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Plant Oils Fact Sheet

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Issued: updated 7/01 to add Methyl salicylate and mint

On This Page

  1. Description of the Active Ingredient
  2. Use Sites, Target Pests, and Application Methods
  3. Assessing Risks to Human Health
  4. Assessing Risks to the Environment
  5. Regulatory Information
  6. Products for Use Against Public Health Pests
  7. Producer Information
  8. Additional Contact Information

Summary

The plant oils described here (see Table) are complex mixtures of substances made by plants. Oils such as lemon, orange, and anise give fruits and seeds their characteristic odor and taste. The oils are used as pesticides to repel certain animals and insects, and to kill certain insects. When used as pesticides, these oils do not present any known risks to humans or the environment.

  1. Description of the Active Ingredient

    2. Plant oils are mixtures of natural substances that come from various parts of plants, such as flowers, fruits, and wood. They are responsible for the distinctive odor or flavor of the plant they come from. As examples, the different oils produced by oranges, lemons, and mustards give these foods their characteristic smell and taste. See: Table for list

    Each of these plant oils is a complex mixture of chemicals that volatilize and enter the air easily.

    The exact amounts and kinds of chemicals in the oils determine their characteristic odor. Many of the volatile chemicals are found in more than one type of oil.

    Sometimes the chemicals in the oil, as well as the oil itself, are registered (licensed for use) as pesticide active ingredients. It is also fairly common for two or more oils to be used in the same pesticide product.

  2. Use Sites, Target Pests, and Application Methods

  3. Assessing Risks to Human Health

    4. No adverse effects to humans are expected from use of these substances in repellents and insecticides. Most of these oils are found in common foods, and many are approved as food flavorings by FDA. [Note: Methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen) can be toxic in large quantities.]

  4. Assessing Risks to the Environment

    5. No risks to the environment are expected from use of these oils in pesticide products. There is some concern about exposure of birds to pellets containing oil of mustard, but the concentration of active ingredient is considered too low to cause adverse effects.

  5. Regulatory Information

    6. See Table.

  6. Producer Information

    7. Many companies have received registrations for pesticide products that contain plant oils.

  7. Additional Contact Information

    8. Ombudsman, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division (7511P)
    Office of Pesticide Programs
    Environmental Protection Agency
    1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
    Washington, D.C. 20460

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Summary of Infromation for Plant Oils That Are Pesticide Active Ingredients
PLANT OIL
(No. of Products)		 USE SITES ACTIONS ON
TARGET PESTS		 OPP #
(CAS #)		 REGISTRATION/
REREGISTRATION (YEAR)
Anise a (1) Ornamental plants, lawns Repels dogs and cats 004301
(8007-70-3)		 1952 / 1993
Bergamot a (2) Ornamental plants, homes, garbage cans Repels dogs and cats 129029
(8007-75-8)		 1972 / 1993
Canola b (3) Food crops, ornamental plants, houseplants Kills insects 011332
(10962-03-0)		 1998
Castor (5) Ornamental plants, lawns, garbage cans Repels dogs, cats, wildlife such as moles, deer, rabbits, squirrels 031608
(8001-79-4)		 1947 / 1994
Cedarwood a (1) Mothproofing Repels larvae of clothes moths 040505
(800-27-9)		 1960 / 1993
Citronella ab
( >30)		 1) Humans and their clothing, homes, outdoor areas

2) Ornamental plants, garbage dumps		 1) Repels insects and ticks

2) Repels dogs and cats		 021901
(8000-29-1)		 1948 / 1997
Eucalyptus a (4) Cats, dogs, humans and their clothing, homes Repels mites; Repels specified insects, including fleas and mosquitoes 040503
(8000-48-4) 		1948 / 1993
Jojoba b (2)
 [Note: May work as physical barrier]		 All crops Kills/repels whiteflies on all crops. Kills powdery mildew on grapes and ornamentals 067200 1996
Lavandin (2) Homes, especially closets, drawers, clothes storage containers Repels clothes moths 040500
(8022-15-9)		 1996
Lemongrass a (2) Ornamental plants, garbage dumps Repels dogs and cats 040502
(8007-02-01)		 1962 / 1993
Methyl salicylate (5)
[Notes: Also called oil of wintergreen; may be toxic in large quantities]		 Ornamental plants, indoor and outdoor residential sites (including clothing), garbage dumps. Repels dogs, cats, moths, beetles 076601 (119-36-8) RED (PDF) (31 pp, 165 K, about PDF)

 1972
Mint (1) Ornamental plants in ponds with or without fish Kills aphids on plants (used with thyme herb) 128800
(8006-90-4)		 2000
Mustard a (11)
[Note: Also known as allylisothio-cyanate] 		Homes, ornamental plants, garbage cans

1) Repels dogs, cats, wildlife such as deer and raccoons

2) Repels and kills insects, spiders, centipedes, etc.

 004901
(57-06-7)		 1962 / 1993
Orange a(2) Ornamental plants, homes, garbage dumps Repels dogs and cats 040517
(8008-57-9)		 1972 / 1993
Soybean a(2) Food and feed crops, ornamental plants, indoor and outdoor sites

Kills mites.
Kills beetles and other insect pests

 031605
(8001-22-7)		 1959 / 1993

Notes:

  1. This table does not necessarily describe all plant oil active ingredients.


  2. There is more detailed information available for most of these oils:
    1. Reregistration Eligibility Decision document. Go to the following web site to find documents on "Flower and Plant Oils;" "Cedarwood Oil;" "Citronella"
      See: Pesticide Reregistration Status


    2. Biopesticide Fact Sheet.

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