The activity of volatile compounds from Lavandula angustifolia against Psoroptes cuniculi.

Previously we demonstrated the acaricidal properties of Lavandula angustifolia Miller essential oil and of linalool, one of its main components, against Psoroptes cuniculi detected following direct contact of the substances with the mites. In the present paper we report the acaricidal activity of volatile linalool and of the lavender essential oil without direct contact of the ectoparasites with these substances. Diethyl ether extracts of dead mites showed linalool was the only detectable substance using this method by gas chromatography, The study confirms the acaricidal properties of lavender essential oil and of linalool by inhalation, indicating an additional route for possible use of these substances both for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes.