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Natural Pest Control and Botanical Pesticides
By Eric Vinje, Planet Natural
Botanical pesticides are derived from plants which have been shown to have insecticidal properties. Used widely until the 1940's, these natural pesticides were displaced by modern synthetic pesticides that at the time seemed cheaper, easier and longer lasting. As awareness of the health and environmental hazards of chemical pesticides increases, however, and as pests become more resistant to synthetic compounds, the popularity of botanical insecticides is once again increasing. Natural pest controls like the botanicals are safer to the user and the environment because they break down into harmless compounds within hours or days in the presence of sunlight. They are also very close chemically to those plants from which they are derived, so they are easily decomposed by a variety of microbes common in most soils.
While many situations may require the use of botanical pesticides, they are the "heavy hitters." We recommend using them as a last resort after all other viable options have been explored.
Note: Some pyrethrin products contain piperonyl butoxide (PBO), a sesame extract which is added to improve their effectiveness. PBO is no longer approved for certified organic use.
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