A self-assembled active agent may be formed by a process including covalently bonding at least a first component molecule and a second component molecule, the two component molecules displaying synergy such that the effective amount of the self-assembled active agent is lower than the sum of the effective amounts of the first component molecule and the second component molecule. The component molecules may be chosen such that the covalent bonding is reversible, for example through a hydrazone bond between an amine and an aldehyde. The active agent may thus have controllable activity such as an antimicrobial agent, a biocide, an antiviral agent, a preservative, an antifouling agent, a disinfectant, or a sensor agent, such as for a particular molecule or for pH.

A self-assembled active agent may be formed by a process including covalently bonding at least a first component molecule and a second component molecule, the two component molecules displaying synergy such that the effective amount of the self-assembled active agent is lower than the sum of the effective amounts of the first component molecule and the second component molecule. The component molecules may be chosen such that the covalent bonding is reversible, for example through a hydrazone bond between an amine and an aldehyde. The active agent may thus have controllable activity such as an antimicrobial agent, a biocide, an antiviral agent, a preservative, an antifouling agent, a disinfectant, or a sensor agent, such as for a particular molecule or for pH.

An insect repellent articles, such as tubular articles and patches, wherein an exemplary patch includes: a support film having a first major surface and a second major surface; a body-contacting pressure sensitive adhesive layer disposed on the first major surface; and a reservoir layer disposed on the second major surface, wherein the reservoir layer comprises an insect repellent incorporated within a polymeric carrier, and wherein the reservoir layer forms a non-contacting surface.

An insect repellent articles, such as tubular articles and patches, wherein an exemplary patch includes: a support film having a first major surface and a second major surface; a body-contacting pressure sensitive adhesive layer disposed on the first major surface; and a reservoir layer disposed on the second major surface, wherein the reservoir layer comprises an insect repellent incorporated within a polymeric carrier, and wherein the reservoir layer forms a non-contacting surface.

Compounds are used as agents that deter feeding by insect pests, such as Hemiptera, Lepidoptera and Coleoptera. Feeding deterrence is obtained by contact of the insect pests with at least one of the compounds of the structure (I) ##STR00001##
wherein R is —OH, ═O, —OC(O)R.sub.4, —OR.sub.6, or —(OR.sub.6).sub.2, each R.sub.6 is independently an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R.sub.4 is a branched or straight chain, saturated or unsaturated, hydrocarbyl group with zero to two double bonds and from 1 to 15 carbon atoms; X is O or CH.sub.2 with the proviso that when X is O, R can only be ═O; each Z is independently (CH) or (CH.sub.2); y is a numeral selected from 1 and 2; R.sub.1 is H or a branched or straight chain, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbyl group with zero to two double bonds and from 1 to 15 carbon atoms; R.sub.2 is H or a branched or straight chain, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbyl group with zero to three double bonds and from 1 to 15 carbon atoms; R.sub.3 is selected from H, a branched or straight chain, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbyl group with zero to three double bonds and from 1 to 15 carbon atoms, —(CH.sub.2).sub.nOH, —C(O)OR.sub.5, —CH.sub.2C(O)OR.sub.7, —CH.sub.2C(O)R.sub.8, —C(O)NR.sub.9R.sub.10, and —CH.sub.2C(O)NR.sub.11R.sub.12 where each of R.sub.5, R.sub.7, R.sub.8, R.sub.9, R.sub.10, R.sub.11 and R.sub.12 is independently selected from H and a branched or straight chain, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbyl group with zero to three double bonds and from 1 to 15 carbon atoms and n is an integer of from 1 to 12; the bond between the 2 and 3 positions in the ring structure may be a single or a double bond; and wherein the compounds of structure (I) contain from 9 to 20 total carbon atoms in the compounds.

Compounds are used as agents that deter feeding by insect pests, such as Hemiptera, Lepidoptera and Coleoptera. Feeding deterrence is obtained by contact of the insect pests with at least one of the compounds of the structure (I) ##STR00001##
wherein R is —OH, ═O, —OC(O)R.sub.4, —OR.sub.6, or —(OR.sub.6).sub.2, each R.sub.6 is independently an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R.sub.4 is a branched or straight chain, saturated or unsaturated, hydrocarbyl group with zero to two double bonds and from 1 to 15 carbon atoms; X is O or CH.sub.2 with the proviso that when X is O, R can only be ═O; each Z is independently (CH) or (CH.sub.2); y is a numeral selected from 1 and 2; R.sub.1 is H or a branched or straight chain, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbyl group with zero to two double bonds and from 1 to 15 carbon atoms; R.sub.2 is H or a branched or straight chain, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbyl group with zero to three double bonds and from 1 to 15 carbon atoms; R.sub.3 is selected from H, a branched or straight chain, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbyl group with zero to three double bonds and from 1 to 15 carbon atoms, —(CH.sub.2).sub.nOH, —C(O)OR.sub.5, —CH.sub.2C(O)OR.sub.7, —CH.sub.2C(O)R.sub.8, —C(O)NR.sub.9R.sub.10, and —CH.sub.2C(O)NR.sub.11R.sub.12 where each of R.sub.5, R.sub.7, R.sub.8, R.sub.9, R.sub.10, R.sub.11 and R.sub.12 is independently selected from H and a branched or straight chain, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbyl group with zero to three double bonds and from 1 to 15 carbon atoms and n is an integer of from 1 to 12; the bond between the 2 and 3 positions in the ring structure may be a single or a double bond; and wherein the compounds of structure (I) contain from 9 to 20 total carbon atoms in the compounds.

Compositions and methods for increasing the efficacy of pesticidal compositions are described herein, including synergistic pesticidal compositions comprising a pesticidal active ingredient and a C4-C10 saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid or an agriculturally compatible salt thereof and methods for delivery of said pesticidal compositions. Some pesticidal compositions and methods as described are directed to compositions and methods for increasing the efficacy of fungicides. Some pesticidal compositions and methods as described are directed to compositions and methods for increasing the efficacy of nematicides. Some pesticidal compositions and methods as described are directed to compositions and methods for increasing the efficacy of insecticides. Methods for enhancing the activity pesticidal active ingredients in pesticidal compositions in use are also described.

Compositions and methods for increasing the efficacy of pesticidal compositions are described herein, including synergistic pesticidal compositions comprising a pesticidal active ingredient and a C4-C10 saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid or an agriculturally compatible salt thereof and methods for delivery of said pesticidal compositions. Some pesticidal compositions and methods as described are directed to compositions and methods for increasing the efficacy of fungicides. Some pesticidal compositions and methods as described are directed to compositions and methods for increasing the efficacy of nematicides. Some pesticidal compositions and methods as described are directed to compositions and methods for increasing the efficacy of insecticides. Methods for enhancing the activity pesticidal active ingredients in pesticidal compositions in use are also described.

A bait composition is provided for use in a bait for ingestion by a pest. The bait composition includes a poison for killing the pest, and at least one of an insect growth regulator, a larvicide and an insecticide, for minimizing the propagation of insects from the pest's carcass. The effect of pest control involving the bait on a secondary pest population may be assessed using a suitable method.

A bait composition is provided for use in a bait for ingestion by a pest. The bait composition includes a poison for killing the pest, and at least one of an insect growth regulator, a larvicide and an insecticide, for minimizing the propagation of insects from the pest's carcass. The effect of pest control involving the bait on a secondary pest population may be assessed using a suitable method.