Insect control products contain both ‘active’ and ‘inert’ ingredients
Australian Natural Pyrethrins® is a 100% natural active ingredient with low mammalian toxicity1 extracted from Australian grown pyrethrum daisies. The role of insecticide active ingredients (syn. constituents) is to eliminate, control and repel insect pests.
Actives make insect control products work. Think of them as performing the same role as the engine in a car – powering the product.
Everything else contained in insect control products are ‘inert’ ingredients. They are ingredients that have zero insecticidal activity on their own, and include solvents, propellants, stabilisers, emulsifiers and fragrances.
Insecticide active ingredients differ in five key ways:
Toxicity level
How toxic the active ingredient is to humans and animals.
Residual life
How long the active ingredient remains in the environment.
Mode-of-action
How the active ingredient works to eliminate or repel insects.
Selective or non-selective
Whether the active ingredient works on all problem insects or only a select few.
Natural or synthetic
Whether the insecticide active ingredient is naturally extracted or man-made.
A naturally smarter choice
Powerful
Australian Natural Pyrethrins® consists of six naturally occurring molecules that have low mammalian toxicity1, but are very effective on problem insects. They work by attacking the insects’ nervous system, knocking them down within seconds. 1Environmental Protection Agency - Toxicity Category III classification (40 CFR 156.62 Toxicity Category). Based on product data for Pyrethrins 50% TK containing Australian grown and extracted pyrethrins active ingredient.
Complex
The complex chemistry of the pyrethrin molecules, coupled with their biodegradability in sunlight2, makes it harder for insects to develop defences and build resistance – as they have done with many synthetic insecticides. 2Pyrethrins General Fact Sheet. National Pesticide Information Center, November 2014, p 3.
Sustainable
Sustainably grown and extracted right here in Australia, Australian Natural Pyrethrins® is a biodegradable active ingredient with low mammalian toxicity1 and short environmental persistence2, making it a natural choice for insect control in the most sensitive environments.
Quick facts on ‘natural’ insect control products
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What’s the difference between a ‘natural extract’ and a ‘natural active ingredient’?
A natural extract is sourced from nature, while a natural active ingredient is both sourced from nature and also controls and/or repels problem pests and insects.
In Australia, the active ingredients (syn. constituents) are listed on the front product label under the heading ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS. Next time you see a ‘natural’ claim for a plant extract on an insect control product be sure to check that it is listed as an active constituent. -
What to look for on products labelled ‘natural’
Popular plant-based extracts like lavender, eucalyptus and citronella are sometimes used in Australia to fragrance insect control products that contain only 100% synthetic chemical active ingredients.
In Australia, the active ingredients (syn. constituents) are listed on the front product label under the heading ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS. Next time you see a ‘natural’ claim for a plant extract on an insect control product be sure to check that it is listed as an active constituent. -
What is a ‘trusted synthetic active’?
A ‘trusted synthetic active’ is a different way of describing a ‘100% synthetic insecticide chemical’. Many synthetic insecticide chemicals used in Australia are imported from large chemical factories in China and India.
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What do % natural claims really mean?
Some pest control brands make big claims about the percentage (%) of natural ingredients included in their products. In some cases, these percentage (%) natural claims refer only to the inert ingredients – the solvents, fragrances and propellants in the products – and not the insecticide active ingredients that power the products and make them work.
Check that the claim covers the most important ingredients, the active ingredients (syn. constituents), not just the inert ingredients that have no insecticidal activity on their own. -
Actives often make up a small percentage of the total ingredients, so why do they matter?
Active ingredients (syn. constituents) make insect control products work.
Everything else contained in insect control products are ‘inert’ ingredients. Inert ingredients have zero insecticidal activity on their own, and include solvents, propellants, stabilisers, emulsifiers and fragrances.