Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Donald O Heumann

Roger A Laine

Gregg Henderson

Feng Chen

Betty C R Zhu

Lara Maistrello

Extracts of vetiver oil were found to be significant repellents and toxicants of ants, ticks, and cockroaches. Nootkatone was shown to significantly decrease ant invasion and increase mortality in fire ants. Nootkatone is an effective repellent and toxicant of ants either by itself or as an addition to other substrates, including mulches made from vetiver grass roots, diatomaceous earth, alumina, silica, clays; building materials made from either aluminum or wood; and other suitable solid substances. Nootkatone was also a repellent and toxicant to ticks; and a repellent to cockroaches. Nootkatone is non-toxic to humans and other mammals and is environmentally safe. In addition, it is believed that other extracts of vetiver oil, specifically &#x3b1;-cedrene, zizanol and bicyclovetivenol, will be effective against ants, ticks, and cockroaches.

Extracts of vetiver oil as repellent and toxicant to ants, ticks, and cockroaches

Extracts of vetiver oil were found to significantly repel termites. In one extract, nootkatone was isolated and found to be a significant repellent and toxicant of termites. Nootkatone significantly decreased food consumption, decreased tunneling behavior, and increased mortality in termites. Nootkatone is an effective repellent and toxicant of termites either by itself or as an addition to other materials or substrates, including mulches made from vetiver grass roots or other wood products. Nootkatone can also be used to protect construction wood from attack by Formosan subterranean termites. Nootkatone as a repellent is non-toxic to humans and other mammals and is environmentally safe. In addition, &#x3b1;-cedrene was found to be a weak termite repellent; and both zizanol and bicyclovetivenol were found to be repellents and toxicants of termites.

Growing community of inventors

Metairie, LA, United States of America

Donald O Heumann