Pyrethum creates natural pesticide
The island of Tasmania, off the coast of Australia, has grown crops of Pyrethrum for more than 25 years. However, a fungus threatened to end this long career. An international team went over in 1999 to study the life cycle of the disease to find out when it is the most vulnerable. It took years of study, but now the crop has been saved thanks to that research team which included Dr Paul Asker, an assistant professor of plant pathology at UW-Madison.
The team was able to study the fungi so well that they developed a plan that specifies when to spray and when not to spray. This enabled the industry to be so successful that they have expanded into the mainland Australia. 
© Photographer | Agency: Dreamstime.com
So how can you take advantage of this pretty plant? Pyrethrum is a relative of chrysanthemum and it looks very similar to its cousin the Shasta Daisy (Chrysanthemum maximum). The Pyrethum daisy grows in hardiness zones 3 to 7, likes well drained soils and does well in partial shade. You can find Tanacetum cinerariifolium, white daisy look-alike, at Johnnyseed and Stokes seed. It is suffice to know that the natural pesticide produced is not systemic and will break down in UV light. Hence, you can safely add this to vegetables 12-48 hours before picking. It does kill all insects so be careful to use only int the case of infestations, not as a preventative.
You will find different recommendations Natural Pesticides: Homemade Pesticides & Insecticides for Natural Pest Control“>here. Anywhere from soaking and boiling itin water to soaking it in brandy and straining. It is even suggested in lower concentrations as a deterrent to mosquitos.
Readers here is where you come in. After trying some of the methods of extracting the pyrethrin from the pyrethrum flower, comment below and tell us your experiences. Some questions we have are: any experience any allergic reactions of skin or asthma? Any experience effective treatment of the Japanese beetles? and in what form – grub or beetle? Any experience effective mosquito repellent in pyrethrum lower concentrations? So many questions that you hold the keys to here. Hurry to comment! We are waiting to here from you!
Please note: This picture is an approximate likeness to the Pyrethrum white daisy flower. This particular picture is not meant to be used as an identification tool. If it was it would have been listed directly below the picture or noted in the article.
Popularity: 36% [?]
