Sometimes even in rooms where a lot of time is devoted to the issue of cleanliness, harmful insects appear. You can use modern insecticides, but their use is limited due to high toxicity. It is for this reason that people prefer to use natural products in their homes that effectively repel insects. Pyrethrum powder is completely harmless to residents, but cockroaches and fleas leave an environment unfavorable for them.
What is "Pyrethrum"
Pyrethrum is a medicinal plant similar in appearance to chamomile. The country of its growth is Montenegro, as well as Croatia. The plant can also be found in Transcaucasia. Because of its external similarity, it is often called chamomile.
Pyrethrum powder is crushed inflorescences that were used to kill bedbugs and fleas two centuries ago. In ancient times, it was the well-known “Dalmatian powder”, which was actively used by housewives. They sprinkled it on the places where most insects lived.
There was also another type of powder that previously existed. It was called “Persian” and arsenic was added to it for greater effectiveness. But due to mass poisonings of domestic animals and people, its use came to naught.
Interestingly, soldiers from the time of Alexander the Great actively used Pyrethrum powder to get rid of bedbugs on clothes and bedding.
The secret of Dalmatian chamomile
According to information that has survived to this day, the “miraculous” properties of Dalmatian chamomile have been known since ancient times. The first data on powder from “chrysanthemums” date back to the first thousand years BC. In China, it was widely used for pest control. The soldiers of Alexander the Great and the ancient Romans used Dalmatian chamomile as a natural insecticide.
Of course, at that time they did not think about protecting the crop, and all efforts were aimed at fighting blood-sucking insects:
- ticks;
- fleas;
- lice.
They made life significantly more difficult for soldiers on campaigns. Therefore, crushed parts of chamomile were added to things, travel bags, clothes, and rubbed on the body and head.
Subsequently, crushed plant powder came to Europe from Persia as a means to protect people and housing from various parasites.
The scientific basis for the effectiveness of this insecticide was obtained at the beginning of the 20th century, when the active substances, pyrethrins, were isolated and their destructive effect on insects was proven.
Natural pyrethrins include several substances: pyrethrins themselves (1 and 2), jasmoline (1 and 2), cinnerin (1 and 2). In addition, the natural mixture contains keto alcohols.
The main modern producer of plant raw materials for the production of pyrethrin is Kenya (up to 70% of world production).
In this country, Dalmatian chamomile is cultivated on plantations located at altitudes from 1000 to 2000 meters above sea level, since it is in high mountain conditions that the maximum concentration of pyrethrins appears in plants.
Composition of the product
When it is necessary to destroy insects in the house, when choosing a product, its safety for household members and animals is important. At first glance, there are many such drugs. But some have a pungent odor, while others are ineffective. Pyrethrum powder against bedbugs does not have these shortcomings. The effect occurs almost immediately and lasts for a long time.
In production, the drug is prepared by grinding the inflorescences of Pyrethrum - Caucasian chamomile. The result is a gray-green powder, which is the main component of the product.
People have long noticed that the fragrant plant repels harmful insects. Bunches of the plant were dried and hung around the house, placed in cabinets and placed in the kitchen. A pleasant floral aroma quickly spread throughout the house, which is harmless to humans and pets, but is not tolerated by fleas and cockroaches.
Making powder at home
To be fair, it should be noted that finding a dry potion of Dalmatian, Persian, and Caucasian chamomile is problematic. If you manage to find it, you just need to pour it into a coffee grinder, turn it into powder, and use it according to the instructions. In most cases, they use pharmaceutical chamomile, which is abundant in our area. You can buy it at any pharmacy, from grannies at the market, or you can also pick a bouquet yourself in the forest, field, or garden. Pharmaceutical chamomile does not have insecticidal properties, but repels bed bugs with a persistent aroma. This product is absolutely safe for humans; not everyone likes the strong smell.
How the drug works
Pyrethrum powder has properties similar to insecticides. But it refers to means of contact action. When plant particles fall on the insect's cover, they quickly penetrate inside. The concentration quickly increases and spreads throughout the body.
The action of the powder is based on its effect on the nervous system:
- The transmission of nerve impulses is disrupted and, consequently, the entire vital system is disrupted.
- Insects are unable to move. Paralysis of all organs occurs.
Insects lose the ability to move, which means they are deprived of food. The number of adults decreases sharply. Those who survive are unable to reproduce. The population does not recover and quickly disappears. The remaining insects leave the dangerous place.
In a residential building where there are small children and animals, it is better to use natural Pyrethrum. Flea powder will help if the flea population has not reached a large size. In case of large crowds and in office or other non-residential premises, it is more rational to use a synthetic insecticide.
Properties of a natural product
The main advantage of the drug, which housewives note, is its complete environmental safety. As a plant component, it has the property of breaking down into natural components under direct sunlight in literally two days. But this property also determines the disadvantage of Pyrethrum. The duration of action of the powder is quite short. But here you have to choose between the complete safety of the product used, which is Pyrethrum powder, and the speed of destruction of harmful insects.
The main advantages of the drug:
- high effectiveness against bedbugs and cockroaches, when comparing Pyrethrum with other herbal products;
- safe use indoors where there are small children and pets;
- there is no need for special means to remove the used drug;
- there is no need to leave the living space during processing;
- when using highly toxic drugs, be sure to ventilate the room; Pyrethrum eliminates this need;
- insects do not get used to using Pyrethrum, so repeated treatments do not require increasing the dose;
- makes it possible to quickly and effectively get rid of fleas;
- does not affect indoor plants;
- “Pyrethrum” (powder for bedbugs and fleas) does not contain additional chemical compounds that would have a negative impact on human health.
Analogs
If we talk about direct analogues, there are none. Instead of Caucasian chamomile, they often use pharmaceutical chamomile, but it acts somewhat differently. There are no insecticides in the composition; the plant repels parasites with a persistent odor. The folk remedy is not able to clear a room of bed bugs and does not always prevent re-infestation.
At the end of the last century, synthetic analogues of Pyrethrum appeared. Artificial pyrethrum is more effective, lasts longer, but also has increased toxicity. A drug based on synthetic pyrethroids cannot be called natural; buyers often mislead themselves.
Products based on the chemical pyrethroid act as a neurotoxic poison. In a few minutes it causes muscle paralysis and death. It enters the body of insects by contact. There are currently three generations of pyrethroids.
- Esters of chrysanthemum acid. Based on them, the drugs Furethrin, Cycletrin, Dimetrin, Bartrin, Neopinamine, Methylchrysanthemum, Moskitol, Fumitox are produced.
- Permethrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin. They are part of many modern aerosols and sprays against harmful insects.
- Cyhalothrin, fluvalinate, flucitrinate, tralomethrin, fenpropathrin, cyfluthrin, bifethrin, cycloprothrin. Products based on these substances are the most effective and relatively safe.
The use of chemicals is limited to 1-3 sprayings of the room. The composition additionally includes fragrances that mask the specific odor of the chemical insecticide. The protective properties last for 14 days, the product is most effective in the first 2 hours. The poison on the treated surface is finally neutralized with a soda-soap solution. Aerosol price from 150 rub.
How to use Pyrethrum against pests
Instructions for use are included in each package. It provides recommendations for use and recommended doses. The amount of powder used depends on the type of insect being destroyed and the scale of the disaster.
Therefore, before starting the actual processing, you should determine the approximate number of insects. Their possible “paths” are also determined.
Pests often hide under baseboards and other hard-to-reach places. To treat them, you can use a spray bottle, which is sold at the pharmacy. If there is none, then a regular syringe will cope with the problem. In this case, a water-based solution is prepared from the powder.
Recommended treatment locations:
- baseboards;
- joints between tiles;
- carpet covering;
- cushioned furniture;
- kitchen furniture.
To kill cockroaches, bedbugs and fleas, you can purchase Pyrethrum powder. The instructions that come with the product will help you find the best way to use it. So, if you need to treat hard-to-reach places, it is recommended to prepare a solution.
Requires 5-6 tablespoons of powder and one liter of water. The resulting composition is poured into a spray bottle or syringe and the favorite places of pests are treated.
Scope of application
The effect of the powder is short-lived and lasts about 2-3 days. After this, wet cleaning is recommended, and the use of special detergents is not required. If necessary, you can repeat the processing.
It must be remembered that “Pyrethrum” acts only on adults, having a paralytic effect. It does not have the desired effect on the larvae, so offspring may soon appear. Therefore, for complete destruction of insects, at least five treatments are recommended.
The drug is active against bedbugs, cockroaches, fleas and lice. Insects often enter apartments located on the first floors from the basements. Therefore, it is recommended to pour the powder under the mat located at the front door. Of course, it is necessary to change it after 2-3 days.
It is allowed to use the product to control fleas on pets. To do this, the powder is spread on their fur. It tastes bitter, so your pet will not lick it off.
To get rid of lice, you can also use Pyrethrum powder. In the pharmacy, this product is sold in the form of a dry powder or solution, which must be rubbed into the scalp. After 30 minutes, the hair is washed with warm water. The treatment is repeated 3-4 times. The main problem is that the product is rarely commercially available.
Precautions when working with the drug
Despite the declared safety and natural composition, certain precautions must be taken when working with the product. The powder contains pyrethrins, which can provoke allergic reactions. Before using the drug, you must make sure that no one close to you is sensitive to plants from the Asteraceae family.
Before starting treatment, especially with the prepared solution, it is better to take measures to help protect people:
- put on gloves;
- protect your face with a bandage;
- It is recommended to use special glasses.
After handling, you must wash your hands with soap and wash with cool water. The powder should be stored out of the reach of children.
Tea tree oil
Natural insecticide and antiseptic. At the same time, it “drives” bed bugs out of the apartment with its sharp, pronounced aroma and disinfects the room after them.
Most people find the smell of tea tree oil to be specific, but not unpleasant. Therefore, treatment is not a reason to leave the premises. The exception is people with special sensitivity to fragrances (the smell often causes persistent migraines) and allergies. They will have to go somewhere for 2-3 hours and then undergo thorough ventilation.
When bed bug nests are found, place a few drops of pure tea tree essential oil near them. For preventive treatment of an apartment or “general” spraying, an emulsion (18-20 drops per half liter of water) is sufficient. During the process, the liquid must be shaken frequently and intensively - essential oil does not dissolve well in water.
conclusions
Pyrethrum powder is a natural remedy that fights crawling and flying insects as effectively as its chemical counterparts. But at the same time, it is safe to use in a home inhabited by children, elderly people and animals. This is confirmed by user reviews.
The product has no analogues among drugs that combine the effectiveness of an insecticide and the safety of the plant. However, as users note, you should not randomly sprinkle powder in the hope of getting rid of insects and neglect the instructions. Only complete adherence to the rules of use will help eliminate unpleasant “tenants” and guarantee safety for people.
The only problem noted in the reviews is that the powder has become difficult to obtain. It is very rarely sold in pharmacies. There are special websites where Pyrethrum is sold both in the form of a regular powder and in the form of a product based on it. These can be sprays or liquids. They differ in scope. To treat premises, one drug is required, for animals - another, and for plants - a third.
Reviews
Pyrethrum has an excellent effect on mosquitoes, driving them away with its persistent aroma. At high concentrations it kills small insects. As for cockroaches, the dosage of the toxic substance is too small for them, so the effectiveness is weak. The low performance is confirmed by reviews of Pyrethrum.
An absolutely useless thing. The Prussians run around in the powder for days and remain alive. High consumption, high price. Natural, but not effective at all. There is no point in buying. It is also not suitable for prevention. You need to add new powder every day, it looks unaesthetic, and the constant specific smell makes people sick.
Elena, Moscow
Doesn't help against cockroaches. I covered the paths with a huge layer for a week. I didn't see any results. I didn't come across a single dead cockroach. The poison doesn’t kill these reptiles, let alone a weak natural insecticide. They just chase away mosquitoes.
Irina, Perm
