Pyrethrum, A Natural Insecticide
Pyrethrum is one of the more slightly toxic natural insecticides that exist in our world. It comes from a set of flowers that are in the family of chrysanthemum. These flowers have deep leaves and large flower heads that are yellow, pink and white. Most of these plants have a daisy like look. Some look like ferns. The plant is native to Ecuador and parts of Africa like Kenya. Pyrethrum plants are also considered to be Old World Plants. Butterflies, moths and skippers love to eat these plants.
At very low concentrations, insects are affected by pyrethrum. They immediately get knocked out as they fly into a pyrethrum zone area. The insects don't die. After their knock down phase, they leave the area avoiding further contact with the pyrethrum. For stronger concentration, the flowers are pulverized and the seeds are extracted to be used for pesticide application. Pyrethrums are a natural insecticide that attacks the nerve systems of insects. In addition to butterflies, skippers and moths; mosquitoes are also affected. Female mosquitoes specifically are susceptible. The natural insecticide causes them to stop biting. For all of us that get bitten all the time by those pesky mosquitoes, that's good news to hear.
By itself, pyrethrum is not fatal to the winged insects. But, because of the fast affect it has in knocking the insects down, it is a useful tool to flush them out. After they are knocked out, they will scatter and evade the place that is pyrethrum sprayed. This is useful because the insects will be clearly identified if they are hiding in the grass and shrubs, etc. At that point, the appropriate pesticide can be used to destroy the insects. Sometimes Pyrethrums are mixed with other chemicals to be used as a more fatal intervention against insects. In this case, the insects will die in almost an instant. I was going to call this article, Pyrethrums, the Queen of Natural Insecticides.
Gardeners have learned that if they plant Pyrethrum flowers in their vegetable garden, like broccoli, the Pyrethrum flowers will protect the broccoli plants. In addition to winged insects, other pests are affected by pyrethrum plants. Specifically affected are aphids, which are also known as plant lice. Leafhoppers, spider mites, harlequin bugs, ticks, pickle worms and cabbage worms among other insects, are also affected. These bugs are also temporarily paralyzed and not instantaneously killed. I remember being around peers in elementary school with head lice. It was not a comfortable experience. I feel for gardeners that have to deal with what they call plant lice. Luckily, pyrethrum is a natural insecticide that can help them fend off plant lice.
Pyrethrum with other chemicals can be used as a household spray or by airplanes for crop sprays or dusting. Pyrethrums are a natural insecticide that is least toxic to humans. They can be harmful to fish but not mammals and birds. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has approved it for many other uses in addition to insecticide. Pyrethrum as a natural insecticide can be found in products like Pyrenon, Red Arrow and Pyrellin.
