Field testing of nootkatone and tetrahydronootkatone wood treatments against Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki

IRG/WP 03-30308

K E Nix, G Henderson, R Laine

A component of Alaskan yellow cedar, citrus oil, and vetiver oil, nootkatone, and its derivative, tetrahydronootkatone, were tested for their potential as wood treatments against Coptotermes formosanus. Wood treatments dipped in 1% and 5% nootkatone and tetrahydronootkatone in ethanol or vacuum impregnated (5% only) were tested in a natural setting using termite infested bald cypress trees along the Calcasieu River in Westlake, Louisiana. Results showed no significant difference in the consumption of the control wood and wood treated with 1% nootkatone or tetrahydronootkatone solutions. Both trials testing the 5% dip method and one trial testing the 5% impregnated wood, for both nootkatone and tetrahydronootkatone, were significantly different from control wood and show good potential as a wood preservative.


Keywords: Wood treatment, nootkatone, tetrahydronootkatone, Formosan subterranean termite

Conference: 03-05-18/23 Brisbane, Australia


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