Herbal Termicides

[marshbags]

B.Post, MyLife, Thursday July 24, 2008

Herbal termicides

The alternatives for termite control, looking at herbal means to control the pests

SURAPHON VISETSON

Prof Dr Suraphon Visetson.

Living in tropical regions of the world it should not be that difficult for us to look for herbs that grow naturally in this part of the world which can be used for curing the dreaded household pests.

The region is rich in various ranges of wildlife both animal and plants and this high level of biodiversity in terms of animals and plants creates complicated interaction and also brings about various self defense mechanisms in the plants, which humans can then look at harnessing in order to create a defense from the pests in their houses.

The term of self defense or survival strategies for plants from animal feed leads to evolutionary success. Some animals prefer to stay away from particular plants. We do not see caterpillar larvae in neem seeds, mosquitoes are hardly seen near lemongrass, no termites are found in timber and mice never eat derris roots.

It was this kind of observation that lead me and the Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, to do research on bio-botanical pesticides for almost 25 years.

Thai herbs have been proven to be effective not only to prevent illnessnesses, but also as insecticides. A few Thai herbs possess natural chemicals called allelochemicals, which work as natural pesticides, like:

Citronella oil, extracted from lemongrass (Cymbopogon winterianus), is a good repellent against mosquitoes and flies.

Eupathal from Siam weed (Chromolacna odorata) and saponin from tea seed cake (Camellia sp.) can be used to deter golden apple snails and cockroaches.

Rotenone from derris (Derris elliptica) roots shows inhibition of micronympha growth in the intestinal tracts of subterranean termite workers. nCurcumin from galangal (Curcuma longa) rhizomes is good to stop larva development of red ant (Solenopsis spp.).

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Ref url for the complete article :-

http://www.bangkokpost.com/240708_Mylife/2...08_family11.php

I have been interested in safer, natural ways of controlling garden pests.

I keep reading posts enquiring for information and wonder if this may be helpful and informative.

I,m going to research further on the Cintronella Oil in particular as it is good for stopping mossies and also a good deterrant for termites as it stops them eating wood and paper for which we all have problems with in our homes.

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marshbags

Edited July 27, 2008 by marshbags