Deltamethrin

Synthetic pyrethroids are a popular type of active ingredient used for pest control because of its 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 this Deltamethrin which is a much safer form of pest control insecticide compared to other more toxic chemicals while still being effective and providing a quick knockdown of problem pests. Read on to learn more facts and details about Deltamethrin.

What is Deltamethrin?

Deltamethrin, first registered for use in the US in 1994, is a pyrethroid insecticide used to control pests outdoors in cracks, crevices, lawns, and gardens. Pyrethroids are a synthetic insecticide class that mimics the pyrethrins found in chrysanthemum flowers. In many cases, homeowners and professionals may prefer to use pyrethroids over natural pyrethrins because these products last much longer. Deltamethrin can be found 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 which eventually leads to the pest’s death. Depending on the formulation, it can take minutes to several hours for exposed pests to die.

Benefits of Deltamethrin

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

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

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

Drawbacks of Deltamethrin

After diluting Deltamethrin 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.

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 being exposed to deltamethrin over a two-year period. There were found to be 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, or PPE, when applying deltamethrin insecticides and keep them out of reach of any children or pets. This ingredient may still cause brief irritation if exposed to the skin, or nausea if ingested.

What to Expect

When using a Deltamethrin-based product, it does not guarantee an instant kill. It can take up to 24 hours to kill the target pest but the active ingredient 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.

How to Use D-Fense Dust

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

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

We recommend you apply this product with a handheld duster with a long spout in order to treat tight spaces and hard-to-reach areas. Just open the duster’s bulb, and pour in an appropriate amount of dust, typically no more than half the bulb’s volume.

Close and shake the duster to break up any clumps. When you’re ready, stick the duster’s spout into the desired area and apply. D-Fense Dust has an application rate of 2 - 3 grams per square yard or half a 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-Fense Dust will work to control pests for up to 8 months in areas that are undisturbed by the environment.

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