Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Other

Agricultural and Mechanical College

Gregg Henderson

Roger A Laine

Betty C R Zhu

Feng Chen

Jian Chen

Donald O Heumann

Jason A Belton

Gina G Stetsko

Anne M Sauer

Sanaa A Ibrahim

Lara Maistrello

Lucas Veillon

Rosemary Patton

Jay K Paxson

William E Crowe

Wearable medical injection device

Compositions are described comprising an amount of a toxicant comprising a compound of the formula HNRR, or a salt thereof, wherein Rand Rare independently hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted C-C-cycloalkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted C-C-aryl group; wherein the amount of the toxicant is sufficient to control termites. Methods for controlling termites using such compositions are also described.

Cyclohexylamine-based compounds and uses thereof

Several derivatives of naphthalene, including 1'-acetonaphthone, 2&#x2032;-acetpnaphthone, 1-methoxynaphthalene, and 2-methoxynaphthalene, were discovered to be effective toxicants and repellents of termites, and resulted in significant reduction in termite feeding activity. For example, 2&#x2032;-acetonaphthone was found to be an effective repellent and feeding deterrent of termites. Termites exposed to concentrations as low as 8 mg/kg sand exhibited a significant reduction in tunneling and feeding activity. Moreover, some of the dead termites had symptoms indicative of a failure to molt. At concentrations &#x2267;20 &#x3bc;g/cm, 2&#x2032;-acetonaphthone was a strong repellent. Interestingly, at 160-fold lower concentration (0.125 &#x3bc;g/cm), 2&#x2032;-acetonaphthone stimulated termite feeding activity. As a sand barrier, 2&#x2032;-acetonaphthone significantly inhibited tunneling and feeding activity in concentrations from 8.33 to 35.0 mg/kg. Molting problems were also identified in termites exposed to 2&#x2032;-acetonaphthone.

Naphthalene derivatives as termite repellents and toxicants

An inexpensive, stereoselective synthesis for nootkatone, tetrahydronootkatone, and their derivatives is disclosed. The starting materials used in the synthesis are inexpensive. The principal starting material, (&#x2212;)-&#x3b2;-Pinene, is on the GRAS list (generally recognized as safe).

Efficient and economic asymmetric synthesis of nootkatone, tetrahydronootkatone, their precursors and derivatives

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

Two derivatives of nootkatone, tetrahydronootkatone and 1,10-dihydronootkatone, are surprisingly effective as repellents of termites and mosquitos. Tetrahydronootkatone and 1,10-dihydronootkatone were shown to effectively repel termites at concentrations as low as 2 &#x3bc;g/ml and 12.5 &#x3bc;g/ml, respectively. Tetrahydronootkatone was shown to repel mosquitos at a concentration of 5%. Tetrahydronootkatone is an effective repellent of termites either by itself or as an addition to other substrates, including mulches made from wood products or other cellulose-containing material. Tetrahydronootkatone or 1,10-dihydronootkatone can be used to protect construction wood from attack by Formosan subterranean termites, either alone or used in combination with other compounds known to repel termites. It is also believed that these compounds will prove effective in repelling ants, ticks, and cockroaches. These derivatives of nootkatone are non-toxic to humans and other mammals and environmentally safe.

Dihydronootkatone and tetrahydronootkatone as repellents to arthropods

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.

Vetiver oil extracts as termite repellent and toxicant

Significant concentrations of naphthalene were detected in carton nests of Formosan subterranean termites, Shiraki, collected from Florida, Hawaii, and Louisiana. This is the first report of naphthalene being associated with termites or any other insects. Naphthalene and other compounds associated with termite carton nests may be used to increase termite bait acceptance. New attractant molecules include 2-phenoxyethanol. New feeding stimulants include ergosterol. A list of volatile compounds associated with termite nests is presented, compounds that may be used to detect termite nests.

Compositions and methods for detecting and killing termites

A simple, inexpensive signal device indicates the presence of wood-destroying insects, particularly subterranean termites. The signal device comprises a triggering mechanism and a signaling mechanism. The device can be adapted to fit almost all commercially available monitors or bait stations. The triggering mechanism is designed to be released upon destruction by feeding by termites or other wood-eating insects. Upon release, the triggering mechanism is designed to either pull or push a visual signal out of the housing, producing a signal that can be seen from a distance. Using this signal device, the presence of termites can be detected without disturbing the monitor or bait station. Moreover, because the signal is seen outside the housing, the housing is not required to be transparent.

Pop-up termite indicator

Significant concentrations of naphthalene were detected in carton nests of Formosan subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, collected from Florida, Hawaii, and Louisiana. This is the first report of naphthalene being associated with termites or any other insects. Naphthalene and other compounds associated with termite carton nests may be used to increase termite bait acceptance. New attractant molecules include 2-phenoxyethanol. New feeding stimulants include ergosterol. A list of volatile compounds associated with termite nests is presented, compounds that may be used to detect termite nests.

A termite bait system is disclosed having two compartments, a non-toxic preconditioning compartment (or 'P-compartment') and a toxicant compartment (or 'T-compartment'). A passage connects the P-compartment to the T-compartment. Initially this passage is blocked by a plug of a material that termites can eat through over time. The P-compartment contains a small amount of food without any toxicant. The T-compartment contains food that has been treated with a toxicant. Termites from the targeted colony--or from a different, but amicable colony--are placed in the P-compartment, where they are allowed to feed on the non-toxic food. An exit from the P-compartment, for example a tube, leads to a shelter tube of the targeted colony. The shelter tube is preferably left undisturbed by the operator of the CPBS system. Termites from the P-compartment build a shelter tube or lay down chemical signals from the P-compartment to the target colony or its shelter tubes. Termites from the target colony then travel to the P-compartment, where they feed on the non-toxic food. After a time, the termites eat through the plug between the two compartments, and begin feeding on the toxicant-laced food in the T-compartment. The colony eventually dies as toxicant is distributed throughout the colony.

Growing community of inventors

St. Gabriel, LA, United States of America

Gregg Henderson