The Most Common Types of Insecticideas and How They Work

How Insecticides Work

The insecticides exert their effect by interfering with the insect nervous system. The nervous system serves as the control center for chlorpyrifos movement, feeding, and behavior in insects. When insecticides target this system, it’s often fatal for the insect. While other cypermethrin types kill insects very rapidly due to certain active ingredients. There are also non–insecticidal active ingredients thatg rass weed killer repel, rather than kill, insects. These can help control the populations of insects by preventing them from eating plants, mating, or laying eggs. How effective be an INSECTICIDE it CAN depends on the TYPE of insect, mode of application and frequency of application.

Different Classes of Insecticides and Who They Target

There are several kinds of insecticides available, where each is formulated to kill different types of pests. Below are a few of the more common approaches you'll likely encounter:

Pyrethroids: These insecticides come from flowers called chrysanthemums and are common in many household products. They act by targeting the nervous system of insects, causing them to stop moving or functioning normally.

Neonicotinoids: These are systemic insecticides, meaning that they are absorbed into the body of a plant and dispersed through the plant’s tissues. They are especially good at prey on pests that suck juices from plants, like aphids, whiteflies and leafhoppers.