What Pesticides do Exterminators Use?
When it comes to using professional-grade pesticides or ingredients, every company has its own unique formula. However, there are certain pesticides that are most commonly used nowadays by pest control companies, such as pyrethroids and pyrethrins, as well as piperonyl butoxide, and hydramethylnon. Diazinon, chlorpyrifos, and some other organophosphates used to be common in the past, but starting in 2001, they have become almost obsolete after the Environmental Protection Agency decided to restrict their use.
Common Pesticides Used By Exterminators
1. Pyrethroids And Pyrethrins
Permethrin is a very common active ingredient in insecticides often applied by the licensed exterminators. It’s part of the large class of chemical insecticides called pyrethroids. They are capable of mimicking pyrethrins – botanical insecticides which are derived from African and Australian chrysanthemum flower varieties. The purpose of pyrethroids and pyrethrins is to first paralyze and then kill a vast variety of insects.
Pyrethroids and pyrethrins are included in agriculture, a lot of registered products for household insect mitigation, mosquito control, and pet protection. In general, they are safer to humans as well as other mammals than a lot of other alternatives. Additionally, they don’t trigger allergic reactions and asthma.
However, it’s worth mentioning that they are very toxic to aquatic organisms, which means that you should do everything to minimize spray drift as well as runoff that might get into the water.
2. Piperonyl Butoxide
Piperonyl butoxide and MGK-264 are among various popular chemicals which are usually added to pyrethrins as well as other insecticide agents. Additives don’t act alone as pesticides. Instead, by inhibiting insect metabolism, they enhance the effectiveness of all the other chemicals. Piperonyl butoxide is classified as a potential carcinogen by the EPA but also notes that it has quite a low human toxicity.
3. Hydramethylnon
Hydramethylnon is usually used in bait for cockroaches, termites, ants, silverfish, and crickets. It’s a gradual killer of insects, which can make them lethargic and gradually kill them over three-four days. Even though it’s not considered as the instant solution, it can have long-term impacts since insects are still alive and may take the poison back to their own colony.
Even though hydramethylnon is listed as a potential carcinogen, it poses very little danger to humans. However, note that it may still irritate the respiratory tract and eyes if not handled carefully.
Other Commonly Used Pesticides
Besides the ones mentioned above, other commonly used pesticides include fipronil and boric acid. Fipronil is a white powder that is used for controlling cockroaches, beetles, ants, and other insects. As for boric acid, it’s also a white powder derived from naturally occurring boron. It’s used in various insecticides. If used properly, both of them pose minimal health risks for humans. Contact us today to learn more about the chemicals and pesticides used from our company to help households and businesses like yours!
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