Eco-friendly Pesticides Derived from Herbal Essentail Oils

Filed in archive Food and Agriculture on August 17, 2009

Researchers are exploring the use of essential oils derived from herbs such as rosemary, thyme, clove, and mint as natural pesticides for use against agricultural as well as household pests.

"We are exploring the potential use of natural pesticides based on plant essential oils - commonly used in foods and beverages as flavorings," says study presenter Murray Isman, Ph.D., of the University of British Columbia. These new pesticides are generally a mixture of tiny amounts of two to four different spices diluted in water. Some kill insects outright, while others repel them.

Over the past decade, Isman and colleagues tested many plant essential oils and found that they have a broad range of insecticidal activity against agricultural pests. Some spiced-based commercial products now being used by farmers have already shown success in protecting organic strawberry, spinach, and tomato crops against destructive aphids and mites, the researcher says.

While conventional pesticides are still more effective in combating certain pests such as caterpillars, grasshoppers, beetles and other large insects on commercial food crops, essential oil-based pesticides have the advantage of beign more environmentally friendly, are less likely to contribute to resistance development, do not require extensive regulatory approval and are readily available.

Photo: Natural pesticides made of spices show promise as an eco-friendly way to fight insects that destroy organic food crops. Shown is Murray Isman, Ph.D., of the University of British Columbia, who is developing these pesticides. Credit: Martin Dee, University of British Columbia, Canada


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