Insecticides
Insecticides are different to insect repellents because they actually kill insects on contact. Repellents do not kill, they just make people undetectable to biting insects.
When choosing a method of pest control, be sure to distinguish the difference between a repellent and an insecticide, as insecticides can also kill beneficial insects such as bees, which is undesirable.
Pyrethrum Insecticide
Pyrethrum is another name for the Chrysanthemum, a perennial flowering plant of which there are several species. Pyrethrum is also used to refer to a natural insecticide extracted from particular species of Chrysanthemum, particularly C. cinerariifolium. Prevent Room Spray contains 100% natural pyrethrum and can be used to spray rooms to clear them of insects.
Pyrethrin Insecticide
Pyrethrins are extracted from pyrethrum, and have an insecticidal effect, attacking an insect's nervous system. In small doses pyrethrins have an insect repellent effect.
Pyrethrin insecticide is less toxic and more environmentally friendly than synthetic insecticides as it is biodegradable, however, it can still be harmful to fish, birds and other mammals and humans. Pyrethrins are often found in pet shampoos used to control fleas.
Pyrethroid Insecticides
Pyrethroids are synthetic insecticides similar to pyrethrins (permethrin is an example of a pyrethroid, along with prallethrin, phenothrin, allethrin, transfluthrin and tetramethrin).
Pyrethroid insecticides are used in insecticide formulations such as mosquito net treatments, plug in mosquito killers, mosquito smoke coils and room sprays, as well as insect repellents. Pyrethroid-containing insecticides will often kill beneficial insects as well as undesirable creepy-crawlies. They are also harmful to fish and other aquatic life.
Lifesystems mosquito netting impregnation kit contains pyrethroid insecticide, while Jungle Formula Plug In contains prallethrin and Bio Kybosh Room Spray contains tetramethrin.
Permethrin Insecticide
Permethrin insecticide belongs to the pyrethroid family of insecticides. It is used for treating mosquito nets and as an insect repellent. Permethrin is also used in flea treatments for dogs, but is highly toxic to cats. Although permethrin insecticide has low toxicity to other mammals and birds, and it has low skin absorption, it is harmful to favourable insects as well as to aquatic life.
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Bug Sprays
Bug sprays contain insecticides such as pyrethroids and pyrethrum, which kill mosquitoes and other insects.
Plug In Mosquito Killers
Plug in mosquito killers, or mosquito plug ins, effectively eliminate mosquitoes and other flying insects from the room by releasing insecticide vapours.