Is Pyrethrum Really a Natural Flea Treatment?
Just because a product is made from natural ingredients does not mean that it is safe or less toxic. This is why confusion arises over the risks of pet flea treatment products made from chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium or Chrysanthemum coccineum). Many such flea products have come under scrutiny because of a 50% increase in severe reactions to flea treatment products (mostly spot-on) that were reported to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Misleading advertising claims lead people to believe that pesticides made from chrysanthemum flowers are safer because they are natural. Unfortunately, this is not true. Pyrethrum is a pyrethrin that comes from flowers found in Australia and Africa. This pesticide alters the nerve function of fleas to cause paralysis and death. Originally made from dried, crushed flowers of chrysanthemums, current practices extract pyrethrins from the chrysanthemums via solvents. Originally used as powder (or dust), today this product is manufac
