Multifunctional compositions having combined insecticidal, mitacidal and fungicidal activity

Abstract

Particular aspects provide novel insecticide / miticide / fungicide compositions, and methods for using same for safe, environmentally friendly control of insects, mites and fungal pests in, e.g., gardening and commercial growing. Preferably, the compositions comprise organic or pure ingredients. Particular embodiments comprise: a fatty acid soap base (e.g., saponified soap with retained glycerin; or fatty acid salts with glycerin); at least one essential oil; an optional food oil; and a bicarbonate reagent, along with water. Additional embodiments comprise: a soap base, and / or glycerin or other suitable base; at least one organic or pure plant essential oil; an organic or pure food oil; and a bicarbonate reagent, along with water as diluent and carrier, and methods for using same. Further aspects provide a method for controlling mite and fungal pests with a single composition comprising, along with an aqueous carrier or diluent: a non-petroleum-based food oil; and a bicarbonate agent.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos.: 60 / 586,485, filed 6 Jul. 2004 and entitled “ORGANIC OR PURE INSECTICIDE / MITICIDE / FUNGICIDE”; 60 / 603,293, filed 19 Aug. 2004 and entitled “INSECTICIDAL SOAP INCLUDING MITICIDE AND FUNGICIDE”; both of which are incorporated by reference herein it their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] Aspects of the present invention relate generally to novel multi-functional compositions and methods for using same, and more particularly to novel compositions and organic compositions that have combined insecticidal, miticidal and fungicidal activities. BACKGROUND [0003] Insecticidal soaps are known in the art, typically comprising potassium salts of fatty acids, along with ethyl alcohol. However, such prior art products are often ineffective, can be generally damaging to horticulture (e.g., vegetables, fruits, berries and ornamentals), and have multip...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] Aspects of the present invention provide novel safe, environmentally friendly, reliable and robust methods and compositions having substantial utility for treating, controlling and / or preventing insects, mites and fugal diseases. The inventive multi-functional compositions comprise ingredients that act synergistically to provide for effective treating, controlling and / or preventing insects, mites and fugal diseases through application of a single composition.

[0011] Particular preferred aspects provide an organic or pure insecticide / miticide / fungicide that combines the insect repelling or killing properties of individual insecticides, fungicides and miticides into a single product having equivalent or greater repelling, killing properties, miticidal properties and fungal knock-down than exists in current products. Individual gardeners, minor use and commercial growers presently purchase multiple products for pest and fungal disease control, and the management of pests and fungal disease becomes, therefore, costly and time-consuming. Particular aspects achieve greater efficiency by combining pesticidally, miticidally and fungicidally effective ingredients in a single product, and achieve greater cost and time effectiveness as a result.

Problems solved by technology

However, such prior art products are often ineffective, can be generally damaging to horticulture (e.g., vegetables, fruits, berries and ornamentals), and have multiple additional disadvantages.

For example, some conventional insecticidal soaps, although listed for use in organic gardening or farming (OMRI listing, etc.), actually contain non-organic ingredients rendering them unsuitable for many uses, not only for commercial growing, but also by many organic growers where environmentally-friendly insect control is needed in the context of individual gardening and use by minors (e.g., children, adolescents) and Additionally, and significantly, such prior art products have been narrowly or specifically developed for use as insecticides, and thus gardeners and growers must purchase and apply multiple separate products to address the three common and most critical growing concerns; namely, insects, mites and fungal diseases.

However, while Zobitne et al teach that the Environmental Protection Agency (which regulates the use of potentially toxic ingredients in pesticidal compositions under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act) has deregulated the use of SLS, SLS is nonetheless known in the art to have degenerative effects on cell membranes, is known to induce corneal damage in rabbit eyes under some circumstances, and is used around the world in clinical studies as a significant skin irritant.

Moreover, other studies have indicated that SLS enters and maintains residual levels in the heart, liver, lungs, and brain from skin contact, and other research has indicated that SLS may damage the immune system, particularly in the skin (Id).

Additionally, SLS is known in the art to be harsh on plants, as are shorter-chain fatty acids having 9 carbon atom chains or less, which actually have herbicidal properties.