Methoprene

A pest problem such cockroaches or beetles are especially frustrating for most homeowners because even if you eliminate all the adults, there are still hundreds of eggs around waiting to be hatched, bringing upon a new generation of bugs. Luckily, there is an active ingredient that can eliminate those eggs and keep the insects from growing—Methoprene.

On this page, you can find out more about Methoprene, a popular active ingredient for insect growth regulators such as Precor. We will cover how it works and why it is so effective. Here you can also shop recommended products we have in stock which contain Methoprene.

What Is Methoprene?

Methoprene is an active ingredient used to control insect invasions such as cockroaches, ants and mosquitoes. Methoprene is not actually an insect killer, the active ingredient belongs to a class of insecticides known as insect growth regulators or IGRs for short. IGRs like Methoprene are used to prevent or disrupt the life cycle of insects in the egg and larvae stage of development.

Methoprene can come in sprays, briquettes, granules and other formulations. It’s a main ingredient in popular IGR brands such as Precor and Altosid.

How Does Methoprene Work?

As mentioned earlier, Methoprene does not kill insects but acts as a growth regulator via imitating the natural juvenile hormone within the insect. The juvenile hormone must be absent in order for the larvae to change from pupa to an adult. This artificial juvenile hormone stays inside the egg and prevents the life cycle from continuing.

Methoprene can effect target insects in a variety of ways, the adults become sterilized and undergo physical changes to their body and other malfunctions that can lead to their death.

Benefits of Methoprene

Methoprene is an efficient way to address insect infestations such as cockroaches, beetles and mosquitoes. When combined with an insecticide that targets adults, Methoprene prevents another generation from developing and continuing the infestation. Methoprene also has a long residual effect with some formulations staying effective for up to 90 days.

When Methoprene is utilized during the larval stages, it hinders insect development. They can not emerge as adults or they emerge as abnormal sterile adults.

Use Methoprene products when you wish to tackle indoor insect infestations such as fleas, bed bugs and cockroaches.

Drawbacks of Methoprene

Methoprene is an insect growth regulator so it doesn't directly kill insects, but hinders their development so they can't mature into adults or reproduce. Using Methoprene alone will not sufficiently eliminate an insect infestation because it doesn't address the adults of the insect life cycle.

Do not use Methoprene products directly onto your pets unless it is especially formulated to be sprayed on pets, such as with Petcor Flea Spray.

Is Methoprene Safe?

Methoprene is safe to use when applied according to label directions. It has been classified by the EPA as being low toxicity. As long as you follow the safety instructions on the label, you will not be harmed by the product.

It is recommended to follow safety procedures found on the instruction label and wearing the proper protective equipment (long sleeve clothing, gloves, breathing mask, and protective eyewear).

What To Expect

Methoprene products have a residual effect of up to 30 days or longer depending on the formulation and product. Methoprene is not an instant kill product and it could take a few weeks for the younger pests to die from the inability to develop, whereas adults will not die but they will be unable to reproduce.

Methoprene products alone will not eliminate an insect infestation. Typically you'll also need to use adulticides to target the mature adult insect population for total control.

Featured Products

Precor IGR - Precor IGR (Insect Growth Regulator) is a concentrate that interrupts the life cycle of fleas. It prevents flea eggs and larvae from becoming adult fleas, which prevents them from being able to reproduce. Surface areas that will not stain with water, will not be effected by Precor IGR.

Altosid Pro G - Altosid Pro G is a mosquito larvicide insect growth regulator designed to control mosquito infestations. Place in standing water where mosquitoes breed and lay eggs for effective control.

Petcor Flea Spray - Petcor Flea Spray is an insecticide spray designed to safely eliminate flea eggs and flea larvae on dogs, cats, puppies and kittens. Contains pyrethrins for knockdown of adult fleas, and Precor IGR to halt egg development.