Pyriproxyfen

There are a variety of pesticides that deal with adult insects. Still, another useful item to eliminate an infestation such as mosquitoes, ants, and fleas is an insect growth regulator, specifically targeting the many eggs these pesky insects laid, stopping them from growing and hatching. An active ingredient that does a great job of doing this is Pyriproxyfen.

On this page, we will share some background information on Pyriproxyfen, a popular active ingredient for insect growth regulators like Tekko Pro. We will cover its beginnings and mode of action, which makes it effective. Here, you can also shop the insecticide products we have in stock based on Pyriproxyfen.

What Is Pyriproxyfen?

Pyriproxyfen, registered as an insecticide in the US in 1995, is an active ingredient used to control insect infestations of fleas, ants, cockroaches, mosquitoes, and other insects. This ingredient belongs to a class of insecticides known as Insect Growth Regulators, or IGRs. IGRs inhibit the life cycles of insects, so they cannot develop into reproductive adults. This causes the pests to die out, and there is no viable generation to continue the infestation.

How Does Pyriproxyfen Work?

Pyriproxyfen works when a pest comes in contact with or ingests the chemical. This active ingredient is a juvenile hormone analog and mimics the presence of certain hormones. When these hormones are detected in high enough levels, the insect’s ability to molt or develop into more mature life cycle stages is disrupted.

In studies conducted on mosquitoes, researchers found that when adult mosquitoes were exposed to pyriproxyfen, egg laying and egg hatching were reduced, and fewer larvae successfully developed into adult mosquitoes.

Benefits of Pyriproxyfen

Pyriproxyfen can successfully target and regulate fleas, ticks, ants, roaches, bed bugs, and other stored product pests.

Pyriproxyfen has been widely used to control pests such as whiteflies and aphids on numerous fields and greenhouse crops. It’s also added to ponds and catch basins to kill mosquito larvae. It’s also used for pest control at residential and industrial sites, both indoors and outdoors.

Drawbacks of Pyriproxyfen

While Pyriproxyfen effectively addresses undeveloped insects and their eggs, it does not affect adult insects. We recommend using this IGR with an adulticide so you can tackle the entire insect life cycle.

Pyriproxyfen cannot be applied to pets' bodies as it can irritate them.

Is Pyriproxyfen Safe?

Products made with Pyriproxyfen are safe to use in and around the home when used according to label directions. Always wear the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) when applying insecticides and keep them out of reach of children or pets. Wear as much coverage as you need to avoid direct skin contact and a respirator or other facial covering to avoid inhalation. Brief exposure may cause mild irritation or uneven breathing, but symptoms should recover shortly.

How To Use Products with Pyriproxyfen

If you’re looking for broad-spectrum control that will kill adult pests and control juvenile pests, check out Novacide Flea & Tick Killer. Despite its name, Novacide kills many insects, not just fleas and ticks. This product also controls ants, firebrats, cockroaches, stored product pests, and other insects. Novacide is made with 0.1% pyriproxyfen, 0.05% pyrethrins, and 0.4% permethrin. This product comes ready to use as an aerosol spray insecticide.

To apply Novacide, shake the can well, hold it at arm’s length, and apply it to carpets, floors, furniture, pet bedding, and other surfaces where labeled pests can be found. The product will be applied parallel to the can’s orientation, so to apply downwards, hold the can upside down, pointing the top where you want to apply. Use a sweeping motion and back away while holding the can 36 inches away from the area being treated.

To treat pantry shelves, create a barrier where the shelves meet the wall by applying 1 to 2 inch spots of product 1 to 2 inches apart.

Do not allow people or pets into the treatment area until the product dries completely. Depending on the pest you’re treating, you may need to conduct a follow-up application after 10 to 21 days.

When dry, Novacide leaves a residual that continues to treat the area for up to seven months. Labeled pests that make contact with the spray or its residual will die within several hours, while immature pests will be affected by the product’s IGR, stunting their growth and preventing them from becoming reproductive adults.

If you want to control insects indoors and outdoors, check out Tekko Pro IGR. This insect Growth Regulator contains 1.3% pyriproxyfen and 1.3% novaluron. This product is a liquid concentrate, so it must be mixed with water before application. We recommend mixing and applying this product with a handheld pump sprayer.

Depending on the pest you’re targeting, you’ll mix the product at the labeled rate of 1 to 2 fluid ounces into 1 gallon of water for every 1,500 sq ft of treatment area.

Application areas include but are not limited to, carpets, box springs, baseboards, underneath appliances, around windows and door frames, on vertical surfaces like walls, in ornamental beds, or over lawns.

Juvenile pests that come into contact with the chemical or its active residual activity will have their life cycles impacted and be unable to develop into reproductive adults.