Botanical Insecticides

Natural pyrethrin and synthetic permethrin are the most common formulations used in misting-based mosquito treatment. They are among the least poisonous insecticides to mammals, and are important ingredients in products commonly found in most homes, like household aerosols and pet shampoos.

Botanical - Pyrethrin

The active ingredient in the formulations most commonly used in mosquito mist systems is called pyrethrin, which is derived from the extract of a certain variety of chrysanthemum flowers.  Though pyrethrin comes from flowers, it is not completely correct to think of it as either “natural” or “organic” because it is highly refined and contains a man-made “synergist” that increases its effectiveness.  When applied in a mist, pyrethrin flushes mosquitoes from foliage where they harbor and then impairs their nervous system.  Shortly after application, the pyrethrin is rapidly degraded by sunlight, and leaves the yard free of residue.

Man-Made Botanical – Permethrin

Scientists have developed a synthetic variant of pyrethrin, called permethrin, that has most of the same characteristics as pyrethrin.  An important difference is that the man-made permethrin is not as readily destroyed by sunlight and leaves a longer lasting residue.  This can be desirable if the mosquito activity is very high or in an application – like an outdoor restaurant - where the mosquito mist system should not run during the dusk cycle because people are around.