Pest control compositions

Abstract

The invention relates to a pest control composition comprising a phenol, such as thymol, an aldehyde, such as vanillin, any one or more of the following: a free fatty acid, a fatty acid salt, and a lipopeptide, and a carrier and / or a solvent. The invention further relates to a pest control composition comprising thymol, an oil selected from the group consisting of rapeseed oil, soybean oil and diesel oil, a stabilizer and a solvent. The invention further relates to methods of preparing these pest control compositions and to uses of these compositions.

Description

[0001] Pest control compositions

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The invention relates to pest control compositions comprising i.a. a phenol such as thymol and an aldehyde such as vanillin. The invention further relates to methods of preparing the above compositions, as well as compositions prepared by, or preparable by, such methods. The invention further relates to uses of the above compositions.

[0004] The pest control compositions of the present invention may be safely applied to animals including livestock and humans, or to agricultural products.

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006] Far from being a mere inconvenience in causing irritation and pain, pest, e.g. insect, bites may pose serious health risks. The ability of insects and other pests to transmit bacteria, viruses and other vectors is well documented. For example, mosquitoes, while drinking the blood of human hosts, can transmit pathogens and viral particles into the blood stream. Pathological conditions such as malaria, yellow fever, Lyme disease, and Dengue fever among others are attributed to mosquito bites. Yearly, these diseases are responsible for thousands of mortalities around the world. Aedes Aegypti, also known as the yellow fever mosquito since it is a vector for the yellow fever virus, is mainly found in tropical and subtropical regions around the word. However, recent studies has shown its presence in continental regions such as Germany and France. Aedes Aegypti is diurnal and anthropophilic. It is also a vector for dengue fever and the Zika virus. So far, no commonly available immunization against this species exists. A topical mosquito repellent effective against this species ensures protection against viral transmission.

[0007] As is also well known, ticks are the vector responsible for transmitting Lyme disease, and fleas can transmit plague to humans.

[0008] Over the years, synthetic compounds such as N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) have been used as insect repellents. Regarded as the industry standard in topical insect repellents, DEET is highly effective over prolonged periods of time. However, it can in some instances cause irritation of the skin, eyes and mucus membranes. Regulatory reassessments in North America have been conducted for DEET-containing insect repellents. Such reassessments have resulted in labeling changes and dosage advice in order to minimize unwanted exposure to sensitive groups such as young children and pregnant or lactating women.

[0009] Other pest repellent compounds include 1-(1-Methylpropoxycarbonyl)-2-(2- hydroxyethyl)piperidine (known alternatively as icaridin, picaridin and KBR3032), as well as 3- [N-butyl-N-acetyl]-aminopropionic acid, ethyl ester (known alternatively as EBAAP, ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate and Insect Repellant 3535) raise similar concerns.

[0010] Natural essential oils such as citronella, eucalyptus, lavender and limonene have also been used as insect repellents. Their repellency capability is often strong initially but, due to their high volatilities, these repellents lack long-term efficacy, and have a protection time ranging from only 30 minutes to 2 hours. Furthermore, unrefined essential oils contain a blend of compounds, some of which, albeit present in minute concentrations, can still cause health risks for sensitive groups, such as infants, pregnant and lactating women. These compounds are considered allergens, thus doctors recommend avoiding the use of natural essential oils for infants, as well as for pregnant or lactating women.

[0011] Furthermore, there is widespread use of synthetic pesticides and insecticides such as organophosphates, pyrethroids, carbamates, and neonicotinoids, in agriculture and farming, i.e. on crops and livestock. The extensive use of synthetic pesticides and insecticides has led to the rapid emergence of resistances in pest populations, in addition to health and environmental concerns. All these factors, in addition to the growing regulatory restrictions on some insecticides, necessitate an alternative solution.

[0012] There is thus a need for pest repellents which are effective for extended periods of time, while at the same time posing no health risk for animals including livestock and humans. It is an object of the invention to address such needs.

[0013] Object of the invention

[0014] Specifically, one object of the invention is to provide a pest control composition, for example a pest control composition for topical administration, that can be advantageously and safely applied on animals, including livestock and humans, or agricultural products. Another object of the invention is to provide a safe pest control composition that can be applied copiously to animals or agricultural products. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a pest control composition that can be safely applied and reapplied continuously throughout the day, that is repeatedly. Another object of the invention is to provide a pest control composition that has a long-lasting pest-repellent effect. Still another object of the invention is to provide a pest control composition to repel vector-carrying pests such as mosquitos and other insect pests such as flies, as well as arachnid pests such as ticks. A further object of the invention is to provide an environmentally safe and biodegradable pest control composition for agricultural crop protection from harmful pests. Another object of the invention is to provide a pest control composition that can be sprayed on or nearby agricultural crops intended for consumption by humans or livestock. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a pest control composition capable of repelling agricultural pests such as thrips, white flies, aphids, moths and spider mites. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a pest control composition that is environmentally safe. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be referred to in the detailed description that follows.

[0015] The pest control compositions of the present invention, as well as uses involving such pest control compositions described below, satisfy the above aims.

[0016] Summary of the invention

[0017] The subject matter of the invention is as set out herein and in the appended claims.

[0018] In a first aspect, the invention relates to a pest control composition comprising a) a phenol (P), b) an aldehyde (A), c) any one or more of the following: a free fatty acid (F), a fatty acid salt (FS), and a lipopeptide (L), and d) a carrier and / or a solvent.

[0019] In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method of preparing the pest control composition according to said first aspect of the invention, wherein components a) a phenol (P), b) an aldehyde (A), and c) any one or more of the following: a free fatty acid (F), a fatty acid salt (FS), and a lipopeptide (L) are mixed and dissolved or diluted in d) a carrier and / or a solvent.

[0020] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a pest control composition comprising a) thymol, b) an oil selected from the group consisting of rapeseed oil, soybean oil, diesel oil and any combination of such oils, c) a stabilizer and d) a solvent.

[0021] In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method of preparing the pest control composition according to said second aspect of the invention, i.e., a composition comprising thymol, an oil selected from the group consisting of rapeseed oil, soybean oil and diesel oil, a stabilizer and a solvent, said method comprising

[0022] • mixing the thymol, the oil, the stabilizer, and the solvent; and • dissolving the thymol, the oil, and the stabilizer in the solvent by incubating the mixture at a temperature and for a duration of time sufficient to solubilize the thymol, the oil, and the stabilizer in the solvent.

[0023] In a further aspect, the invention relates to a composition prepared by, or preparable by the method for preparing the pest control composition according to the first aspect of the invention or by the method for preparing the pest control composition according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0024] In a further aspect, the invention relates to the use of the pest control composition of the first aspect of the invention or the pest control composition of the second aspect of the invention for increasing a livestock-produced product such as milk and / or meat and / or eggs in livestock, or for increasing agricultural production.

[0025] In a third aspect, the invention relates to the use of a pest control composition comprising thymol, a stabilizer and a solvent, wherein the stabilizer is preferably vanillin and the solvent is a preferably an alpha-omega alkyl diol, preferably 1,5-pentanediol, for increasing a livestock- produced product such as milk and / or meat and / or eggs in livestock, or for increasing agricultural production.

[0026] Detailed description of the invention

[0027] Definitions and terminology

[0028] All technical and scientific terms used hereafter carry the commonly understood meaning of the word unless defined otherwise.

[0029] Unless defined otherwise, any feature within any aspect or embodiment of the invention may be combined with any feature within any other aspect or embodiment of the invention, and the skilled person understands such combination as being encompassed in the original disclosure of the present application. This applies in particular to all embodiments described within the section relating to compositions per se, in respect of other aspects, e.g. methods and uses, of those compositions. This also applies in particular, but not exclusively, to endpoints of ranges disclosed herein. For instance, if a given substance is disclosed as existing in a composition in a concentration range of X-Y% or A-B%, the present application is to be understood as explicitly disclosing not only the ranges X-Y% and A-B%, but also the ranges X-B%, A-Y% and, in as far as numerically possible, Y-A% and B-X%. Each of these ranges, and range combinations, are contemplated, and are to be understood as being directly and unambiguously disclosed in the present application.

[0030] Similarly, it is also to be understood that section headings as used throughout the present application are merely for organizational purposes, and do not confer exclusive character to the disclosure pertaining to aspects of the invention mentioned in a section headings. Section headings thus do not exclude the combination of the disclosure within any one section heading to a corresponding or analogous context provided under another section heading. Indeed, such intra-section disclosures are explicitly within the disclosure of the present application.

[0031] As used herein, each of the terms “comprising’, “having” and “containing”, including grammatical variants thereof, are meant in a non-exhaustive sense to mean “including”, but not necessarily “composed of”, and does not exclude elements in addition to those explicitly recited as being present. As used herein, then, the terms “comprising”, since this eases “having” and “containing”, and grammatical variants thereof, indicate that components other than those explicitly recited may, but need not, be present. As such these terms include as a limiting case embodiments in which no other elements than those recited are present, e.g. in the commonly accepted sense of “consisting of”.

[0032] As used herein, the phrase “consisting of”, and grammatically related variants thereof, means that no other elements are present than those recited. In standing with the above definition of “comprising” (and grammatically and semantically related terms), the term “consisting of’ therefore denotes a limiting scenario within the meaning of “comprising”.

[0033] Unless stated otherwise, percentages indicating the extent to which a particular ingredient is comprised in a mixture or composition refer to weight / weight (w / w) percentages. Similarly, unless stated otherwise, ratios specified herein are weight ratios.

[0034] As used herein, the term “natural origin” indicates a form of a substance perse as it is isolated from nature, without further chemical modification. The term “natural origin” as used herein does not denote degrees of purity. For example, a substance which is used in the present invention in a concentration or degree of purity higher than that naturally found in nature, but in which a given molecule of that substance in higher concentration / purity remains chemically identical to a given molecule of the corresponding substance in nature in lower concentration / purity would still be considered of “natural origin” in the sense used herein. Such substances to be used in the present invention may either be extracted from their natural states via appropriate known methods or can be synthetically produced, both variants being within the meaning of “natural origin” as used herein.

[0035] As used herein, a “pest” denotes an animal detrimental to humans or human interests including an animal which is detrimental to crops or livestock. Such “pests” may serve as vectors for disease. In particular, a “pest” as used herein may be a member of the class insecta, i.e. an insect, for example a mosquito, for example a mosquito of the subfamily Anophelinae or Culicinae, for example belonging to the genus Aedeomyia, Aedes, Anopheles, Armigeres, Ayurakitia, Borachinda, Coquillettidia, Culex, Culiseta, Deinocerites, Eretmapodites, Ficalbia, Galindomyia, Haemagogus, Haematobia, Heizmannia, Hodgesia, Isostomyia, Johnbelkinia, Kimia, Limatus, Lutzia, Malaya, Mansonia, Maorigoeldia, Mimomyia, Onirion, Opifex, Orthopodomyia, Psorophora, Runchomyia, Sabethes, Shannoniana, Stomoxys, Topomyia, Toxorhynchites, Trichoprosopon, Tripteroides, Udaya, Uranotaenia, Verrallina, or Wyeomyia. An insect “pest” as used herein may also for example be a flea, for example a flea of the order Siphonaptera. An insect “pest” as used herein may also for example be a fly, for example a fly of the order Diptera. An insect “pest” as used herein may also for example be an aphid, for example an aphid of the order Hemiptera, for example belonging to the suborder Sternorrhyncha, for example belonging to the infraorder Aphidomorpha, for example belonging to the Superfamily Aphidoidea. A “pest” as used herein may also be a member of the class arachnida, i.e. an Arachnida, for example a tick, for example belonging to the genus Amblyomma, Anomalohimalaya, Bothriocroton, Cosmiomma, Cornupalpatum, Compluriscutula, Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma, Ixodes, Margaropus, Nosomma, Rhipicentor, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus), Antricola, Argas, Nothoaspis, Ornithodoros, Otobius or Nuttalliella. A “pest” as used herein may also be a member of the class arachnida, i.e. an Arachnida, for example a chigger or Trombiculidae, for example belonging to the genus Acomatacarus, Afropolonia, Anahuacia, Ascoschoengastia, Axiogastia, Blankaartia, Brunehaldia, Chatia, Cheladonta, Doloisia, Euschoengastia, Eutrombicula, Gahrliepia, Guntherana, Guntheria, Hannemania, Heaslipia, Hirsutiella, Kayella, Leptotrombidium, Microtrombicula, Miyatrombicula, Neoschoengastia, Neotrombicula, Novotrombicula, Ornithogastia, Parasecia, Pseudoschoengastia, Schoengastiella, Schoutedenichia, Speleocola, Trombicula or Whartonia. A “pest” as used herein can also be a bird selected from the group consisting of a starling of the genus Sturnus, a sparrow, in particular of the genus Passer, and a crow of the genus Corvus.

[0036] As used herein, a “pest repellent” is a substance which causes a pest to distance itself from the source of such a repellent. As a result, a “pest repellent” or “insect repellent” as used herein is a substance which has the effect of discouraging pests from landing or climbing on a surface or from eating a food, to which such a repellent has been applied. In a similar sense, “pest control composition” or “pest repellent composition” as used herein denotes a composition which has pest repellent activity, or is suitable for conferring pest repellent activity, in the above sense, on surfaces or objects or articles of manufacture treated with said composition. A composition comprising a pest control (i.e. pest repellent) substance or pest control substance combination, will be seen as itself having “pest control” or “pest repellent” activity if, after a single application of such composition the duration of time between application and the first pest bite and or predation is at least about 2 hours, at least about 3 hours, at least about 4 hours, at least about 5 hours for at least about 6 hours. Preferably, said duration of time is at least about 6, about 7 or about 8 hours.

[0037] As used herein, the term “livestock” refers to domesticated animals raised e.g. in an agricultural setting in order to provide labour and in order to produce diversified products for consumption such as meat, eggs, milk, fur, leather, and wool. The livestock is preferably selected from the group consisting of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, buffalo, llamas, alpacas, horses and donkeys. The livestock can also be poultry such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese.

[0038] As used herein, the term “effective amount”, and grammatically related variants, refers to an amount of the pest control compositions that results in a certain observable effect, for example a certain pest repellent effect. For instance, an “amount” of a composition “effective” to achieve pest repellent activity denotes an amount of the composition which leads to an empirical, quantifiable decrease in the propensity of at least one type of pest to alight or crawl on surfaces or articles, or to eat a substance, e.g. a food, treated with such a composition. Preferably, an amount of a pest control composition “effective” to repel a pest retains its initially observed effect for at least about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5 or about 6 hours. Preferably, the initially observed effect lasts for at least about 6, about 7 or about 8 hours.

[0039] In a related sense, the term “repellent activity”, and related terms such as “insect repellent activity” and “pest repellent activity”, are used interchangeably herein and refer to the degree to which a repellent can deter a pest from approaching or landing on a surface or an article to which that repellent has been applied. The referenced activity may for example be quantified in terms of the number of pests approaching, landing or crawling on a treated surface or article in comparison to a non-treated surface or article. Alternatively, the referenced activity may be quantified in terms of the duration of time after which an initially determined repellent activity diminishes, and initially deterred pests once again approach, crawl or land on a previously treated surface or article. It is understood that pest control compositions of the invention with a pest repellent activity help prevent and control the outbreak of insect-borne diseases such those set out herein. In the context of the invention, a “long repellent activity” is defined as an activity that lasts at least about 6 hours, at least about 7 or at least about 8 hours.

[0040] As used herein, a “pest-borne disease” or grammatically and semantically equivalent terms, refer to any disease which results from a pest’s interaction with a host, as for example resulting from a mosquito sucking blood from a host. Non-limiting examples of “pest-borne diseases” include malaria, Lyme disease, Dengue fever, yellow fever, Zika virus, lymphatic filariasis, Japanese encephalitis, West Nile virus, chikungunya, filariasis, tularemia, dirofilariasis, Saint Louis encephalitis, Western equine encephalitis, Eastern equine encephalitis, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, Ross River fever, Barmah Forest fever, La Crosse encephalitis, Crimean- Congo haemorrhagic fever, Relapsing fever, Rickettsial diseases (e.g. spotted fever and Q fever), Tick-borne encephalitis, Tularaemia and plague and Rickettsiosis. For example, mosquitoes are known to transmit malaria, Dengue fever, yellow fever Zika virus, among others, while tics are known to transmit tick-borne encephalitis, Lyme disease, borreliosis, Rickettsial diseases (e.g. spotted fever and Q fever) and Tularaemia.

[0041] Unless stated otherwise, the designation of a range in the present application using a hyphen (“-“) separating two bracketing values X and Y, or two bracketing ratios, is to be understood as meaning and disclosing the specified range in which both endpoint values X and Y are included. The same applies to a range expressed as “from X to Y”. Accordingly, the expressions of ranges as “X - Y”, “of X to Y”, “from X to Y”, “of X - Y” and “from X - Y” are to be understood equivalently as meaning and disclosing a range encompassing the end value X, all values between X and Y, as well as the end value Y. In contrast, the designation of a range in the present application using the word “between” preceding two bracketing values X and Y, or two bracketing ratios, is to be understood as meaning and disclosing the specified range in which both endpoint values X and Y are excluded, but all values between the specified endpoint values X and Y are included.

[0042] As used herein the term “about” when referring to a particular value, e.g. an endpoint or endpoints of a range, encompasses and discloses, in addition to the specifically recited value itself, a certain variation around that specifically recited value. Such a variation may for example arise from normal measurement variability, e.g. in the weighing or apportioning of various substances by methods known to the skilled person. The term “about” shall be understood as encompassing and disclosing a range of variability above and below an indicated specific value, said percentage values being relative to the specific recited value itself, as follows: The term “about” may encompass and disclose variability of ± 5.0%. The term “about” may encompass and disclose variability of ± 4.5%. The term “about” may encompass and disclose variability of ± 4.0%. The term “about” may encompass and disclose variability of ± 3.5%. The term “about” may encompass and disclose variability of ± 3.0%. The term “about” may encompass and disclose variability of ± 2.5%. The term “about” may encompass and disclose variability of ± 2.0%. The term “about” may encompass and disclose variability of ± 1.5%. The term “about” may encompass and disclose variability of ± 1.0%. The term “about” may encompass and disclose variability of ± 0.5%. The term “about”, in reference to the particular recited value, may encompass and disclose that exact particular value itself, irrespective of any explicit mention that this exact particular value is included; even in the absence of an explicit indication that the term “about” includes the particular exact recited value, this exact particular value is still included in the range of variation created by the term “about”, and is therefore disclosed in the present application. Unless stated otherwise, where the term “about” is recited before the first endpoint of a numerical range, but not before the second endpoint of that range, this term, and the variability it implies in scope and disclosure, refers to both the first endpoint of the range and the second endpoint of the range. For instance, a recited range of “about X to Y” should be read as “about X to about Y”. The same applies for a recited range of ratios. For instance, a recited range of weight ratios of “about X:Y - A:B” should be read as a weight ratio of “(about X):(about Y) - (about A):(about B)”.

[0043] As used herein, a “solvent” in the sense of the invention is defined as a substance in which a solute is dissolved, resulting in a solution. Dissolution of a solute does not entail any chemical change in a given solute molecule, but rather a separation of the individual molecules within a solute from its interaction, e.g. in a solid, with other molecules of that solute, such that the individual solute molecules, in the final solubilized state, are stabilized by the molecules of the solvent. A “solvent” in the sense of the invention is thus a substance which provides the necessary stabilization to solute molecules such that the latter enter into and remain in solubilized form.

[0044] As used herein, a “diluent” does not actively participate in solubilization of a solute, but serves merely to adjust overall composition volume and, therefore, solute concentration, as desired or needed.

[0045] As used herein, an “article” or, equivalently, an “article of manufacture” denotes an object which, regardless of its complexity, is inanimate, i.e. not alive. Many examples of “articles”, for example “articles of clothing”, as well as “articles of manufacture” are provided herein as being particularly suitable for treatment with the inventive pest control compositions. It is however to be understood that the articles specifically mentioned herein are merely exemplary, and that it can be advantageous to treat many articles with the inventive composition, e.g. to endow such an article with pest repellent activity.

[0046] As used herein, a “solid” is a substance which does not freely flow, and the shape of which does not change, at room temperature, e.g. as a liquid or a fluid would. Many substances which are “solid” in this sense may nevertheless be dissolved in a solvent.

[0047] As used herein, a “liquid” is a substance which flows freely at room temperature, such that its shape changes but its volume retains constant, e.g. as would water or an oil.

[0048] As used herein, “room temperature” denotes a typical ambient indoor temperature of about 25°C.

[0049] As used herein, the term “active ingredient” denotes a substance that has pest repellent activity, as described above. As used herein, the term “micellar water” denotes a solution that comprises a dispersion of micelles, which are aggregates of amphiphiles, or surfactant molecules, in usually water.

[0050] As used herein, the term “vent hole” in the sense of the invention is defined as a hole for the escape of gas or air, e.g. gas comprising the composition of the invention.

[0051] As used herein, the term “safe”, “safety” and grammatical variants thereof denotes a situation or characteristic of a substance as not likely to cause or lead to harm or injury under applicable standards. In particular, “safe application” as used herein refers to the application of the pest control compositions of the invention that results in no or no appreciable adverse effects, such as irritation of the skin or lungs upon application, for example repeated application, or inhalation. “Safe application” as used herein further refers to the possibility that the pest control compositions of the invention may be applied repeatedly even in infants, children and pregnant or lactating women, who normally constitute the population most susceptible to adverse effects. The classification of a substance in question as safe can be made based on established standards, e.g. the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation.

[0052] As used herein, the term “stabilizer” denotes a substance that prevents the degradation or unwanted chemical alteration of an active agent which is present in the same composition as the stabilizer, thereby preserving the chemical nature of the active agent. A stabilizer might for example exert its stabilizing effect by fixating, e.g. prolonging, the persistence time of a given substance in a given phase, e.g. to prevent evaporation or to prolong the time required for a given substance to evaporate at a given temperature. Stabilization may be due to forming a physical barrier preventing interaction of a substance with the environment, or may be due to chemical interactions, e.g. pi-electron stacking interactions between aromatic stabilizers and aromatic substances to be stabilized, such that the effective boiling point of such substances to be stabilized is increased relative to their unstabilized state. One advantageous example of a stabilizer in the sense of the invention is vanillin.

[0053] As used herein, the term “liposomes” denotes spherical vesicles consisting of one or more phospholipid bilayers, as commonly understood by a person skilled in the art.

[0054] As used herein, the term “DEET” is an abbreviation for the chemical name N,N-diethyl-m- toluamide, having the chemical structure:

[0055] DEET is the active ingredient in many insect repellent of the art, and can be absorbed by the skin. Concerns have been raised over the risk of adverse effects, especially in young children and pregnant women. Although DEET is highly effective and long lasting (e.g. up to 6 - 8 hours depending on the concentration), it cannot be reapplied safely several times during the course of a day. The adverse effects may include rashes of the skin, skin irritation, numb or burning lips, nausea, headaches, dizziness and difficulty concentration. It is particularly preferred that the inventive composition does not comprise, i.e. lacks DEET.

[0056] As used herein, the term “icaridin” refers to the compound 1-(1-Methylpropoxycarbonyl)-2-(2- hydroxyethyl)piperidine, having the chemical structure:

[0057] As used herein, the term “EBAAP” refers to the compound 3-[N-butyl-N-acetyl]- aminopropionic acid, ethyl ester, having the chemical structure:

[0058] First aspect of the invention

[0059] In a first aspect, the invention relates to a pest control composition comprising a) a phenol (P), b) an aldehyde (A), c) any one or more of the following: a free fatty acid (F), a fatty acid salt (FS), and a lipopeptide (L), and d) a carrier and / or a solvent.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below embodiments of said first aspect of the invention, the phenol (P) is selected from the group consisting of thymol, thymol acetate, thymol dichloroacetate, thymol trichloroacetate, thymol ethyl ether, thymol propionate, thymol benzoate, and thymol glucoside, in particular thymol.

[0061] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below embodiments of said first aspect of the invention, the aldehyde (A) is selected from the group consisting of vanillin, vanillin acetate, ortho-vanillin, isovanillin, and 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde, in particular vanillin.

[0062] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below embodiments of said first aspect of the invention, the free fatty acid (F) is selected from the group consisting of one or more saturated and unsaturated C8-C20 fatty acids, more preferably selected from the group consisting of octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, dodecanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid, and icosanoic acid, in particular selected from the group consisting of dodecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, and octadecanoic acid.

[0063] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below embodiments of said first aspect of the invention, the fatty acid salt (FS) is selected from the group consisting of one or more potassium and sodium salts of one or more saturated and unsaturated C8-C20 fatty acids, in particular selected from the group consisting of one or more potassium salts of one or more saturated and unsaturated C8-C18 fatty acids. In a more preferred embodiment, the FS is selected from the group consisting of one or more potassium and sodium salts of one or more of the group consisting of octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, dodecanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid, and icosanoic acid, in particular of the group consisting of dodecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, and octadecanoic acid.

[0064] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below embodiments of said first aspect of the invention, the lipopeptide (L) is selected from the group consisting of a non-ribosomal lipopeptide, a ribosomal lipopeptide, a synthetic lipopetide, a hybrid thereof and a combination thereof. A ribosomal lipopeptide is often preferred.

[0065] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below embodiments of said first aspect of the invention, the non-ribosomal lipopeptide is selected from the group consisting of one or more Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) lipopeptides, surfactin, one or more cylcomarins, and one or more prenylated diketopiperazines.

[0066] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below embodiments of said first aspect of the invention, the ribosomal lipopeptide is selected from the group consisting of one or more lipolanthines, one or more goadvionins, one or more albopeptins, one or more selidamides, and one or more cyanobactins. In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below embodiments of said first or any other aspect of the invention, the carrier and / or solvent is selected from one or more of the group consisting of an oil, a diol, and an alcohol.

[0067] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below embodiments of said first or any other aspect of the invention, the oil is selected from one or more of the group consisting of petroleum oil, diesel oil, bio-diesel oil, waste oil, waste cooking oil, vegetable oils, polyunsaturated vegetable oil, olive oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, sesame oil, palm oil, soy oil, castor oil, sulfonated castor oil, peanut oil, avocado oil, argan oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, cinnamon oil, jojoba oil, seed oil, citronella oil, coconut oil, neem oil, thyme oil, lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, orange sweet oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil, basil oil, lemongrass oil, geranium oil, clove oil, patchouli oil, catnip oil, anise oil, sage oil, frankincense oil, cedarwood oil, microbial oils, bacterial oil, yeast oil, and algae oil.

[0068] The term “waste oil”, as used herein, designates used or discarded oils from industrial or mechanical applications such as engine, hydraulic, and gear oils or lubricants.

[0069] The term “waste cooking oil”, as used herein, designates one or more edible oils used in food preparation (e.g., frying, baking) such as soy oil, sunflower oil, canola oil etc. These edible oils were used and discarded by households, restaurants or for other purposes.

[0070] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below embodiments of said first or any other aspect of the invention, the diol is an alkane diol, more preferably selected from the group consisting of one or more of 1 ,3-propanediol, 1 ,4-butanediol, 1 ,5- pentanediol, 1 ,6-hexanediol, 1 ,8-octanediol, methylpropanediol, and isopentyldiol, in particular 1 ,5-pentanediol.

[0071] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below embodiments of said first or any other aspect of the invention, the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of one or more of ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, butyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, and hexyl alcohol.

[0072] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below embodiments of said first aspect of the invention, the concentration of

[0073] • phenol (P) is about 2 - 40 % (w / w), more preferably about 5 - 20 % (w / w), in particular about 5 - 10 % (w / w),

[0074] • aldehyde (A) is about 5 - 40 % (w / w), more preferably about 10 - 30 % (w / w), in particular about 15 - 25 % (w / w),

[0075] • fatty acid (F), if present, is about 0.1 - 80 % (w / w), more preferably about 2 - 40 % (w / w), in particular about 5 - 20 % (w / w) • fatty acid salt (FS), if present, is about 2 - 80 % (w / w), more preferably about 5 - 40 % (w / w), in particular about 10 - 30 % (w / w)

[0076] • lipopeptide (L), if present, is about 0.1 - 10 % (w / w), more preferably about 1 - 5 % (w / w), and / or

[0077] • carrier and / or solvent is about 5 - 90 % (w / w), more preferably about 30 - 60 % (w / w).

[0078] The present invention is further directed to a method of preparing the pest control composition according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein components a) a phenol (P), b) an aldehyde (A), and c) any one or more of the following: a free fatty acid (F), a fatty acid salt (FS), and a lipopeptide (L) are mixed and dissolved or diluted in d) a carrier and / or a solvent.

[0079] Second and third aspects of the invention

[0080] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a pest control composition comprising a) thymol, b) an oil selected from the group consisting of rapeseed oil, soybean oil, diesel oil, and any combination of such oils, c) a stabilizer and d) a solvent.

[0081] In a third aspect, the invention relates to the use of a pest control composition comprising thymol, a stabilizer and a solvent, wherein the stabilizer is preferably vanillin and the solvent is a preferably an alpha-omega alkyl diol, preferably 1,5-pentanediol, for increasing a livestock- produced product such as milk and / or meat and / or eggs in livestock, or for increasing agricultural production. It is understood that, in as far as performed in livestock, such use is non-therapeutic. In a preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below embodiments of said second or any other aspect of the invention, the stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of vanillin, vanillin acetate, ortho-vanillin, isovanillin, 2-hydroxy-4- methoxybenzaldehyde, alginate, agar, carrageen, cellulose, cellulose derivatives, gelatin, guar gum, gum Arabic, locust bean gum, pectin, starch, xanthan gum, coconut oil, PPG-20 Methyl Glucose Ether and Acetyl Hexamethyl Indan, in particular vanillin.

[0082] The cellulose derivatives are preferably selected from one or more of the group consisting of cellulose acetate, cellulose gum, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, methylcellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC).

[0083] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below embodiments of said second or any other aspect of the invention, the solvent is selected form the group consisting of an alpha-omega alkyl diol, jojoba oil, sulfonated castor oil, ethanol, isopropanol, hexadecane, propylene glycol, propylene glycol n-butyl ether, propylene glycol methyl ether acetate, propylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether, ethylene glycol methyl ether and hexylene glycol.

[0084] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below embodiments of said second or any other aspect of the invention, the concentration of

[0085] • thymol is about 2 - 60 % (w / w), preferably about 10 - 40 % (w / w), more preferably about 15 - 20 % (w / w),

[0086] • oil is about 10 - 60 % (w / w), preferably about 20 - 50 % (w / w), more preferably about 30 - 40 % (w / w),

[0087] • stabilizer is about 10 - 60 % (w / w), preferably about 15 - 40 % (w / w), more preferably about 20 - 30 % (w / w), and / or

[0088] • solvent is about 20 - 60 % (w / w), preferably about 30 - 50 % (w / w), more preferably about 35 - 45 % (w / w).

[0089] The invention is further directed to a method of preparing a composition according to the second or any other aspect of the invention, i.e. a composition comprising a) thymol, b) an oil selected from the group consisting of rapeseed oil, soybean oil, diesel oil and any combination of such oils, if present, c) a stabilizer and d) a solvent, said method comprising

[0090] • mixing the thymol, the oil, if present, the stabilizer, and the solvent; and

[0091] • dissolving the thymol, the oil, if present, and the stabilizer in the solvent by incubating the mixture at a temperature and for a duration of time sufficient to solubilize the thymol, the oil, if present, and the stabilizer in the solvent.

[0092] In a preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the constituents of the inventive pest control composition are solubilized.

[0093] Further aspects of the invention

[0094] The following aspects of the invention relate to the first, second or any other aspect of the invention, unless otherwise indicated.

[0095] In a further aspect, the invention is directed to a composition prepared by the method for preparing a composition according to the first aspect of the invention or by the method for preparing a composition according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0096] In a preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the pest belongs to the group consisting of

[0097] • arthropods, including insecta and arachnida, • bacteria, fungi, and virus, and

[0098] • birds; preferably

[0099] • arthropods, including insecta and arachnida.

[0100] In a further aspect, the invention relates to the use of a pest control composition according to the invention, for instance a pest control composition according to the first aspect or according to the second aspect, for increasing a livestock-produced product such as milk and / or meat and / or eggs in livestock, or for increasing agricultural production. It is understood that, in as far as the use is in livestock, such use is non-therapeutic.

[0101] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the pest control composition further comprises a diluent, a polymer, a polymeric material, an adjuvant, a surfactant, a coating, an anchor, a micellar material, a microencapsulation material or a nano-encapsulation material.

[0102] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the pest control composition further comprises any one or more of the following: a polymer or polymeric material selected from the group consisting of a synthetic polymer and a natural or bio-polymer.

[0103] The synthetic polymer is preferably selected from the group consisting of a polyurethane, a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), a polyacrylonitrile polyacrylamide, and a polyethylene glycol (PEG).

[0104] The natural or bio-polymer is preferably selected from the group consisting of cellulose, starch, chitosan, alginate, carrageenan, laminarin polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), one or more polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), one or more polyols, and one or more exopolysaccharides. The one or more exopolysaccharides can be derived from yeast, fungi, algae, bacteria, and plants.

[0105] Further, the polymer or polymeric material can be used solely, in combination, blends, hybrids, composites or nanocomposites.

[0106] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the polymer or polymeric material is a polymeric porous scaffold, a hydrogel, or a film.

[0107] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the pest control composition further comprises micellar a micro- or nanoencapsulation material. In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the micro- or nanoencapsulation material is a polymer or polymeric material as defined herein.

[0108] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the micro- or nanoencapsulation material is a protein, in particular selected from the group consisting of casein, whey protein, soy protein, and albumin.

[0109] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the micro- or nanoencapsulation material is a lipid, in particular selected from the group consisting of a phospholipid, a liposome, a fatty acid such as stearic acid, a wax ester and beeswax.

[0110] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the micro- or nanoencapsulation material is an inorganic material, in particular selected from the group consisting of silica, calcium carbonate, and titanium dioxide.

[0111] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the micro- or nanoencapsulation material is a lipopeptide, in particular selected from the group consisting of a non-ribosomal lipopeptide, a ribosomal lipopeptide, a synthetic lipopeptide, a hybrid thereof and a combination thereof.

[0112] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the pest control composition further comprises a wax ester or a wax, in particular selected from the group consisting of beeswax, carnauba wax, sheep wool wax, and microbial wax. The wax or wax ester is preferably used as a co-formulant, an adjuvant, or a dust binder.

[0113] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the pest control composition further comprises a chlorinated hydrocarbon, a carbamate, a neonicotinoid, an organophosphate, an organochloride, pyrethrin, a pyrethroid, and any derivative thereof.

[0114] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the pest control composition is mixed or combined with a pesticide and an insecticide, including an acaricide and a larvicide.

[0115] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the pest control composition is mixed or combined with a synthetic oil and an insecticide.

[0116] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the pest control composition is mixed or combined with one or more plant extracts, or with one or more plant-derived essential oils, containing one or more known terpenes, one or more pesticides, one or more insecticides, or one or more polymeric scaffolds.

[0117] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the pest control composition is added to, applied to, or sprayed onto one or more genetically modified organisms (GMO), including one or more GMO seeds, one or more GMO plants and / or one or more GMO crops, wherein these genetically modified organisms have GMO insecticidal and pesticidal traits.

[0118] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the pest control composition is mixed or combined with food, fragrance or cosmetic ingredients.

[0119] The pest control composition of the invention provides a multi-layered protection, comprising repellent, anti-feedant, oviposition disruption, pheromone disruption, and / or disinfectant properties.

[0120] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the pest control composition is used for preventing a pest-induced damage or a pest-borne disease. This use preferably comprises applying the pest control composition of the invention to any surface, more preferably a human, animal, plant, crop, food, produce or other surface including household surfaces, directly on the ground, on plastic greenhouses etc.

[0121] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the pest belongs to the group consisting of arthropods, including insecta and arachnida.

[0122] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the pest belongs to the group consisting of bacteria, fungi, and virus.

[0123] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the pest is a bird selected from the group consisting of a starling of the genus Sturnus, a sparrow, in particular of the genus Passer, and a crow of the genus Corvus.

[0124] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the pest control composition is used for increasing a livestock-produced product such as milk and / or meat and / or eggs in livestock, preferably for increasing milk and / or meat production in livestock selected from the group consisting of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, buffalo, llamas, and alpacas, in particular for increasing milk and / or beef production in cattle. It is understood that such use is non-therapeutic. As used herein in various aspects and embodiments, “increasing a livestock-produced product” refers to a greater amount of the livestock-produced product obtained when applying the compositions herein to livestock as compared to the amount of the livestock-produced product obtained under comparable conditions but without such application.

[0125] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the pest control composition is used for increasing agricultural production, i.e. for reducing crop and plant loss and for increasing harvest yield. The crops or plants are preferably selected from the group consisting of spinach, chard, mustard, oil radish, phacelia, sugar beet, rye barley, sorghum, corn, sunflower, cotton, coffee, oilseed rape, citrus trees, and olive trees, and are more preferably selected from the group consisting of oilseed rape, citrus trees, and olive trees.

[0126] The pest control composition of the invention is suitable for use in crop and / or plant protection during a time or period when no other chemical and / or biological protection method can or may be used, in particular during the pre-harvest interval, or during and after flowering.

[0127] The pest control composition of the invention, optionally in combination with one or more other materials having insecticidal or pesticidal properties selected from the group consisting of insecticides, pesticides, insecticidal co-active ingredients, food, fragrance, cosmetic ingredients, synthetic oils, plant extracts, essential oils, and plant-derived essential, allows repelling of insects and pests from treated surfaces, animals, or plants, thereby providing a consolidated protection.

[0128] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the pest control composition comprises one or more other materials having insecticidal or pesticidal properties selected from the group consisting of insecticides, pesticides, insecticidal co-active ingredients, food, fragrance, cosmetic ingredients, synthetic oils, plant extracts, essential oils, and plant-derived essential.

[0129] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the pest control composition is added to, applied to or sprayed onto one or more GMO seeds, one or more GMO plants and / or one or more GMO crops, with the intention of providing a consolidated protection against said GMO seeds, GMO plants and GMO crops.

[0130] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the pest control composition contains components or active ingredients, which are natural, in particular extracted chemically, enzymatically, via distillation or via a physical process from a natural source. It is further preferred that the components or active ingredients are chemically synthesized, semi-chemically synthesized, enzymatically synthesized, cell-free produced, whole-cell produced, biotechnologically produced, such as in microbes, yeast, fungi, bacteria, and algae, and extracted chemically or enzymatically, or hybrid thereof. More preferably, the pest control composition contains components or active ingredients, which are natural, in particular extracted from a natural source, chemically synthesized or biotechnologically produced.

[0131] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the microbial oil is extracted from oleaginous microorganisms, including yeast, fungi, bacteria, and algae. The microbial oil extract can be processed or unprocessed, and can be effective not only as carrier or solvent, but also as a co-active ingredient.

[0132] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the pest control composition comprises a pH stabilizer or a pH adjuster, and / or an oxygen scavenger. The pH stabilizer or pH adjuster, and / or the oxygen scavenger are preferably added to the composition after dissolving the active ingredients in the carrier and / or solvent.

[0133] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the pest control composition is prepared by mixing, dissolving, or diluting its constituents in the carrier and / or solvent forming part of the composition. The carrier and / or solvent is preferably an aqueous, alcoholic, eutectic and / or oily solution.

[0134] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the pest control composition is a liquid or a powder.

[0135] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the pest control composition is a kit of parts, e.g. of units A and B, or of units A, B and C. For example, unit A can contain the phenol (P), the aldehyde (A), and any one or more of the following: a free fatty acid (F), a fatty acid salt (FS), and a lipopeptide (L), and unit B can contain the carrier and / or the solvent. These units can be solid or liquid, and when combining or mixing the units together, the pest control composition of the invention is obtained. Generating and / or recovering the pest control composition of the invention accordingly can be performed on the farm or in the field, e.g. by a farm worker or field worker.

[0136] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the pest control composition of the invention is applied by an application method including spraying, drenching, fumigation, trunk injection, aerial application, dipping, bathing, spot-on treatment, ear tags, and topical application. In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the application method comprises chemigation of plants and / or crops, wherein the pest control composition is mixed with irrigation water and applied through irrigation systems.

[0137] In a further preferred embodiment in combination with any of the above or below aspects or embodiments, the application method comprises chemigation of livestock crops in which the pest control composition is mixed with water and applied by water, mist and / or liquid spraying systems or structures, such as arched structures.

[0138] In certain embodiments, the pest control compositions of the invention do not comprise, i.e. lack, N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET). In certain further embodiments, the pest control compositions of the invention do not comprise, i.e. lack, 1-(1-methylpropoxycarbonyl)-2-(2- hydroxyethyl)piperidine (icaridin). In certain further embodiments, the pest control compositions of the invention do not comprise, i.e. lack, 3-[N-butyl-N-acetyl]-aminopropionic acid, ethyl ester (EBAAP). In certain further embodiments, the pest control compositions of the invention do not comprise, i.e. lack, any binary or tertiary combination of DEET, icaridin and EBAAP. In certain further embodiments, the pest control compositions of the invention do not comprise, i.e. lack, each of DEET, icaridin and EBAAP.

[0139] While not being bound by theory, the pest control compositions of the invention, in particular if containing thymol and vanillin, appear to be associated with multiple advantageous effects:

[0140] • Improved repellent effectivity against a wide range of pests;

[0141] • Increased protection time;

[0142] • Improved production process: mixing and dissolving; and / or

[0143] • Improved texture and smell.

[0144] While not being bound by theory, inclusion of an oil in the pest control composition of the invention appears to be associated with multiple advantageous effects:

[0145] • Even dispersion and spreading of the composition on surfaces;

[0146] • Reduction of evaporation of the various components (i.e., slow release);

[0147] • Reduction of absorption of the various components into the skin of an animal, e.g. cattle; and / or

[0148] • Reduction of run-off caused by rain and wind.

[0149] While not being bound by theory, inclusion of a lipopeptide, fatty acid, and / or fatty acid salt in the pest control compositions of the invention appears to be associated with multiple advantageous effects:

[0150] • Improvement of the penetration of the pest cuticle; and / or • Slow controlled release via the formation of micelles, micro- and nanoencapsulations.

[0151] In addressing the aims described hereinabove, the inventors have surprisingly found that the pest control composition of the invention exhibits substantial pest repellent activity. Each of components forming part of the pest control composition was carefully selected after research and experimentation in order to achieve the specific goals described above. In the broadest sense, the objective was to attain a formulation that will effectively repel insects yet remains safe for use on animals, including humans, and plants. The compositions of the invention have the particular advantage of being suitable even for pregnant and lactating female animals and newborns. The present invention provides an insect repellent formulation of natural origin that is safe for human and animal use and can be safely applied and reapplied several times a day, thereby allowing prolonged protection against unwanted pests without any harmful side effects. The present invention provides a pest control composition that is environmentally friendly, biodegradable and can be used as pest repellent for increasing a livestock-produced product such as milk and / or meat and / or eggs in livestock, or for increasing agricultural production. With regard to the environmental friendliness of the inventive composition, it is to be additionally noted that the inventive composition is not harmful to bees.

[0152] In preferred embodiments, the inventive composition retains a pest repellent activity for at least about 3 days. In other preferred embodiments, the inventive composition retains a pest repellent activity for at least about 5 days. In other preferred embodiments, the inventive composition retains a pest repellent activity for at least about 7 days. Especially preferred, the inventive composition retains a pest repellent activity for at least about 10 days, at least about 12 days or at least about 20 days. In more preferred embodiments, the inventive composition retains 100% protection for about 3 days, 99% protection for about 5 days, 90% protection for about 7 days, 80% protection for about 10 days, 60-70% protection for about 12 days, and / or 25-30% protection for about 20 days.

[0153] Thymol, also known as 5-methyl-2-(propan-2-yl)phenol is a natural monoterpene phenolic derivative of cymene. It is found in thyme oil, can be extracted from Thymus vulgaris (common thyme; thymol provides the distinctive flavor of the culinary herb thyme) or may also be synthetically synthesized from m-cresol, among other methods generally known to the skilled person. It possesses a pleasant herbal aroma as well as strong antiseptic properties. Thymol has the following chemical structure:

[0154] The class of cembranoid diterpenes with a typical macrocyclic C14 backbone was originally reported from the cuticular wax of many Nicotiana species.

[0155] Thymol can be present in the pest control composition of the first, second or any other aspect of the invention.

[0156] In the pest control composition of the first aspect of the invention, a phenol (P), in particular thymol, is preferably present in a concentration from about 2 % to about 40 %, more preferably from about 5 % to about 20 % (w / w).

[0157] Preferably, thymol is present in the inventive composition in an amount of up to 60% w / w, or more preferably up to 50% w / w of the composition of the invention.

[0158] In certain embodiments, thymol is present in a concentration from about 2% to about 60% w / w, about 5% to about 60% w / w, from about 6% to about 59% w / w, from about 7% to about 58% w / w, from about 8% to about 57% w / w, from about 9% to about 56% w / w, from about 10% to about 55% w / w, from about 11% to about 54% w / w, from about 12% to about 53% w / w, from about 13% to about 52% w / w, from about 14% to about 51 % w / w, from about 15% to about 50% w / w, from about 16% to about 49% w / w, from about 17% to about 48% w / w, from about 18% to about 47% w / w, from about 19% to about 46% w / w, from about 20% to about 45% w / w, from about 21% to about 44% w / w, from about 22% to about 43% w / w, from about 23% to about 42% w / w, from about 24% to about 41% w / w, from about 25% to about 40% w / w, from about 26% to about 39% w / w, from about 27% to about 38% w / w, from about 28% to about 37% w / w, from about 29% to about 36% w / w, from about 30% to about 35% w / w, from about 31 % to about 34% w / w, from about 32% to about 33% w / w. In another particular embodiment of the present invention the thymol concentration is about 5 - 40 % (w / w), preferably about 10 - 20 % (w / w). In especially preferred embodiments of the inventive composition, the composition comprises about 5% w / w thymol, about 10% w / w thymol or about 15% w / w thymol. Also part of the invention are compositions according to the invention in which the amount of thymol in the composition is in a range “between” the respective bracketing values of any of the above ranges.

[0159] In further embodiments of the invention, the composition comprises thymol in an amount of about 2-60% w / w, preferably about 5-40% w / w or more preferably about 10-20% w / w, most preferably in an amount of about 15% w / w. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the composition comprises about 5% w / w thymol. In another particularly preferred embodiment, the composition comprises about 10% w / w thymol.

[0160] The pest control composition according to the second aspect of the invention additionally comprises a stabilizer. A “stabilizer” is to be understood in the sense set out hereinabove. A stabilizer may advantageously be at least one compound chosen from the list consisting of: vanillin, vanillin acetate, ortho-vanillin, isovanillin, and 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenz-aldehyde, alginate, agar, carrageen, cellulose, cellulose derivatives, gelatin, guar gum, gum Arabic, locust bean gum, pectin, starch, xanthan gum, coconut oil, PPG-20 Methyl Glucose Ether and Acetyl Hexamethyl Indan.

[0161] The cellulose derivatives are preferably selected from one or more of the group consisting of cellulose acetate, cellulose gum, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, methylcellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC).

[0162] The pest control composition according to the first aspect of the invention comprises an aldehyde (A), which may function i.a. as a stabilizer.

[0163] An especially preferred stabilizer is vanillin. Vanillin, also known as 4-hydroxy-3- methoxybenzaldehyde, is a phenolic aldehyde. It can also be present in the pest control composition of the first aspect of the invention as an aldehyde (A). Naturally occurring as an extract from vanilla bean, synthetic vanillin is used as a flavoring agent in foods, beverages, and pharmaceutical products. Vanillin has the following chemical structure:

[0164] Vanillin may advantageously be utilized in the composition of the present invention as a stabilizer, and also simultaneously lends its own pleasant fragrance to the composition, as well as enhances the natural fragrance of other components, e.g. thymol, if thymol is present. Without being bound by theory, vanillin appears to prevent the active ingredient(s) from changing its form(s) or chemical nature(s). Without being bound by theory, vanillin may exert its stabilizing, or fixative, effect at least partially via pi-electron stacking interactions between active ingredients and vanillin’s phenolic ring, thus decreasing the propensity of thymol to evaporate and, conversely, thereby increasing the persistence time of thymol in the inventive composition following application to a surface, article of manufacture or object to which said composition is applied.

[0165] The pest control composition of the second aspect of the invention may comprises a stabilizer in any amount. Preferably, the stabilizer is present in an amount of up to 60% w / w, more preferably up to 50% w / w, or even more preferably up to 40% w / w of the composition of the invention. The stabilizer is further preferably present in a concentration of about 10 - 60 % (w / w), more preferably about 15 - 40 % (w / w), even more preferably about 20 - 30 % (w / w). For instance, the stabilizer, in particular vanillin, may be present in the composition of the invention in a concentration of about 5% w / w, about 10% w / w, about 15% w / w, about 20% w / w, about 25% w / w, about 30% w / w, about 35% w / w, about 40% w / w, about 45% w / w, or about 50% w / w of the composition of the invention.

[0166] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the pest control composition of the invention comprises about 30% w / w vanillin or about 40% w / w vanillin. In another particularly preferred embodiment, the pest control composition of the invention comprises about 15% w / w thymol and about 30% w / w vanillin. In another particularly preferred embodiment invention, pest control composition of the invention comprises about 20% w / w thymol and about 40% w / w vanillin. In another particularly preferred embodiment, the pest control composition of the invention comprises about 5% w / w thymol and about 10% w / w vanillin. In another particularly preferred embodiment, the pest control composition of the invention comprises about 5% w / w thymol and about 15% w / w vanillin. In another particularly preferred embodiment, the pest control composition of the invention comprises about 10% w / w thymol and about 20% w / w vanillin.

[0167] Generally, the weight ratio of active, pest repellent ingredient(s) to vanillin is preferably between 1 :1 and 1 :4, more preferably 1 :1 and 1 :3, and even more preferably 1 :2. For instance, in preferred embodiments, the composition of the invention comprises thymol and vanillin, and the thymol / vanillin weight ratio is advantageously about 1 :1 - 1 :4, about 1 :1 - 1 :3, or between about 1 :1 and about 1 :3. An especially advantageous thymol / vanillin weight ratio in the inventive composition is about 1 :2.

[0168] The vanillin is advantageously of natural origin in the sense set out hereinabove, meaning that, even if produced synthetically, the chemical structure of vanillin to be used in the inventive composition is chemically indistinguishable from vanillin isolated directly from natural sources. Of course, the vanillin in the inventive composition can also be isolated from natural sources. In one embodiment, vanillin is incorporated into the inventive composition in purified form.

[0169] The pest control composition of the second aspect of the present invention also comprises a solvent. The pest control composition of the first aspect of the present invention comprises a carrier and / or a solvent. Other aspects of the invention also require a solvent. The solvents described below belong to pest control composition of any aspect of the invention , unless otherwise indicated.

[0170] The solvent is preferably selected from the group consisting of oil, or an organic solvent, and may be hydrophilic, hydrophobic or amphiphilic in nature. The solvent is preferably present in a concentration of about 20 - 60 % (w / w), preferably about 30 - 50 % (w / w), more preferably about 35 - 45 % (w / w). Preferred solvents include jojoba oil, sulfonated castor oil, ethanol, isopropanol, hexadecane, propylene glycol, propylene glycol n-butyl ether, propylene glycol methyl ether acetate, propylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether, ethylene glycol methyl ether and hexylene glycol or any combination thereof. Another preferred solvent is glycerol, preferably in a concentration of about 10 - 60 % w / w of the composition. In other preferred solvent is hexadecane.

[0171] The carrier and / or solvent is further preferably selected from one or more of the group consisting of an oil, a diol, and an alcohol.

[0172] The oil is preferably selected from one or more of the group consisting of petroleum oil, diesel oil, bio-diesel oil, waste oil, waste cooking oil, vegetable oils, polyunsaturated vegetable oil, olive oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, sesame oil, palm oil, soy oil, castor oil, sulfonated castor oil, peanut oil, avocado oil, argan oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, cinnamon oil, jojoba oil, seed oil, citronella oil, coconut oil, neem oil, thyme oil, lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, orange sweet oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil, basil oil, lemongrass oil, geranium oil, clove oil, patchouli oil, catnip oil, anise oil, sage oil, frankincense oil, cedarwood oil, microbial oils, bacterial oil, yeast oil, and algae oil.

[0173] The term “waste oil”, as used herein, designates used or discarded oils from industrial or mechanical applications such as engine, hydraulic, and gear oils or lubricants.

[0174] The term “waste cooking oil”, as used herein, designates one or more edible oils used in food preparation (e.g., frying, baking) such as soy oil, sunflower oil, canola oil etc. These edible oils were used and discarded by households, restaurants or for other purposes.

[0175] The diol is preferably an alkane diol, more preferably selected from the group consisting of one or more of 1 ,3-propanediol, 1 ,4-butanediol, 1 ,5-pentanediol, 1 ,6-hexanediol, 1 ,8- octanediol, methylpropanediol, and isopentyldiol, in particular 1 ,5-pentanediol.

[0176] The alcohol is preferably selected from the group consisting of one or more of ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, butyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, and hexyl alcohol.

[0177] Other preferred solvents are deep eutectic solvents, which are classified as types of ionic solvents with special properties. These solvent systems are formed from a eutectic mixture of Lewis or Bronsted acids and bases and can contain a variety of anionic and / or cationic species.

[0178] A preferred solvent is an amphiphilic solvent. An amphiphile is a chemical compound possessing both hydrophilic and lipophilic properties. Amphiphilic solvents are capable of solubilizing the terpenoid / phenolic compounds in the aqueous layer of a biphasic mixture. Preferred amphiphilic solvents of the composition of the invention include propylene glycol, propylene glycol n-butyl ether, propylene glycol methyl ether acetate, propylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether, ethylene glycol methyl ether and hexylene glycol, or combinations thereof.

[0179] An especially preferred solvent of the pest control composition of first aspect or the pest control composition of the second aspect of the invention is an alpha-omega alkyl diol. An especially preferred alpha-omega alkyl diol is pentylene glycol, known as 1 ,5-pentanediol. 1 ,5- pentanediol is a viscous, colorless low molecular weight solvent. It also shows interesting antimicrobial-boosting properties. Preferably, in the pest control composition of the first or second aspect of the invention, 1 ,5-pentanediol is present in a concentration of about 10 - 80% w / w, about 20 - 70% w / w, about 30 - 60% w / w or about 40 - 50% w / w in the composition. In especially preferred embodiments, pest control composition comprises about 35% w / w or about 40% w / w 1 ,5-pentanediol.

[0180] In an especially preferred embodiment, the pest control composition of the first or second aspect of the invention comprises thymol, vanillin and 1 ,5-pentanediol.

[0181] In especially preferred embodiments, the pest composition of the first or second aspect of the invention comprises

[0182] • about 2 % w / w thymol, about 10 % w / w vanillin, about 30% w / w oil, and about 30% w / w 1 ,5-pentanediol;

[0183] • about 5 % w / w thymol, about 10 % w / w vanillin, about 30% w / w oil, and about 30% w / w 1 ,5-pentanediol;

[0184] • about 10 % w / w thymol, about 20 % w / w vanillin, about 30% w / w oil, and about 30% w / w 1 ,5-pentanediol;

[0185] • about 15 % w / w thymol, about 30% w / w vanillin, about 30% w / w oil and about 20% w / w 1 ,5-pentanediol;

[0186] • about 15 % w / w thymol, about 30% w / w vanillin, about 35% w / w oil and about 15 % w / w 1 ,5-pentanediol;

[0187] • about 2 % w / w thymol, about 10 % w / w vanillin, and about 40 % w / w oil,

[0188] • about 5 % w / w thymol, about 10 % w / w vanillin, and about 40 % w / w oil,

[0189] • about 10 % w / w thymol, about 20 % w / w vanillin, and about 40 % w / w oil, • about 15 % w / w thymol, about 30 % w / w vanillin, and about 50 % w / w oil,

[0190] • about 2 % w / w thymol, about 10% w / w vanillin, about 0.1 % w / w fatty acid (F), and about 35% w / w 1,5-pentanediol;

[0191] • about 5 % w / w thymol, about 10% w / w vanillin, about 0.5 % w / w fatty acid (F), and about 35% w / w 1,5-pentanediol;

[0192] • about 10 % w / w thymol, about 20% w / w vanillin, about 1 % w / w fatty acid (F), and about 35% w / w 1,5-pentanediol;

[0193] • about 2 % w / w thymol, about 10% w / w vanillin, about 5 % w / w fatty acid salts (FS), and about 35% w / w 1,5-pentanediol;

[0194] • about 5 % w / w thymol, about 10% w / w vanillin, about 5 % w / w fatty acid salts (FS), and about 35% w / w 1,5-pentanediol;

[0195] • about 10 % w / w thymol, about 20% w / w vanillin, about 10 % w / w fatty acid salts (FS), and about 35% w / w 1,5-pentanediol;

[0196] • about 2 % w / w thymol, about 10% w / w vanillin, about 1 % w / w lipopeptides (L), and about 35% w / w 1,5-pentanediol;

[0197] • about 5 % w / w thymol, about 10% w / w vanillin, about 5 % w / w lipopeptides (L), and about 35% w / w 1,5-pentanediol;

[0198] • about 10 % w / w thymol, about 20% w / w vanillin, about 10 % w / w lipopeptides (L), and about 35% w / w 1,5-pentanediol;

[0199] • about 2 % w / w thymol, about 10% w / w vanillin, about 0.1 % w / w fatty acid (F), about 5 % w / w fatty acid salts (FS), about 1 % w / w lipopeptides (L), and about 35% w / w 1,5- pentanediol;

[0200] • about 5 % w / w thymol, about 10% w / w vanillin, about 0.5 % w / w fatty acid (F), about 5 % w / w fatty acid salts (FS), about 5 % w / w lipopeptides (L), and about 35% w / w 1,5- pentanediol;

[0201] • about 10 % w / w thymol, about 20% w / w vanillin, about 1 % w / w fatty acid (F), about 10 % w / w fatty acid salts (FS), about 10 % w / w lipopeptides (L), and about 35% w / w 1,5-pentanediol;

[0202] • about 15 % w / w thymol, about 30% w / w vanillin and about 35% w / w 1 ,5-pentanediol; or

[0203] • about 15 % w / w thymol, about 30% w / w vanillin, about 1 % w / w fatty acid (F), about 5 % w / w fatty acid salts (FS), about 10 % w / w lipopeptides (L), and about 30% w / w 1 ,5- pentanediol.

[0204] Optionally, any of these embodiments may additionally comprise water or micellar water as a diluent. In further especially preferred embodiments, the pest control composition of the first or second aspect of the invention comprises

[0205] • about 2 % w / w thymol, about 10 % w / w vanillin, about 30% w / w oil, about 30% w / w

[0206] 1,5-pentanediol, and about 15% w / w water or micellar water;

[0207] • about 5 % w / w thymol, about 10 % w / w vanillin, about 30% w / w oil, about 30% w / w

[0208] 1,5-pentanediol, and about 10 % w / w water or micellar water;

[0209] • about 10 % w / w thymol, about 20 % w / w vanillin, about 30% w / w oil, about 25% w / w

[0210] 1,5-pentanediol, and about 5 % w / w water or micellar water;

[0211] • about 15 % w / w thymol, about 30% w / w vanillin, about 25 % w / w oil, about 20 % w / w

[0212] 1,5-pentanediol, and about 5 % w / w water or micellar water;

[0213] • about 15 % w / w thymol, about 30% w / w vanillin, about 30 % w / w oil, about 15 % w / w

[0214] 1,5-pentanediol, and about 5 % w / w water or micellar water;

[0215] • about 2 % w / w thymol, about 10 % w / w vanillin, about 40 % w / w oil, and about 10 % w / w water or micellar water;

[0216] • about 5 % w / w thymol, about 10 % w / w vanillin, about 40 % w / w oil, and about 10 % w / w water or micellar water;

[0217] • about 10 % w / w thymol, about 20 % w / w vanillin, about 40 % w / w oil, and about 10 % w / w water or micellar water;

[0218] • about 15 % w / w thymol, about 30 % w / w vanillin, about 40 % w / w oil, and about 5 % w / w water or micellar water;

[0219] • about 2 % w / w thymol, about 10% w / w vanillin, about 0.1 % w / w fatty acid (F), about 35% w / w 1,5-pentanediol, and about 25 % w / w water or micellar water;

[0220] • about 5 % w / w thymol, about 10% w / w vanillin, about 0.5 % w / w fatty acid (F), about 35% w / w 1,5-pentanediol, and about 20 % w / w water or micellar water;

[0221] • about 10 % w / w thymol, about 20% w / w vanillin, about 1 % w / w fatty acid (F), about 35% w / w 1,5-pentanediol, and about 15 % w / w water or micellar water;

[0222] • about 2 % w / w thymol, about 10% w / w vanillin, about 5 % w / w fatty acid salts (FS), about 35% w / w 1,5-pentanediol, and about 25 % w / w water or micellar water;

[0223] • about 5 % w / w thymol, about 10% w / w vanillin, about 5 % w / w fatty acid salts (FS), about 35% w / w 1,5-pentanediol, and about 25 % w / w water or micellar water;

[0224] • about 10 % w / w thymol, about 20% w / w vanillin, about 10 % w / w fatty acid salts (FS), about 35% w / w 1,5-pentanediol, and about 15 % w / w water or micellar water;

[0225] • about 2 % w / w thymol, about 10% w / w vanillin, about 1 % w / w lipopeptides (L), about 35% w / w 1,5-pentanediol, and about 25 % w / w water or micellar water;

[0226] • about 5 % w / w thymol, about 10% w / w vanillin, about 5 % w / w lipopeptides (L), about 35% w / w 1,5-pentanediol, and about 25 % w / w water or micellar water; • about 10 % w / w thymol, about 20% w / w vanillin, about 10 % w / w lipopeptides (L), about 35% w / w 1 ,5-pentanediol, and about 15 % w / w water or micellar water;

[0227] • about 2 % w / w thymol, about 10% w / w vanillin, about 0.1 % w / w fatty acid (F), about 5 % w / w fatty acid salts (FS), about 1 % w / w lipopeptides (L), about 35% w / w 1 ,5- pentanediol, and about 25 % w / w water or micellar water;

[0228] • about 5 % w / w thymol, about 10% w / w vanillin, about 0.5 % w / w fatty acid (F), about 5 % w / w fatty acid salts (FS), about 5 % w / w lipopeptides (L), about 35% w / w 1 ,5- pentanediol, and about 20 % w / w water or micellar water;

[0229] • about 10 % w / w thymol, about 20% w / w vanillin, about 1 % w / w fatty acid (F), about 10 % w / w fatty acid salts (FS), about 10 % w / w lipopeptides (L), about 35% w / w 1 ,5- pentanediol, and about 5 % w / w water or micellar water;

[0230] • about 15 % w / w thymol, about 30% w / w vanillin, about 35% w / w 1 ,5-pentanediol, and about 5 % w / w water or micellar water; or

[0231] • about 15 % w / w thymol, about 30% w / w vanillin, about 1 % w / w fatty acid (F), about 5 % w / w fatty acid salts (FS), about 10 % w / w lipopeptides (L), about 30% w / w 1 ,5- pentanediol, and about 5 % w / w water or micellar water.

[0232] In one embodiment, the present formulation may be supplied as part of an apparatus, e.g. atmospheric distribution unit with ventilation holes suitable for facilities such as barns, animal care facilities or stables. An electric heating element or an active ventilation element (e.g. minifan) may be used to increase air flow through the interior of the unit and promote evaporation and diffusion of the composition to the ambient environment, thus imparting its pest repellent activity to an entire facility.

[0233] The pest control compositions of the invention are effective in repelling pests. For example, the inventive compositions are effective in repelling mosquitoes such as Aedes Aegypti, and flies, among other insects, as well as ticks, e.g. from human and non-human animal hosts, as well as from agricultural products, such as seeds and crops, in which such pests may feed. The present formulations can be sprayed on or nearby agricultural crops, and, in addition to the activity in repelling aphids, should also be effective in repelling thrips, white fly, moths and spider mites, among other pests. Therefore, the inventive compositions can be used for increasing production of a livestock-produced product such as milk and / or meat and / or eggs in livestock, or for increasing agricultural production.

[0234] The use of a carrier or solvent such as 1 ,5-pentanediol, a phenol such as thymol, and an aldehyde / stabilizer such as vanillin in combination with either one or more of a free fatty acid, a fatty acid salt, and a lipopeptide, or with an oil, selected from the group consisting of rapeseed oil, soybean oil and diesel oil, offers a novel pest, e.g. insect, repellent composition that can be safely used by humans including infants and pregnant or lactating women, and it can also be safely applied on animals or plants. The compositions of the invention can be administered once, twice, thrice, or even more often per day. Environmentally safe (even to bees) and biodegradable, these novel pest control compositions can also be used for agricultural crop protection from harmful pests.

[0235] In another embodiment, the solvent of the composition of the invention may comprise liposomes. Liposomes are spherical vesicles consisting of one or more phospholipid bilayers that are used as a vehicle for delivery or administration of an active ingredient. Liposomes can be prepared by methods known to the skilled person, e.g. by disrupting biological membranes and reconstituting the disrupted mixture. Liposomes should not be confused with micelles, as the latter is composed of a single monolayer, whereas liposomes comprise one or more lipid bilayers. Liposomes have been used as carriers for different applications in dermatology and cosmetics. In another embodiment, therefore, the solvent of the composition of the invention comprises 1 ,5-pentanediol, liposomes, or a combination thereof. It is understood that this option is freely combinable with, and therefore disclosed in conjunction with any of the embodiments disclosed herein, e.g. any of the embodiments. In one embodiment, the composition of the invention comprises 1 ,5-pentanediol, thymol, a stabilizer such as vanillin, and water or micellar water as a diluent. As set out at other points herein, the composition may additionally comprise liposomes.

[0236] In all embodiments set out herein, it is preferred that all the components in the inventive composition, e.g. thymol, and stabilizer, e.g. vanillin, are completely solubilized in the solvent.

[0237] Preparation methods

[0238] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method of preparing the pest control composition according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein components a) a phenol (P), b) an aldehyde (A), and c) any one or more of the following: a free fatty acid (F), a fatty acid salt (FS), and a lipopeptide (L) are mixed and dissolved or diluted in d) a carrier and / or a solvent.

[0239] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method of preparing the pest control composition according to the second aspect of the invention, i.e. a composition comprising thymol, an oil selected from the group consisting of rapeseed oil, soybean oil and diesel oil, a stabilizer and a solvent. The method comprises: mixing the thymol, the oil selected from the group consisting of rapeseed oil, soybean oil and diesel oil, the stabilizer, and the solvent; and dissolving the thymol, the oil selected from the group consisting of rapeseed oil, soybean oil and diesel oil, and the stabilizer in the solvent by incubating the mixture at a temperature and for a duration of time sufficient to solubilize the thymol, the oil selected from the group consisting of rapeseed oil, soybean oil and diesel oil, and the stabilizer in the solvent.

[0240] In certain embodiments, the pest control compositions of the invention do not comprise, i.e. lack, N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET). In certain further embodiments, the pest control compositions of the invention do not comprise, i.e. lack, 1-(1-methylpropoxycarbonyl)-2-(2- hydroxyethyl)piperidine (icaridin). In certain further embodiments, the pest control compositions of the invention do not comprise, i.e. lack, 3-[N-butyl-N-acetyl]-aminopropionic acid, ethyl ester (EBAAP). In certain further embodiments, the pest control compositions of the invention do not comprise, i.e. lack, any binary or tertiary combination of DEET, icaridin and EBAAP. In certain further embodiments, the pest control compositions of the invention do not comprise, i.e. lack, each of DEET, icaridin and EBAAP. In the context of the present preparation method, then, this means that it is especially preferred that the methods do not comprise a step of adding this compound or these compounds.

[0241] The inventors have surprisingly found that optimal results may be achieved by adjusting the temperature at which dissolving the phenol such as thymol is carried out, as well as by adjusting the duration of time for which incubation at the adjusted temperature is performed. In the event that the temperature and time of the dissolution is not optimized, the phenol such as thymol may not be optially dissolved, leading to later difficulties in application e.g. for reasons of non-optimal, e.g. heterogeneous, consistency of the composition before, during, and / or following application. While a homogeneous, monophasic solution is preferred, the final composition resulting from the method as discussed herein may also be biphasic, with the active agents, e.g. phenol such as thymol and aldehyde / stabilizer such as vanillin partitioning between lipophilic and aqueous phases to various extents depending on the makeup of each of these phases (e.g. concentration of micelles or liposomes in the aqueous phase), and / or depending on the conditions (e.g. conditions relating to temperature and duration, that is incubation time at a particular temperature) under which the dissolution described above is performed. Generally though, it will be most preferred that all ingredients of the compositions of the invention are present in a homogeneous, monophasic state, and the optimization of the method for the compositions’ production help ensure that the state can be achieved.

[0242] For instance, in making the compositions, it is preferred to use pure phenol such as thymol. This terpenoid has a low natural solubility in just water, posing a challenge for compositions intended for application, as such compositions typically contain at least some, and sometimes a significant amount of water, e.g. pure water or micellar water. In order to address this challenge, the inventors have surprisingly found that, following mixing of the phenol such as thymol with the remaining components of the pest control composition according to the first or second aspect of the invention, e.g. an alpha-omega alkyl diol such as 1 ,5-pentanediol as solvent / carrier, dissolution of the phenol such as thymol is significantly promoted by heating the solvent to a temperature of about 40-60°C or between 40°C and 60°C, preferably about 45-55°C or between 45°C and 55°C, and most preferably to a temperature of about 50°C. At this temperature, the phenol such as thymol and the aldehyde / stabilizer (if initially solid), dissolve readily in the solvent, e.g. an alpha-omega alkyl diol such as 1 ,5-pentanediol. At the same time, one must also take care to limit the incubation time at such an elevated temperature to a duration no greater than necessary to solubilize the phenol such as thymol, as prolonging incubation time beyond this minimal duration runs the risk of thermally degrading the phenol such as thymol and / or the aldehyde / stabilizer, thereby jeopardizing the subsequent advantageous pest repellent effect of the resulting composition. To this end, the inventors have found that a duration of incubation at a temperature as indicated above is advantageously from about 30 seconds to about 2 minutes; or between about 30 seconds and about 2 minutes, preferably about 45 seconds to about 1.5 minutes; or between about 45 seconds and about 1.5 minutes, and most preferably about 1 minute. Thus, heating the mixture of phenol such as thymol, and an aldehyde / stabilizer, at an appropriate temperature, e.g. about 50°C, for an appropriate time, e.g. about 1 minute, advantageously balances providing sufficient heating to achieve the desired dissolution while avoiding prolonged heat as may disadvantageously attenuate the desired pest repellent effects of the resulting composition.

[0243] The inventors have surprisingly found that by dissolving the phenol such as thymol and the remaining components of the pest control composition of the first or second aspect of the invention in a carrier / solvent, e.g. in an alpha-omega alkyl diol such as 1 ,5-pentanediol, according to the above method results in a solution which can then be made aqueous by the addition of e.g. water or micellar water, without the formation of a biphasic mixture. That is, by adhering to the above method, the inventors have found a way of preparing compositions comprising an aldehyde such as thymol and the remaining components of the pest control composition of the first or second aspect of the invention, which may subsequently be made aqueous to virtually any desired extent while retaining the homogeneity of a monophasic solution which lends itself well to uniform application without the need for shaking prior to application and, for larger industrial, e.g. agricultural application, obviating an additional apparatus to maintain homogeneity, e.g. by stirring, shaking, jiggling and the like.

[0244] It is to be understood that the embodiments disclosed above in the context of the inventive compositions per se, e.g. relating to specific amounts of phenol such as thymol, aldehyde / stabilizer such as vanillin and other components of the pest control composition of the first or second aspect of the invention, apply correspondingly to the present disclosure of corresponding preparation methods. It is only for reasons of brevity that these embodiments are not repeated here, in the context of preparation methods. The skilled person, however, understands that this disclosure equally applies to these preparation methods.

[0245] An additional aspect of the invention relates to compositions prepared (or preparable) by the above methods. Such compositions clearly differ from, and have an advantage over, comparable mixtures of the same components not prepared by the above methods, especially when such compositions are or are rendered aqueous, as other compositions not prepared by the above method will typically not remain uniformly homogeneous. The above methods thus have the important advantage of ensuring homogeneity in the resulting compositions, even when the compositions are subsequently rendered aqueous, e.g. by addition of a diluent such as water or micellar water.

[0246] Uses

[0247] The invention relates to pest control compositions, i.e. to compositions suitable for pest control or as pest repellent. In particular, the pest control compositions are used for increasing the production of a livestock-produced product such as milk and / or meat and / or eggs in livestock, or for increasing agricultural production. As described herein, the inventive compositions allow the achievement of an advantageous pest repellent activity rivaling that of the benchmark standard DEET, yet without the negative, and / or irritating effects associated with of the latter or other common synthetic pest repellents when applying the inventive compositions to animals, in particular livestock. The avoidance of such unwanted side effects associated with DEET entails many advantages. For example, unlike other compositions currently on the market, the inventive compositions are suitable for achieving pest repellent activity not only in livestock, but also in user cohorts of greater sensitivity, e.g. infants, toddlers, young children, lactating and / or breast-feeding women, as well as in, or on inanimate objects or articles with which such sensitive cohorts typically come into contact.

[0248] A related preferred embodiment relates to a use of the inventive compositions as set out herein as pest repellents in an agricultural setting. This includes use of the inventive compositions as set out herein as pest repellents on and / or in the vicinity of crops ultimately intended for animal and / or human consumption. This also includes use of the inventive compositions as set out herein as pest repellents on and / or in the vicinity of livestock, e.g. livestock intended for animal and / or human consumption. The livestock is preferably cattle. It is understood here that the benefits that can be achieved by such use include a reduction in diseases borne by pest vectors in humans as well as non-human animals, in particular livestock. It is however also understood that such benefits extend to further non-therapeutic areas such as an increase in production of a livestock-produced product such as milk and / or meat and / or eggs in livestock, and to the protection of crops from predation by pests, with an attendant advantageous increase in crop yield leading to a decrease in the amount of crops lost to pest predation.

[0249] It is to be understood that the embodiments disclosed above in the context of the inventive compositions per se, e.g. relating to specific amounts of components forming part of the compositions, apply correspondingly to the uses described above. It is only for reasons of brevity that such embodiments are not repeated here, in the context of uses. The skilled person, however, understands that this disclosure applies equally to these uses.

[0250] Method of treating an article of manufacture and method of controlling pests

[0251] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method of treating an article of manufacture with the inventive compositions as set out herein. The method comprises applying an inventive composition as set out herein to the surface of the article of manufacture and / or impregnating the article of manufacture with the compositions as set out herein.

[0252] In a further embodiment, the article of manufacture may be understood as a livestock facility or parts thereof, a barn or parts thereof, a stable or parts thereof or a milking machine or parts thereof.

[0253] A related aspect of the invention relates to a method of controlling a pest. The method comprises treating a surface to be rendered pest controlled (i.e. pest repellent) with the inventive composition as set out herein. In the event said surface is the surface of an article of manufacture, for example a livestock facility, a barn, a stable or a milking machine or the like, said treatment may take the form of application of the inventive composition to the surface of said article of manufacture. Depending on the nature of the article of manufacture, said treatment may, alternatively or additionally, take the form of impregnating the article of manufacture with the inventive composition. In the event said surface is a skin surface, a hide or a fur, said treatment may take the form of application of the inventive composition to the surface of the skin, the hide or the fur. Suitable and preferred modes of applying the inventive composition are disclosed herein.

[0254] It is to be understood that the embodiments disclosed above in the context of the inventive compositions per se, e.g. relating to specific amounts of components forming part of the compositions, apply correspondingly to the present methods. It is only for reasons of brevity that such embodiments are not repeated here, in the context of methods. The skilled person, however, understands that this disclosure applies equally to methods.

[0255] Method of treating an agricultural product and related uses A further related aspect of the invention relates to a method of treating an agricultural product with the inventive composition as set out herein. The method comprises applying the inventive pest control compositions to an agricultural product, e.g. a crop.

[0256] It is to be understood that an agricultural product may be an agricultural product which is still growing, e.g. still on the field or in the greenhouse, prior to harvest and distribution. The agricultural product may also be the product following harvest. In the broadest sense, the agricultural product may therefore be a crop anywhere in the chain of events from growth, through harvest, to distribution to and purchase by the consumer or manufacturer.

[0257] Treatment of an agricultural product with the inventive pest control compositions has the advantage that pests which would otherwise feed on the agricultural product are deterred from doing so, thereby increasing the marketable yield of the agricultural product. Pests which may advantageously be deterred from feeding on the agricultural product include Hemipteran pests, e.g. cicadas, aphids, planthoppers, leafhoppers, or shield bugs. Other pests may include e.g. thrips, Lepidopteran, Dipteran, and Coleopteran larvae, spider mites, locusts or crickets. Agricultural products amenable to such treatment include: vegetables and grains such as rice, wheat, soybean, tomato, corn, potatoes and flowering trees and bushes, for example apples, oranges, olives, coconuts, roses and lilies, as well as the harvested produce thereof. The most typical mode of treating an agricultural product with the inventive composition will usually be by spraying, although it is also conceivable to treat the agricultural product with the inventive composition by seed impregnation and or microencapsulation technology. Accordingly, the agricultural product also includes seeds.

[0258] This advantageously extends the duration of pest repellent activity, allowing more time for shipping from field to market while reducing or excluding any loss of agricultural product due to pest predation.

[0259] A related aspect of the invention relates to use of the inventive pest control compositions as agricultural pest repellents. The advantages associated with such a use are set out above in the context of related methods of treating an agricultural product.

[0260] It is to be understood that the embodiments disclosed above in the context of the inventive compositions per se, e.g. e.g. relating to specific amounts of components forming part of the compositions, apply correspondingly to the present methods. It is only for reasons of brevity that such embodiments are not repeated here, in the context of methods. The skilled person, however, understands that this disclosure applies equally to the present methods.

[0261] Non-therapeutic methods of treating livestock A further related aspect of the invention relates to a method of treating livestock with the inventive composition as set out herein. The method comprises applying the inventive pest control compositions to livestock, in particular cattle.

[0262] A still further aspect of the invention relates to a method of increasing the production or yield of a livestock-produced product such as for instance milk, meat or eggs, said method comprising the step of applying a composition according to the present invention, for instance a pest control composition according to the first aspect or according to the second aspect, to said livestock and optionally repeating such application, wherein the production or yield of the livestock- produced product obtained following application of said composition is greater than the yield of the livestock- produced product obtained without such application. Said method can also comprise the step of subsequently collecting said livestock-produced product. It is understood that such method is non-therapeutic.

[0263] A still further aspect of the invention relates to a method of increasing the production or yield of a livestock-produced product such as for instance milk, meat or eggs, said method comprising the step of applying to said livestock a pest control composition comprising thymol, a stabilizer and a solvent, wherein the stabilizer is preferably vanillin and the solvent is a preferably an alpha-omega alkyl diol, preferably 1 ,5-pentanediol, and optionally repeating such application, wherein the production or yield of the livestock-produced product obtained following application of said composition is greater than the yield of the livestock- produced product obtained without such application. Said method can also comprise the step of subsequently collecting said livestock-produced product. It is understood that such method is non-therapeutic.

[0264] After application of the formulation (e.g. by spraying), a pest such as ticks or flies will leave the livestock, e.g. cattle and the amount of livestock-produced product will increase. The need for re-application will depend i.a. on the question of whether or not a small amount of pests can be tolerated. If so, then re-application may be performed after a period of about 7 to 10 days. If full protection is desired, then re-application may be carried out after about 3 days.

[0265] Use in medical methods of prevention

[0266] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method of preventing a pest-borne disease, comprising applying the above inventive pest control compositions, for instance a pest control composition according to the first aspect or according to the second aspect, to a human or non-human animal. A related aspect of the invention relates to the above inventive pest control compositions, for instance a pest control composition according to the first aspect or according to the second aspect, for use in a method of preventing pest-born disease. Said method comprises applying the above inventive compositions to a human or non-human animal, for example in livestock. Advantages related to repelling pests, many of which are known to be disease-bearing vectors, are described herein. For example, in one preferred embodiment, the pest may advantageously be chosen from the group consisting of: a member of the class insecta, for example a mosquito, for example a mosquito of the subfamily Anophelinae or Culicinae, for example belonging to the genus Aedeomyia, Aedes, Anopheles, Armigeres, Ayurakitia, Borachinda, Coquillettidia, Culex, Culiseta, Deinocerites, Eretmapodites, Ficalbia, Galindomyia, Haemagogus, Haematobia, Heizmannia, Hodgesia, Isostomyia, Johnbelkinia, Kimia, Limatus, Lutzia, Malaya, Mansonia, Maorigoeldia, Mimomyia, Onirion, Opifex, Orthopodomyia, Psorophora, Runchomyia, Sabethes, Shannoniana, Stomoxys, Topomyia, Toxorhynchites, Trichoprosopon, Tripteroides, Udaya, Uranotaenia, Verrallina, or Wyeomyia. An insect “pest” as used herein may also for example be a flea, for example a flea of the order Siphonaptera. An insect “pest” as used herein may also for example be a fly, for example a fly of the order Diptera. An insect “pest” as used herein may also for example be an aphid, for example an aphid of the order Hemiptera, for example belonging to the suborder Sternorrhyncha, for example belonging to the infraorder Aphidomorpha, for example belonging to the Superfamily Aphidoidea. A “pest” as used herein may also be a member of the class arachnida, for example a tick For example belonging to the genus Amblyomma, Anomalohimalaya, Bothriocroton, Cosmiomma, Cornupalpatum, Compluriscutula, Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma, Ixodes, Margaropus, Nosomma, Rhipicentor, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus), Antricola, Argas, Nothoaspis, Ornithodoros, Otobius or Nuttalliella. A “pest” as used herein may also be a member of the class arachnida, for example a chigger or Trombiculidae, for example belonging to the genus Acomatacarus, Afropolonia, Anahuacia, Ascoschoengastia, Axiogastia, Blankaartia, Brunehaldia, Chatia, Cheladonta, Doloisia, Euschoengastia, Eutrombicula, Gahrliepia, Guntherana, Guntheria, Hannemania, Heaslipia, Hirsutiella, Kayella, Leptotrombidium, Microtrombicula, Miyatrombicula, Neoschoengastia, Neotrombicula, Novotrombicula, Ornithogastia, Parasecia, Pseudoschoengastia, Schoengastiella, Schoutedenichia, Speleocola, Trombicula or Whartonia. A “pest” as used herein can also be a bird selected from the group consisting of a starling of the genus Sturnus, a sparrow, in particular of the genus Passer, and a crow of the genus Corvus.

[0267] In a related preferred embodiment, the pest-born disease may advantageously be chosen from the group consisting of: malaria, Lyme disease, Dengue fever, yellow fever, Zika virus, lymphatic filariasis, Japanese encephalitis, West Nile virus, chikungunya, filariasis, tularemia, dirofilariasis, Saint Louis encephalitis, Western equine encephalitis, Eastern equine encephalitis, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, Ross River fever, Barmah Forest fever, La Crosse encephalitis, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, Relapsing fever, Rickettsial diseases (e.g. spotted fever and Q fever), Tick-borne encephalitis, Tularaemia and plague and Rickettsiosis.

[0268] In an especially preferred embodiment, the pest is the Anopheles mosquito and the pest-born disease is malaria. In another especially preferred embodiment, the pest is a tick and the pest- born disease is Lyme disease. In another especially preferred embodiment, the pest is Aedes aegypti and the pest-born disease is Dengue fever. In another especially preferred embodiment, the pest is Aedes species and the pest-born disease is Zika virus. In another especially preferred embodiment, the pest is Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes and Mansonia species and the pest-born disease is lymphatic filariasis. In another especially preferred embodiment, the pest is Culex species and the pest-born disease is Japanese encephalitis.

[0269] It is to be understood that the embodiments disclosed above in the context of the inventive compositions per se, e.g. relating to specific amounts of components forming part of the compositions, apply correspondingly to the present corresponding methods of prevention and medical uses. It is only for reasons of brevity that such embodiments are not repeated here, in the context of methods of prevention and medical uses. The skilled person, however, understands that this disclosure applies equally to methods of prevention and medical uses.

[0270] Apparatus

[0271] A further aspect of the invention relates to an apparatus, preferably a pest control apparatus, said apparatus comprising a main body defining an inner space and comprising at least one vent hole, said main body comprising within said inner space a carrier disposed at one or more locations within said inner space of said main body, said carrier comprising the inventive composition set out herein, preferably inventive pest repellent composition set out herein. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus contains a heating element sufficient to heat the carrier and promote evaporation of the inventive composition comprised therein. For example, the heating element may be an electrical heating element which is activated by plugging the apparatus into an electrical socket. Once evaporated, the inventive composition saturates the air within the inner space, and exits the inner space through the vent hole into the ambient environment. In this way, the ambient environment also becomes saturated with the evaporated inventive composition. In this way, the atmosphere of a livestock facility, e.g. a barn, may be advantageously saturated with the inventive composition, with the result that pests will leave or avoid entering that facility, thus protecting animals in that room, e.g. cattle, from predation by such pests.

[0272] It is to be understood that the embodiments disclosed above in the context of the inventive compositions per se, e.g. relating to specific amounts of components forming part of the compositions, apply correspondingly to the present disclosure of a corresponding apparatus. It is only for reasons of brevity that such embodiments are not repeated here, in the context of an apparatus. The skilled person, however, understands that this disclosure applies equally to the apparatus disclosed above.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A pest control composition comprising a) a phenol (P), b) an aldehyde (A), c) any one or more of the following: a free fatty acid (F), a fatty acid salt (FS), and a lipopeptide (L), and d) a carrier and / or a solvent.

2. The pest control composition according to claim 1 , wherein the phenol (P) is selected from the group consisting of thymol, thymol acetate, thymol dichloroacetate, thymol trichloroacetate, thymol ethyl ether, thymol propionate, thymol benzoate, and thymol glucoside.

3. The pest control composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the aldehyde (A) is selected from the group consisting of vanillin, vanillin acetate, ortho-vanillin, isovanillin, and 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde.

4. The pest control composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the free fatty acid (F) is selected from the group consisting of saturated and unsaturated C8-C20 fatty acids, in particular selected from the group consisting of octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, dodecanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid, and icosanoic acid; and / or the fatty acid salt (FS) is selected from the group consisting of potassium and sodium salts of saturated and unsaturated C8-C20 fatty acids, in particular selected from the group consisting of potassium salts of saturated and unsaturated C8-C18 fatty acids.

5. The pest control composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lipopeptide (L) is selected from the group consisting of a non-ribosomal lipopeptide, a ribosomal lipopeptide, a synthetic lipopetide, a hybrid thereof and a combination thereof, said non-ribosomal lipopeptide being preferably selected from the group consisting of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) lipopeptides, surfactin, cylcomarins, and prenylated diketopiperazines, andsaid ribosomal lipopeptide being preferably selected from the group consisting of lipolanthines, goadvionins, albopeptins, selidamides, and cyanobactins.

6. The pest control composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the carrier and / or solvent is selected from one or more of the group consisting of an oil, a diol, and an alcohol, said oil being preferably selected from the group consisting of petroleum oil, diesel oil, bio-diesel oil, waste oil, waste cooking oil, vegetable oils, polyunsaturated vegetable oil, olive oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, sesame oil, palm oil, soy oil, castor oil, sulfonated castor oil, peanut oil, avocado oil, argan oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, cinnamon oil, jojoba oil, seed oil, citronella oil, coconut oil, neem oil, thyme oil, lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, orange sweet oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil, basil oil, lemongrass oil, geranium oil, clove oil, patchouli oil, catnip oil, anise oil, sage oil, frankincense oil, cedarwood oil, microbial oils, bacterial oil, yeast oil, and algae oil; said diol being preferably an alkane diol, more preferably selected from the group consisting of 1,3-propanediol, 1 ,4-butanediol, 1 ,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,8-octanediol, methylpropanediol, and isopentyldiol; and said alcohol being preferably selected from the group consisting of ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, butyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, and hexyl alcohol.

7. The pest control composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the concentration of• phenol (P) is about 2 - 40 % (w / w), preferably about 5 - 20 % (w / w),• aldehyde (A) is about 5 - 40 % (w / w), preferably about 10 - 30 % (w / w),• fatty acid (F), if present, is about 0.1 - 80 % (w / w), preferably about 2 - 40 % (w / w),• fatty acid salt (FS), if present, is about 2 - 80 % (w / w), preferably about 5 - 40 % (w / w),• lipopeptide (L), if present, is about 0.1 - 10 % (w / w), preferably about 1 - 5 % (w / w), and / or• carrier and / or solvent is about 5 - 90 % (w / w).

8. A method of preparing the pest control composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein components a) a phenol (P), b) an aldehyde (A), andc) any one or more of the following: a free fatty acid (F), a fatty acid salt (FS), and a lipopeptide (L) are mixed and dissolved or diluted in d) a carrier and / or a solvent.

9. A pest control composition comprising thymol, an oil selected from the group consisting of rapeseed oil, soybean oil and diesel oil, a stabilizer and a solvent.

10. The pest control composition according to claim 9, wherein the stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of vanillin, alginate, agar, carrageen, cellulose, cellulose derivatives, gelatin, guar gum, gum Arabic, locust bean gum, pectin, starch, xanthan gum, coconut oil, PPG-20 Methyl Glucose Ether and Acetyl Hexamethyl Indan, in particular vanillin.

11. The pest control composition according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the solvent is selected form the group consisting of an alpha-omega alkyl diol, jojoba oil, sulfonated castor oil, ethanol, isopropanol, hexadecane, propylene glycol, propylene glycol n-butyl ether, propylene glycol methyl ether acetate, propylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether, ethylene glycol methyl ether and hexylene glycol.

12. The pest control composition according to any one of claims 9 to 11 , wherein the concentration of• thymol is about 2 - 60 % (w / w), preferably about 10 - 40 % (w / w), more preferably about 15 - 20 % (w / w),• oil is about 10 - 60 % (w / w), preferably about 20 - 50 % (w / w), more preferably about 30 - 40 % (w / w),• stabilizer is about 10 - 60 % (w / w), preferably about 15 - 40 % (w / w), more preferably about 20 - 30 % (w / w), and / or• solvent is about 20 - 60 % (w / w), preferably about 30 - 50 % (w / w), more preferably about 35 - 45 % (w / w).

13. A method of preparing a composition comprising thymol, an oil selected from the group consisting of rapeseed oil, soybean oil and diesel oil, a stabilizer and a solvent, said method comprising• mixing the thymol, the oil, the stabilizer, and the solvent; and• dissolving the thymol, the oil, and the stabilizer in the solvent by incubating the mixture at a temperature and for a duration of time sufficient to solubilize the thymol, the oil, and the stabilizer in the solvent.

14. A composition prepared by the method of claim 8 or 13.

15. The pest control composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or 9 to 12, wherein the pest belongs to the group consisting of• arthropods, including insecta and arachnida,• bacteria, fungi, and virus, and• birds.

16. Use of the pest control composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, 9 to 12, or15, or of the composition of claim 14 for increasing milk and / or meat production in livestock or for increasing agricultural production.

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