Yates Pyrethrum Insect Pest Killer Concentrate 200mL – Natural Fast Knockdown Spray

Yates Pyrethrum Insect Pest Killer Concentrate 200mL: Natural Fast Knockdown Spray

Yates Pyrethrum is a fast-acting insecticide based on natural pyrethrum daisy extract, used to control a wide range of insect pests on vegetables, flowers, ornamentals, fruit trees and indoor plants. It contains 4 g/L pyrethrins plus 16 g/L piperonyl butoxide, and this 200mL concentrate makes up to 10 litres of spray. It comes in an easy-to-use measure bottle with a child-resistant cap.

What It Controls

Caterpillars, aphids, ants, thrips and whitefly, along with pests like mealy bug, earwigs, pear slug and passion vine hopper, across vegetables, flowers, roses, ornamentals, fruit trees and indoor plants.

How It Works

Pyrethrins are fast-acting knockdown insecticides that work on contact. Insects are paralysed before dying, which is why you often see results within minutes rather than days. The piperonyl butoxide is a synergist, it stops the insect from breaking down and detoxifying the pyrethrin, which speeds up knockdown and means less active ingredient is needed to do the job.

Pyrethrum is broken down by sunlight and decomposes rapidly in the environment, so it leaves no residual. That's the trade-off with this product: excellent fast knockdown, no lasting residues, but also no ongoing protection, so repeat applications are needed if pests return.

How to Mix and Use

Shake well before use. Mix 20 mL per litre of water. Spray when pests first appear and repeat at weekly intervals if required.

Because pyrethrum is not systemic and works purely on contact, spraying under the foliage is essential. Pests shelter on the undersides of leaves, and anything the spray doesn't physically reach won't be affected.

Yates specifically notes that the product will be ineffective if:

• You don't spray under the foliage where pests hide

• You use the wrong dilution rate

• Rain follows shortly after spraying

If you've used pyrethrum before and felt it didn't work, one of those three is almost always the reason.

Important: When Not to Spray

• Do not spray when shade temperatures are near 30°C or higher

• Do not spray when the soil is dry and plants are suffering from moisture stress

• Do not spray if rain is expected within 2 hours

• Do not apply to young seedlings

Bees and Waterways

Pyrethrum is a natural extract, but natural doesn't mean harmless to every insect. Pyrethrum is toxic to bees, so spray when bees aren't foraging, ideally early morning or late in the day, and avoid spraying plants in flower. Also keep the product out of drains, sewers, streams and ponds.

Withholding Period

Do not apply to vegetables or fruit trees less than one day before harvest, and wash edible produce thoroughly before eating.

Key Features & Benefits

• Based on natural pyrethrum daisy extract

• Fast knockdown, insects are paralysed on contact

• Piperonyl butoxide synergist accelerates knockdown

• Non-residual, breaks down in sunlight and decomposes rapidly

• Short one-day withholding period on edibles

• Broad pest coverage on vegetables, flowers, fruit trees and indoor plants

• Low toxicity formulation

• 200mL concentrate makes up to 10 litres of spray

• Measure bottle with child-resistant cap

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the dosage per litre?
Mix 20 mL of concentrate per litre of water. Spray when pests first appear and repeat weekly if needed. The 200mL bottle makes up to 10 litres of spray.

Is this ready to use or do I need to mix it?
This is the concentrate, so it needs mixing with water at 20 mL per litre. The bottle has a built-in measure and a child-resistant cap. Yates also makes a ready-to-use trigger pack if you'd prefer no mixing.

What are the active ingredients?
4 g/L pyrethrins and 16 g/L piperonyl butoxide. The pyrethrins come from pyrethrum daisy extract, and the piperonyl butoxide is a synergist that stops insects detoxifying the pyrethrin.

How quickly does it work?
Very quickly. Pyrethrins are knockdown insecticides that paralyse insects on contact, so effects are usually visible within a short time of spraying.

Does it leave residues?
No. Pyrethrum is degraded by sunlight and decomposes rapidly, so it's non-residual. That's why the withholding period is only one day, but it also means it won't protect the plant from new pests arriving.

Is it safe for bees?
No. Despite being a natural extract, pyrethrum is toxic to bees. Spray only when bees aren't foraging, and avoid spraying plants in flower.

Can I use it on my vegetables?
Yes. Don't apply less than one day before harvest, and wash produce thoroughly before eating.

Why didn't it work on my plants?
The three usual causes are not spraying under the leaves where pests hide, using the wrong dilution rate, or rain falling soon after spraying. It also shouldn't be applied in temperatures near 30°C or above.