Some Natural Insecticides And How They Work

Natural insecticides have been in use for hundreds of years. They do kill insects, that much is for sure. But do you wonder how they go about it? Let's take a look at some commonly used natural insecticides and how they work.

Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous Earth is composed of plankton skeletal remains. These remains are glass-like sharp and puncture the insect bodies and cause them to dehydrate. This natural insecticide works by dehydrating its victims. Chalk and mineral oil work in much the same way in that they dry out or suffocate the insect victims.

Rotenone and Sabadilla

Rotenone is made from the root of a derris plant. It works by acting as a slow working poison when ingested by an insect. Because it is slow working, it needs to be applied often. When applied to plants, it tends to keep insects at bay. Even if the insect is not poisoned to death, it will stop them from eating and growing. Sabadilla works in much the same way by acting as a poison.

Pyrethrum

Pyrethrum comes from a type of chrysanthemum that grows in Ecuador and Kenya. This type of natural insecticide works by paralyzing the insects. It works on most insects and the effects are instant. However, eventually the paralysis will wear off and the insect will come back around. Therefore, pyrethrum is usually combined with another insecticide that will kill the insect once it is paralyzed.

Natural Insecticide for Termites

Natural insecticides used in the termite industry work in two ways. First they cause the termite to lose his appetite so he doesn't eat at all and secondly it causes the termite to become disoriented because of damage to his nerve endings. Animals and humans do not have the same type of nerve endings as termites; therefore these insecticides are safe around people.

Bt

Bt or bacillus thurengiensis is a bacterium that is a popular natural insecticide. It is most effective during the hatching phase of insect reproduction. The young insects emerge, eat the bacterium, and are poisoned.

Neem

This natural insecticide works well on insects that are leaf eaters. Neem has an ingredient that mimics insect hormones and therefore repels the bugs. It also makes it very difficult for the bugs to digest their food and even interferes with their reproduction cycle.

Milk and Flour

Common cow's milk mixed together with flour and water makes for an inexpensive and effective natural insecticide that works by smothering insects. It is also useful for killing insect eggs.

Corn Meal

Corn meal can be an effective insecticide too when used around plants. For example, if eaten by a tomato worm, the cornmeal will cause the worm's stomach to swell and explode.

While not too pleasant to think about, those are a few examples of the way that natural insecticides work. Some are poison, others work by dehydrating or smothering the insect victim. Maybe you would rather not know the gruesome details about how natural insecticides work. Just know that they do work and are much gentler to the environment and your family and pets than their chemical counterparts.

Mode of Action: Neurotoxins - Greenhouse Management & Production

Greenhouse Management & Production

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Natural compounds effective on variety of garden pests - Ct Post

Natural compounds effective on variety of garden pests Ct Post One way to beat insects that have broken through natural plant defenses is to spray them with botanical insecticides that these pests indeed cannot tolerate ... and more »

Japanese beetle emerging as pest - Lawrence Journal World

Japanese beetle emerging as pest Lawrence Journal World Azadirachtin is a botanical insecticide that is labeled as a repellent for Japanese beetles but also has the potential to kill natural predatory insects. ... and more »

Wage war on those pesky ants - Vancouver Sun

Wage war on those pesky ants Vancouver Sun There are various sprays and baits on the market, most of which contain some form of pyrethrum, the botanical insecticide found naturally in chrysanthemums. ... and more »

July Garden Calendar - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

July Garden Calendar Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Spraying with the botanical insecticide Bt (Dipel, Thuricide, and others) is very effective on very young larvae.