Two derivatives of nootkatone, tetrahydronootkatone and 1,10-dihydronootkatone,
are surprisingly effective as repellents of termites and mosquitos. Tetrahydronootkatone
and 1,10-dihydronootkatone were shown to effectively repel termites at concentrations
as low as 2 g/ml and 12.5 g/ml, respectively. Tetrahydronootkatone
was shown to repel mosquitos at a concentration of 5%. Tetrahydronootkatone is
an effective repellent of termites either by itself or as an addition to other
substrates, including mulches made from wood products or other cellulose-containing
material. Tetrahydronootkatone or 1,10-dihydronootkatone can be used to protect
construction wood from attack by Formosan subterranean termites, either alone or
used in combination with other compounds known to repel termites. It is also believed
that these compounds will prove effective in repelling ants, ticks, and cockroaches.
These derivatives of nootkatone are non-toxic to humans and other mammals and environmentally safe.
