Bifenthrin: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 16:31, 21 February 2025

Bifenthrin is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide used in agriculture and residential pest control. It is known for its effectiveness against a wide range of insect pests and is commonly used in both agricultural and urban settings.

Chemical Properties[edit]

Bifenthrin is a member of the pyrethroid class of insecticides, which are synthetic analogs of the naturally occurring pyrethrins. It is characterized by its high potency and long-lasting effects. The chemical formula of bifenthrin is C₂₃H₂₂ClF₃O₂.

Mode of Action[edit]

Bifenthrin works by affecting the nervous system of insects. It binds to the sodium channels in nerve cells, prolonging their opening and causing continuous nerve impulses. This leads to paralysis and eventual death of the insect.

Uses[edit]

Bifenthrin is used in a variety of settings:

Agriculture: It is applied to crops such as corn, cotton, and soybeans to control pests like aphids, spider mites, and caterpillars.
Residential: It is used in homes and gardens to control ants, termites, and other household pests.
Public Health: Bifenthrin is also used in mosquito control programs to reduce the spread of diseases like malaria and dengue fever.

Environmental Impact[edit]

Bifenthrin is known to be highly toxic to aquatic life, particularly fish and invertebrates. It is relatively stable in the environment, with a half-life that can range from days to months depending on conditions such as soil type and temperature.

Safety and Regulation[edit]

Bifenthrin is regulated by various governmental agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States. It is classified as a restricted-use pesticide, meaning it can only be applied by certified applicators.

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-'''Bifenthrin''' is a [[pyrethroid insecticide]] used primarily against the [[red imported fire ant]] by influencing its nervous system. It has a high toxicity to aquatic organisms. Although it is listed as a restricted use chemical in the United States, it is allowed to be sold for daily use, provided the product sold has a low concentration of bifenthrin. The chemical leaves are white, waxy and solid. The product has a mild odor. Bifenthrin has the molecular formula of C23H22ClF3O2.
+[[File:Bifenthrin_Structural_Formula_V1.svg|thumb|right|Structural formula of Bifenthrin]]
+'''Bifenthrin''' is a synthetic [[pyrethroid]] insecticide used in agriculture and residential pest control. It is known for its effectiveness against a wide range of insect pests and is commonly used in both agricultural and urban settings.
+[[File:Bifentrhin.png|thumb|right|Bifenthrin in its commercial form]]
+==Chemical Properties==
+Bifenthrin is a member of the pyrethroid class of insecticides, which are synthetic analogs of the naturally occurring pyrethrins. It is characterized by its high potency and long-lasting effects. The chemical formula of bifenthrin is C<sub>23</sub>H<sub>22</sub>ClF<sub>3</sub>O<sub>2</sub>.
-==Chemical Properties==
+==Mode of Action==
-Bifenthrin is stable under normal temperatures and pressures. It is also stable in acidic, neutral and mildly alkaline conditions. The chemical is noncorrosive to metals, and it is not known to react with other chemicals. Bifenthrin is a white, waxy solid with a faint, mild odor. It has a molecular weight of 422.87 g/mol.
+Bifenthrin works by affecting the [[nervous system]] of insects. It binds to the [[sodium channel]]s in nerve cells, prolonging their opening and causing continuous nerve impulses. This leads to paralysis and eventual death of the insect.
 ==Uses==
-Bifenthrin is used on various agricultural crops and in homes. It is a broad-spectrum insecticide that works by interfering with a nerve cell's ability to send a normal signal by jamming open tiny gates on the cell that need to open and close rapidly to carry the message. Bifenthrin is also used against pests such as [[apple moth]], [[cabbage moth]], [[cabbage white butterfly]], [[diamondback moth]], [[light brown apple moth]], and [[redback spider]].
+Bifenthrin is used in a variety of settings:
+* '''Agriculture''': It is applied to crops such as [[corn]], [[cotton]], and [[soybeans]] to control pests like [[aphids]], [[spider mites]], and [[caterpillars]].
+* '''Residential''': It is used in homes and gardens to control ants, termites, and other household pests.
+* '''Public Health''': Bifenthrin is also used in mosquito control programs to reduce the spread of diseases like [[malaria]] and [[dengue fever]].
-==Health Effects==
+==Environmental Impact==
-Exposure to bifenthrin can result in irritation of the skin and eyes. It can also affect the nervous system causing nausea, headache, muscle weakness, salivation, shortness of breath and seizures. In severe cases, bifenthrin can cause fluid in the lungs and muscle twitching. Long term exposure can result in damage to the liver and the nervous system.
+Bifenthrin is known to be highly toxic to [[aquatic life]], particularly [[fish]] and [[invertebrates]]. It is relatively stable in the environment, with a half-life that can range from days to months depending on conditions such as soil type and temperature.
-==Environmental Effects==
+==Safety and Regulation==
-Bifenthrin is highly toxic to fish and small aquatic organisms. It is also harmful to bees and certain birds. It has the potential to contaminate surface waters through runoff. Bifenthrin is persistent in soil, with a half-life of between 7 days to 8 months, depending on the soil type.
+Bifenthrin is regulated by various governmental agencies, including the [[Environmental Protection Agency]] (EPA) in the United States. It is classified as a restricted-use pesticide, meaning it can only be applied by certified applicators.
-==Regulation==
+==Related Pages==
-In the United States, bifenthrin is classified as a restricted use pesticide (RUP) by the [[Environmental Protection Agency]] (EPA). This means that it can only be purchased and used by certified applicators.
+* [[Pyrethroid]]
+* [[Insecticide]]
+* [[Pest control]]
+* [[Environmental Protection Agency]]
+==See Also==
+* [[Pesticide]]
+* [[Integrated pest management]]
+* [[Toxicology]]
 [[Category:Insecticides]]
 [[Category:Pyrethroids]]
-[[Category:Chemical compounds]]
+[[Category:Environmental impact of pesticides]]
-[[Category:Toxicology]]
-[[Category:Environmental science]]
-{{Chemical-compound-stub}}
-{{medicine-stub}}