Studies have found that essential oil extracts from leaves of indigenous cinnamon and Caribbean oregano can repel cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis), and extracts from plants of the mint, grass, and ginger families can be toxic to cat flea eggs, larvae, and adults. Such effects are just one example of the potential of essential oils for managing insect pests such as ants, fleas, termites, and cockroaches, and a new research review in the Journal of Economic Entomology outlines current knowledge on essential oils in urban insect pest management. Essential oils show a lot of promise, the authors note, but more research on real-world applications is sorely needed. (Photo by Pest and Diseases Image Library, Bugwood.org)
cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis)
Studies have found that essential oil extracts from leaves of indigenous cinnamon and Caribbean oregano can repel cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis), and extracts from plants of the mint, grass, and ginger families can be toxic to cat flea eggs, larvae, and adults. Such effects are just one example of the potential of essential oils for managing insect pests such as ants, fleas, termites, and cockroaches, and a new research review in the Journal of Economic Entomology outlines current knowledge on essential oils in urban insect pest management. Essential oils show a lot of promise, the authors note, but more research on real-world applications is sorely needed. (Photo by Pest and Diseases Image Library, Bugwood.org)
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