Repellent vs Non-Repellent Pesticides

Articles » Pest Control » Repellent vs Non-Repellent Pesticides

There is a great variety of pesticides that are available to control the different pest problems that might exist. When it comes to pesticides they are mainly divided into two main types which are repellent and non-repellent chemicals. There are both benefits and disadvantages to both categories, and they will both work great if used correctly. Depending on various factors like the target pest, size of infestation and location will dictate which type will be used; this is a decision that is normally made by a pest control professional with experience. There are a couple of main differences between them, mainly time to exterminate and the way that it attacks the pest.

A repellent pesticide will be the fastest one to act, normally killing on contact. It will as well disturb the pheromones left by pests like ants on their trails and nests, breaking their navigational scheme. Another great advantage is that pests sense the chemical, detect it and avoid it; as a great way to repel and create a protective barrier. This is an excellent solution to get rid of pests in exposed target areas, for example in patios or outside furniture. Its main use is for pest control and for pre-construction prevention treatments. A very common use of them besides in the structural pest control industry is for repellent sprays used commonly by campers and hikers which repel pests like mosquitos, fleas, ticks and other biting insects. However, it is not really effective to be used in heavily vegetated areas or ones filled with storage items; this is because the target pest might just pass beneath them to an area where the pesticide did not reach. Another disadvantage to it is that there are pests like termites and ants where the nest and the colony are not necessarily at the location where you are noticing the activity, it will kill what you see but it will not necessarily resolve the problem.

Examples of repellent pesticides:

• Orange Oil
• Pyrethrin
• Bifenthrin
• Talstar P
• Demand CS
• Tim-Bor

A non-repellent pesticide, on the other hand, will be the perfect solution for a tougher problem like termites and ants. This is because it has the ability to be carried away by the target pest back to the nest where the actual colony (and problem) is located at. Because of this, it does not kill on contact so one should expect results only after the required time has passed. The time will be anywhere from 1-3 months depending on the pesticide used, but your licensed pest control professional will provide you an exact time window in which this will happen. It is actually a very intelligent solution when the pesticide gets applied it will not disturb the pheromones left behind, it will be as if nothing has happened; they will continue to pass without knowing that each time they are carrying the pesticide back to the nest and spreading it to the rest of the colony. It will normally attack their nervous or digestive systems. This is a great way of not trapping the pest inside of the structure or just relocating them.

Examples of non-repellent pesticides:

• Taurus SC
• Termidor SC
• Phantom
• Optigard Flex
• Premise 2
• Transport Mikron

Again both solutions are great if used correctly, it will depend on the specific pest problem that you have. But as they are good, they can as well create problems if used incorrectly like trapping pests inside of inaccessible areas like wall voids. Be sure that you are making the correct decision and that the most effective solution is being used by contacting us and letting our pest control professionals do the job. Do not wait until the problem expands, take action today.