In Tunisia, dates are important and valuable export commodity with significant socio-economic impacts. Their production is confronted to various biotic constraints mainly due to the attacks of diseases and insect pests in pre and post-harvest causing yearly losses which can reach 30% .The date moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Pyralidae), is the major phytosanitary threat of Tunisian dates production and industry. The postharvest control of this pest is based on the use of synthetic fumigant. However, these pesticides have serious controversial effects on human health and environment. Thus, this work aims to search new management alternatives that focus on replacing synthetic pesticides. For that, the insecticidal fumigant potential of essential oils extracted from leaves of the laurel Laurus nobilis L. (Lauraceae) collected from the region of Bizerte (North-West, Tunisia) were tested against fifth instar larvae of E. ceratoniae. In addition, a reference treatment using the commercial fumigant Phosphine (PH₃: Phosphorus hydride) was also carried out. Moreover, the impact of essential oils on the physical, biochemical and organoleptic properties were determined on dates treated and stored for three storage periods (7, 15 and 30 days). Results showed that laurel essential oils exhibited an interesting insecticidal fumigant activity against E. ceratoniae larvae. This activity varies depending on the concentration and the duration of exposure. The lowest concentration 60 µl/l air achieved mortalities of 14.28 % , 21.42% and 37.03% after 7, 15 and 30 days of storage respectively, while, the highest concentration 180 µl/l air resulted in mortalities of 21.42%, 25% and 44.44 % also after 7, 15 and 30 days of storage respectively. Besides, the respective LC₅₀ and TL₅₀ values were 1204.27 μL liter−1 air and 35.43 days. On the other hand, results of chemical control using phosphine have revealed a very interesting insecticidal activity. Corrected mortality reached 100% after 7 days of exposure.