The activity of methyl ketones as fumigants for insect control

Fumigants can be highly effective for the control of various pests.  However, synthetic compounds that are currently in use are highly toxic and dangerous for applicators and consumers, and in some cases have produced resistant insects.  Therefore, control systems, like the fumigant methyl bromide, are being removed from the market because of their known adverse effects on our environment.  The public wants to transition from synthetic insecticides to green products, which do not adversely affect the environment and are safe for food production.   BioUD^® is a powerful insect repellent discovered by Dr. R. Michael Roe at North Carolina State University.  The active ingredient is 2-undecanone, a methyl ketone that can be found in nature.  It is approved by the US EPA for use on the skin and clothing of children and approved by the FDA as a food additive.  Interestingly, we have found that 2-undecanone is also an excellent fumigant and insecticide that could replace most of the current more toxic compounds used to control insects. We tested 2-undecanone on fire ants, German cockroaches, budworm eggs, flour beetles, and determined that it is an effective alternative to methyl bromide.  We also conducted structural activity studies with methyl ketones, where we discovered that the number of carbon chains in methyl ketone strongly correlates with its effectiveness and volatility.