For those horticultural experts out there, Pyrethrum is derived from the ‘Chrysanthemum Cineraiaefolium’ flower, and for those of you who haven’t got a clue what that means, it essentially looks like a daisy on steroids. Pyrethrum is then made up of pyrethrins which are highly toxic to insects. The pyrethrum content of these flowers increases with altitude and therefore the highlands of Kenya, with their equatorial climate and soil conditions, are absolutely perfect for growing.
The pyrethrins within pyrethrum attack the central nervous system of all types insects. At a low concentration, this affects the insect’s behaviour and creates this ‘avoidance reaction’ leading to a high level of repellency.
As the concentration increases the insects start to lose all control of their normal behaviour which leads to them abandoning their hiding places and enter into a state of hyper-activity. This means that they then come into contact with more of the pyrethrins, which first causes the knock-down effect (a state where the insect cannot function, and flying insects will fall out the sky) before their inevitable and quick death.
Kapi’s Pyrethrum products
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.