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Rotenone Insecticide
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A natural insecticde from roots -
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Summary: Rotenone is a natural
insecticide extracted from the roots of certain
tropical plants. It is a broad spectrum, relatively
low toxicity insecticide for use in gardens but is
is highly toxic to fish and is sometimes used to
eliminate unwanted fish from lakes.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
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What is rotenone?
Rotenone is a
natural insecticide that is extracted from the roots
of several different plants that grow in the
tropics. While rotenone exhibits moderate to low
toxicity as a garden insecticide it is highly
toxic to fish and invertebrates and, in fact,
was originally used by indigenous people to help
capture fish. Today it is widely used by gardeners
as a natural insecticide and by fish managers to
kill unwanted, non-native fish from lakes. Therefore
when used by home gardeners take care to avoid
application to any body of water such as
ponds, fountains, or streams that are home to fish.
other common names:
derris
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chemical
structrure of rotenone; drawing
from wikipedia
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Rotenone breaks down
rapidly in sunlight so is generally less
damaging to beneficial insect species than are
synthetic pesticides that are more persistent. While
most rotenone formulations are only moderately toxic
to mammals, including us, some concentrated, liquid
formulations are highly toxic. Rotenone is available
as a powder (dust) and concentrated liquid, sometimes
in combination with other insecticides.
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Rotenone is a broad
spectrum insecticide and is therefore used for a
variety of garden and landscape pests. One of the more
useful, and least toxic, products combines low
concentration liquid rotenone with pyrethrum (see
specimen label below).
Do not use
rotenone-containing products on dogs or cats for
flea and tick control. We believe there are safer
alternatives now available.
Rotenone is rapidly
broken down by sunlight which is both an advantage and
disadvantage. Because it breaks down rapidly it does
not accumulate in the environment and harm non-target
organisms. However, it must be re-applied at short
intervals (see label below) and is usually applied in
the evening.
Download
this specimen
label (pdf)
for an example of a product that contains rotenone and
pyrethrin (pyrethrum). Please note: specimen
labels can vary between products; follow the
instructions for the actual product you are using.
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Mission: To
provide accurate, up-to-date and unbiased information
for solving common insect and mite problems around
your home, business and landscape using least-toxic
methods.
Jack DeAngelis,
Ph.D.
Please see the Disclaimer statements as
well.
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