Permethrin

Permethrin is a broad spectrum synthetic pyrethroid insecticide. Permethrin has been around since the 1970’s and is widely used today in public health, home pest control, forestry, agriculture and head lice control.

In the US over 100 million applications of permethrin are made each year in homes and over 18 million applications are made in yards and gardens.   Permethrin, like all synthetic pyrethroids, kills insects by strongly exciting their nervous systems.

Permethrin is effective against adult mosquitoes, including the Culex species, which transmitted West Nile virus last year. Permethrin has a long history of being applied agriculturally to control against pests in the production of fruits, vegetables, and other crops. It has not been known to cause any chronic toxic effects to humans. Mild eye and skin irritation may occur with exposure to permethrin which can be treated by washing the eyes and skin thoroughly with water after contact.

It is not toxic for household pets and is virtually non-toxic to birds. It can be toxic to fish and caution would be used before applying it in areas which would result in aquatic exposure. It breaks down readily in soil and water, making it unlikely to leach or contaminate groundwater

PBO (Piperynl Butoxide)

PBO (Piperonyl Butioxide) is an emulsifiable synergist for use in combination with insecticides, especially synthetic pyrethroids, as a tank mix to overcome resistance that pests develop with constant use of insecticides.

PBO is a unique tank additive that restores activity against resistant strains of pests. It acts by inhibiting naturally occurring enzymes that would otherwise degrade the insecticide molecule.

PBO breaks through the insect's defense and its synergistic activity makes the insecticide more powerful and effective. With the high cost of insecticides, PBO effectively reduces the cost per gallon of spray solution by allowing the applicator to use less active ingredient to obtain the mortality rate desired.

Insects are amazingly adaptable, and possess an enzyme system called the mixed-function oxidases (MFO's) that give them the ability to de-toxify and become resistant to many insecticides, especially synthetic pyrethroids. Continual application of pesticides start the build-up of resistance and thus the efficacy of the spray diminishes. PBO inhibits the action of MFO's and restores the killing power of the insecticide, which results in less expensive and/or more effective pest control. Actual results show that PBO either decreased the cost of pest control since smaller doses are needed, or provided better control of insects where cases of maximum dosages of pesticides without PBO had failed.

Therefore, PBO will PROLONG the usefulness of insecticides by overcoming MFO resistance. Improved control means fewer applications of insecticides, thus providing cost savings as well as environmental benefits.