Botanical Insecticide

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Botanical insecticides are logically occurring insect toxins remove from plants. Several chemicals have been formulated for insect management in the residence garden. They act rapidly, causing immediate paralysis, death, or cessation of feeding. Many botanical insecticides are less toxic than synthetic pesticides to mammals and plants. Botanical insecticides also tend to break down fast in the environment.

Drawback: Botanical insecticides do have drawbacks. Since of their rapid degradation, botanical insecticides must be applied regularly and precisely. Many are broad-spectrum insecticides and will damage beneficial insects. Numerous botanical insecticides also are damaging to fish or other wildlife. Botanical insecticides are often more costly to purchase than synthetic pesticides. Commercial preparations of some botanical insecticides comprise a synergist like piperonyl butoxide or MGK 264 to increase the insecticide's efficiency.

Careful application: Applicators may be poisoned by careless handling or mistreatment of botanical insecticides. Constantly follow the label directions and wear recommended protective clothing.

The most common types of botanical insecticides are:

1. Pyrethrins are widespread botanical insecticides derived from the dried flower heads of the daisy. Cineraria folium is grown in Kenya and Ecuador. Pyrethrins are contact poisons that knock down insects immediately. Pyrethrins act as stomach poisons and are tagged to control ants, aphids, roaches, fleas and ticks.

2. Rotenone is another common botanical insecticide. It is obtained from the roots of South American legumes. It acts as a stomach poison and can effectively control leaf feeding insects like beetles and aphids. A synergist may be included to increase the effectiveness of rotenone. Rotenone is moderately toxic to mammals but is very toxic to fish. It is used as a fish poison in water organization programs. Rotenone degrades rapidly in air and sunlight and when assorted with soap or lime.

3. Sabadilla is derived from the seeds of the sabadilla lily, a humid lily found in South America. It is labeled to control vegetable pests. Because sabadilla breaks down fast in sunlight, no remains are left after application. Synergists also are added to sabadilla to increase insect mortality.

4. The neem active ingredient azadirachtin is removed from neem tree seeds. It has both insecticidal and fungi activity. Neem acts as an insect repellent, feeding deterrent and growth regulator.