For the reason that turn of the century, concern over the well being impacts of chemical residues on fruit has led to increased demand for organically grown produce. Farmers have struggled to guard their crops and produce wholesome produce into the system while nonetheless assembly natural requirements. Pesticides primarily based on herbal important oils, including tea tree oil, are a possible reply to this problem. Although research is ongoing, tea tree oil is one essential oil that appears promising as a botanical insecticide against certain pests.

Tea tree oil is distilled from water-soaked leaves of the tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), so referred to as because a much weaker, nutmeg-flavored tea can also be made from its leaves. The tree was named by 18th century sailors who discovered it on the swampy southeastern coasts of Australia, according to an article by the National Institutes of Well being,

Tea tree oil is used topically for athlete’s foot, some nail fungi and acne. It additionally has proven efficient in cleansing and agriculture; its chemical compounds could interfere with the nervous methods of insects, whereas having no such effect on mammals (together with human beings). As a vegetable-primarily based horticulture oil, tea tree evaporates absolutely and does not go away a residue behind like petroleum-based mostly chemical insecticides do.

As an Insecticide

Tea tree oil, as a vegetable-primarily based oil, is thought to repel insects whereas also combating leaf fungi. A 2002 report back to Clemson University’s Built-in Pest Management Program by Feng Chen, Patricia A. Zungoli and Eric Benson found that termites and German cockroaches averted tea tree oil and that hearth ants uncovered to it had higher mortality rates. Tea tree oil, together with geranium oil, had considerably better impact than other essential oils that have been examined, including orange, rosemary and ginger oils.

Tea Tree Oil as a Illness-Preventing Agent

Timorex Gold, an insecticide using tea tree oil as its active ingredient, has been inspired as a bio-fungicide by the Canadian government for use across Canada and within the U.S. since 2008. The uses recommended by the Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) and Agriculture and Agri-food Canada (AAFC) embrace fighting the apple scab illness but the companies additionally encourage Timorex Gold use as a “decreased-risk, broad spectrum fungicide.”

Make Your individual

You possibly can speak to your native nurseries or house enchancment shops about discovering a compound like Timorex that’s industrially manufactured, or you can merely make your personal. Mix 2 tbsp. of tea tree oil with 2 cups of water. Pour into a spray bottle and shake well earlier than making use of. Spray onto the foliage of the plants you would like to guard. Use sparingly, only once you notice pests or fungus returning to your plants, as important oils are sturdy and can burn your foliage if overused.

Nationwide Institutes of Health: Tea Tree Oil
Important Oils as Green Pesticides; Potential and Constraints; “Biopesticide Worldwide”; Opender Koul, et al.; 2008
Agriculture and Agri-Meals Canada: Decreased-Danger Strategy for Apple Scab Administration
“Annual Assessment of Entomology”; Botanical Insecticides, Deterrents, and Repellents in Modern Agriculture and an More and more Regulated World; Murray B. Isman; 2006
Security Supply for Pest Management: Horticultural Oils