Deltamethrin

Synthetic pyrethroids are a popular type of active ingredient used for pest control because of their effectiveness and ease of use. One such synthetic pyrethroid is Deltamethrin, which is a staple active ingredient in various brand-name pesticide products.

On this page, you can learn more about Deltamethrin, a much safer form of pest control insecticide compared to other more toxic chemicals. It is still effective and provides a quick knockdown of problem pests. Read on to learn more facts and details about Deltamethrin.

What is Deltamethrin?

Deltamethrin, first registered in the US in 1994, is a pyrethroid insecticide that controls pests outdoors in cracks, crevices, lawns, and gardens. Pyrethroids are a synthetic insecticide class that mimics the pyrethrins found in chrysanthemum flowers. Homeowners and professionals may often prefer to use pyrethroids over natural pyrethrins because these products last much longer. Deltamethrin can be formulated into dusts, aerosols, or liquid concentrates.

How Does Deltamethrin Work?

Mode of Action

Deltamethrin is a pyrethroid, so it works by contact or by ingestion. This ingredient interferes with the pest’s central nervous system, causing muscle spasms and inflicting paralysis. This creates an inability to function or eat, eventually leading to the pest’s death. Depending on the formulation, exposed pests can take minutes to several hours to die.

Benefits of Deltamethrin

Deltamethrin can be used in various agricultural, home, and landscaping settings. Unlike other pyrethrins, however, pyrethroids contain higher toxicity levels, making them much more effective against insects.

Deltamethrin can kill a wide range of insect pests, including ants, spiders, fleas, cockroaches, flies, pantry pests, and plenty of other labeled insects.

Deltamethrin is best used in agricultural areas such as golf courses, park fields, home gardens and lawns, and even indoors at times.

Drawbacks of Deltamethrin

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

Deltamethrin should not be applied to treat insects on edible plants such as fruits and vegetables.

Is Deltamethrin Safe?

Deltamethrin insecticides are safe to use when applied according to their label directions. The US EPA classifies this ingredient as not likely to be Carcinogenic, regardless of how the body is exposed to it. In several studies, animals were observed after exposure to deltamethrin over two years. There were no long-term negative effects, nor did exposure affect the outcome of any pregnancies during this period.

That being said, always wear the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) when applying deltamethrin insecticides and keep them out of reach of children or pets. This ingredient may still cause brief irritation if exposed to the skin or nausea if ingested.

What to Expect

A Deltamethrin-based product does not guarantee instant kill. It can take up to 24 hours to kill the target pest, but the active ingredient does have a long-term 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 return to normal behaviors.

How to Use D-Fender Dust

If you’re looking for a long-lasting insecticide with broad-spectrum use, we recommend D-Fender Dust. D-Fender Dust is a dry insecticidal dust made with 0.05% deltamethrin.

D-Fender Dust can be used for residual pest control in and on buildings and structures and their immediate surroundings to control and prevent insects such as ants, cockroaches, wasps, and other invasive insects from invading.

We recommend you apply this product with a handheld duster with a long spout to treat tight spaces and hard-to-reach areas. Open the duster’s bulb and pour in an appropriate amount of dust, typically at least half the bulb’s volume.

Close and shake the duster to break up any clumps. When ready, apply the duster’s spout to the desired area. D-Fender Dust has an application rate of 1 oz. per 125 sq. ft. or 0.5 pound per 1,000 square feet. Be sure to get an even coating on all surfaces in the area. This can be accomplished with up to 3 puffs in most voids.

Once applied, D-Fender Dust will control pests for up to 8 months in areas undisturbed by the environment.

Pests that come into contact with or ingest the dust will be knocked down and die within 1 to 2 hours.