Pyrethrum is a botanical insecticide produced primarily
in the flowers of Tanacetum cinerariaefolium, a species of the chrysanthemum
plant family. Pyrethrum is an ancient insecticide that has been used
effectively to control insects for decades and is non-persistent, decomposing
rapidly in the environment. This rapid degradation of pyrethrum has
resulted in little known cases of insect resistance, making it
an excellent choice for the control of agricultural pests.
The insecticidal properties of the flowers were documented
in the early 1800's but it is suspected that the flowers were used to
kill insects a considerable time earlier. The first commercially available
products were powders made from ground flowers and later crude oil extractions
became popular.
Today the refining of crude pyrethrum extract to remove
the plant material, waxes, etc. is a highly complex process resulting
in a very high grade product. In East Africa the mature phrethrum flowers
are picked by hand, sun dried to remove moisture and sent to a processing
plant for extraction of the active ingredient-pyrethrins, a misture
of six closely related esters. The flowers are sun dried and processed
to extract the insecticide grade pyrethrum.
Pyrethrum is non-toxic to humans and other mammals
and is considered biodegradable as well as water soluble. It is sought
for sensitive applications like the post-harvest treatment of fruits
and vegetables. Pyrethrum is so safe that the U.S. Government approves
its use on such insect-prone foods as tomatoes, even while they are
on their way to the supermarket or processing plant.
Knockdown Effects
Pyrethrum affects and inhibits the nervous system of insects by causing
multiple action potential in the nerve cells by delaying the closing
of an ion channel. Nerve cell membranes have a specific electrical charge.
Altering
the amount of ions (charged atoms) passing through ion channels causes
the membranes to depolarize which, in turn, causes a neurotransmitter
to be released. Neurotransmitters help nerve cells communicate. Electrical
messages sent between nerve cells allow them to generate a response,
like a movement in an animal or insect.
Pyrethrum acts as a contact poison, affecting the
insect's nervous system. Pyrethrum, when combined with a synergist that
works by restrictng an enzyme insects use to detoxify it, then becomes
one of the fastest acting insecticides known. Even before it kills,
it knocks down and paralyzes insects almost immediately.
Jamming & Resistance
Apparently small amounts of pyrethrum can jam the "black box"
of the insect's food searching mechanism. The insects forget to eat,
as it were. After decades of use, no insect population has ever developed
significant pyrethrum resistance.
Low Cost Refills
We use and recommend the product RIPTIDEtm
produced by the firm McLoughlin, Gormley, King
and containing pyrethrum in concentrate which is mixed in solution with
water to fill the 55 gallon reservoir of the system, thereby providing
a thorougly effective misting element to completely rid your yard of
the infesting insect element.
Priced at $200.00 per refill
if we come to your home and do it.
Priced at $140.00 per refill
on a Do-It-Yourself basis shipped directly to you.
Please understand that your lifetime warranty
is only maintained in effect if you purchase the refill from Mosquito
Management Systemstm.
In this manner, you are always assured of using only the most user-safe,
finest quality insect killing substance in your system.