Are Natural Insecticides Safe Around People And Pets?You might think that a natural insecticide would be safe for humans and animals too. The truth is some are but some can be toxic and cause irritation and burns. To be on the safe side you must familiarize yourself with the insecticide before you use it and learn how to properly handle it and be aware of any precautions you must take with it. For example, rotenone is a popular natural insecticide that is made from the derris root. It is harmful to fish also so you need to be careful and keep it away from your Koi ponds. It is also slightly toxic to humans and other mammals so take care when using it by wearing gloves and not inhaling the dust. It is however perfectly safe and effective to use on vegetables. Sabadillia is similar to rotenone and can cause respiratory irritation so you should wear a mask to avoid breathing it in when you apply it. Hot peppers are popular for use as a natural insecticide but you must be very careful to make sure that when you are grinding and applying your solution that you do not get any in your eyes or inhale the fluid or vapors as it is very hot. You must be careful not to touch it as you might inadvertently touch your eye at a later time and cause severe pain as a result. Nicotine sulfate is used in termite control and is actually more toxic to humans and pets than the synthetic chemical termite insecticide. This must be used only by a trained exterminator. Don't let the above scare you from using natural insecticides however as many are totally harmless to pets and people. Boric acid for example can be used in areas where kids and pets play as it is only toxic to insects. Diatomaceous Earth is also safe for mammals but fatal for insects. Bacillus thurengiensis is very popular for use on plants but it does not harm people at all. Grapefruit, lime, and orange oils are currently being developed into natural insecticides and these are quite good at killing insects while being totally non-toxic to pets and people. Neem is also non-toxic to people and in fact is used by herbalists for the treatment of various diseases and conditions. So you can see that some types of natural insecticides are in fact harmful to people and pets as well, while others are not harmful at all, and in the case of Neem, actually beneficial. Therefore, it is very important that you fully understand how the natural insecticide works and how it affects humans and animals before you use it so you can keep yourself and your family safe. |
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