How does the product work?Updated 2 years ago

The Mechanism (How It Works)

BugMD’s Essential Pest Concentrate uses two main active ingredients to kill pests: Cottonseed Oil and Clove Oil. It shares the same formulation with BugMD’s Flea + Tick Concentrate since these two essential oils have been long used as a natural pesticide for a wide range of pests.

Clove Oil 

Clove Oil is the essential oil extracted from the clove plant. It is most commonly used as a spice for various dishes. Its main active ingredient, eugenol, is also recognized by the EPA as a low-risk fungicide, herbicide, and insecticide.

The insecticidal properties of clove oil and its derivatives have been studied since the 1940s. Clove oil toxicity varies among different insects because of different insect susceptibilities, variability in the concentration of eugenol and other active substances in the clove oil, and feeding behaviors. 

Among many uses, clove oil works as a “direct contact insecticide to kill crawling, flying and stinging insects and arachnids (both indoors and outdoors)”. It is also usually combined with other essential oil such as cottonseed oil to maximize efficacy. 

Little is known about the mechanism of action of eugenol. It is believed to be neurotoxic. In studies with cockroaches (Periplaneta americana & Blatella germanica) and ants (Camponotus pennsylvanicus) exposed to eugenol, Periplaneta americana showed hyperactivity and hyperextension of the abdomen and legs followed by fast knockdown and death, as well as cardiac hyperactivity. In Blatella germanica and Camponotus pennsylvanicus fast knockdown and death was reported after exposure to eugenol. Blockage of octopamine receptors binding sites was also found at lower concentrations.

Cottonseed Oil

Cottonseed Oil is a vegetable oil that is most commonly used as a carrier oil for pesticide formulations. It is considered as generally one of the most insecticidal of the vegetable oils.  Cottonseed Oil in itself is not considered toxic to pests. However, it is used to suffocate pests in conjunction to the active ingredient used. Plant and mineral oils have a long history in pest management, both as an active ingredient and as a spray adjuvant. The effects are mostly physical, with oils adhering to the surface of insects interfering with respiration, effectively suffocating them. When applied to eggs, vegetable oils also prevent gas exchange with the egg membrane.