Bifenthrin

For an insecticide to be effective, a powerful active ingredient is needed to kill the problem pest quickly and provide a residual effect, so you don't have to apply it so often to maintain control. One such active ingredient that achieves these qualities is Bifenthrin, which is effective against over 70 different common household pests.

Bifenthrin is an important active ingredient in a number of the professional-grade insecticides we have at Solutions Pest & Lawn, including our popular Supreme IT formula, which we exclusively produce at our manufacturing facility.

Here, you can learn more about this potent pyrethroid and effective active ingredient and shop our various bifenthrin-based products in our stores.

What is Bifenthrin?

Bifenthrin is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide used to control over 75 different pests by influencing the target pest's nervous system. It mimics the qualities of pyrethrum, which is naturally derived from the chrysanthemum plant.

Although it is listed as a restricted-use chemical in the United States, it can be sold for daily use, provided the product has a low Bifenthrin concentration. The chemical was originally discovered and developed by the FMC corporation.

First introduced in 1983, Bifenthrin is a broad-spectrum insecticide, miticide, and termiticide. These insecticides are used indoors and outdoors to control many pests, including ants, termites, cockroaches, ticks, mole crickets, stink bugs, armyworms, and many other invasive, turf, or ornamental pests. Bifenthrin is available in flowable formulations for general pest and termite control and granular formulations for general outdoor pest control.

How Does Bifenthrin Work?

Mode of Action

Bifenthrin's mode of action is similar to that of other insecticides on the market in that the chemical targets insects by paralyzing the central nervous system upon touching or ingesting it. This paralysis creates an inability to function or eat, which eventually leads to the pest's death. It can take minutes to several hours for a pest to die.

When allowed to dry on a surface, Bifenthrin leaves a long-lasting residual that continues to control pests for a duration, typically several months. It is a white, waxy solid with a faint, sweet smell. It is chemically synthesized in various forms, including, but not limited to, powder, granules, and liquids. However, it is not naturally occurring.

Benefits of Bifenthrin

The best thing about Bifenthrin-based products like Supreme IT and Valar Plus Bifenthrin Granules is their residual effect. The product remains effective for a long time, for up to 90 days. This means that you don't have to re-apply the product as often. A quarterly application of either product can keep pests off of your property all year long.

Bifenthrin is best used for both indoor and outdoor applications for a variety of different pests. You can safely apply the product where food is handled and in cracks and crevices where pests can hide and breed.

Drawbacks of Bifenthrin

While Bifenthrin is an effective active ingredient, it does not provide an instant kill. Exposed insects may take 10 minutes or so to die from the effects of Bifenthrin.

Avoid using Bifenthrin-based products when you want to treat insects that are damaging fruit-bearing plants, vegetables, or flowers.

How To Use

Bifenthrin products usually come in a liquid concentrate that must be mixed with water in a pump sprayer. They could also come in granule form and must be applied using a granular spreader or a special container.

If you are looking for versatile, broad-spectrum pest control, we recommend using a product like Supreme IT. Supreme IT is an insecticide concentrate made with 7.9% bifenthrin. Use Supreme IT indoors and outdoors to treat pest infestations or prevent them from breaking out.

Spray Application

First, measure your yard's square footage to determine how much of the Bifenthrin-based product you need. Following the label instructions, mix the appropriate amount of the Bifenthrin product into your selected sprayer with water. Then, apply the product to the areas where you wish to treat insects.

To treat most pests with Supreme IT, mix up to 1 whole fluid ounce of product into 1 gallon of water to apply evenly over 1,000 sq. ft. of the treatment area. Once your solution is mixed, you can apply it as a broadcast spray or barrier spray and put it into cracks and crevices. Spray around baseboards, winter pipes, doors, windows, and behind and underneath appliances.

You can apply this product over lawns, ground cover, shrubs, flowers, non-bearing fruit and nut trees, and exterior structural features such as around doors, windows, eaves, utility penetrations, external lighting, or any other voids leading into the structure. Use a fan-nozzle spray setting to get uniform coverage for broadcast spraying, surface spraying, or barrier spraying. Use a pin-stream nozzle setting for precise application for crack and crevice spraying.

Pests that make contact with the spray or its residual will have their nervous systems impacted and will die within hours. Supreme IT will leave behind a residual that will last for up to 90 days.

For another liquid option that is a highly concentrated bifenthrin product is Bifen XTS.

Granular Application

If the Bifenthrin bait is granular, you may need a spreader to apply it or can shake it out of the container it comes in. Load the appropriate amount of granules into your spreader and then broadcast them evenly over the treatment area. Afterward, you can water the treated area to help the granules penetrate the soil.

If you want to treat pests in your lawn, we recommend you use Valar Plus Bifenthrin Granules. This granular insecticide is made with 0.2% bifenthrin, so we recommend you apply it with a broadcast push spreader. Depending on your target pests, you can apply 1.15 to 4.6 lbs. of product per 1,000 sq. ft. of treatment area. Once you have completed the application, water the product into the soil with at least 2 gallons per 1,000 sq. ft. of treatment area.

Turf pests like armyworms, mole crickets, or other pests on the product label that travel through the grass or soil will come into contact with the active ingredient and die. Valar Plus Bifenthrin Granules will control turf pests on your lawn for up to 3 months.

Is Bifenthrin Safe?

Yes, Bifenthrin is a safe chemical around your home and yard. Bifenthrin is a synthetic pyrethroid, the man-made version of the natural pesticide pyrethrum, which is made from extractions from chrysanthemum flowers. People in the pest control industry often refer to pyrethroids as the insecticide that is as safe as chrysanthemums.

However, Bifenthrin has demonstrated that is can be somewhat toxic to birds and highly toxic to fish. Bifenthrin is not harmful to your pets when the product application has dried. Bifenthrin is also safe to use in your yard because it cannot be absorbed by plant foliage.

As with any other pesticide, always exercise caution and wear protective gear before handling chemicals. This can include gloves, a protective mask, and long-sleeve clothing when applying bifenthrin.

What To Expect

When using a Bifenthrin-based product, you should expect a significant reduction or total elimination of your insect problem in little time. Bifenthrin, though not an instant killer, does kill insects quickly and leaves 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 heavy infestation.

Quarterly applications of Bifenthrin-based products will provide continued control of target pests all year long.