A Comprehensive analysis of essential oils as biopesticides against termites

Abstract

Termites are threat causing pest of plant kingdom posing serious threat to agriculture and the urban environment. Termites damage crops like paddy, maize, cotton etc. and major hazard to wooden structures, building, paper. Termites cause economic damage of over 40 billion dollar worldwide and $35. 12 million in India. Chemicals have been proved a successful method of controlling termites, various termiticides are being used like chloropyriphos causing great damage to environment and humans by being present in environment for a longer period of time. Biological alternative could be suitable for the elimination of termites. Essential oils are emerging as suitable alternative because of salient features of essential oils, as it is degraded rapidly from the environment without harming the beneficial insects. The major bioactive compounds present in essential oil like azadrachtin in neem can interfere with central nervous system of termites. The present paper reviews the biological alternative of controlling termites with chemical. The methods and extracts I reviewed here shows good insecticidal activities against termites. Morever keeping on advantageous nature of termites, innovative management should be used. The review focuses on use of essential oils as an alternative of synthetic pesticides.