Synergist

While active ingredients are usually the main star of a pesticide formula, they usually need some assistance in order to be effective. That assistance comes in the form of synergists which help to make the active ingredient do its job better in killing insects and fungal diseases.

On this page, you will learn about synergist, how they work, their benefits and how effective they are when combined with actives. Here you can also shop our top synergist products we have available.

What is a Synergist?

Synergists are a type of chemical that is added to a pesticide formula and helps the pesticide active ingredient perform better by combating insect resistance. Synergists can either be natural or synthetic and by themselves are non-toxic. Think of synergists as a seasoning that gives pesticides an extra kick to control target pests.

Some of the more popular synergist chemicals include piperonyl butoxide (PBO), which is commonly added to natural pyrethrin products or synthetic pyrethroids such as Flex 10-10 or Pyrid Aerosol, and MGK-264® (N-octyl bicycloheptene dicarboximide), which can be found in products like Novacide Flea & Tick Killer.

Synergists are most commonly used in pyrethrin or pyrethroid-based aerosols to reduce the amount of active ingredient needed to produce desired results. PBO is commonly used and greatly increases the speed of knockdown and insect mortality rate.

How Do Synergists Work?

When exposed to pesticides, many resilient insects have a defense mechanism that kicks in to break down the chemical so they can return back to normal functioning. Some may even develop a tolerance for a pesticide and become resistant to the chemical entirely to where it doesn't detrimentally affect them anymore. When a pesticide has a synergist added to the formula, the pesticide is enhanced and the insect is less likely to break down the chemical, making it difficult for them to resist the effects of the products.

Benefits of Synergists

Synergists are an effective enhancement of a pesticide and do a good job of improving the efficacy of an application and reducing the chances of insect resistance. Most popular pesticides already have a synergist mixed in the formula but synergists can also be sold separately and can be easily mixed manually with an insecticide concentrate prior to application. Synergists are also economical, requiring less product to be effective. Insecticides that feature a synergist only need a fraction of the amount of active ingredient to be effective.

Drawbacks of Synergists

While synergists are effective supplementary products, they are not a pesticide. On their own, they will not kill target pests. If you see a product that is labeled as a synergist, do not rely upon it alone to treat for pests, it should always be mixed with a pesticide to do damage and be effective. Synergists are often highly toxic to fish, so applying a product with a synergist mixed in will require extra care around bodies of water.

Are Synergists Safe?

Synergists are safe to use when applied according to label directions. While they are usually non-toxic on their own, they are almost always mixed with a pesticide so you should adhere to whatever the pesticide label says about mixing a synergist. It is important to wear the proper PPE in the form of gloves, protective eyewear, and a safety mask when mixing or applying the product.

What To Expect

As mentioned earlier, synergists on their own cannot harm pests and need to be mixed with a pesticide active ingredient to be effective. After mixing with an appropriate pesticide, apply to the target pest. The synergist will help make it so you do not have to apply as often to totally eliminate the pest.

Featured Products

Synerpro PBO - Synerpro PBO is a synergist additive to be mixed with insecticides to improve performance. It helps to reduce dosage rates with a more effective product.