Natural Pesticides

Natural Pesticides

There are a number of pesticides found in nature. Several species of plants use pesticides to ward off insects. Examples are nicotine, rotenone, pheromones, and juvenile hormones. Chemists have isolated some of these pesticides to use on insects. A type of natural pesticide that humans have used for centuries is pyrethrins. Pyrethrins were used in Napoleonic times to control body lice, and can even be found in flea products for animals today. They work by paralyzing insects, but not killing them. This field of study is known as Green Chemistry.[i] Green chemistry research has developed safer pesticides and procedures. An example if a low-toxicity pesticide created by Green Chemistry is hexaflumuron. This insecticide is used against termites, and interrupts their molting process.[1] This field of Green Chemistry is quickly becoming popular as people want safe alternatives with minimal environmental impact.
[1] Baird, C. Chemistry in Your Life. W.H. Freeman and Company Press: USA, 2006; pp 394-395.
[i] The science of designing chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances.


I was aware that we were copying nature for pesticides and insecticides, but I didn’t know there was an entire field of Green Chemistry. With an increasing demand for green and safe products, I guess it was just a matter of time. I think we’ll begin to see a lot more research put into this field, and hopefully a lot more eco-safe products. I was also a little surprised to see that insecticides were used all the way back in the Napoleonic era. But it makes sense for the time.

[1] Baird, C. Chemistry in Your Life. W.H. Freeman and Company Press: USA, 2006; pp 394-395.