How Pyrethrum Works to Combat Mosquitoes Mosquitos are capable of transmitting a number of fatal diseases, including the deadly West Nile Virus. That’s why it’s no wonder that people have tried for centuries to protect themselves from mosquitos. The best way to control mosquitos used to be unsightly netting and toxic aerosol sprays—at least until mosquito misting systems started to use pyrethrum.
Pyrethrum is a safe, effective, and natural insecticide that is extracted from chrysanthemum flowers. Besides being the least poisonous insecticide to humans and other mammals, pyrethrum has a number of advantages over chemically synthesized insecticides. For one, it’s botanical, which means that it rapidly breaks down and won’t accumulate in the environment. And unlike synthetic insecticides, mosquitos almost never build up a tolerance to pyrethrum. So how exactly does pyrethrum work to keep mosquitos under control? It works in three ways:
1. Fast Knockdown
Pyrethrum acts as a contact poison, which means that it affects an insect’s nervous system. Because pyrethrum blocks the release of neurotransmitters, mosquitos are almost immediately paralyzed and killed.
2. Activation
In small amounts, pyrethrum stimulates mosquitos, which flushes them from their hiding places. As a result, they come into contact with higher concentrations of pyrethrum, enhancing the knockdown-and-kill effect.
3. Deterrence
Even though small doses of pyrethrum aren’t enough to kill mosquitos, they do still affect the insect’s nervous system. Specifically, pyrethrum blocks the neurotransmitter that makes female mosquitos search for blood meals.
If you’d like to enjoy the great outdoors without worrying about pesky mosquitos, then contact Platinum Mosquito Protection today. Our mosquito misting system uses all-natural pyrethrum to keep biting insects under control. Homeowners in Boca Raton and Coral Gables should dial 954-888-9311 to learn how Platinum Mosquito Protection can keep mosquitos at bay.
