Re: Aphids, cont (was Whitefly!)

Adrian Arnold (arnold@bigb.win-uk.net)
Sun, 11 Feb 1996 23:28:20

Pyrethrum was one of the first natural insecticides and is almost
completely non-toxic to man, in fact I'm told you can just about
eat the stuff raw without suffering any ill effects (you might put
on weight though, as it's a sort of carbohydrate:-))

There is a law about labelling insecticides so the information
must be there somewhere. However, if it's available for home
use you can feel fairly safe. It should be pointed out though,
that using *any* approved substance in a non-approved way
contravenes the health and safety regulations in the UK and that
*includes* the use of washing-up liquid/detergent as a pesticide,
believe it or not:-) Of course, if you happen to sling out your
dirty dish-water in the direction of your CP's and some aphids die
by chance, then that's OK:-)

Pyrethrum should be quite safe but may not work very well on
whitefly as they quickly build up a resistance to most
pesticides. It also doesn't last long so you may have to keep
repeating the spray to catch any eggs which hatch (eggs are not
affected). If you are sure they are aphids, try using a spray with
pirimicarb in it as this is specific to aphids, i.e. does not kill
bees, ladybirds etc. (doesn't kill whitefly either:-)) Pyrethrum
kills all non-resistant insects.

><SNIP> Anyway I recognised
>pyretheum as being a "natural" insecticide - so far I've only
sprayed it on one
>pitcher (with a nice family of green splodges ("kids") & aphids).
>Have people tried pyretheum? Is it safe on drosera and sarracenia?
>
>Thanks for the help so far, folks,
>
>
>Richard
>
Regards, Adrian Arnold.