In this article, I’ll be discussing pest control chemicals for homes.

Pests are a huge pain in the neck for many homeowners who have experienced it. If you’re not, then lucky you. They destroy property, eat and kill your garden plants, spread diseases, and are an overall nuisance.

Thankfully, these pests can be gotten rid of via several methods and techniques. One of which is by the use of chemicals.

If you’re being bothered by pests in your home, then keep reading.

About Chemicals Used For Home Pest Control

While pest control chemicals kill and repel house pests faster than any organic method can, a lot of homeowners are very skeptical regarding using them. This is for obvious reasons, as we all know chemicals can be harmful if not properly administered or stored.

Poor storage in a home with children and pets could end fatally, as they might ingest it out of curiosity. Application of these pest control chemicals around plants could also cause them to die or wither.

Luckily, there are instructions on these chemical pesticides that can guide you through its use and storage.

If you are going to be using a pest control chemical around your home, then it is advised you study the instructions on the package and adhere to all safety measures.

What Is An Active Ingredient In Pest Control Chemicals?

For this who don’t know, an active ingredient in a chemical pesticide is a substance that makes the pesticide lethal, both in the areas of killing the pests and/or repelling them.

Every chemical pesticide has an active ingredient, and this is what makes it what it is.

For every chemical pesticide you buy, the active ingredient is ways mentioned on the label. This helps the users know exactly what they are dealing with, and the kind of effect it will have on the pests.

What Is “Mode Of Action” In Pest Control Chemicals?

For every pest control chemical, there is a different mode of action. The mode of action is simply the way the pesticide works, in terms of repelling or killing the pests.

Some chemical pesticides work by attacking the nervous system of the pests, while others work by attacking their growth or reproductive hormones. Some may take a few minutes to manifest, while others may take hours or days.

How To Know The Toxicity Of A Chemical

All chemical pesticides have the power to kill or repel pests, however, they can also be very harmful to humans. For this reason, every chemical pesticide sold commercially must first have government agency approval. This agency is known as the Environmental Protection Agency

This agency carries out thorough research on the chemicals and their active ingredients, and they determine the effects of these ingredients on humans, plants, and animals.

They also determine how safe it is for usage, provided all safety measures are adhered to. On the labels of these chemical pesticides, you will be informed if the product is suitable for home use or not.

Picking Out The Most Suitable Chemical Pesticide For Your Home

For home use, choosing the right Pesticides control chemical could be quite challenging, this is mainly because human and pet health is at stake.

When the wrong chemicals are used, a bad situation could become worse, so you need to be careful before you buy it.

Certain pest control chemicals will work wonders on a certain group of pests but will not be so effective in another group. For this reason, you must first identify the pest you are trying to eliminate before you buy the pesticide.

Using the wrong chemical on a certain pest would not give you the desired results and you would be left frustrated.

Let’s use ants as an example. There are many species of ants on Earth, and while they have almost the same characteristics, their physical anatomies are not all the same. Also, different ant species have different resistance levels.

If you notice an ant infestation in your home, rushing off to buy a chemical pesticide isn’t the first thing you need to do. The very first step to take is to identify the ant species and understand its weaknesses.

When you do, then you will know the exact type of chemical pesticide to buy that will work on that particular species.

You can ask the people at the pest control store regarding the particular chemical pesticide that would work on the ants.

Common Pest Control Pesticides For Home Use

Below, I will list out some of the most common pest control chemicals you can use to kill and repel pests in your home.

They all vary in form, the active ingredient, and mode of action.

Boric Acid

Most homeowners who have taken up the responsibility of fighting pest infestations themselves would have come across boric acid along the line.

Boric acid is one of the most common pest control chemicals you can find in the market. Ironically, this pest control chemical is a naturally occurring substance and it can be derived from rocks and other water sources.

You can find it in different forms, including pellet form and powder form. The good thing about boric acid is that it is very cheap in the market. Many other pest control chemicals cannot say the same, as far as price is concerned.

It is a chemical that is widely used by both homeowners and pest control store professionals. It is a strong weapon against termites, ants, and roaches.

Even though it is naturally occurring, It can be poisonous to humans and pets, so you have to apply with caution.

Boric acid has a sweet taste, which can spark the interest of children and house pets. This is why it should be applied in areas where children and pets cannot access. You should also store the container properly and away from its reach to avoid accidental poisoning.

Fipronil

Another common pesticide you can use in your home is Fipronil. Similar to boric acid, you can use it to control many types of house pests.

These include ticks, beetles, fleas, termites, roaches, crickets, and ants.

It also comes in different forms, granules, and liquids being the most common of them. Although you can still find Fipronil in powdery form.

The good thing about Fipronil when compared to boric acid is that it is far less toxic to humans and animals. Its mode of action involves attacking the pest’s central nervous system and killing it in the process.

Hydramethynon

This is another pest control chemical you can use at home. Although it is not as common as boric acid or fipronil, it works very well against different pests.

If you have a cockroach, termite, ant, or cricket infestation, then this is a viable option for you.

Its mode of action involves a slow but steady process of breaking down the system of the pests before they die. Insects that come in contact with this chemical become lethargic.

The advantage of using this pest control chemical is that it doesn’t just kill a few pests, it can kill off an entire colony. This is because of its slow-acting process, which gives the pests time to carry it back to their nests and spread it to every other member.

This is great for fighting termite or ant infestation, as the workers will carry the poison home and infect the rest.

If you are the patient type, then you wouldn’t mind waiting a few days for this chemical to kill off an entire colony of ants or termites. If you’re not patient enough, then Hydramethynon wouldn’t be the best choice.

Piperonyl Butoxide

This chemical pesticide is most times used alongside other pesticides for the best results. It is partially toxic to humans and animals, and the EPA classifies it as a carcinogen.

Due to its minimal toxicity, it is a good pest control chemical to be used in the home.

Pyrethrins And Pyrethroids

These are arguably the most common pest control substances both for home and outdoor use. It has Permethrin as its active ingredient, which works by paralyzing the pests before killing them.

They can be used against pretty much every household insect, including roaches and mosquitoes. They are also safe to use around humans and mammal pets but can be lethal to fishes when contact is made.

READ: Permethrin Vs Bifenthrin

Having this in mind, be sure not to spray Pyrethrins and Pyrethroids around your home if you keep an aquarium.

Pros And Cons Of Using Pest Control Chemicals In The Home

Here are the pros.

Pros

Commercial pest control chemicals are ready-made and can be bought and used immediately. They also work effectively against insect pests, as they were developed by experts.

Cons

While not all pest control chemicals are toxic to humans and animals, many of them are. Careless use can cause ill health or even lead to death.

Conclusion

There are many types of pest control chemicals for homes, and I trust this article has been informative regarding the topic.

Take care!

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