BioProspect keeps the termites at bay

Termites hate it, but home owners may come to love it. It's the termite repellent developed by Australian natural products developer, BioProspect.

A new trial conducted by the CSIRO has shown that Termilone is effective in protecting timber from attack by the common urban termite species, the infamous Coptotermes acinaciformis.

It also found that the active constituent in Termilone, Eremophilone Oil, which is extracted from an Australian native tree, Eremophila mitchellii (also known as False Sandalwood or Budda), was responsible for the repulsive effect on termites.

Further trials are being conducted by BioProspect’s commercial partner, Ensystex Corporation, examining Termilone as a soil-applied barrier and as a treatment for termite colony elimination.

It was found, however, that Termilone was less effective against a rarer and more aggressive termite, M. darwiniensis, which is found north of the tropics.

“Eremophilone Oil has already been registered as an active constituent with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, and we are continuing efforts to achieve registration of end-user products within the next two years,” said BioProspect’s Chief Operating Officer, Peter May.

“The latest study has boosted confidence in Termilone’s future as a safe and environmentally friendly termite solution. With moves in the United States to restrict the use of synthetic timber treatments, such as copper-chromium-arsenate, from certain domestic applications, demand for a natural and proven alternative is growing rapidly in the international termite control market."

BioProspect (ASX:BPO) gained 4%, or $0.001 to $0.026 in afternoon trading.