Insecticide Concentrates
Insecticides can be purchased in many different forms, each form having
specific uses. Insect sprays are available in ready to use
(RTU,) aerosols and concentrates.
There different forms of insecticide concentrates: emulsifiable
concentrate or EC, wettable powder or WP, microencapsulated
concentrates, soluble
powder.
Click here to see list of insecticide concentrates
Rarely are ready to use products suggested for
household, garden or turf and ornamental pest control jobs. Once an
insecticide concentrate has been mixed with water it should be used within a few
hours. You can actually lose 50% of your pesticide solution within 24 to
48 hours after mixing. The PH of water will break down your pesticide
material quickly. This means that a ready mixed product probably does not
contain as much active ingredient as its label states. Wettable powders
are not only destroyed by "sitting" in water (as with other
pesticides) but they will also settle out with the bulk of the material settling
to the bottom of your spray tank. Frequent agitation (or shaking of your
sprayer) helps keep a WP in solution longer. When originally manufactured
the product (by law) had to contain exactly what the label states but this
amount of active definitely breaks down as the product sits on the shelf.
To save time and money, never use a ready mix pesticide and always use what you
mix (from concentrate) the day it is mixed.
Aerosol insecticides are far more stable than a
ready to use product and most aerosols have specific uses in homes, restaurants
and business pest control. To read more about aerosols (insecticides, odor
eliminators, IGR) go to our Aerosols
Article.
Concentrated insecticides are materials that
are mixed with water (in most cases) and are then applied through pump sprayers,
foggers or other approved type of insecticide dispenser. There are several
forms of concentrated insecticides. Wettable powders (WP,) soluble
powders, emulsifiable concentrates (EC,) and microencapsulated (SC, CS, etc.)
are the most common you will encounter when shopping for pest control
supplies. Many people prefer to use a spray that is a systemic
insecticide when treating lawns, shrubs and ornamentals.
Click on any of the following links to skip down to the
insecticide formulation description and examples of each pesticide.
Top of Page
Care should be taken when matching products with
application. While some insecticides are labeled for use in foggers and
sprayers, this is not always the case. Not every product is safe to use in
electric or propane foggers, usually due to safety reasons. Always read
and follow label instructions!
Wettable Powder Insecticide Concentrates
There is a distinct difference between a wettable powder and a soluble
powder. A soluble powder dissolves when mixed with
water, in the same manner as dissolving sugar in water. Wettable powders
do not dissolve. When mixed with water a wettable powder forms a
suspension. That is, the particles that make up the material float
throughout the solution. The main advantages of wettable powder
insecticides: initial knock-down of targeted pests, extended residual effects
and (in most cases) odorless.
When an emulsifiable concentrate insecticide (for
instance) is mixed and sprayed on a wood surface, much of the active ingredient
is absorbed into the wood or evaporates. When a wettable powder solution
is sprayed on the same surface, 100% of the active ingredients are left on the
surface of the wood. This feature provides a faster knock-down of insects
and other pests. When dealing with infestations of spiders,
centipedes, millipedes,
German cockroaches, the extra knock-down of wettable
powders (and a few microencapsulated products)
is desirable. This insecticide formulation also gives a 90 day (or better)
residual; emulsifiable concentrated products give 28 to 31 days residual.
The main disadvantage of a wettable powder: the finished solution can leave a
visible residue on dark surfaces. (Visible residue is not to be confused
with staining. Most professional indoor pesticides are water-safe for
fabrics.) Wettable powder insecticide concentrates usually cost slightly
more (per gallon of solution mixed) than liquid concentrates but are well worth
the extra cost. When Cypermethrin products
(Demon WP, Cyper WP) were introduced to the professional pest control market, most pest
control companies began their now popular quarterly pest control accounts.
The super long residual of wettable powders meant that monthly spraying of homes
was no longer necessary.
Wettable powders or microencapsulated liquid concentrates can be used to solve
mild to severe ant control problems.
Soluble Powder Insecticide Concentrates
As their name imply, this group of insecticides easily dissolve in
water. Once dissolved, a soluble powder makes an invisible pesticide
solution that can be applied to approved surfaces. The most common soluble
powders used in pest control are Acephate Turf and Acephate PCO Pro (Orthene)
concentrates. Acephate Turf is primarily used
on turf and ornamentals for the control of molecrickets,
chinch bugs, lace wings and other outdoor
pests. This product is not to be used indoors and cannot be used on edible
food crops. Acephate PCO Pro (also know as
Orthene) is an indoor insecticide that has two primary purposes: for use in restaurants
for cockroaches and other indoor
pests and also for use in areas where German roaches
have shown a resistance to synthetic
pyrethroid insecticides. Products containing Acephate do generate a
great deal of odor and care should be taken when applying the products so as not
to offend clients.
Emulsifiable Insecticide Concentrates
An emulsifiable concentrate is simply a liquid concentrate that is added
to water to create your pesticide solution. In most cases, EC is the
designation for an emulsifiable insecticide (or fungicide) concentrate
product. Examples of this type of pesticide formulation: Demon
EC, Cynoff EC, Permethrin
SFR.
There are other emulsifiable products that are not insecticides. A good
example is Gentrol, an IGR
in liquid concentrate form.
Emulsifiable concentrates usually dry clear and give 28 to 31 days
residual. These products are also cheaper to use for jobs requiring a
large volume of pesticide spray. When treating
a cedar siding home or other such structure for carpenter
bees, Demon EC or Cynoff EC save a great deal of money over wettable powder
products that would leave a visible residue on such dark surfaces.
Microencapsulated Insecticide Concentrates
A microencapsulated (micro encapsulated) product can give you a longer
residual than a conventional liquid concentrate (EC) without leaving an
unsightly residue found when using wettable powders. Examples of
professional concentrates in microencapsulated form Demand CS,
Cyzmic CS.
This type of insecticide will actually deposit microscopic particles of
insecticide (invisible to the naked eye) on surfaces where it is sprayed or
applied. These tiny "bubbles" of active ingredient are burst
when stepped on by or groomed in by the targeted pest. Many people have
discovered that Cyzmic CS insecticide concentrate or
Demand CS insecticide concentrate may
cost more than conventional products but each bottle makes many gallons of
odorless spray, saving a great deal of money over long periods. The
same can be said of D-Fense SC
(exact same active ingredient, same strength as Suspend
SC but costs much less) which is actually a suspension concentrate that dries to tiny crystals
after application.
D-Fense SC is the most popular product used in
control of spiders, fleas,
ticks and ants in and around
homes and restaurants.
If you want a longer residual than what is provided by an emulsifiable
concentrate but do not want the visible residue left by a wettable powder,
choose D-Fense SC or Demand
CS.
Choosing Insecticide Concentrate Formulation
Basic properties, advantages, disadvantages:
EC - Emulsifiable Concentrate
This type of insecticide is cheaper than most concentrates, making it more
affordable for drenching fire ant mounds and treating large structures for carpenter
bees, carpenter ants. An EC product
dries without leaving a visible residue, a distinct advantage when spraying
schools, hospitals and other structures that have dark baseboards.
When spraying apartment complexes, property managers prefer monthly spraying so
that each unit is constantly being inspected and monitored for potential
problems. An EC is cheaper to use on a monthly basis.
Cynoff EC Demon
EC Permethrin
Liquid Cypermethrin Concentrates
WP or W - Wettable Powder Concentrate
Use a wettable powder when visible residues (on dark surfaces) are not an
issue. This formulation lasts at least 3 times longer than an EC
and has no odor. It also has a faster knock-down and is better for killing
spiders and other hard to kill pests.
Cyper WP Demon
WP Tempo WP
Soluble Powder Concentrate
A soluble powder will give the same residual as an EC
insecticide. Packaged in a dry form (which prevents spilling,
freezing) this powder dissolves in water to give a clear pesticide solution.
Orthene (Acephate PCO
Pro) Acephate Turf (Acephate
has a systemic
action)
Micro Encapsulated or Microencapsulated Concentrate, Suspension
Concentration
This liquid contains microscopic particles that easily mix with water and are
applied using same equipment as other insecticide concentrates. If you
want to use as little pesticide as possible, with a long residual and no odor,
choose one of these pesticide concentrates. On most surfaces, these types
of insecticides dry to an invisible finish.
Suspend SC Tempo
SC Demand CS Cyzmic
CS
Listing of Insecticide Concentrates
Acephate Pro PCO
NO LONGER AVAILABLE. USE ORTHENE
PCO INSTEAD. Same active ingredient, same commercial label.
General purpose insecticide powder concentrate; kills roaches, ants and other
pests in homes and restaurants. Available in box of 10 packs.
Acephate Turf
NO LONGER AVAILABLE. Use Bifen
IT or Cyper
TC for control of most lawn pests.
Soluble powder insecticide concentrate used to control molecrickets, chinch bugs
and other pests in turf and ornamentals. One pound container treats 1/4 acre.
Bora-Care
Gallon size container. Liquid concentrate borate spray used to control termites,
powderpost beetles, fungi, wood destroying organisms in wood. 1 gallon of
concentrate makes 2 gallons solution which will treat 1,000 square feet. Order
case of 4 gallons for larger jobs and better savings. Cannot be shipped to AK.
Cynoff EC
Active Ingredient: Cypermethrin. This odorless, general purpose insecticide
contains the best active ingredient for elimination German roaches, ants and
other insect pests. Leaves no visible residue. Using just 1/2 ounce per gallon,
each quarts makes 64 gallons. Similar to Demon EC.
Cyper WP
Active Ingredient: Cypermethrin. Odorless insecticide in wettable powder
formulation which gives 90 day residual. Choice of professional for spiders,
roaches, ants and other listed pests when treating quarterly and annual
accounts. Each one pound container will make up to 48 gallons of odorless
solution. Safe for homes, schools, businesses.
Demand CS
Each 8 ounce container will make up to 40 gallons of odorless solution.
Cyzmic CS
Same as Demand CS
Demize EC
Concentrated liquid used for flea control. Label states that Demize EC
will kill all stages of the flea:
adult flea, pupae, flea
eggs, flea larvae.
Demon EC, Demon Max
Active Ingredient: Cypermethrin. Low odor, general purpose insecticide.
Originally formulated under the name "Demon EC"
it is now marketed under the name of "Demon
Max." Same product with same amount of Cypermethrin, new name.
Very
safe for indoor and outdoor pest control. Contains the best active ingredient
for elimination German roaches, ants and other insect pests. Leaves no visible
residue. Using just 1/2 ounce concentrated insecticide per gallon, each pint makes 32 gallons. Similar to
Cynoff Emulsifiable Concentrate
Demon WP
Active Ingredient: Cypermethrin. A crack and crevice and/or spot treatment for
residual and contact control of ants, carpenter
ants, cockroaches, crickets,
spiders and certain other insects. This odorless wettable powder is the most
popular insecticide concentrate used in general household pest control. One
pound bulk jar makes up to 48 gallons of solution. Comes with easy-to-use
measuring scoop.
Exciter
Active Ingredients: Pyrethrins 6.00%, Piperonyl Butoxide 60.00%. Can be used as
a spray or fog. Can be used alone or tank-mixed with other insecticides. Use 1
to 4 ounces per gallon.
Mop Up has been replaced with Eaton's Boric Acid.
Use in mop water or use dry, in cracks and creviccs.
Active Ingredients: Disodium Octoborate 98% (boric acid) A mop rinse insecticide
that leaves an odorless, invisible residue which cockroaches cannot detect. This
product contains a heat treated boric acid which is substantially more water
soluble than other borate products. Mop UP is a non-flammable, non-staining,
odorless powder that will help control cockroach infestations and should be used
in conjunction with a residual pest control product or with regular
exterminating service. Add one cup of Mop Up to rinse water. Apply to floor
areas only. Avoid treating areas that may come into contact with food. Reapply
as necessary.
Permethrin, Consumer Grade
This synthetic pyrethroid is as safe as it gets if you are hunting for a contact
and residual insecticide. A broad label includes inside insects, outside
insects, spraying barns and chicken houses and making a dip or spray for dogs or
horses. Qt container; use 1 to 6.7 ounces per gallon.
Permethrin, Professional Grade
Active Ingredient: Permethrin 36.8% [Same a.i. as Dragnet and Flee] This low
odor insecticide is a favorite with professionals and homeowners for general
purpose pest control as well as termite control. Permethrin is a very safe
product that is labeled for use indoors on carpets, outdoors on turf and
ornamentals and is also one of the best termiticide on the market. Only 1 to 1.6
ounces of concentrate is needed per gallon! Also available in 1.25 gallon
container.
Suspend SC [ D-Fense
SC
Active Ingredient: Deltamethrin. Odorless synthetic pyrethroid; lasts two times
longer than ordinary liquid concentrates with no visible residue. Very safe
around children and pets; will not harm most plants and is water-safe for indoor
flea and tick use. Primarily used for bi-monthly and quarterly pest control.
Talstar Concentrate (Also, look at Bifen
IT which has same ingredients, same strength as Talstar.)
Active Ingredient: Bifenthrin. This is the best liquid concentrate on the market
for spraying lawns for control of molecrickets, ants, chinch bugs and many other
listed pests. When applied properly, is very safe for people and pets after
treated surfaces are allowed to dry. Very economical: use only 1/2 ounce
(sometimes less!) per thousand sq. ft. to control ants and other pests; use 1
ounce per 1,0000 sq. ft. to control molecrickets. Available in pints, quarts and
gallons.
Tempo SC
This odorless insecticide is safe to use in homes, restaurants, schools. Special
formulation delivers longer residual than regular liquid concentrates. Each 240
ml bottle will make up to 30 gallons of solution. Effective against
ants, boxelder bugs, beetles, roaches and many other insect pests.
Tempo WP
Odorless insecticide concentrate that is labeled for use in homes, schools,
restaurants and can also be sprayed on most ornamental plants. The best for
Boxelder Bugs. Also effective on roaches, ants and many other listed pests. Each
420 gram jar will make up to 40 gallons of odorless solution.
Termitafoam
Foaming agent. When mixed with your insecticide in our Professional Foamer,
produces expanding foam insecticide solution. Great for foaming inside wall
voids, beneath slabs, etc.
Timbor
Odorless powder concentrate used to protect wood from wood destroying organisms
such as termites, powderpost beetles, old house borers. 1.5 pound pouch of powder
mixes with 1 gallon water, to treat 200 square feet of wood. Also available in
money-saving 25 pound drum.
Pest
Control Kits - There are certain combinations of pest control supplies
(including concentrated insecticides, spray equipment, dust equipment,
insecticide dusts, aerosols, ant baits, etc.) that are available in money-saving
kits.
Return to Insecticides
Return to Pest Control Supplies
Soluble Powders
Emulsifiable
Concentrates Microencapsulated Concentrates
Wettable Powders
Demon EC, Cynoff
EC, Permethrin SFR, Catalyst,
Gentrol, Tempo
SC, Tempo WP
Demand CS, Permethrin,
Suspend SC, D-Fense
SC, Cyzmic CS
insecticide
concentrates
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