What were the earliest insecticides mentioned in history?

The earliest insecticides mentioned in history include nicotine and pyrethrins, which are significant for their historical use and effectiveness. Nicotine, derived from the tobacco plant, was used as a natural insecticide because of its toxic properties to a wide range of pests. Pyrethrins, extracted from chrysanthemum flowers, have been utilized for centuries, valued for their ability to quickly paralyze and kill insects. These natural origins underline their importance in the historical development of pest management practices.

In comparison, chlorinated hydrocarbons and organophosphates, while used later and being more modern synthetic insecticides, did not appear until the mid-20th century and thus are not historically relevant when discussing the earliest insecticides. While they are effective, they lack the historical context that nicotine and pyrethrins provide.