'larvae-deterring' is a compound of 'larvae' and 'deterring'. 'larvae' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'larva', where 'larva' meant 'ghost' or 'mask'. 'deterring' derives from the verb 'deter', which originates from Latin, specifically 'deterrere', where 'de-' meant 'away' and 'terrere' meant 'to frighten'.

'deter' came into English via late Latin 'deterrere' (and usage in post-medieval scholarly and technical contexts) and was established in English by the 17th century. 'larva' entered scientific English from Latin 'larva' around the same period; the compound 'larvae-deterring' is a modern English formation combining these elements to describe an agent or property that discourages larvae.

Initially, Latin 'larva' meant 'ghost' or 'mask', but its meaning shifted in scientific contexts to 'immature form of an insect' (larva/larvae). 'Deter' originally meant 'to frighten away' in Latin, and over time its sense broadened to 'to discourage or prevent'; the compound now conveys 'preventing or discouraging larvae'.