1. Course Agenda: Advanced Formulations and Combinations
Part 1
BASIC PESTICIDE FORMULATIONS
The most basic pesticide formulations include soluble pesticides, wettable powders,
suspensions, and emulsions. As formulations get more advanced there are several
kinds of formulations that are similar but vary tremendously from the basic formulations.
These advanced formulations include capsulated suspensions, microemulsions, water
soluble granules, and many others.
Water Soluble Pesticides
Some pesticides are soluble and this means that active ingredient forms a true dilution
when it dissolves completely into water. One product that was commonly used and
has been taken off the market was Orthene. Otherwise there aren't a lot of products
designed for general pest applications. The most common soluble pesticide used today
is boron. Boron comes in several different forms but the common trade names are Tim-
Bor, Ni-bor, and Board Defense. Boron is intended in most cases for wood destroying
organism when it mixed with water because it's mode of action requires ingestion. As a
liquid treatment to exposed wood members boron penetrates the dry cellular structure
of the wood making the wood poisonous to termites after the treated wood is ingested.
Therefore, in that form it does little for non-wood destroying insects. Boron can
generally be used in its dry form as a treatment for ants and cockroaches that may eat
the dry particles as they are sweet tasting and absorb small amounts of moisture from
the air.
Wettable Powders
Wettable powders are basically concentrated dusts made from clay or talc that carry the
active ingredient and allow the active ingredient to float in the carrier agent, usually
water. The active ingredient is usually added to an inert diluent. A wetting agent is also
added to the mixture because the clay or talc simply float to the top of the mixture
otherwise. The spray mix does however still need to be mixed often because the final
formulation tends to come apart with the spray mix actually sinking to the bottom. This
formulation tends to stick to surfaces and may even leave a visible film on colored
areas. A huge advantage of this formulation is that it does not contain oil and shows
little to no phytotoxicity. This means that a huge advantage of this formulation is that it
won't burn plants, unlike emulsions which tend to cause visible plant damage. This
formulation also is not likely to move through soil once dry. This is an advantage if a
technician is treating for insects walking on the soil's surface, but can be a disadvantage
if treating for insects below the surface.

2. Suspension Concentrates
One disadvantage of wettable powders is that the concentrate comes in a dry form.
Technicians mixing these products increase their inhalation hazard by exposing
themselves to small particles that are instantly airborne as the product is opened,
measured, and mixed. A solution that is now widely developed by many pesticide
manufacturers is to mix the product in a suspension concentrate. The wettable powder
is essentially already wet when you receive the product. This decreases the level of
inhalation exposure because mixing is done by adding the liquid concentrate to the
carrier. In the case of Tempo Ultra WP, the manufacturer developed Tempo Ultra SC as
the alternative. Both products however are virtually identical once mixed with water.
Emulsions
Emulsions are formed when an emulsifier is used to combine two parts of a product that
otherwise wouldn't mix. Generally, these active ingredients are mixed in an oil base. Oil
and water don't mix therefore an emulsifier allows the mixture to occur. Emulsions
require frequent agitation, otherwise the pesticide mixture settles. This is typical, and is
because the pesticide never completely dissolves. Small particles of oil and emulsifier
float in the water while carrying the active ingredient. If the emulsion is agitated
properly it allows for even distribution while applying this mixture. Because of the oil,
emulsions are more readily absorbed through the insect cuticles making them more
likely to kill on contact. This makes them perfect for situations where immediate relief
may be needed but technicians should also
be careful because the oil allows faster
skin absorption therefore maximizing risk
levels from human exposure.
When emulsions are applied to porous
surfaces they are partially absorbed and
the amount of product that is absorbed
can't be picked up by insects walking
across that surface. This can be beneficial
when treating for insects just below the
surface of soil, but when applying to
concrete or wood, treatments can have a
less than expected result.
One specific product carried in an emulsion is
Zenprox EC. The EC next to the product
name is important so that these pesticides
can be distinguished from other products. EC
stands for emulsifiable concentrate and when
mixed with water these products form an
emulsion. Zenprox is an ether pyrethroid
Products carried in a suspension tend to
rest on porous surfaces, and won't
penetrate porous surfaces.
Emulsions tend to penetrate porous
surfaces.

3. which means that it bonds to the nerve cell differently than other more common
pyrethroid products. Zenprox, because of its unique mode of action is less likely to
cause insect resistance and is very effective for interior treatments. When in an
emulsion it penetrates the insect cuticle easier than other formulations and has a faster
knockdown.
Part 2
Advanced Formulations
Microemulsions
A microemulsion is designed with much smaller particles that allow for better control in
specific uses. Transport Mikron is a microemulsion and it contains two active
ingredients making it not only unique because of its small particle size, but also because
of its dual mode of action. Acetamiprid, which is the first active ingredient, has a high
rate of lateral transfer from insect to insect, which is increased by the small particles of
pesticide. The small particles also make it likely to penetrate the insect cuticle faster,
and penetrate the soil much easier. A microemulsion particle is 100 times smaller than
the particles from standard emulsions and 1000 times smaller than a MicroCap.
Transport Mikron is well suited for smaller insects such as psocids due to its small
particle size, and can be used as part of a complete control plan that includes the use of
dusts, baits, and granules. The second active ingredient is bifenthrin, a general use
pyrethroid that helps leave behind a longer residual and creates the dual mode of action
increasing the products efficacy. The product however does have very hefty
restrictions, and may not be perfect for regular use since these restrictions are even
more complicated than the restrictions associated with other general use products
containing pyrethroids.
Microencapsulated Suspensions
The acronym CS if often used to describe
these products. CS stands for Capsulated
Suspension, and these products are
formulated exactly as the acronym suggests.
Small capsules float in the carrier agent,
usually water and other inert ingredients that
disperse the capsules evenly throughout the
product after some agitation. Settling is an
issue but agitation will generally restore
proper dispersion throughout the carrier.
These microcaps are relatively small, being
much smaller than the thickness of a human
hair (approximately 30 microns). Because the
Microcaps generally rest on surfaces,
and are available to be picked up by
crawling insects that come into contact
with the surface area. They may be
more dispersed than particles from a
suspension, but are generally evenly
spaced.

4. micro-caps break down slowly the products tend to leave a good residual, but can be
slow acting.The residual benefits of these products are enhanced by the fact that the
active ingredients are protected from the elements, harsh weather, UV rays, and the
high PH levels found on brick and concrete. Some products may have as many as
10,000 capsules per square inch when applied at standard label rates.
Onslaught Fastcap is a pyrethroid based Polymeric Microencapsulation. It has three
active ingredients, two of which are enhanced by the third which is a synergist. The
pyrethroids that make the product work kill the insects through sodium channel
modulation which is typical of the chemical class, and the synergist stops their bodies
from blocking the mode of action. The synergist thereby enhances the efficacy of the
product. Because of the two pyrethroids and the synergist the product becomes more
fast acting than other microcaps, while also leaving behind a long lasting residual. It’s is
best suited for scorpions and spiders but has other insects on the label. Because it is
repellent it may not be best in some cases. Careful consideration should be taken of
ground nesting insects such as ants, and for cockroach situations where insects can be
driven into undesirable places by this product.
Water Dispersible Granules
Dupont Arilon is held in water dispersible granules and may be used on most surfaces.
It has not been shown to stain surfaces despite containing minerals. The granules are
held in a suspension when mixed with water, and can even be purchased in small water
soluble packets that are exact dosages. The active ingredient, indoxicarb has been
shown to have exponential control since the active ingredient has a high amount of
horizontal transfer even across second and third insect carriers. In fact it spreads
through an ant colony quickly, and can even kill cockroaches for several generations.
It is target specific and through its MetaActive activation it can differentiate between
pests and non-target organisms. It works great on cockroachs, but not on bees.
Likewise, it is not considered a danger to mammals. It is activated when enzymes in an
insect’s body combine with the active ingredient and form a new chemical. A tertiary kill
effect is observed as insects spread the product through contact, and the product
continues killing long after the first infected insect dies. Insects such as cockroaches
that eat their own sputum and the dead bodies of other roaches will find that the
MetaActive compound is still strong in the dead insect bodies and even the feces of
cockroaches thereby contaminating their nests.
Soluble Pesticides
Some pesticides are soluble and this means that active ingredient forms a true dilution
when it dissolves completely into water. One product that was commonly used and has
been taken off the market was Orthene. Otherwise there aren't a lot of products
designed for general pest applications. The most common soluble pesticide used today
is boron. Boron comes in several different forms but the common trade names are Tim-
Bor, Ni-bor, and Board Defense. Boron is intended in most cases for wood destroying

5. organism when it mixed with water because it's mode of action requires ingestion. As a
liquid treatment to exposed wood members boron penetrates the dry cellular structure
of the wood making the wood poisonous to termites after the treated wood is ingested.
Therefore, in that form it does little for non-wood destroying insects. Boron can
generally be used in its dry form as a treatment for ants and cockroaches that may eat
the dry particles as they are sweet tasting and absorb small amounts of moisture from
the air.
Part 3
Additives and Combinations
Synergists are products or active ingredients that enhance the toxic effect of a specific
pesticide or active ingredient. The most common synergistic active ingredient is
piperonyl butoxide. It enhances the mode of action found in sodium channel inhibitors
like pyrethrins and pyrethroids. Many products come with the synergist already included
in the technical grade concentrate from the manufacturer. One such product is Exciter.
Exciter contains a pyrethrin base and piperonyl butoxide. Generally, exciter is only
used for knockdown kills since it leaves little to no residual and is highly effective only
on contact. An advantage of this product is that it can be added to other slow acting
products that do leave a residual thereby causing the instant kill effect and having a
continuing action in the days and weeks ahead. A common mixture is to add exciter to
bifenthrin based products, cyfluthrin based products, and other pyrethroids since the
piperonyl butoxide will also add to the toxic effect of these active ingredients.
Surfactants are a type of adjuvant that add to the efficacy of a pesticide mixture without
adding any more toxicity, or enhancing the effect of a specific mode of action like
synergists do. Surfactants have several uses, the first of which being that they can be
used to make water molecules bond together more easily. This creates a more even
distribution on plant leaves and on ground surfaces. Finished solutions containing
surfactants can also penetrate the soil easier making them wetting agents. Wetting
agents lower surface tension on soil allowing pesticides to more easily penetrate the
soils surface. For wettable powders, suspensions, and microencapsulated products soil
penetration does not happen as readily as it does for emulsions, therefore when
applying product for insects just below the surface of the soil, a surfactant is always
recommended. A common example of a surfactant is Yuccah.. Yuccah is a natural
surfactant made from the Yucca schidigera found in the desert that produces its own
compounds to manage water more efficiently. The surfactant compounds found in
yuccah make it perfect for use with pesticides, or fertilizers. When used by itself it can
even add to the vitality of plants and correct some soil conditions.
Many pesticide spray applications are enhanced by the use of baits. A liquid
formulationcan be enhanced very simply by the use of a granular bait in the gardens
and yard. Niban G, Niban FG, and other boron based baits are the most common and
very generally work to enhance a seasonal or quarterly service by extending the length
of time that products are active on the property. As an example, a bifenthrin treatment
applied in a suspension will last up to 30 days, but generally not more. Niban products

6. and generics for Niban will last beyond one month and continue to work. In seasons
such as the summer it will continue control when the liquid application's control period
ends, but ants are still very active. In the spring another approach might be to apply a
neonicoinoid which causes ants to forage more outside, and in this season where ants
reproduce most heavily a bait with abamectin will slow their rate of reproduction.
Each treatment listed above is appropriate for the respective season and the spring
treatment will prepare for the summer, with the summer treatment preparing the
property for the fall. All treatments should complement each other, with baits being
placed in areas that liquid treatments are not made. A good rule when broadcasting
baits is that the liquid should be up to 3 feet out from the foundation, and baits should
be 3 to 6 feet from the foundation in the yard. Gardens against the house should be
spot treated with baits, and repellant sprays should almost never be used against a
house.
Pesticide Formulation
Arilon Water soluble granules
Onslaught Fastcap Microencapsulated suspension
Optiguard Flex Microencapsulated suspension
Maxxthor SC Suspension concentrate
Microcare 3% CS Microencapsulate suspension
Premise 2 Suspension concentrate
Premise 75 WP Wettable Powder (Suspension)
Prothor SC2 Suspension concentrate
Suspend SC Suspension concentrate
Temprid SC Suspension concentrate
Tempo SC Ultra Suspension concentrate
Tempo Ultra WP Wettable powder (suspension)
Transport Mikron Micro-Emulsion
Zenprox EC Emulsion
The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific
information. American Pest CEUS does not guarantee or warranty the products named,
and references to them in this publication do not signify our approval to the exclusion of
other products of suitable composition. All chemicals should be used in accordance with
directions on the manufacturer's label. Use pesticides safely. Read and follow directions
on the manufacturer's label.