Use of aromatic aldehydes as insecticides and for killing arachnids

Abstract

Methods and compositions based upon natural flavonoid aldehydes are provided, which find use as pesticides. The pesticides are formulated in a variety of ways, including dusts, sprays, shampoos and soaps, and can be bound to a solid support or provided as bait or directly impregnated into organic matter infested by or susceptible to infestation by a target pest.

1. A method for controlling an insect or an arachnid population,  killing a population of pests selected from the group consisting of termites, ants, mites, and fleas, said method comprising:
 contacting said insect or arachnid  population of pests with an effective pest growth modulating amount of a  an aqueous formulation comprising 0.01 g/l to 25 g/l of one or more compounds having a formula 
                 
 
 
       wherein R 1  represents —CHO, R 2  represents —OH, H or an organic substituent containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and R 3  represents a methoxy group, H or an organic substituent containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms;   10  g/l of one or more of compounds selected from the group consisting or cinnamic aldehyde and coniferyl aldehyde, and wherein said formulation does not contain an antioxidant other than an antioxidant according to said formula.  compounds. 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said effective insect or arachnid growth modulating amount is 2.5 g/l to 12.5 g/l. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said one or more compounds are of cinnamic aldehyde or coniferyl aldehyde. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 3 ,   claim 1 , wherein said aqueous formulation provides for about 70% or greater kill of said insect or arachnid  pest population. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said formulation is free of antioxidants other than compounds of a formula 
                 
 
       wherein R 1  represents —CHO, R 2  represents —OH, H or an organic substituent containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and R 3  represents a methoxy group, H or an organic substituent containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms.   claim 1 , wherein said aqueous formulation further comprises a salt of a polyprotic acid. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said insect or arachnid population is selected from the group consisting of a cockroach, an ant, and a mite. 
     
     
       7. A composition suitable for use as bait for an insect or arachnid  the group of pests consisting of arachnids, flies, cockroaches, and termites comprising:
 one or more compounds having a formula 
                 
 
 
       wherein R 1  represents —CHO, R 2  represents —OH, H or an organic substituent containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and R 3  represents a methoxy group, H or an organic substituent containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, associated with a solid support.  selected from the group consisting of cinnamic aldehyde and coniferyl aldehyde, wherein said composition is linked to a solid support, and said composition is free of antioxidants other than said compounds. 
     
     
       8. A composition suitable for use as a shampoo or a soap, said composition comprising:
 an insect or arachnid growth modulating amount of one or more compound of a formula 
                 
   
       wherein R 1  represents —CHO, R 2  represents —OH, H or an organic substituent containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, in a soap or detergent formulation and R 3  represents a methoxy group, H or an organic substituent containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, to provide a kill of about 70% or greater of a target insect or arachnid population. 
     
     
       9. The composition according to  claim 8 , wherein said one or more compounds are cinnamic aldehyde or coniferyl aldehyde. 
     
     
       10. The composition according to  claim 9 , wherein said composition is free of antioxidants other than compounds of a formula 
                   
       wherein R 1  represents —CHO, R 2  represents —OH, H or an organic substituent containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and R 3  represents a methoxy group, H or an organic substituent containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms. 
     
     
       11. The composition according to  claim 10 , wherein said composition comprises compounds of cinnamic aldehyde and coniferyl aldehyde. 
     
     
       12. A  The composition according to  claim 7 , wherein said solid support comprises cellulose. 
     
     
       13. A  The composition according to  claim 12 , wherein said one or more  compound of the formula 
                 
 
       wherein R 1  represents —CHO, R 2  represents —OH, H or an organic substituent containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and R 3  represents a methoxy group, H or an organic substituent containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms,  is associated  reversibly linked with said cellulose. 
     
     
       14. A  The composition according to  claim 12 , wherein said associated is  composition is linked to said solid support via a cellulose binding domain. 
     
     
       15. A composition according to  claim 7 , wherein a chemoattractant for said insect or arachnid is associated with said solid support. 
     
     
       16. The composition according to  claim 7 , wherein said solid support is enclosed in a housing having means of ingress and egress for said insect or arachnid  group of pests. 
     
     
       17. The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said aqueous formulation further comprises a soap or detergent suitable for use as a shampoo or soap for a mammal. 
     
     
       18. The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said aqueous formulation further comprises a powder or detergent suitable for use a carpet shampoo. 
     
     
       19. A composition suitable for use as bait for the group of pests consisting of flies, cockroaches, and termites comprising cinnamic aldehyde linked to a solid support. 
     
     
       20. A method for killing a population of pests selected from the group consisting of termites, ants, mites, and fleas, said method comprising:
   contacting said population of pests with an effective pest growth modulating amount of an aqueous formulation comprising  0 . 01  g/l to  10  g/l of one or more of compounds selected from the group consisting of cinnamic aldehyde and coniferyl aldehyde, and wherein said formulation is linked to a solid support and does not contain an antioxidant other than an antioxidant according to said compounds.     
     
     
       21. A method for killing a population of pests selected from the group consisting of termites, ants, mites, and fleas, said method comprising:
   applying a composition comprising one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of cinnamic aldehyde and coniferyl aldehyde in an area infested with said population of pests, wherein said composition is linked to a solid support and is free of antioxidants other than said compounds.     
     
     
       22. A composition suitable for use as bait for the group of pests consisting of arachnids, flies, cockroaches, and termites comprising:
   one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of cinnamic aldehyde and coniferyl aldehyde, wherein said composition is linked to a solid support, located adjacent to an area of infestation of said pests, and does not contain an antioxidant other than an antioxidant according to said compounds.