Brooklyn Queens Land Trust

Catnip oil deters termites.

Oct 10, 2003

While reading the October/NOvember issue of Wildlife, I found an article "Death by Catnip" by Laura Tangley. The article discusses some new studies that show that oil derived from the catnip plant repels and kills termites. The U.S. Department of Agriculture "found that treating sand in test tubes with catnip oil prevented termites from tunneling through the substance as they normally would. At higher concentrations, it killed the insects". Termites cause over a billion dollars worth of damage nationwide each year. While the oil breaks down rather quickly, the results show promise for commercial products. For those of us who prefer natural pest deterrants, experimentation may garner worthwhile results.