Making pyrethrum spray from chrysanthemums

[Hibrix]

Hi guys

My first post so please be gentle. I have a lovely Chrysanthemum bush and I'm wondering if I can make an insecticide from the flowers. Has anyone done this?
did it work?
whats the shelf life?
Any ill effects?

thanks

[fetida_freida]

I was curious about this as well!

[rainbowgardener]

Here's the wiki article about it.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Pyrethrum-Garden-Spray

Note what it says about beneficials. Pyrethrins may be "natural," but they are still potent insecticides that are harmful to the beneficial insects. It is also toxic to dogs, can cause respiratory irritation in humans, and is toxic to fish if it gets in water table and leaches into rivers.

[Hibrix]

Thanks for that, it is all too easy. Pesticide is always a last resort.

The recipe says to add soap powder, What is this for?[/quote]

[Kisal]

The soap is to break the surface tension (molecular attraction) of the water, so it spreads evenly over the surfaces of the plant, instead of just beading up and sitting in droplets.

Be careful to read the label on whatever soap product you decide to use, to be certain it isn't actually a detergent. Detergents can damage plants.