- Derived from the flowers of certain chrysanthemum plants.
- Natural insecticide with fast knockdown and kill action against a wide range of insects, including aphids, thrips, whiteflies, and mosquitoes.
- Historically used as an insecticide dust, spray, or extract.
2. Rotenone:
- Plant-based insecticide obtained from the roots of tropical plants, such as derris and lonchocarpus.
- Effective against a variety of pests, including aphids, beetles, caterpillars, and fleas.
- Traditionally used in agriculture, gardening, and pest control.
3. Nicotine:
- Alkaloid found in tobacco plants
- Known for its insecticidal properties and used in various forms, such as nicotine dust, sprays, and fumigants.
- Historically used to control aphids, thrips, and other soft-bodied insects.
4. Copper compounds:
- Includes substances like copper sulfate and copper oxychloride.
- Used as fungicides and insecticides to prevent fungal diseases and control pests like snails, slugs, and some insects.
- Historically employed in vineyards, orchards, and gardens to protect crops.
5. Sulfur:
- Elemental sulfur has been used as a natural pesticide and fungicide for centuries.
- Effective against powdery mildew, mites, and certain insects by disrupting their respiratory system.
- Traditionally applied as a dust or spray in gardens and agricultural fields.
6. Lime and Soaps:
- Lime-sulfur mixtures and soap-based insecticides were commonly used in the past.
- Lime-sulfur acted as both an insecticide and fungicide, while insecticidal soaps targeted soft-bodied insects like aphids and mealybugs.
7. Botanicals and Herbal Extracts:
- Many plants, herbs, and spices possess natural insecticidal properties and have been used for pest control throughout history.
- Examples include neem oil, garlic extracts, hot pepper sprays, and herbal repellents.
8. Biological Control Agents:
- Utilizing natural predators, parasites, and beneficial insects to control pests.
- Techniques such as ladybugs for aphid control and lacewings for pest management were practiced even before the advent of synthetic pesticides.
9. Physical Barriers and Traps:
- Methods like setting up physical barriers (e.g., nets and screens) to prevent pest entry and using sticky traps to capture insects have long been used.
10. Crop Rotation:
- Altering the sequence of crops grown in a field over time to disrupt the life cycles of pests and diseases.