiya, R., Kennedy, C. J., & Lowenberger, C. A. (2009). Larvicidal and oviposition‐altering activity of monoterpenoids, trans‐anithole and rosemary oil to the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). Pest management science, 65(3), 241-248.
• Citronella and kunzea oils (with and without vanillin) were somewhat mosquito repellent on human volunteers but not as strongly as DEET. From: Thomas, J., Webb, C. E., Narkowicz, C., Jacobson, G. A., Peterson, G. M., Davies, N. W., & Russell, R. C. (2009). Evaluation of repellent properties of volatile extracts from the Australian native plant Kunzea ambigua against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culcidae). Journal of medical entomology, 46(6), 1387-1391.

CLOVE

• Of eight essential oils tested against termites, vetiver was the most effective repellent because of its long-lasting activity, and clove bud was the most toxic, killing 100%.  From:  Zhu, B. C., Henderson, G., Chen, F., Fei, H., & Laine, R. A. (2001). Evaluation of vetiver oil and seven insect-active essential oils against the Formosan subterranean termite. Journal of chemical ecology, 27(8), 1617-1625.
• Pulegone, thymol, eugenol, trans-anithole, rosemary oil, citronellal, and cymene showed high larvicidal, oviposition deterrent, and/or repellent activities against the denge fever mosquito.  From:  Waliwitiya, R., Kennedy, C. J., & Lowenberger, C. A. (2009). Larvicidal and oviposition‐altering activity of monoterpenoids, trans‐anithole and rosemary oil to the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). Pest management science, 65(3), 241-248.
• Against head lice, eucalyptus, marjoram, pennyroyal, and rosemary oils beat  δ-phenothrin and pyrethrum and activity of cade, cardamone ceylon, clove bud, myrtle, rosewood, and sage oils were comparable with the test insecticides.  From:  Yang, Y. C., Lee, H. S., Clark, J. M., & Ahn, Y. J. (2004). Insecticidal activity of plant essential oils against Pediculus humanus capitis (Anoplura: Pediculidae). Journal of Medical Entomology, 41(4), 699-704.
• Of 53 tested plant oils, bay, caraway seed, clove leaf, lemon eucalyptus, lime, pennyroyal, peppermint, rosewood, spearmint, and tea tree oils were highly effective against the greenhouse whitefly.From:  Choi, W. I., Lee, E. H., Choi, B. R., Park, H. M., & Ahn, Y. J. (2003). Toxicity of plant essential oils to Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). Journal of Economic Entomology, 96(5), 1479-1484.
• Against the red mite, the following oils were acaricidal:  bay, cade, cinnamon, clove bud, coriander, horseradish, lime, mustard, pennyroyal, pimento berry, spearmint, thyme red and thyme white oils.  From:  Kim, S. I., Yi, J. H., Tak, J. H., & Ahn, Y. J. (2004). Acaricidal activity of plant essential oils against Dermanyssus gallinae (Acari: Dermanyssidae). Veterinary parasitology, 120(4), 297-304.
• Manuka, clove, and oregano were larvicidal against a mosquito species.  From:  Muturi, E. J., Ramirez, J. L., Doll, K. M., & Bowman, M. J. (2017). Combined toxicity of three essential oils against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae. Journal of medical entomology, 54(6), 1684-1691.
• Pinus sylvestris (pine) and Syzygium aromaticum (clove) showed larvicidal potential against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus.  From:  Fayemiwo, K. A., Adeleke, M. A., Okoro, O. P., Awojide, S. H., & Awoniyi, I. O. (2014). Larvicidal efficacies and chemical composition of essential oils of Pinus sylvestris and Syzygium aromaticum against mosquitoes. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine, 4(1), 30-34.   ntis, S., & Bazzoni, E. (2002). Essential oil formulations useful as a new tool for insect pest control. AAPs PharmSciTech, 3(2), 64-74.

CORIANDER

• Against the red mite, the following oils were acaricidal:  bay, cade, cinnamon, clove bud, coriander, horseradish, lime, mustard, pennyroyal, pimento berry, spearmint, thyme red and thyme white oils.  From:  Kim, S. I., Yi, J. H., Tak, J. H., & Ahn, Y. J. (2004). Acaricidal activity of plant essential oils against Dermanyssus gallinae (Acari: Dermanyssidae). Veterinary parasitology, 120(4), 297-304.
• Coriander seed oil was insecticidal against grain pests. From: Khani, A., & Rahdari, T. (2012). Chemical composition and insecticidal activity of essential oil from Coriandrum sativum seeds against Tribolium confusum and Callosobruchus maculatus. ISRN pharmaceutics, 2012.

CUMIN

• Against the sciarid fly, good insecticidal activity was achieved with essential oils of caraway seed, lemongrass, mandarin, nutmeg, cade (Juniperus oxycedrus L.), spearmint, cumin, and red thyme.  From:  Park, I. K., Kim, J. N., Lee, Y. S., Lee, S. G., Ahn, Y. J., & Shin, S. C. (2008). Toxicity of plant essential oils and their components against Lycoriella ingenua (Diptera: Sciaridae). Journal of Economic Entomology, 101(1), 139-144.

CYPRESS

• Essential oils from Chenopodium ambrosioides and Cupressus sempervirens were active against the weevil that destroys harvested maize crops.  From:  Langsi, D. J., Tofel, H. K., Fokunang, C. N., Suh, C., Eloh, K., Caboni, P., & Nukenine, E. N. (2018). Insecticidal activity of essential oils of Chenopodium ambrosioides and Cupressus sempervirens and their binary combinations on Sitophilus zeamais.
• Cypress extracts were insecticidal and repellent against house flies.  From:  Hasaballah, A. I., Shehata, A. Z., Fouda, M. A., Hassan, M. I., & Gad, M. E. (2018). The Biological Activity of Cupressus sempervirens Extracts against Musca domestica. Asian Journal of Biology, 1-12.

EUCALYPTUS

• Eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, and mint showed varying degrees of repellency against the bloodsucking bug Rhodnius prolixus Stahl.  The knockdown time of nymphs in minutes by constituents was 117.2 (eucalyptol), 408.7 (linalool), 474.0 (menthone), and 484.2 (limonene). While the repellent effect was quite lesser than that of deet, eucalyptol was 3.5 times less toxic.  From:  Sfara, V., Zerba, E. N., & Alzogaray, R. A. (2009). Fumigant insecticidal activity and repellent effect of five essential oils and seven monoterpenes on first-instar nymphs of Rhodnius prolixus. Journal of medical entomology, 46(3), 511-515.
• Lavender, rosemary, and eucalyptus essential oils and their oxygenated monoterpenoids presented insecticidal activity against A. obtectus.  From:  Papachristos, D. P., Karamanoli, K. I., Stamopoulos, D. C., & Menkissoglu‐Spiroudi, U. (2004). The relationship between the chemical composition of three essential oils and their insecticidal activity against Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say). Pest management science, 60(5), 514-520.
• Against head lice, eucalyptus, marjoram, pennyroyal, and rosemary oils beat  δ-phenothrin and pyrethrum and activity of cade, cardamone ceylon, clove bud, myrtle, rosewood, and sage oils were comparable with the test insecticides.  From:  Yang, Y. C., Lee, H. S., Clark, J. M., & Ahn, Y. J. (2004). Insecticidal activity of plant essential oils against Pediculus humanus capitis (Anoplura: Pediculidae). Journal of Medical Entomology, 41(4), 699-704.
• Of 53 tested plant oils, bay, caraway seed, clove leaf, lemon eucalyptus, lime, pennyroyal, peppermint, rosewood, spearmint, and tea tree oils were highly effective against the greenhouse whitefly.From:  Choi, W. I., Lee, E. H., Choi, B. R., Park, H. M., & Ahn, Y. J. (2003). Toxicity of plant essential oils to Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). Journal of Economic Entomology, 96(5), 1479-1484.
• Essential oil from eucalyptus was insecticidal against the house fly. From:   Kumar, P., Mishra, S., Malik, A., & Satya, S. (2012). Compositional analysis and insecticidal activity of Eucalyptus globulus (family: Myrtaceae) essential oil against housefly (Musca domestica). Acta tropica, 122(2), 212-218.

FENNEL

• Achillea millefolium, Lavandula angustifolia, Helichrysum italicum, Foeniculum vulgare, Myrtus communis, and Rosmarinus officinalis showed insecticidal activity against a mosquito species.  From: Conti, B., Canale, A., Bertoli, A., Gozzini, F., & Pistelli, L. (2010). Essential oil composition and larvicidal activity of six Mediterranean aromatic plants against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae). Parasitology research, 107(6), 1455-1461.
• Insecticidal activity against Sitophilus oryzae, Callosobruchus chinensis and Lasioderma serricorne was demonstrated by fennel and its constituents: anethole, estragole, and fenchone.  From:  Kim, D. H., & Ahn, Y. J. (2001). Contact and fumigant activities of constituents of Foeniculum vulgare fruit against three coleopteran stored‐product insects. Pest Management Science, 57(3), 301-306.

GARLIC

• Essential oils from 40 species were tested against larvae of Lycoriella ingénue using a fumigation bioassay.  Horseradish, anise, and garlic oils showed the most potent insecticidal activities and good insecticidal activity was demonstrated by Chenopodium ambrosioides L., Eucalyptus globulus, and Eucalyptus smithii.  From:  Park, I. K., Choi, K. S., Kim, D. H., Choi, I. H., Kim, L. S., Bak, W. C., … & Shin, S. C. (2006). Fumigant activity of plant essential oils and components from horseradish (Armoracia rusticana), anise (Pimpinella anisum) and garlic (Allium sativum) oils against Lycoriella ingenua (Diptera: Sciaridae). Pest management science, 62(8), 723-728.

GERANIUM

• Eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, and mint showed varying degrees of repellency against the bloodsucking bug Rhodnius prolixus Stahl.  The knockdown time of nymphs in minutes by constituents was 117.2 (eucalyptol), 408.7 (linalool), 474.0 (menthone), and 484.2 (limonene). While the repellent effect was quite lesser than that of deet, eucalyptol was 3.5 times less toxic.  From:  Sfara, V., Zerba, E. N., & Alzogaray, R. A. (2009). Fumigant insecticidal activity and repellent effect of five essential oils and seven monoterpenes on first-instar nymphs of Rhodnius prolixus. Journal of medical entomology, 46(3), 511-515.
• The following essential oils were tested against a mosquito and a housefly species: peppermint (M. piperita), spearmint (M. spicata), basil (O. basilicum), helichrysum (H. italicum), yarrow (A. ligustica), geranium (P. odoratissimum), cinnamon (C. verum) and verbenea (L. alba). Helichrysum and cinnamon showed the highest insecticidal and larvicidal activities. From: Benelli, G., Pavela, R., Giordani, C., Casettari, L., Curzi, G., Cappellacci, L., … & Maggi, F. (2018). Acute and sub-lethal toxicity of eight essential oils of commercial interest against the filariasis mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus and the housefly Musca domestica. Industrial crops and products, 112, 668-680.

GINGER

• Against three mosquito species, Juniperus macropoda and Pimpinella anisum were highly effective as both larvicidal and ovicidal. Zingiber officinale and Rosmarinus officinalis were found to be ovicidal and repellent. Cinnamomum zeylanicum resulted into highest repellent values.  From:  Prajapati, V., Tripathi, A. K., Aggarwal, K. K., & Khanuja, S. P. S. (2005). Insecticidal, repellent and oviposition-deterrent activity of selected essential oils against Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. Bioresource Technology, 96(16), 1749-1757.

GRAPEFRUIT

• Citrus aurantium (bergamot) and Citrus paradisi (grapefruit) showed good larvicidal effect against An. stephensi, the malaria vector.  From:  Sedaghat, M. M., Sanei-Dehkordi, A., Vatandoost, H., & Abai, M. R. (2016). Chemical Compositions of the Peel Essential Oil of Citrus aurantium and its Natural Larvicidal Activity against the Malaria Vector Anopheles stephensi (Diptera: Culicidae) in Comparison with Citrus paradisi. Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases.

HELICHRYSUM

• Achillea millefolium, Lavandula angustifolia, Helichrysum italicum, Foeniculum vulgare, Myrtus communis, and Rosmarinus officinalis showed insecticidal activity against a mosquito species.  From: Conti, B., Canale, A., Bertoli, A., Gozzini, F., & Pistelli, L. (2010). Essential oil composition and larvicidal activity of six Mediterranean aromatic plants against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae). Parasitology research, 107(6), 1455-1461.
• The following essential oils were tested against a mosquito and a housefly species: peppermint (M. piperita), spearmint (M. spicata), basil (O. basilicum), helichrysum (H. italicum), yarrow (A. ligustica), geranium (P. odoratissimum), cinnamon (C. verum) and verbenea (L. alba). Helichrysum and cinnamon showed the highest insecticidal and larvicidal activities. From: Benelli, G., Pavela, R., Giordani, C., Casettari, L., Curzi, G., Cappellacci, L., … & Maggi, F. (2018). Acute and sub-lethal toxicity of eight essential oils of commercial interest against the filariasis mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus and the housefly Musca domestica. Industrial crops and products, 112, 668-680.

HOGWEED

• Essential oils of A. millefolium, A. dracunculus and H. persicum were effective as fumigants against  P. interpunctella, a stored-product insect.  From:  Ebadollahi, A., & Ashouri, S. (2011). Toxicity of Essential Oils Isolated from Achillea millefolium L., Artemisia dracunculus L. and Heracleum persicum Desf. Against Adults of Plodia interpunctella (Hübner)(Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Islamic Republic of Iran. Ecologia Balkanica, 3(2).

HORSERADISH

• Essential oils from 40 species were tested against larvae of Lycoriella ingénue using a fumigation bioassay.  Horseradish, anise, and garlic oils showed the most potent insecticidal activities and good insecticidal activity was demonstrated by Chenopodium ambrosioides L., Eucalyptus globulus, and Eucalyptus smithii.  From:  Park, I. K., Choi, K. S., Kim, D. H., Choi, I. H., Kim, L. S., Bak, W. C., … & Shin, S. C. (2006). Fumigant activity of plant essential oils and components from horseradish (Armoracia rusticana), anise (Pimpinella anisum) and garlic (Allium sativum) oils against Lycoriella ingenua (Diptera: Sciaridae). Pest management science, 62(8), 723-728.
• Against the red mite, the following oils were acaricidal:  bay, cade, cinnamon, clove bud, coriander, horseradish, lime, mustard, pennyroyal, pimento berry, spearmint, thyme red and thyme white oils.  From:  Kim, S. I., Yi, J. H., Tak, J. H., & Ahn, Y. J. (2004). Acaricidal activity of plant essential oils against Dermanyssus gallinae (Acari: Dermanyssidae). Veterinary parasitology, 120(4), 297-304.

JUNIPER

• Against three mosquito species, Juniperus macropoda and Pimpinella anisum were highly effective as both larvicidal and ovicidal. Zingiber officinale and Rosmarinus officinalis were found to be ovicidal and repellent. Cinnamomum zeylanicum resulted into highest repellent values.  From:  Prajapati, V., Tripathi, A. K., Aggarwal, K. K., & Khanuja, S. P. S. (2005). Insecticidal, repellent and oviposition-deterrent activity of selected essential oils against Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. Bioresource Technology, 96(16), 1749-1757.
• Against the sciarid fly, good insecticidal activity was achieved with essential oils of caraway seed, lemongrass, mandarin, nutmeg, cade (Juniperus oxycedrus L.), spearmint, cumin, and red thyme.  From:  Park, I. K., Kim, J. N., Lee, Y. S., Lee, S. G., Ahn, Y. J., & Shin, S. C. (2008). Toxicity of plant essential oils and their components against Lycoriella ingenua (Diptera: Sciaridae). Journal of Economic Entomology, 101(1), 139-144.

KUNZEA

• Isomers from two Kunzea plants showed insecticidal activities. From: Khambay, B. P., Beddie, D. G., & Simmonds, M. S. (2002). An insecticidal mixture of tetramethylcyclohexenedione isomers from Kunzea ambigua and Kunzea baxterii. Phytochemistry, 59(1), 69-71.
• Citronella and kunzea oils (with and without vanillin) were somewhat mosquito repellent on human volunteers but not as strongly as DEET. From: Thomas, J., Webb, C. E., Narkowicz, C., Jacobson, G. A., Peterson, G. M., Davies, N. W., & Russell, R. C. (2009). Evaluation of repellent properties of volatile extracts from the Australian native plant Kunzea ambigua against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culcidae). Journal of medical entomology, 46(6), 1387-1391.

LAVENDER

• Achillea millefolium, Lavandula angustifolia, Helichrysum italicum, Foeniculum vulgare, Myrtus communis, and Rosmarinus officinalis showed insecticidal activity against a mosquito species.  From: Conti, B., Canale, A., Bertoli, A., Gozzini, F., & Pistelli, L. (2010). Essential oil composition and larvicidal activity of six Mediterranean aromatic plants against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae). Parasitology research, 107(6), 1455-1461.
• Eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, and mint showed varying degrees of repellency against the bloodsucking bug Rhodnius prolixus Stahl.  The knockdown time of nymphs in minutes by constituents was 117.2 (eucalyptol), 408.7 (linalool), 474.0 (menthone), and 484.2 (limonene). While the repellent effect was quite lesser than that of deet, eucalyptol was 3.5 times less toxic.  From:  Sfara, V., Zerba, E. N., & Alzogaray, R. A. (2009). Fumigant insecticidal activity and repellent effect of five essential oils and seven monoterpenes on first-instar nymphs of Rhodnius prolixus. Journal of medical entomology, 46(3), 511-515.
• Tea tree and lavender were effective against a wide range of mites, lemon was effective against some mites, but not lice. From:  Williamson, E. M., Priestley, C. M., & Burgess, I. F. (2007). An investigation and comparison of the bioactivity of selected essential oils on human lice and house dust mites. Fitoterapia, 78(7), 521-525.
• Lavender, rosemary, and eucalyptus essential oils and their oxygenated monoterpenoids presented insecticidal activity against A. obtectus.  From:  Papachristos, D. P., Karamanoli, K. I., Stamopoulos, D. C., & Menkissoglu‐Spiroudi, U. (2004). The relationship between the chemical composition of three essential oils and their insecticidal activity against Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say). Pest management science, 60(5), 514-520.
• Lavender and black pepper powder is used to prevent carpet moths from eating rugs.  Al, A. I. L. Q. I. (2015). The killing، Attractive and Repellent Impact of Some Plant Powders on carpet moth (Tineola bisselliella) in Holy Kerbala (Al-Hussaini Holy Shrine). KARBALĀʾ HERITAGE Quarterly Authorized Journal Specialized in Karbalāʾ Heritage, 2(4), 201-221.

LEMON

• Citrus sinensis, Citrus limon and Citrus aurantifolia peels extracts were effective against termites. From: Ito, E., & Ukpohwo, R. (2018). Termiticidal Efficacy of Citrus Peel Extracts against Termites (Macrotermes bellicosus). Journal of Biological Studies, 1(3), 98-105.

LEMONGRASS

• Essential oils from Cymbopogon martinii “palmarosa”, Cymbopogon flexuosus “lemongrass”, and Lippia origanoides “wild oregano” were insecticidal against Tribolium castaneum.  From:  Caballero-Gallardo, K., Olivero-Verbel, J., & Stashenko, E. E. (2012). Repellency and toxicity of essential oils from Cymbopogon martinii, Cymbopogon flexuosus and Lippia origanoides cultivated in Colombia against Tribolium castaneum. Journal of Stored Products Research, 50, 62-65.
• Cymbopogon citratus  (lemongrass) was effective against Anopheles arabiensis.  From:  Karunamoorthi, K., Ilango, K., & Murugan, K. (2010). Laboratory evaluation of traditionally used plant-based insect repellent against the malaria vector Anopheles arabiensis Patton (Diptera: Culicidae). Parasitology research, 106(5), 1217-1223.
• Against the sciarid fly, good insecticidal activity was achieved with essential oils of caraway seed, lemongrass, mandarin, nutmeg, cade (Juniperus oxycedrus L.), spearmint, cumin, and red thyme.  From:  Park, I. K., Kim, J. N., Lee, Y. S., Lee, S. G., Ahn, Y. J., & Shin, S. C. (2008). Toxicity of plant essential oils and their components against Lycoriella ingenua (Diptera: Sciaridae). Journal of Economic Entomology, 101(1), 139-144.
• Cymbopogon martinii and Cymbopogon nardus were more effective than the commercially used product against grain pests Oryzaephilus surinamensis and Sitophilus zeamais Motsch.  From:  Hernandez-Lambraño, R., Pajaro-Castro, N., Caballero-Gallardo, K., Stashenko, E., & Olivero-Verbel, J. (2015). Essential oils from plants of the genus Cymbopogon as natural insecticides to control stored product pests. Journal of Stored Products Research, 62, 81-83.

LIME

• Of 53 tested plant oils, bay, caraway seed, clove leaf, lemon eucalyptus, lime, pennyroyal, peppermint, rosewood, spearmint, and tea tree oils were highly effective against the greenhouse whitefly.From:  Choi, W. I., Lee, E. H., Choi, B. R., Park, H. M., & Ahn, Y. J. (2003). Toxicity of plant essential oils to Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). Journal of Economic Entomology, 96(5), 1479-1484.
• Against the red mite, the following oils were acaricidal:  bay, cade, cinnamon, clove bud, coriander, horseradish, lime, mustard, pennyroyal, pimento berry, spearmint, thyme red and thyme white oils.  From:  Kim, S. I., Yi, J. H., Tak, J. H., & Ahn, Y. J. (2004). Acaricidal activity of plant essential oils against Dermanyssus gallinae (Acari: Dermanyssidae). Veterinary parasitology, 120(4), 297-304.
• Citrus sinensis, Citrus limon and Citrus aurantifolia peels extracts were effective against termites. From: Ito, E., & Ukpohwo, R. (2018). Termiticidal Efficacy of Citrus Peel Extracts against Termites (Macrotermes bellicosus). Journal of Biological Studies, 1(3), 98-105.

LIPPIA

• Essential oils from Cymbopogon martinii “palmarosa”, Cymbopogon flexuosus “lemongrass”, and Lippia origanoides “wild oregano” were insecticidal against Tribolium castaneum.  From:  Caballero-Gallardo, K., Olivero-Verbel, J., & Stashenko, E. E. (2012). Repellency and toxicity of essential oils from Cymbopogon martinii, Cymbopogon flexuosus and Lippia origanoides cultivated in Colombia against Tribolium castaneum. Journal of Stored Products Research, 50, 62-65.

MANDARIN

• Against the sciarid fly, good insecticidal activity was achieved with essential oils of caraway seed, lemongrass, mandarin, nutmeg, cade (Juniperus oxycedrus L.), spearmint, cumin, and red thyme.  From:  Park, I. K., Kim, J. N., Lee, Y. S., Lee, S. G., Ahn, Y. J., & Shin, S. C. (2008). Toxicity of plant essential oils and their components against Lycoriella ingenua (Diptera: Sciaridae). Journal of Economic Entomology, 101(1), 139-144.

MANUKA

• Manuka, clove, and oregano were larvicidal against a mosquito species.  From:  Muturi, E. J., Ramirez, J. L., Doll, K. M., & Bowman, M. J. (2017). Combined toxicity of three essential oils against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae. Journal of medical entomology, 54(6), 1684-1691.

MARJORAM

• Against head lice, eucalyptus, marjoram, pennyroyal, and rosemary oils beat  δ-phenothrin and pyrethrum and activity of cade, cardamone ceylon, clove bud, myrtle, rosewood, and sage oils were comparable with the test insecticides.  From:  Yang, Y. C., Lee, H. S., Clark, J. M., & Ahn, Y. J. (2004). Insecticidal activity of plant essential oils against Pediculus humanus capitis (Anoplura: Pediculidae). Journal of Medical Entomology, 41(4), 699-704.

MUSTARD

• Against the red mite, the following oils were acaricidal:  bay, cade, cinnamon, clove bud, coriander, horseradish, lime, mustard, pennyroyal, pimento berry, spearmint, thyme red and thyme white oils.  From:  Kim, S. I., Yi, J. H., Tak, J. H., & Ahn, Y. J. (2004). Acaricidal activity of plant essential oils against Dermanyssus gallinae (Acari: Dermanyssidae). Veterinary parasitology, 120(4), 297-304.

MYRTLE

• Achillea millefolium, Lavandula angustifolia, Helichrysum italicum, Foeniculum vulgare, Myrtus communis, and Rosmarinus officinalis showed insecticidal activity against a mosquito species.  From: Conti, B., Canale, A., Bertoli, A., Gozzini, F., & Pistelli, L. (2010). Essential oil composition and larvicidal activity of six Mediterranean aromatic plants against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae). Parasitology research, 107(6), 1455-1461.
• Against head lice, eucalyptus, marjoram, pennyroyal, and rosemary oils beat  δ-phenothrin and pyrethrum and activity of cade, cardamone ceylon, clove bud, myrtle, rosewood, and sage oils were comparable with the test insecticides.  From:  Yang, Y. C., Lee, H. S., Clark, J. M., & Ahn, Y. J. (2004). Insecticidal activity of plant essential oils against Pediculus humanus capitis (Anoplura: Pediculidae). Journal of Medical Entomology, 41(4), 699-704.

NIAOULI

• Niaouli was insecticidal and larvicidal against multiple tested misquito species.  From:  Leyva, M., French-Pacheco, L., Quintana, F., Montada, D., Castex, M., Hernandez, A., & del Carmen Marquetti, M. (2016). Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) ST Blake (Myrtales: Myrtaceae): Natural alternative for mosquito control. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine, 9(10), 979-984.

NONI

• Noni leaf extracts were larvicidal and pupicidal against three different mosquito species.  From:  Kovendan, K., Murugan, K., Shanthakumar, S. P., & Vincent, S. (2012). Evaluation of larvicidal and pupicidal activity of Morinda citrifolia L.(Noni)(Family: Rubiaceae) against three mosquito vectors. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease, 2, S362-S369.

NUTMEG

• Nutmeg oil may be useful as a grain protectant against the pests: T. castaneum and S. zeamais.  From:  Huang, Y., Tan, J. M. W. L., Kini, R. M., & Ho, S. H. (1997). Toxic and antifeedant action of nutmeg oil against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Sitophilus zeamais Motsch. Journal of Stored Products Research, 33(4), 289-298.
• Against the sciarid fly, good insecticidal activity was achieved with essential oils of caraway seed, lemongrass, mandarin, nutmeg, cade (Juniperus oxycedrus L.), spearmint, cumin, and red thyme.  From:  Park, I. K., Kim, J. N., Lee, Y. S., Lee, S. G., Ahn, Y. J., & Shin, S. C. (2008). Toxicity of plant essential oils and their components against Lycoriella ingenua (Diptera: Sciaridae). Journal of Economic Entomology, 101(1), 139-144.

ORANGE

• Orange oil was active against the Formosan subterranean termite.  From:  Raina, A., Bland, J., Doolittle, M., Lax, A., Boopathy, R., & Folkins, M. (2007). Effect of orange oil extract on the Formosan subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Journal of economic entomology, 100(3), 880-885.
• Citrus sinensis, Citrus limon and Citrus aurantifolia peels extracts were effective against termites. From: Ito, E., & Ukpohwo, R. (2018). Termiticidal Efficacy of Citrus Peel Extracts against Termites (Macrotermes bellicosus). Journal of Biological Studies, 1(3), 98-105.

OREGANO

• Pulegone, thymol, eugenol, trans-anithole, rosemary oil, citronellal, and cymene showed high larvicidal, oviposition deterrent, and/or repellent activities against the denge fever mosquito.  From:  Waliwitiya, R., Kennedy, C. J., & Lowenberger, C. A. (2009). Larvicidal and oviposition‐altering activity of monoterpenoids, trans‐anithole and rosemary oil to the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). Pest management science, 65(3), 241-248.
• Manuka, clove, and oregano were larvicidal against a mosquito species.  From:  Muturi, E. J., Ramirez, J. L., Doll, K. M., & Bowman, M. J. (2017). Combined toxicity of three essential oils against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae. Journal of medical entomology, 54(6), 1684-1691.

PALMAROSA

• Essential oils from Cymbopogon martinii “palmarosa”, Cymbopogon flexuosus “lemongrass”, and Lippia origanoides “wild oregano” were insecticidal against Tribolium castaneum.  From:  Caballero-Gallardo, K., Olivero-Verbel, J., & Stashenko, E. E. (2012). Repellency and toxicity of essential oils from Cymbopogon martinii, Cymbopogon flexuosus and Lippia origanoides cultivated in Colombia against Tribolium castaneum. Journal of Stored Products Research, 50, 62-65.
• Cymbopogon martinii and Cymbopogon nardus were more effective than the commercially used product against grain pests Oryzaephilus surinamensis and Sitophilus zeamais Motsch.  From:  Hernandez-Lambraño, R., Pajaro-Castro, N., Caballero-Gallardo, K., Stashenko, E., & Olivero-Verbel, J. (2015). Essential oils from plants of the genus Cymbopogon as natural insecticides to control stored product pests. Journal of Stored Products Research, 62, 81-83.

PATCHOULI

• P. cablin could be useful as an insecticidal against mosquitoes.  From:  Gokulakrishnan, J., Kuppusamy, E., Shanmugam, D., Appavu, A., & Kaliyamoorthi, K. (2013). Pupicidal and repellent activities of Pogostemon cablin essential oil chemical compounds against medically important human vector mosquitoes. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease, 3(1), 26-31.
• Patchouli essential oil proved insecticidal and repellent against three urban ant species.  From:  Albuquerque, E. L., Lima, J. K., Souza, F. H., Silva, I. M., Santos, A. A., Araújo, A. P. A., … & Bacci, L. (2013). Insecticidal and repellence activity of the essential oil of Pogostemon cablin against urban ants species. Acta tropica, 127(3), 181-186.
• Patchouli essential oil was pupicidal and repelled multiple mosquito species.  From:  Gokulakrishnan, J., Kuppusamy, E., Shanmugam, D., Appavu, A., & Kaliyamoorthi, K. (2013). Pupicidal and repellent activities of Pogostemon cablin essential oil chemical compounds against medically important human vector mosquitoes. Asian Pacific journal of tropical disease, 3(1), 26-31.
• Patchouli was toxic against termites.  From:  Zhu, B. C. R., Henderson, G., Yu, Y., & Laine, R. A. (2003). Toxicity and repellency of patchouli oil and patchouli alcohol against Formosan subterranean termites Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 51(16), 4585-4588.
• The products containing patchouli and sweet flag (Acorus calamus) were effective insecticidals against mosquitos.  From:  Phal, D., Naik, R., Deobhankar, K., Vitonde, S., & Ghatpande, N. (2012). Laboratory evaluation of herbal mosquito coils against Aedes aegypti mosquito. Bull. Environ. Pharmacol. Life Sci, 1, 16-20.
• Patchouli oil was insecticidal against two tested moth species.  From:  Huang, S. H., Xian, J. D., Kong, S. Z., Li, Y. C., Xie, J. H., Lin, J., … & Su, Z. R. (2014). Insecticidal activity of pogostone against Spodoptera litura and Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Pest management science, 70(3), 510-516.

PENNYROYAL

• Against head lice, eucalyptus, marjoram, pennyroyal, and rosemary oils beat  δ-phenothrin and pyrethrum and activity of cade, cardamone ceylon, clove bud, myrtle, rosewood, and sage oils were comparable with the test insecticides.  From:  Yang, Y. C., Lee, H. S., Clark, J. M., & Ahn, Y. J. (2004). Insecticidal activity of plant essential oils against Pediculus humanus capitis (Anoplura: Pediculidae). Journal of Medical Entomology, 41(4), 699-704.
• Of 53 tested plant oils, bay, caraway seed, clove leaf, lemon eucalyptus, lime, pennyroyal, peppermint, rosewood, spearmint, and tea tree oils were highly effective against the greenhouse whitefly.From:  Choi, W. I., Lee, E. H., Choi, B. R., Park, H. M., & Ahn, Y. J. (2003). Toxicity of plant essential oils to Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). Journal of Economic Entomology, 96(5), 1479-1484.
• Against the red mite, the following oils were acaricidal:  bay, cade, cinnamon, clove bud, coriander, horseradish, lime, mustard, pennyroyal, pimento berry, spearmint, thyme red and thyme white oils.  From:  Kim, S. I., Yi, J. H., Tak, J. H., & Ahn, Y. J. (2004). Acaricidal activity of plant essential oils against Dermanyssus gallinae (Acari: Dermanyssidae). Veterinary parasitology, 120(4), 297-304.

PEPPERMINT

• Eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, and mint showed varying degrees of repellency against the bloodsucking bug Rhodnius prolixus Stahl.  The knockdown time of nymphs in minutes by constituents was 117.2 (eucalyptol), 408.7 (linalool), 474.0 (menthone), and 484.2 (limonene). While the repellent effect was quite lesser than that of deet, eucalyptol was 3.5 times less toxic.  From:  Sfara, V., Zerba, E. N., & Alzogaray, R. A. (2009). Fumigant insecticidal activity and repellent effect of five essential oils and seven monoterpenes on first-instar nymphs of Rhodnius prolixus. Journal of medical entomology, 46(3), 511-515.
• Of 53 tested plant oils, bay, caraway seed, clove leaf, lemon eucalyptus, lime, pennyroyal, peppermint, rosewood, spearmint, and tea tree oils were highly effective against the greenhouse whitefly.From:  Choi, W. I., Lee, E. H., Choi, B. R., Park, H. M., & Ahn, Y. J. (2003). Toxicity of plant essential oils to Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). Journal of Economic Entomology, 96(5), 1479-1484.
• The following essential oils were tested against a mosquito and a housefly species: peppermint (M. piperita), spearmint (M. spicata), basil (O. basilicum), helichrysum (H. italicum), yarrow (A. ligustica), geranium (P. odoratissimum), cinnamon (C. verum) and verbenea (L. alba). Helichrysum and cinnamon showed the highest insecticidal and larvicidal activities. From: Benelli, G., Pavela, R., Giordani, C., Casettari, L., Curzi, G., Cappellacci, L., … & Maggi, F. (2018). Acute and sub-lethal toxicity of eight essential oils of commercial interest against the filariasis mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus and the housefly Musca domestica. Industrial crops and products, 112, 668-680.

PIMENTO

• Against the red mite, the following oils were acaricidal:  bay, cade, cinnamon, clove bud, coriander, horseradish, lime, mustard, pennyroyal, pimento berry, spearmint, thyme red and thyme white oils.  From:  Kim, S. I., Yi, J. H., Tak, J. H., & Ahn, Y. J. (2004). Acaricidal activity of plant essential oils against Dermanyssus gallinae (Acari: Dermanyssidae). Veterinary parasitology, 120(4), 297-304.

PINE

• Pinus sylvestris (pine) and Syzygium aromaticum (clove) showed larvicidal potential against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus.  From:  Fayemiwo, K. A., Adeleke, M. A., Okoro, O. P., Awojide, S. H., & Awoniyi, I. O. (2014). Larvicidal efficacies and chemical composition of essential oils of Pinus sylvestris and Syzygium aromaticum against mosquitoes. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine, 4(1), 30-34.   ntis, S., & Bazzoni, E. (2002). Essential oil formulations useful as a new tool for insect pest control. AAPs PharmSciTech, 3(2), 64-74.

ROSEMARY

• Achillea millefolium, Lavandula angustifolia, Helichrysum italicum, Foeniculum vulgare, Myrtus communis, and Rosmarinus officinalis showed insecticidal activity against a mosquito species.  From: Conti, B., Canale, A., Bertoli, A., Gozzini, F., & Pistelli, L. (2010). Essential oil composition and larvicidal activity of six Mediterranean aromatic plants against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae). Parasitology research, 107(6), 1455-1461.
• Against three mosquito species, Juniperus macropoda and Pimpinella anisum were highly effective as both larvicidal and ovicidal. Zingiber officinale and Rosmarinus officinalis were found to be ovicidal and repellent. Cinnamomum zeylanicum resulted into highest repellent values.  From:  Prajapati, V., Tripathi, A. K., Aggarwal, K. K., & Khanuja, S. P. S. (2005). Insecticidal, repellent and oviposition-deterrent activity of selected essential oils against Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. Bioresource Technology, 96(16), 1749-1757.
• Lavender, rosemary, and eucalyptus essential oils and their oxygenated monoterpenoids presented insecticidal activity against A. obtectus.  From:  Papachristos, D. P., Karamanoli, K. I., Stamopoulos, D. C., & Menkissoglu‐Spiroudi, U. (2004). The relationship between the chemical composition of three essential oils and their insecticidal activity against Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say). Pest management science, 60(5), 514-520.
• Pulegone, thymol, eugenol, trans-anithole, rosemary oil, citronellal, and cymene showed high larvicidal, oviposition deterrent, and/or repellent activities against the denge fever mosquito.  From:  Waliwitiya, R., Kennedy, C. J., & Lowenberger, C. A. (2009). Larvicidal and oviposition‐altering activity of monoterpenoids, trans‐anithole and rosemary oil to the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). Pest management science, 65(3), 241-248.
• Against head lice, eucalyptus, marjoram, pennyroyal, and rosemary oils beat  δ-phenothrin and pyrethrum and activity of cade, cardamone ceylon, clove bud, myrtle, rosewood, and sage oils were comparable with the test insecticides.  From:  Yang, Y. C., Lee, H. S., Clark, J. M., & Ahn, Y. J. (2004). Insecticidal activity of plant essential oils against Pediculus humanus capitis (Anoplura: Pediculidae). Journal of Medical Entomology, 41(4), 699-704.

SAGE

• Against head lice, eucalyptus, marjoram, pennyroyal, and rosemary oils beat  δ-phenothrin and pyrethrum and activity of cade, cardamone ceylon, clove bud, myrtle, rosewood, and sage oils were comparable with the test insecticides.  From:  Yang, Y. C., Lee, H. S., Clark, J. M., & Ahn, Y. J. (2004). Insecticidal activity of plant essential oils against Pediculus humanus capitis (Anoplura: Pediculidae). Journal of Medical Entomology, 41(4), 699-704.

SAVORY

• Carvacrol and y-terpene constituents from Satureja thymbra (winter savory) killed ticks.   From:  Cetin, H., Cilek, J. E., Oz, E., Aydin, L., Deveci, O., & Yanikoglu, A. (2010). Acaricidal activity of Satureja thymbra L. essential oil and its major components, carvacrol and γ-terpinene against adult Hyalomma marginatum (Acari: Ixodidae). Veterinary parasitology, 170(3), 287-290.

SPEARMINT

• Of 53 tested plant oils, bay, caraway seed, clove leaf, lemon eucalyptus, lime, pennyroyal, peppermint, rosewood, spearmint, and tea tree oils were highly effective against the greenhouse whitefly.From:  Choi, W. I., Lee, E. H., Choi, B. R., Park, H. M., & Ahn, Y. J. (2003). Toxicity of plant essential oils to Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). Journal of Economic Entomology, 96(5), 1479-1484.
• Against the red mite, the following oils were acaricidal:  bay, cade, cinnamon, clove bud, coriander, horseradish, lime, mustard, pennyroyal, pimento berry, spearmint, thyme red and thyme white oils.  From:  Kim, S. I., Yi, J. H., Tak, J. H., & Ahn, Y. J. (2004). Acaricidal activity of plant essential oils against Dermanyssus gallinae (Acari: Dermanyssidae). Veterinary parasitology, 120(4), 297-304.
• Against the sciarid fly, good insecticidal activity was achieved with essential oils of caraway seed, lemongrass, mandarin, nutmeg, cade (Juniperus oxycedrus L.), spearmint, cumin, and red thyme.  From:  Park, I. K., Kim, J. N., Lee, Y. S., Lee, S. G., Ahn, Y. J., & Shin, S. C. (2008). Toxicity of plant essential oils and their components against Lycoriella ingenua (Diptera: Sciaridae). Journal of Economic Entomology, 101(1), 139-144.
• Piperitenone oxide from spearmint was found to be highly toxic and repellent toward the malarial vector A. stephensi.  From:  Tripathi, A. K., Prajapati, V., Ahmad, A., Aggarwal, K. K., & Khanuja, S. P. (2004). Piperitenone oxide as toxic, repellent, and reproduction retardant toward malarial vector Anopheles stephensi (Diptera: Anophelinae). Journal of medical entomology, 41(4), 691-698.
• The following essential oils were tested against a mosquito and a housefly species: peppermint (M. piperita), spearmint (M. spicata), basil (O. basilicum), helichrysum (H. italicum), yarrow (A. ligustica), geranium (P. odoratissimum), cinnamon (C. verum) and verbenea (L. alba). Helichrysum and cinnamon showed the highest insecticidal and larvicidal activities. From: Benelli, G., Pavela, R., Giordani, C., Casettari, L., Curzi, G., Cappellacci, L., … & Maggi, F. (2018). Acute and sub-lethal toxicity of eight essential oils of commercial interest against the filariasis mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus and the housefly Musca domestica. Industrial crops and products, 112, 668-680.
• The study demonstrated Mentha spicata had larvicidal activity against Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes aegypti, and Anopheles stephensi, with carvone, cis-carveol, and limonene constituents most effective against A. stephensi. From:  Govindarajan, M., Sivakumar, R., Rajeswari, M., & Yogalakshmi, K. (2012). Chemical composition and larvicidal activity of essential oil from Mentha spicata (Linn.) against three mosquito species. Parasitology research, 110(5), 2023-2032.

SWEET FLAG

• The products containing patchouli and sweet flag (Acorus calamus) were effective insecticidals against mosquitos.  From:  Phal, D., Naik, R., Deobhankar, K., Vitonde, S., & Ghatpande, N. (2012). Laboratory evaluation of herbal mosquito coils against Aedes aegypti mosquito. Bull. Environ. Pharmacol. Life Sci, 1, 16-20.

TANSY, BLUE

• Essential oil from blue tansy was pesticidal against locusts. From: Zaim, A., Benjelloun, M., El Harchli, E. H., Farah, A., Meni Mahzoum, A., Alaoui Mhamdi, M., & El Ghadraoui, L. (2015). Chemical Composition And Acridicid Properties Of The Moroccan Tanacetum Annuum L. Essential Oils. Int. J. Eng. Sci., 5, 13-19.

TEA TREE

• Tea tree and lavender were effective against a wide range of mites, lemon was effective against some mites, but not lice. From:  Williamson, E. M., Priestley, C. M., & Burgess, I. F. (2007). An investigation and comparison of the bioactivity of selected essential oils on human lice and house dust mites. Fitoterapia, 78(7), 521-525.
• Of 53 tested plant oils, bay, caraway seed, clove leaf, lemon eucalyptus, lime, pennyroyal, peppermint, rosewood, spearmint, and tea tree oils were highly effective against the greenhouse whitefly.  From:  Choi, W. I., Lee, E. H., Choi, B. R., Park, H. M., & Ahn, Y. J. (2003). Toxicity of plant essential oils to Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). Journal of Economic Entomology, 96(5), 1479-1484.
• Both 1,8-cineole and terpinen-4-ol from tea tree oil were shown to inhibit acetylcholinesterase, which may be the reason for their insecticidal activity.   From:  Mills, C., Cleary, B. V., Walsh, J. J., & Gilmer, J. F. (2004). Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by tea tree oil. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 56(3), 375-379.

THYME

• Pulegone, thymol, eugenol, trans-anithole, rosemary oil, citronellal, and cymene showed high larvicidal, oviposition deterrent, and/or repellent activities against the denge fever mosquito.  From:  Waliwitiya, R., Kennedy, C. J., & Lowenberger, C. A. (2009). Larvicidal and oviposition‐altering activity of monoterpenoids, trans‐anithole and rosemary oil to the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). Pest management science, 65(3), 241-248.
• Against the red mite, the following oils were acaricidal:  bay, cade, cinnamon, clove bud, coriander, horseradish, lime, mustard, pennyroyal, pimento berry, spearmint, thyme red and thyme white oils.  From:  Kim, S. I., Yi, J. H., Tak, J. H., & Ahn, Y. J. (2004). Acaricidal activity of plant essential oils against Dermanyssus gallinae (Acari: Dermanyssidae). Veterinary parasitology, 120(4), 297-304.
• Against the sciarid fly, good insecticidal activity was achieved with essential oils of caraway seed, lemongrass, mandarin, nutmeg, cade (Juniperus oxycedrus L.), spearmint, cumin, and red thyme.  From:  Park, I. K., Kim, J. N., Lee, Y. S., Lee, S. G., Ahn, Y. J., & Shin, S. C. (2008). Toxicity of plant essential oils and their components against Lycoriella ingenua (Diptera: Sciaridae). Journal of Economic Entomology, 101(1), 139-144.
• Thymol was potent against bovine ticks.  From:  da Silveira Novelino, A. M., Daemon, E., & Soares, G. L. G. (2007). Evaluation of the acaricide effect of thymol, menthol, salicylic acid, and methyl salicylate on Boophilus microplus (Canestrini 1887)(Acari: Ixodidae) larvae. Parasitology research, 101(3), 809.
• Thymol was effective against the tick: Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus.  From:  de Oliveira Monteiro, C. M., Daemon, E., Silva, A. M. R., Maturano, R., & Amaral, C. (2010). Acaricide and ovicide activities of thymol on engorged females and eggs of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae). Parasitology research, 106(3), 615-619.

VERBENEA

• The following essential oils were tested against a mosquito and a housefly species: peppermint (M. piperita), spearmint (M. spicata), basil (O. basilicum), helichrysum (H. italicum), yarrow (A. ligustica), geranium (P. odoratissimum), cinnamon (C. verum) and verbenea (L. alba). Helichrysum and cinnamon showed the highest insecticidal and larvicidal activities. From: Benelli, G., Pavela, R., Giordani, C., Casettari, L., Curzi, G., Cappellacci, L., … & Maggi, F. (2018). Acute and sub-lethal toxicity of eight essential oils of commercial interest against the filariasis mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus and the housefly Musca domestica. Industrial crops and products, 112, 668-680.

VETIVER

• Of eight essential oils tested against termites, vetiver was the most effective repellent because of its long-lasting activity, and clove bud was the most toxic, killing 100%.  From:  Zhu, B. C., Henderson, G., Chen, F., Fei, H., & Laine, R. A. (2001). Evaluation of vetiver oil and seven insect-active essential oils against the Formosan subterranean termite. Journal of chemical ecology, 27(8), 1617-1625.
• A solution containing vetiver essential oil was applied to tested plants as a pesticide.  Insect pests were significantly reduced without damage to the crops.  From:  Karintanyakit, P., & Babpraserth, C. (1996). Vegetables pest management by using essential oil from vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides Nash). In Vetiver: A Miracle Grass, Chiang Rai (Thailand), 4-8 Feb 1996.
• Vetiver and nootcatone extracts were insecticidal and repellent against ants, ticks, and cockroaches. From:  Henderson, G., Heumann, D. O., Laine, R. A., Maistrello, L., Zhu, B. C., & Chen, F. (2005). U.S. Patent No. 6,906,108. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

WORMWOOD

• Essential oils of A. millefolium, A. dracunculus and H. persicum were effective as fumigants against  P. interpunctella, a stored-product insect.  From:  Ebadollahi, A., & Ashouri, S. (2011). Toxicity of Essential Oils Isolated from Achillea millefolium L., Artemisia dracunculus L. and Heracleum persicum Desf. Against Adults of Plodia interpunctella (Hübner)(Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Islamic Republic of Iran. Ecologia Balkanica, 3(2).
• Against the yellow fever mosquito, pulegone, thymol, eugenol, trans-anithole, rosemary oil and citronellal showed high larvicidal activity. Eugenol, citronellal, thymol, pulegone, rosemary oil and cymene showed oviposition deterrent and/or repellent activities.  From:  Waliwitiya, R., Kennedy, C. J., & Lowenberger, C. A. (2009). Larvicidal and oviposition‐altering activity of monoterpenoids, trans‐anithole and rosemary oil to the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). Pest management science, 65(3), 241-248.

YARROW

• Achillea millefolium, Lavandula angustifolia, Helichrysum italicum, Foeniculum vulgare, Myrtus communis, and Rosmarinus officinalis showed insecticidal activity against a mosquito species.  From: Conti, B., Canale, A., Bertoli, A., Gozzini, F., & Pistelli, L. (2010). Essential oil composition and larvicidal activity of six Mediterranean aromatic plants against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae). Parasitology research, 107(6), 1455-1461.
• Essential oils of A. millefolium, A. dracunculus and H. persicum were effective as fumigants against  P. interpunctella, a stored-product insect.  From:  Ebadollahi, A., & Ashouri, S. (2011). Toxicity of Essential Oils Isolated from Achillea millefolium L., Artemisia dracunculus L. and Heracleum persicum Desf. Against Adults of Plodia interpunctella (Hübner)(Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Islamic Republic of Iran. Ecologia Balkanica, 3(2).
• The following essential oils were tested against a mosquito and a housefly species: peppermint (M. piperita), spearmint (M. spicata), basil (O. basilicum), helichrysum (H. italicum), yarrow (A. ligustica), geranium (P. odoratissimum), cinnamon (C. verum) and verbenea (L. alba). Helichrysum and cinnamon showed the highest insecticidal and larvicidal activities. From: Benelli, G., Pavela, R., Giordani, C., Casettari, L., Curzi, G., Cappellacci, L., … & Maggi, F. (2018). Acute and sub-lethal toxicity of eight essential oils of commercial interest against the filariasis mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus and the housefly Musca domestica. Industrial crops and products, 112, 668-680.

YLANG YLANG

• A blend of coconut oil, anise oil and ylang ylang oil controlled lice infestation in children.  From:  Mumcuoglu, K. Y., Miller, J., Zamir, C., Zentner, G., Helbin, V., & Ingber, A. (2002). The in vivo pediculicidal efficacy of a natural remedy. The Israel Medical Association journal: IMAJ, 4(10), 790-793.
• Anise and ylang ylang showed acaracidal activity against the tick that can spread Lyme disease.  From:  Elmhalli, F., Pålsson, K., Örberg, J., & Grandi, G. (2018). Acaricidal properties of ylang-ylang oil and star anise oil against nymphs of Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae). Experimental and Applied Acarology, 76(2), 209-220.

Compiled by: Kathy Sadowski

Updated: 11/11/19