Pest Control: Harnessing the Power of Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums, often called mums, are vibrant perennial flowers celebrated for their ornamental beauty and potent pest-repelling properties, making them a dual treasure in gardens worldwide.

Chrysanthemum and Pyrethrin

Pyrethrin is a natural insecticide derived from the dried flower heads of Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium. Pyrethrin affects the nervous systems of insects, leading to paralysis and eventual death, making it a popular choice for organic pest control.

Aside from its use in gardens, pyrethrin is often found in various insect-repellent sprays, lotions, and shampoos formulated to kill lice. 

Should I Use Chrysanthemum for Pest Control?

Using chrysanthemums for pest control offers a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution, especially when compared to synthetic pesticides. Here’s why you should consider using chrysanthemum-based pest control:

Natural and Non-Toxic: Derived from chrysanthemum flowers, pyrethrins are natural compounds that serve as insecticides, making them a safer alternative for humans and pets compared to many chemical insecticides.

Effective Against Various Pests: Pyrethrins, the active ingredient in chrysanthemum-based insecticides, are effective against a broad spectrum of pests, including aphids, ants, whiteflies, mosquitoes, spider mites, leafhoppers, thrips, and various beetles.

Biodegradable: Unlike many synthetic pesticides, pyrethrins break down quickly in the environment, reducing the risk of long-term environmental contamination.

Less Harm to Beneficial Insects: When applied correctly, pyrethrin-based insecticides have a lower impact on beneficial insects such as bees and ladybugs, compared to broader spectrum synthetic pesticides.

Resistance Management: Natural insecticides like pyrethrins can be a part of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, reducing the chances of pests developing resistance, which can be an issue with over-reliance on a single synthetic pesticide.

Organic Gardening Approved: Pyrethrin-based insecticides are allowed in organic farming, making it suitable for gardeners who aim to maintain organic practices.

Low Residue: Pyrethrins degrade quickly, especially when exposed to sunlight, ensuring minimal residues on plants, which is crucial for crops meant for consumption.

Is Pyrethrin Safe for Humans, Birds, Fish, or Other Wildlife?

When considering the safety of pyrethrin for humans and various wildlife, it’s important to look at it in a nuanced way:

Humans:

• Acute Exposure: Pyrethrin is generally of low toxicity to humans if used as directed. However, it can cause skin and eye irritations upon direct contact.
• Inhalation: Inhalation of pyrethrin might result in respiratory issues like asthma in sensitive individuals.
• Ingestion: Ingesting pyrethrin can lead to vomiting, nausea, and other digestive disturbances.

Birds:

• Birds generally have a moderate tolerance to pyrethrin. While it’s less toxic to them than many other pesticides, overexposure or direct ingestion of large amounts could be harmful.

Fish:

• Pyrethrin is highly toxic to fish. Even small amounts can be lethal, so care must be taken to ensure that it does not contaminate ponds, streams, or other water bodies.

Other Aquatic Life:

• Beyond fish, pyrethrin is also toxic to other aquatic organisms. For example, it is harmful to beneficial aquatic insects and other invertebrates.

Beneficial Insects:

• While pyrethrin is effective against pests, it can also harm beneficial insects. It is highly toxic to bees. To reduce the impact on bees, it’s recommended to apply pyrethrin-based products in the early morning or late evening when bees are less active. This helps in ensuring fewer bees come into direct contact with fresh residues.
• If possible, avoid spraying pyrethrin directly on flowering plants. Since bees are drawn to flowers for pollen and nectar, spraying the foliage instead of the blooms can reduce exposure.

Other Wildlife:

• For mammals like cats, pyrethrin can be toxic, especially if directly ingested or if they come into contact with a concentrated dose. Dogs are somewhat more tolerant, but adverse reactions can still occur.

While pyrethrin is among the safer insecticides, particularly when compared to many synthetic alternatives, it’s not without its hazards. Always read and follow label instructions carefully, and ensure it doesn’t contaminate water sources. Consider the potential impact on beneficial insects and other non-target organisms when using it in gardens or other outdoor spaces.

How to Make My Own Pesticide?

Making your own pyrethrin pesticide from chrysanthemum flowers is possible, but keep in mind that this homemade version may not be as concentrated or effective as commercially produced pyrethrin products. It’s also important to note that you should handle and apply any homemade pesticide with care, ensuring safety for you, your pets, beneficial insects, and the environment.

Ingredients:

• Fresh or dried Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium flowers. This specific species contains the highest pyrethrin content.
• Water

Procedure:

• Harvesting: Ideally, you’ll want to collect the flower heads of the chrysanthemums. If you’re using fresh flowers, let them dry in a sunny, airy location for several days.

• Crushing: Once the flowers are dried, crush them to increase the surface area. This can be done with a mortar and pestle or any other method that breaks the flowers down into a coarse powder.

• Soaking: Place the crushed flower heads in water. For every 1 part of crushed flowers, you can use 3 parts of water. Let the mixture sit for about 3 hours.

• Straining: After soaking, strain out the plant material to leave just the liquid. A cheesecloth or fine strainer works well for this.

• Storage: Store the liquid in a dark, cool place. This homemade pyrethrin solution does not have a long shelf life, so it’s best used within a few days.

Application:

• Always test a small area of the plant first before widespread application to ensure there’s no adverse reaction.
• Apply the solution during the early morning or late evening to reduce the impact on beneficial insects.
• Reapply after rainfall, as the solution can be washed off.

Safety Precautions

• Even though pyrethrin is a natural insecticide, it can be harmful if ingested. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.
• Wear gloves and protective eyewear when applying.
• Remember, pyrethrin is toxic to aquatic life. Do not use it near ponds, streams, or other bodies of water.
• It is also highly toxic to bees. Be considerate about when and where you apply it.

Homemade pyrethrin solutions are best for small-scale pest problems. For larger infestations or if the homemade solution proves ineffective, you might consider purchasing a commercial pyrethrin-based product.