What is Cypermethrin?

Cypermethrin

A popular insecticide active ingredient that is used to eliminate a broad range of common household bugs is a synthetic pyrethroid known as Cypermethrin.

Cypermethrin was initially formulated to deal with controlling infestations of bugs on commercial agricultural lands where various types of ectoparasites (ie. lice, fleas, and various mites) are notorious for infesting cattle, sheep, and poultry. This active ingredient has since been made available for general pest control. Read on to learn more fascinating facts about Cypermethrin.

What is Cypermethrin?

Cypermethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid that emulates the properties of pyrethrum, which is naturally extracted from chrysanthemum flowers. Cypermethrin is commonly used as a crack and crevice or spot treatment for residual and contact control of spiders, ants, carpenter ants, scorpions, German cockroaches, ladybugs, carpenter bees, and yellow jackets.

Cypermethrin has low toxicity to humans and is safe to use around pets when it's applied as directed. Because it is a synthetic pyrethroid, it lasts longer than natural pyrethrum and provides long-lasting control and prevention.

Cypermethrin comes in a number of different formulations--from wettable powders to liquid insecticide concentrates, dusts, aerosols, and granules. Cypermethrin is a general household spray that can successfully control pests both indoors and outdoors.

How Does Cypermethrin Work?

Mode of Action

Cypermethrin goes to work immediately once an insect has come into contact or ingests the ingredient. The poison interferes with the insect's nerve cells, which leads to paralysis and prevents the insect from performing normal functions like feeding and grooming. It isn’t long before the insect dies from not being able to feed himself.

Benefits of Cypermethrin

Cypermethrin products are used commonly by pest control professionals when tasked with treatment jobs for their clients. Cypermethrin products can be used outdoors in areas including parks, athletic fields and agricultural sites. You can use Cypermethrin to fight pests in food granaries, greenhouses and pet kennels. Cypermethrin also works well on ornamental trees and shrubs, eliminating pests and preventing further invasions from occurring on them.

Drawbacks of Cypermethrin

After diluting Cypermethrin based products, you should use it immediately and not store it away as the acids in water can start to degrade the active ingredient and make it more ineffective as time passes.

Cypermethrin is not a non-repellent product so there can be cases where insects will simply avoid the product and find another way to invade or continue carrying on their activities. Do not use Cyfluthrin on edible plants like fruits and vegetables.

Is Cypermethrin Safe?

When applied properly, Cypermethrin is safe around pets and children after the product has completely dried. As long as the product is not ingested or gets on your skin, you will be fine. When handling Cypermethrin products, or any chemical insecticide, it is recommended that you always wear proper protective clothing and safety equipment.

Cypermethrin is most hazardous in it’s concentrated form. If it is diluted with water, such as is recommended when applying to surfaces and to target insects, it is much safer. However, Cypermethrin, like most synthetic pyrethroids, is extremely toxic to fish so you should avoid spraying near bodies of water like lakes and ponds.

What To Expect

When using a Cypermethrin-based product, it does not guarantee an instant kill. It can take up to 24 hours to kill the target pest but it does have a long-time residual which can last up to 90 days, meaning you don't have to reapply as often unless you have a very large infestation.

Whenever you use any of our products here at Solutions Pest & Lawn, we always recommend keeping children and pets away from the area being treated until the application product has completely dried which usually takes a half-hour to an hour. Once dried, children and pets can be brought back into the area and go back to normal behaviors.