It should be used with caution due to the fact that it is toxic to honeybees and is highly toxic to fishes. Pyrethrins is derived from the flowers of a relative of the chrysanthemum. It has no residual activity and breaks down immediately. This derivative of the roots of various South American legumes in the genus Lonchocarpus. This non-selective insecticide is a nerve toxin to pests and has a residual effect that lasts about a week.
Rotenone is restricted in some states and is toxic to birds, fish, and honeybees.
Neem is derived from the Neem tree of India. Neem can be used to control a number of pests and is known to render some pest species sterile. It also has some fungicidal properties and is used to control powdery mildew and rust on some plants. Neem is easy on beneficial insects and also appears to have some repellant properties against pests. These are just a few of the choices available to gardeners willing to try less toxic and more environmentally sound methods of controlling pests in the garden.