this invention relates to the discovery that a very particular kind of nonionic surfactant , namely an alkyloxypolyethyleneoxyethanol can be used as the sole active ingredient to control fungus , mites , worms , termites , nematodes and other insects . it is believed that these alkyloxypolyethyleneoxyethanols can be represented by the formula : ## str1 ## wherein n is from 9 to 15 and m is from 3 to 40 .