Acaricidal activity of some essential oils and their monoterpenoidal constituents against the house dust mite, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Acari: Pyroglyphidae)

Abstract

The acaricidal activity of 14 essential oils and 14 of their major monoterpenoids were tested against the house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Mites were exposed for 24 and 48 h to five concentrations of each constituent, under laboratory conditions. In general, the acaricidal effect of both essential oils and monoterpenoids against the dust mites was time-dependent: LC50 values decreased with increasing exposure time. Essential oils from clove, matrecary, chenopodium, rosemary, eucalyptus, and caraway oils had high activity. The monoterpenoids cinnamaldehyde and chlorothymol were most effective, followed by citronellol. This study suggests the use of several essential oils and their major constituents as eco-friendly biodegradable agents for the control of the house dust mite, D. pteronyssinus.