Researchers at CSIRO Entomology have been going bush to find an effective compound to control insect pests in stored grains. Essential oils are being extracted from the foliage of selected Australian native trees and shrubs using steam distillation. CSIRO researchers have been investigating the constituents of these oil extracts that show insecticidal activity, or if they have a synergistic affect with other grain fumigants. Essential oils and their purified constituents have a long history of controlling insect and mite pests Many natural compounds show contact and fumigant insecticidal action against stored product insect pests and their repellency effect has broadened their use to households. In 1948, crude eucalyptus oil was registered in the United States as an insecticide and miticide More effective compounds have largely replaced eucalyptus but it continues to be used in pet husbandry and as a repellent in households.
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