If you like gardening or if you are dedicated to agriculture, surely you have seen products containing cypermethrin in stores or on the Internet. But do you know what it is? This synthetic insecticide is widely used to control various insects, whether they affect vegetables, livestock or our pets.
In this article we will explain what is cypermethrin, what insects it kills, how it is used for fumigation, and how long it can last on plants. If you are considering using this insecticide, I recommend that you continue reading so that you know the effects it can have and the importance of respecting the time periods indicated.
Contents
What is cypermethrin?
Before explaining how to use cypermethrin for fumigation, we will first discuss what this product is. It is a synthetic insecticide belonging to the group of pyrethroids. They are essentially insecticidal effect molecules usually applied to pets, plants, crops and even humans, properly treated and diluted.
However, when handling this product, we must be very careful. If you come into contact with it, it can cause mild skin irritation and moderate eye irritation, which can be extremely bothersome. Generally, people who work with synthetic pyrethroids, including cypermethrin, they may experience a tingling or burning sensation in their face if they are not wearing face protection. These symptoms usually appear about thirty minutes after being exposed.
What kills cypermethrin?
Cypermethrin has a very broad spectrum of action. Affects many different pests, be it crops or animals. It acts by direct contact and ingestion by insects. This insecticide is very effective against the following pests:
- Flying insects: Bed bugs, gnats, flies and mosquitoes (among others).
- crawling insects: Spiders, centipedes, ticks, cockroaches, crickets, ants, lice, fleas and aphids (among others).
Regarding the action of cypermethrin, it generates a stunning and turning, repellent and residual effect on various cultures. However, it should be noted that this product may produce chronic effects in humans, without becoming fatal. These include permanent dizziness, headaches, vomiting and vertigo.
If the case of ingestion occurs, it is very important not to induce vomiting. The best we can do is to rinse your mouth thoroughly with plenty of clean water. Then you have to go to the emergency room to see a doctor. You should not ingest fatty substances or milk either. Regarding the human toxicity of cypermethrin, the acceptable daily intake is 0.05 milligrams for each pound of weight.
How is cypermethrin used for fumigation?
When using this synthetic insecticide, it is important to carefully read the instructions on the container. It is usually diluted with water, but the amounts depend on the percentage of cypermethrin and the purpose. It is not the same to use this product in a dog than in potatoes, for example. When we buy this product, all indications must be on the bottle or in an instruction booklet.
It is important to be very careful when using this product in pasture areas. From its application to the next pasture must be at least seven days. It should be noted that cypermethrin is toxic to some plants, so it should never be applied to their crops. Vegetables that do not tolerate this insecticide are: Turnip, radish, rutabaga and fennel.
Application according to culture
Then we will list some of the crops allowed to be treated with cypermethrin and we will put what it acts against in each case and the number of applications:
- Artichoke: To fight against caterpillars and aphids. Maximum two applications leaving at least 10 days between each one. See file.
- Alfalfa: To control caterpillars, aphids, cuca and green worms. Maximum two applications leaving at least 10 days between each one. See file.
- Broccoli: To control aphids, fleas and caterpillars. Maximum two applications leaving at least 10 days between each one. See file.
- Pumpkin: To control caterpillars and aphids. Maximum two applications leaving at least 10 days between each one. See file.
- Barley: To control aphids. Only one request per campaign must be made. See file.
- Cauliflower: To control aphids, fleas and caterpillars. Maximum two applications leaving at least 10 days between each one. See file.
- Spelled: To control aphids. Only one request per campaign must be made. See file.
- Green beans: To control caterpillars and aphids. Maximum two applications leaving at least 10 days between each one. See file.
- Corn: To control caterpillars, diabrotica and aphids. Maximum two applications leaving at least 10 days between each one. See file.
- Cantaloupe: To control caterpillars and aphids. Maximum two applications leaving at least 10 days between each one. See file.
- Potatoes: To control aphids and beetles. Maximum two applications leaving at least 10 days between each one. See file.
- Tomato: To control caterpillars, whiteflies and aphids. Maximum two applications leaving at least 10 days between each one. See file.
- Carrots: For the control of thrips, whiteflies, beetles, caterpillars and aphids. Maximum two applications leaving at least 10 days between each one. See file.
How long does cypermethrin last in plants?
If we used cypermethrin to fumigate our crops, you have to wait a minimum of days to be able to harvest them. The periods that we must respect depend on the vegetable that we have fumigated, let’s see what they are:
- Cotton seeds: 14 days
- Soybeans without pods: 14 days
- Alfalfa fodder: 14 days
- Natural pastures: 14 days
- Lenses: 14 days
- Podless peas: 14 days
- Bean: 14 days
- Flaxseed: 20 days
- Tomatoes: 21 days
- Onion: 21 days
- Pome fruits: 21 days
- Stone fruit trees: 25 days
- Fodder and/or sorghum grain: 30 days
- Sweet corn grain: 30 days
- Wheat grain: 30 days
- Sunflower seed: 30 days
Remember that it is very important respect these periods. Cypermethrin is toxic to us and animals, so we could cause serious poisoning if we harvest food or let animals graze too soon. In addition, it is very important to protect ourselves well every time we are going to use this insecticide.