What Do Pest Control Companies Use? (2024)

The solutions that pest control companies use are far more advanced and effective than over-the-counter or homemade remedies. But what do pest control companies use?

This guide includes:

  • What chemicals do most pest companies use?
  • What is the most effective pest control?
  • Organic and green pest control services.
  • Best pest control products for your home.

What Chemicals Do Most Pest Control Companies Use?

Most pest control companies use pesticides called pyrethrins and pyrethroids, including Permethrin. These mimic natural and organic pesticides found in varieties of chrysanthemums. There are also a few other chemicals that are used but sometimes not as common.

  1. Fipronil: This standard pest control treatment can come in the form of liquid or powder and is most commonly associated with termite, flea, and co*ckroach control. It affects the nervous system of pests and will either kill them or repel them from your home. Fipronil is a mildly toxic spray that professional pest control technicians should only use, and even then, they should be keeping you and your family aware of the affected areas.
  2. Piperonyl Butoxide: This pesticide is an additive to treatments, as it is not particularly effective on its own. It is not particularly toxic to humans and animals, but we recommend limiting your exposure to any pest control solutions used.

Many lower-quality pest control treatments will mix these common ingredients with more radical chemicals that may harm your home and property. Some of these ingredients are also listed as carcinogens at certain exposure levels by the EPA.

We highly advise you to ask your local pest control providers what they use for pesticides and mention any concerns you have about the safety of your home.

What is the Most Effective Pest Control?

The most effective pest control methods will vary based on pest type, region, severity, and areas of concern. Within these broad parameters, there are some specific methods that professional pest control services typically use, including:

Physical Pest Control Methods

Physical pest control methods include trapping, killing, and removing pests by limiting breeding grounds and conditions.

Physical methods include bait traps, field burning, trap cropping, and perimeter traps.

Chemical Pest Control Methods

Professional pest control services most commonly use chemical pesticides when treating infestations. Although safety might not be the first thing that comes to your mind when mentioning chemical-based pesticide solutions, plenty of eco-friendly and green chemical mixes are becoming more prevalent among high-quality pest control companies across the nation.

How Does Pest Control Spray Work?

Depending on the pest control spray, there are various ways treatment is applied and affects pests. For crawling insect sprays, it is common to spray an area with a thin layer of insecticide that can be picked up on their legs and body. They will then be affected by the chemicals and, hopefully, track this into their nest so that more pests are affected.

Additionally, when pest control treatments include pyrethroid, this tends to work as a repellent to insects on top of the other active ingredients in the treatment. This dual action works to eliminate current pests and stop more from getting into your home.

Biological Pest Control Methods

Also known as natural pest control solutions, using animals, plants, or an organic compound to keep pests away from homes or businesses is a common alternative to synthetic chemical solutions. However, these are typically considered DIY methods used as general support for professional pest control services, depending on your circ*mstances. Microorganisms commonly used by gardeners are a popular form of modern natural pest control used to protect many kinds of plants in home gardens.

In terms of overall efficacy, there is little doubt that pesticides are the most effective pest control method to date. In terms of using them appropriately, it is important to have a clear understanding of what treatments are designed for your property, pest infestation, and long-term health. We recommend having a thorough conversation with your pest control technician about what products they use.

Organic and Green Pest Control Services

What Do Pest Control Companies Use? (2)

Modern pest control companies continue developing products and services for improved safety and effect as homeowners increasingly demand green, organic, and eco-friendly pest control solutions.

The EPA deemed that certain green pesticides have similar effects to traditional pesticides with a lower risk of adverse effects from their use. These treatments are typically preventative measures, and the most skilled pest control technicians will effectively apply them in areas of significance. This corresponds with the best-use guidelines for pesticides that will keep you, your family, and your property safe short-term and long-term.

As with any other pest control treatment, we recommend discussing the specific mixes and organic products used in your treatment with your local pest technician.

Best Pest Control Products for your Home

There is no one-size-fits-all pest control treatment for every home. After all, your region, infestation, and property play a significant role in strategizing the best pest control solution for your situation. The most important thing is finding effective, safe, and consistent pest control to prevent and eliminate any pest infestations.

For most homeowners experiencing pest problems, we recommend turning to professional pest control solutions for the greatest success. You can spend hours of your time and hundreds of your hard-earned dollars and products that might not work – or only temporarily deter pests.

With the best pest control products and treatments from the pros, there is a much higher rate of success. You don’t have to stress over doing it yourself, and the results will likely last much longer. In our opinion, it’s an easy decision.

Related: Pest Control FAQs: Can I Clean After Pest Control Services?

What Do Pest Control Companies Use? (2024)

FAQs

What Do Pest Control Companies Use? ›

Pest control companies use insecticides containing pyrethrins, permethrin, and bifenthrin to target spiders and spider mites. These chemicals disrupt the spider's nervous system, causing paralysis or death. Additionally, physical barriers such as sticky traps may also be used to prevent spiders from entering buildings.

What chemicals do most pest control companies use? ›

What Chemicals Do Most Pest Control Companies Use? Most pest control companies use pesticides called pyrethrins and pyrethroids, including Permethrin. These mimic natural and organic pesticides found in varieties of chrysanthemums. There are also a few other chemicals that are used but sometimes not as common.

What is used in pest control? ›

Pesticides are chemicals designed to kill or harm pests. They include insecticides used for insect control, herbicides used for weed control, fungicides used for fungi and mould control, and rodenticides used for rodent control.

What equipment is used in pest control? ›

Pest control technicians rely on hoses and backpack sprayers to effectively apply various chemicals and pesticides in order to eliminate pests and their habitats. The hose allows them to reach difficult or hard-to-access areas where pests may be hiding, ensuring that the treatment is applied thoroughly and evenly.

What type of bug spray do professionals use? ›

Pyrethrin & Pyrethroids

These are active ingredients found in sprays used by experts and only by licensed pest exterminators. This is a chemical pesticide that is used in eliminating pests because it can paralyze pests and will die afterward.

What chemical does Terminix use? ›

What chemicals does Terminix use? Terminix uses a range of chemicals, including pyrethroids like cypermethrin and bifenthrin, organophosphates such as malathion and chlorpyrifos, neonicotinoids like imidacloprid and dinotefuran, and botanical insecticides like azadirachtin.

What does Orkin use for roaches? ›

The treatment prescribed by the Orkin Pest Specialist can include the use of: co*ckroach baits. Insect growth regulators. Repellent and nonrepellent insecticides in cracks and crevices.

Are pest control chemicals harmful to humans? ›

The health effects of pesticides depend on the type of pesticide. Some, such as the organophosphates and carbamates, affect the nervous system. Others may irritate the skin or eyes. Some pesticides may be carcinogens.

Are exterminator chemicals safe? ›

These pesticides often contain harmful chemicals that can be toxic if inhaled, ingested, or come into contact with the skin or eyes. Prolonged or improper exposure to pesticides can result in various adverse health effects, including respiratory issues, skin irritation, allergic reactions, or more severe conditions.

Do pest control companies use boric acid? ›

Pest control companies make boric acid tablets you can leave around your home. It's also easy to mix Borax, flour, and water into small balls yourself and put them in areas where co*ckroaches, rodents, or flies are common.

What is the most common method of pest control? ›

Chemical Control. The most common method of pest control is the use of pesticides—chemicals that either kill pests or inhibit their development. Pesticides are often classified according to the pest they are intended to control.

What chemical do pest control companies use for ants? ›

Boric acid is one of the most common chemicals in the extermination world. Usually, it's spread around the house as a powder. Not only is it effective at killing ants, but it's also used for co*ckroaches and termites. Boric acid attracts the ants with its sweetness, then poisons their stomachs once digested.

How do you stop pesticide resistance? ›

The best way to avoid resistance is to use IPM strategies to prevent the increase in resistant pest types, such as:
  1. Rotating crops to reduce the use of the same pesticides season after season.
  2. Reducing nutrient sources such as plant stubble that can harbor pathogens and insects.
Feb 15, 2024

What is the strongest pesticide you can buy? ›

In general, deltamethrin is considered one of the most powerful synthetic pyrethroid insecticides on the market. Plus, it is slightly less toxic than bifenthrin, so its uses are less restricted indoors. Toxicity: Generally safe for people and pets after dry (about 30 minutes).

What do pest control companies use for spiders? ›

Around homes, pyrethroids are used to control spiders, co*ckroaches, bed bugs, centipedes, silverfish, box elder beetles, stink bugs, millipedes, clothes moths, flour beetles and other pests. Pyrethroids are chemicals derived from a naturally occurring compound from flowers in the chrysanthemum genus.

What does Orkin use for mosquito control? ›

Orkin Pros will use microbial insecticide products that cause mosquito mortality in their water environments.

What type of pesticide is used most in the United States? ›

Chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate insecticide, is the most widely used insecticide in the U.S. It is used both in agriculture and for pest control in houses and other buildings. Americans are widely exposed to chlorpyrifos. Typical diets, particularly those of children, contain significant chlorpyrifos residues.

Are exterminator chemicals harmful? ›

While it is true that some chemicals used in the process are toxic if ingested by humans or animals, they're only harmful when exposed directly over long periods. It is essential to realize that all pets and humans differ, and although pesticides are safer than ever, someone can react to a pest control treatment.

What type of pesticide is used the most? ›

The most commonly used insecticides are the organophosphates, pyrethroids and carbamates (see Figure 1).

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