What are the pyrethroids?Pyrethrin is one of two liquid esters derived from Pyrethrum (feverfew) (C21H28O3 or C22H28O5) that are used as insecticides. Pyrethrum, a nonvolatile hydrocarbon related to kerosene, is a similar insecticide derived from and chrysanthemum flowers.
The fact that they are derived from plants causes some people to think - a point played up by companies using this toxin in their products - that they are safe. Lots of plants are toxic, some in small quantities, others in large. Just because it comes from something lush and ornamental does not mean it can't be lethal. Oleander, azalea, mistletoe, and foxglove are just a few of the pretty - and highly toxic - plants with which we live.
Permethrin is a synthetic pyrethrin (C21H20Cl2O3). In other words, it is a man-made poison that is a copy of two poisons found in plants.
