Pyrethrum

While most conventional pesticides contain man-made chemicals that can be toxic and risky to apply, there is a chemical that comes from a natural source and is just as effective in controlling problematic pests. Pyrethrum (also known as pyrethrin) does an excellent job controlling insects around the home and garden and is a common active ingredient in many "green" pest control products.

On this page, we will tell you more about Pyrethrum, how it works, its benefits and how you can apply it safely. Here you can also shop pyrethrum-based products we have available, as recommended by our experts.

What is Pyrethrum?

Pyrethrum is a natural compound used in many common pest control products as an active ingredient. The substance is derived from the extract of the Chrysanthemum plant, a decorative flower that looks similar to a daisy. The petals of the flower contain pyrethrum and are regarded as the Chrsysanthemum's natural defense mechanism to protect it against insects and other pests.

The Pyrethrum is extracted from the flower by being dried and then crushed into a fine powder that is later processed by the manufacturer into different pesticide formulations. Pyrethrum can come in powder form, misting concentrate, aerosols, microencapsulated concentrates and other formulations to be used in and around homes and gardens as well as to treat crops and ornamentals.

How Does Pyrethrum Work?

Pyrethrum works by attacking the target insect’s nervous system via intoxication. Upon contact or ingestion with pyrethrum, the insects' bodily functions become compromised and they eventually die from paralysis. Most pyrethrum pesticide products are also formulated with a synergist, like PBO or MGK 264. The synergists basically prevent the insect from metabolising the pyrethrum, making the pesticide much more effective.

Benefits of Pyrethrum

Pyrethrum's carry many benefits that make it a preferred choice for many DIYers and pest control professionals. It delivers a quick knockdown of a broad-spectrum of insects while being of low-toxicity to humans and animals. It is environmentally-friendly, causing no damage or harm if sprayed upon garden plants and ornamentals. It can also ideal to use in sensitive areas because of it's low toxicity such as around where food is handled, around the home and around pets.

Another great benefit of pyrethrum is that the chances of insects developing resistance is not an issue. That's because Pyrethrum breaks down quickly in the environment. Pyrethrum also works great as a flushing agent. Pyrethrums naturally activate insects, so pyrethrums are most commonly used as flushing agents. 

Drawbacks of Pyrethrum

While Pyrethrum is effective when applied on contact, it is not suitable when it comes to residual control. This means that it won't be effective in killing insects for long after it has been applied. If you have a significant insect problem, you will have to reapply pyrethrum-based products often. This is because pyrethrum pesticides rapidly degrade when exposed to sunlight. It is possible that you can see some residual activity for a week or two in dark areas, such as crawl paces, attics, or basements, but the it is not reliable enough to suggest pyretrhums for long-term control.

Is Pyrethrum Safe?

Pyrethrum is safe to use when applied according to label directions. Pyrethrum has a low toxicity as a botanical insecticide but that doesn't mean it is totally non-toxic. This is why it is important to wear the proper PPE in the form of gloves, protective eyewear, and a safety mask when mixing or applying the product. Follow the label carefully and keep pets and children away from treated areas until the product has been allowed to dry.

What To Expect

After applying Pyrethrum-based products, you should expect a quick knockdown of insects that come directly in contact with the pesticide. When used as an aerosol, it can make for a great flushing agent to drive pests from their hiding places if you apply a straw application tip for cracks and crevices. When used as a misting concentrate for automatic mosquito misting systems, Pyrethrins can keep mosquitoes off a property for a short duration of time so you can enjoy outdoor activities in your yard or patio.

Pyrethrins are not an instant kill and could take within 10 minutes to an hour for an effected pest to succumb to the chemical.

Featured Products

Pyrid Aerosol - Pyrid Aerosol is a powerful pyrethrum-based insecticide made with natural ingredients. It controls a wide range of flying and crawling insects on contact. Pyrid is safe to use indoors or outdoors and comes with a straw applicator tip for spraying into cracks and crevices where pests hide.

Stryker 5-25 Misting Concentrate - Stryker 5-25 Misting Concentrate is a pyrethrum-based misting concentrate designed to quickly knockdown mosquitoes and other flying insects. Stryker 5-25 is water-based and contains a combination of two active ingredients, Pyrethrin and PBO which works by shutting down the insects nervous system to guarantee a residual control and instant knockdown of insects while being environmentally-friendly. Stryker is great to use if you have an automatic mosquito misting system.