Method and Formulation for Eliminating Moss with Oregano Oil
The composition for eliminating moss may be used in a method where the composition is applied to almost any surface where moss is growing. The composition includes an aqueous solution of essential oil. The oil is obtained from a plant and includes about 70% or more carvacrol. The composition may also contain a hydrocolloid.
1 . A method of substantially eliminating moss comprising application of plant oil extract in an aqueous solution to said moss, wherein said plant oil extract comprises at least about 70% carvacrol and said aqueous solution includes at least one hydrocolloid for adhering said oil to the pectin binding sites of the moss.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein said hydrocolloid comprises at least one from the group consisting of agar, alginates, acacia, arabinogalactan, caragum, carrageenan, chicory, guar, pectin, inulin, and xanthum.
3 . The method of claim 2 wherein said plant oil extract is about 0.5% to about 100% weight percent of said aqueous solution.
4 . The method of claim 3 wherein said aqueous solution of said plant oil extract comprises at least about 80% carvacrol.
5 . The method of claim 4 wherein said aqueous solution comprises a surfactant.
6 . The method of claim 1 wherein said aqueous solution of said plant oil extract includes a plurality of hydrocolloids.
7 . The method of claim 3 wherein said aqueous solution of said plant oil extract includes about 0.35% to about 25% by weight of said at least one hydrocolloid.
8 . The method of claim 7 wherein said aqueous solution of said plant oil extract further includes about 0.25 to 25 weight percent of at least one hydrocolloid as an emulsifier.
9 . The method of claim 3 wherein said aqueous solution of said plant oil extract is applied to said moss by spraying said solution thereon.
10 . The method of claim 9 wherein said aqueous solution of said plant oil extract is applied to a surface bearing said moss.
11 . The method of claim 10 wherein said surface comprises at least one from the group consisting of grass, lawn, landscaping material, stone, wood, asphalt, and composite roofing material.
12 . The method of claim 3 wherein the plant oil extract is about 50% to about 95% by weight of said aqueous solution.
13 . The method of claim 10 wherein said aqueous solution of said plant oil extract is reapplied to said surface after about two weeks to prevent recontamination.
14 . A method for elimination of moss on host plants without significant permanent damage to the host plant wherein said method comprises application of a plant oil extract composition causing moss death due to cell wall destruction.
15 . The composition of claim 14 said composition comprising:
plant oil extract having at least about 70% carvacrol;
at least one hydrocolloid; and
water.
16 . The composition of the method of claim 14 comprising:
about 0.5 to about 99.75 weight percent to plant oil extract;
about 0.25 to about 25 weight percent of at least one hydrocolloid;
about 0.25 to about 99.5 weight percent water.
17 . The composition of claim 15 wherein said hydrocolloid is selected from the group consisting of agar, alginates, acacia, arabinogalactan, caragum, carrageenan, chicory, guar, pectin, inulin, and xanthum.
18 . The composition of claim 15 wherein said composition is sprayable.
19 . A method for controlling growth of moss which comprises applying an effective amount of an aqueous solution of plant oil extract to a surface wherein said plant oil extract comprises at least about 70% carvacrol.
20 . The method of claim 18 wherein said plant oil extract is sprayed onto said surface.
21 . The method of claim 19 wherein said surface comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of plants, trees, grass, lawn, landscaping material, stone, wood, asphalt, and roofing material.