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, -cedrene was found to
be a weak termite repellent; and both zizanol and bicyclovetivenol were found to
be repellents and toxicants of termites.
