FACTS ABOUT PYRETHRUM

Pyrethrum is a fascinating molecule, and has been described as the “21^st Century Insecticide”

Kapi Limited has worked with pyrethrum since 1964, so we feel we understand pyrethrum just about as well as any people on the planet!

We have put together some information that tells you a little about pyrethrum, its benefits as an insecticide and talks you through some of the terminology. We have great belief in the benefits of pyrethrum, and we hope that you will gain some understanding of our enthusiasm after taking a few minutes to read through the links below.

We are formulators of pyrethrum, so we are the guys who make the products that you can use or spray. We buy pyrethrum from pyrethrum processors.

Pyrethrum farmers grow the flowers from which pyrethrum is processed. We used to grow pyrethrum flowers, in fact we owned and operated the two biggest pyrethrum farms in Africa, but we stopped in 2014 so we could focus on our core business, and leave the farming to the very capable Kenyan farmers!

Pyrethrum Processors buy flowers from the farmers and extract the pyrethrum (called pyrethrins) then refine the product so that they create Pale Refined Extract which is usually 50% pyrethrin content.

Kapi Limited buys Pale Refined Extract from processors, which we use to formulate or manufacture our products.

Enjoy your brief tour through the Pyrethrum Fact Sheets, and if you have any questions, please do contact us!

Pyrethrum Facts

PYRETHRUM FACTS

Pyrethrum is a 100% natural and environmentally friendly insecticide. It is broad spectrum, meaning it kills virtually all insects, yet it has very low mammalian toxicity, and is therefore safe for use with humans and most warm blooded animals. Its application in agriculture is also unique. As it is 100% natural it can be used as an insecticide in organic farming, and is one of the few insecticides allowed for use in Certified Organic Production of crops in Europe, the USA, Australia and New Zealand. Pyrethrins (the active chemicals in pyrethrum) have been used in insect control for more than 170 years. The commercial production of pyrethrum flowers in Kenya started in 1928.

What is Pyrethrum, and what are Pyrethrins?

Pyrethrum is derived from the dried flowers of the plant Chrysanthemum Cinerariaefolium. Pyrethrins are the active chemicals in pyrethrum that are toxic to insects. The Chrysanthemum Cinerariaefolium produce higher pyrethrum content the greater the altitude. The pyrethrum growing regions of Kenya offer the ideal conditions, because of the altitude together with equatorial climate and soil conditions.

How does pyrethrum work?

HOW DOES PYRETHRUM WORK?

The Pyrethrins in pyrethrum affect the central nervous systems of all types of flying and crawling insects, disrupting normal function, so that nervous impulses fail. In the lowest concentration, this affects insect behaviour, producing a so called avoidance reaction, which results in insects fleeing the source of the chemicals. Importantly, pyrethrins induce abnormal behaviour in female mosquitoes, making them unable to exhibit their normal biting behaviour of seeking blood meals. At slightly greater concentration, Pyrethrins make insects lose normal behavioural patterns. This means they abandon their hiding places and come out, or are flushed out into the open coming into contact with larger quantities of Pyrethrins, which soon knock them down and kill them.

What is the difference between Pyrethrins and Pyrethroids?

Pyrethrins are the active chemicals in pyrethrum, and are 100% natural. Pyrethroids are synthetic, or man-made, versions of Pyrethrins. Pyrethrum is composed of 6 esters (collectively called the Pyrethrins), all of which have insecticidal properties. This means that the pyrethrum is attacking the insect on 6 different fronts, using 6 different insecticides. Pyrethroids, which are synthetic, are composed of only one chemically active compound. Pyrethrins are naturally broken down by UV rays and PH variances and therefore have shorter environmental persistence than synthetic Pyrethroids. Pyrethrins have a unique ability to induce excitation behaviour in insects, characterized by erratic and increased movement by insects. This has the benefit of ‘flushing’ the insects out of hiding places, resulting in increased exposure to the Pyrethrins. Synthetic Pyrethroids do not have this flushing effect.

The advantages of pyrethrum as an insecticide

Pyrethrum is 100% natural. Low mammalian toxicity: No other insecticide can claim such a long record of proven safety towards humans and warm blooded animals. It is one of the least toxic of domestic insecticides and is rapidly metabolized if accidentally swallowed(in tests toxicity to rats was found to be 4,000 times lower than toxicity to the house fly). Lack of Insect Immunity: The structure of the molecule is so complex that insect resistance is not a practical problem. Broad Spectrum of Activity: Pyrethrum consists of a group of related compounds (called esters), it has a wider spectrum of activity against insect species than many other insecticides which are composed of only one chemically active compound. Pyrethrum can be used against any insect found in the house or garden. This includes mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches, aphids, ants, thrips, fruit flies, spider mites, cucumber beetles etc. Fast Acting: Pyrethrum quickly knocks down and kills pests, attacking the nervous system of insects. Environmentally Friendly: Pyrethrum quickly breaks down in sunlight, leaving no residues. No Pre-harvest Interval: this allows pyrethrum to be applied to crops up to and including the day of harvest. Repellency: As well as fast acting knock down and kill, pyrethrum is a powerful insect repellent which in combination with its low mammalian toxicity favours it in many applications such as food and grain storage protection, personal protection (spray-on, roll-on, mosquito coils). Flushing Action: The six esters in pyrethrum cause the insects to become excited, and move around far more and therefore expose the insect to the insecticide. Allowed in Sensitive Areas: Because pyrethrum has a low toxicity profile for humans and mammals and a short residual activity, pyrethrum can be used in areas that other insecticide options can’t such as schools, hospitals, commercial kitchens, hotel rooms.