Acephate
Most Effective Products
Acephate
Acephate is a main active ingredient for an assortment of insecticide products we have in our inventory here at Solutions Pest & Lawn. This active ingredient is known to be an effective product known to control a number of common pests encountered in home including but not limited to: turf and crop-invading pests as well as ants (particularly fire ants) cockroaches, crickets, firebrats, silverfish, earwigs, pillbugs, wasps, pantry invading pests and others.
Here you can shop for all our products containing Acephate in one place as well as learn more about this effective active ingredient, including what it is, mode of action, and other background information on this chemical.
What is Acephate?
Acephate comes from the Organophosphate family of chemicals and is used popularly by those in the agricultural industry to protect vegetables, natural products, berries, cotton, tobacco, and herbs. It is also utilized as a part of the agriculture and commercial pest control.
Acephate provides systemic control in plants with a long-lasting residual. Acephate is formulated as granules that dissolve quickly in water to form a spray solution. It is also available as an aerosol formulation for control of cockroaches and other structural pests and a granular insecticide for fire ant and harvester ant control.
How Does Acephate Work?
Mode of Action
Since Acephate is an Organophosphate insecticide, the chemical works by blocking an enzyme in the nervous system, thus interrupting the essential processes that help the insect communicate with muscles and with other nerves. As a result, this causes a build-up in the chemical acetylocholine for the affected insect. Eventually, the accumulation of acetylocholine in the muscles causes over-stimulation, ending either in the insect being paralyzed or dying.
Benefits of Acephate
Acephate is a product with low toxicity and provides good residual control of a wide variety of insects. It usually comes in powder form and is easy to mix and apply. Some Acephate-based products come in measured packets which make the mixing process simple.
Acephate is best used in warehouse settings or in agricultural settings to treat for insect infestations.
Drawbacks of Acephate
Acephate has a characteristically strong odor (primarily from mercaptan, a by-product in the production of Acephate). There have been some successful attempts made by improving the formulation to reduce the strength of the odor, however.
Avoid using Acephate if you are sensitive to strong odors.
How To Use
Acephate usually comes in a ready to use bait formulation or it can be mixed with water in a pump sprayer. It could also come in granule form and would have to be applied using a granular spreader or a special container that it is packaged in.
Aside from being used in baits for residential and commercial pest control, acephate is used by the agricultural industry to control insects and mites which are found on a large variety of crops: citrus, pears, alfalfa, nut trees, cotton, vegetables, and ornamentals.
Spray Application
First, you should measure your yard's square footage to determine how much of the Acephate-based product you need. Following the label instructions of the product, mix the appropriate amount of the Acephate product into your selected sprayer with water and then apply the product to the areas where you wish to treat for insects.
Bait Application
Following label directions, apply the bait strategically in areas where your target insect is active or where they frequent.
If the Acephate bait comes in granular form, you may need a spreader to apply the product or can shake it out of the container it comes in.
Is Acephate Safe?
Acephate is regarded as a general-use pesticide meaning that it can be used by the average homeowner, not just for professionals. This is a solid indicator that it is safe to use. When applied to plant life, Acephate breaks down quickly in the environment as it is absorbed from the soil by plant roots. Subsequently, the roots then transport the Acephate to other parts of the plant causing little residue on food and in drinking water.
The EPA has declared that those residues do not pose any risk and are not injurious to health. Acephate emits toxic fumes of phosphorus, nitrogen, and sulfur oxides when heated to decomposition. It is recommended that when applying Acephate (or any other chemical product for that matter) to always wear protective gear such as a mask, gloves, long sleeve clothing etc. Wash clothing and skin thorough when the application is complete. It is important, for safety reasons, to always apply the product according to instructions on the label.
What To Expect
As a general use insecticide, Acephate has a residual effect of 10-15 days. Insect pests are generally controlled more effectively by Acephate through ingestion than by contact. Acephate does not deliver an instant kill and it may take several minutes or longer for a pest to succumb to the active ingredient.
Featured Products
Surrender Fire Ant Killer - Surrender Fire Ant Killer is a systemic insecticide used to treat fire ant infestations. This can be sprinkled as a dust over ant mounds for simple and effective control.
Acephate 97UP Insecticide - Acephate 97UP provides reliable contact and systemic control of a wide spectrum of sucking and chewing insects used primarily to protect agricultural crops and in certain non-agricultural areas.
Orthene PCO Pellets - Orthene PCO Pellets are mixed with water to create a powerful insecticide. This product is made up of 97% of Acephate and is used primarily in restaurants to treat german cockroaches when baits are not effective in dealing with the problem.