Thyme Oil Microcapsules Kill Mosquitoes without Toxins

Aug-09-19 Microcapsules made of thyme oil and corn starch offer a toxin-free way to kill mosquito larvae in water.

The capsules were developed by a team from the University of Campinas, who encapsulated the essential oil of the thyme plant (thymol) inside a shell made of corn starch. The capsules will slowly release the thymol when placed in water where mosquitoes lay their eggs, killing the larvae without posing a danger to humans. Because the thymol is only released when the capsules are in water, the treatment can last through up to five rain/dry cycles—syncing with the mosquito’s egg-laying cycle.

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