Pyrethrum Daisy And Citrus Peels - Where Insecticide Meets Beauty And Fresh Scent.
In mankind's struggle to find safer alternatives to insecticide spray, man has turned to nature to find effective and non-toxic ways to control and remove crop and flower-destroying insects. Who knew that a lowly flower and the peel of a citrus fruit would bring about such amazing results.
* The Pyrethrum Daisy
Known as the "daisy with the kick of a mule", this unassuming member of the chrysanthemum family resembles the daisy.
Looks can be deceiving however. Even the invincible cockroach, and the toughest mosquito are no match to this diminutive flower. Pretty enough to display in a vase, yet powerful enough to pack a punch to almost all pests it meets!
In powder form, pyrethrum has been used as an natural and extremely effective insecticide for thousands of years. It was even once used as a lice treatment in the Middle East!
Unlike synthetic insecticides; insects pests do not develop a resistance to this more natural - safe-to-man-and-domestic-animal insecticide. It's no wonder that pyrethrum is slowly making a comeback.
Among it's other uses, pyrethrum can be added to water supplies and used to protect stored food supplies without the fear of harmful contamination.
In addition, since pyrethrum is unstable in strong sunlight, there is no danger of it staying active long enough to upset the "balance of nature."
* Citrus Peels
Not only hazardous for your health, insecticides aren't the most pleasant smelling in the world. According to the magazine Science News, scientist at the University of Georgia announced that they had found an insecticide that is not only safe, but easy on the nose as well.
Found in the skin of fruits such as lemons and oranges, the oil from the peels of these citrus fruit "killed all insects tested - fire ants, houseflies, stable flies, black soldier flies, paper wasps and grey crickets."
Non-toxic to humans and other animals, scientist are now trying to determine what exactly is in the fruit peels that kills insect so effectively.
Once again, it is truly the "earth's bounty" that has the greatest potential of providing effective and safe insect control. Thereby, making our planet an environmentally safer place to live.
