Bio-Inspired Pesticide: Veggie Oil Creates Sticky, Long-Lasting Pest Barrier

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Pest Oil

Vegetable oil, great for cooking AND protecting your vegetables. A new pesticide spray was inspired by sundew plant’s bug-trapping sticky leaves.

• Veggie-based triglyceride oils form sticky beads when sprayed

• Rain-resistant and lasts 3 months

• Immobilizes and kills small pests

Bees and other beneficial insects are large enough to avoid getting stuck, ensuring they continue helping plants thrive. The spray is safe for human ingestion, but more testing is needed before commercial use. No word on its anti-mosquito properties.

Source: PNAS

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