What is the best Bifen insecticide? As the name suggests, all Bifen products are based on bifenthrin, an active ingredient that is effective against dozens of common insect pests, including those resistant to other pyrethroids.
The Bifen IT and Bifen LP have different bifenthrin concentrations, 7.9% and 0.2% respectively. The Bifen I/T is a liquid concentrate that needs to be mixed with water and applied with a sprayer. The advantage of this product is that it has more applications and can be sprayed on foliage. Since bifenthrin is not absorbed by the foliage, it is claimed to be non-toxic to plants. The Bifen LP comes in granules and is recommended for controlling soil-dwelling and wood-infesting insects, such as termites, ants, and beetles. Another advantage of this option is that it is more durable and offers a residual effectiveness of up to 3 months.
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Control Solutions Bifen IT Insecticide Concentrates Pint |
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Control Solutions Bifen LP Granules |
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Six Reasons to Use Bifen Insecticides
- This is an all-around insecticide. With this product, you can control beetles, caterpillars, soft-bodied insects, mosquitoes, and pests like fleas and ticks.
- The effectiveness of this insecticide, and its active ingredient in particular, are supported by many scientific tests and studies.
- The Bifen is a great choice for a curative control, where you cannot apply a systemic insecticide. The latter is a pesticide that is not only absorbed into a plant but is also distributed through the plant’s tissues. Since the Bifen is a contact insecticide, it can be effectively applied to trees like arborvitae to eliminate bagworms, for example. It is also good at eliminating caterpillars infesting trees and shrubs, which cannot be controlled with systemic insecticides.
- It can be used in different ways as spot, barrier, and broadcast applications. The liquid Bifen insecticide can be used with a sprayer to kill surface-feeding pests or applied to trees and shrubs.
- The product is available in granular form to control soil-dwelling insect pests.
- While being a very potent insecticide, it is moderately toxic to humans. The US EPA has classified bifenthrin, the active ingredient of Bifen products, as Toxicity Class II-moderately toxic. It is of higher toxicity to insects than it is to humans because insects’ bodies have lower temperatures and are smaller in size.
Are Bifen Bifenthrin Insecticides Effective?
In 2016, Joshua K. Volkan from East Carolina University conducted a study to find out what kind of insecticide was the most efficient in killing disease-transmitting mosquitoes. The researcher evaluated products with different active ingredients, including the Bifen Insecticide. The solution was applied to vegetation in shady places and where it cannot be washed off by rain.
Interestingly, the efficacy of insecticide depends on the species of the plant it is applied to. The highest rate was observed on Rhododendron leaves, which provided a 77.7% knockdown rate at 5 weeks post-treatment. This is due to the differences of cuticles in the plant leaves as well as their ability to retain insecticides. For example, sand cordgrass has the shortest residual effect, showing a knockdown rate of only 25.6%, three weeks after application.
Additionally, there are studies supporting the effectiveness of bifenthrin barrier treatments with the use of backpack mist sprayers. The experiments have shown that barrier sprays can reduce mosquito populations by up to 84%.
To control fire ants, entomologists use both the Bifen L/P insecticide formulated in granules and the liquid Bifen I/T. These products are suggested for broadcast and perimeter applications as well as for mound treatment. They can even be applied in schools, but strictly according to the label directions. The granular insecticide is particularly good for application around electrical equipment and in utility housings. The scientists note that treating ant mounds can be more expensive and time-consuming. When it comes to ant control, bifenthrin works as a contact insecticide, killing critters within a couple of days.
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Bifen Insecticide Review: Bifen IT vs Bifen LP Granules
Below, you will find the two Bifen insecticides at a price ranging from $47 to $69. Both contain bifenthrin as an active ingredient but at different concentrations. They also differ by the formulation and are available in liquid and granular forms.
Control Solutions Bifen I/T Insecticide Concentrates Pint (16 oz.) 3 each | Best Liquid Insecticide
Formulated with 7.9% bifenthrin , the product controls 75 different pest species, both household and outdoor. This product is often used and recommended by professional pest control operators, and with good reason. It provides a quick knockdown, has a long but non-visible residue, and, at the same time is pretty safe. That is why it is a popular solution not only as an outdoor treatment but also for indoor use. Depending on the type of insect, infestation severity, and the application site, the concentrate should be mixed with water at a ratio ranging from .2 oz to 2 oz per gallon.
The product is used on plants, flowers, shrubs, ornamental trees, in and around homes. Note that it should not be applied to trees that produce a harvestable crop. That said, the insecticide can be used in food-handling establishments where food is stored, processed, and served. However, it must not be applied directly to food items or grain bins. In such places, the optimal option is a spot treatment, with the focus on such places as garbage bins and shelves.
Control Solutions Bifen IT Insecticide Concentrates: Check the current price
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Control Solutions Bifen L/P Granules – 1 Bag (25 lbs.) | Best Granular Insecticide
These insecticidal granules with 0.2% bifenthrin target fleas, cockroaches, ticks, scorpions, ants, and many other pests. Its long-lasting formula provides at least a 2-month residual, slowly releasing insecticide after rains and irrigation. The granules are odorless and safe for pets and birds. Additionally, they can be applied at low rates, which makes the product economical to use. However, the house interior cannot be treated with this insecticide. Outside the house, you can use it as a perimeter barrier around the house foundation or as a general broadcast treatment in the yard lawn, around the flower beds, along fences, and around decks.
Depending on the pest species, apply 50 to 200 pounds of the granules per acre. While armyworms, cutworms, and weevils require the minimal amount of the insecticide, to control ants, centipedes, fleas, and pill bugs, you will need to apply as much as 200 pounds per acre or 4.6 pounds per 1,000 square feet. One bag contains 25 pounds of the granules, so it is cost-efficient enough. Remarkably, 85% of customers gave 5 stars to this product.
Control Solutions Bifen L/P Granules: Check the current price
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Bifen I/T Bifenthrin Insecticide Alternatives: Bifen IT vs Talstar
Talstar Pro 96 ounce (3/4 gallon), 2Pack (1 Bottle)
Talstar is often cited by professionals as a potent and versatile insecticide. Like the Bifen IT, it contains 7.9% bifenthrin and controls more than 70 insect pests including mosquitoes, cockroaches, fleas, ticks, pillbugs, millipedes, and more. You can apply it in commonly infested areas indoors and outdoors. The Talstar can be used in food handling sites, too.
The insecticide has a residual lasting for up to 3 months and doesn’t break down easily after a rain. For better results, use a one-gallon sprayer for application. While the product might seem expensive, it is actually cost-efficient. The one-quart concentrate yields up to 96 finished gallons, which is enough for treating a large area or repeated applications. It is worth noting that this product is the most popular one on the list, with over 90% of buyers giving it five stars. They say it is of high quality and kills tough bugs as well as general insects.
Talstar Pro 96 ounce: Check the current price
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Compare-N-Save Concentrate Indoor and Outdoor Insect Control, 16-Ounce
For those on budget, this is a good option. Like the previous item, it contains 7.9% bifenthrin and can be applied inside and outside the house. You can mix it with other insecticides, including insect growth regulators, for a more powerful knockdown effect. Use it indoors to eradicate household pests and outdoors to kill insects on the soil, plants, trees, and ornamentals. This 16-ounce concentrate makes up to 88 gallons of ready-to-use solution and covers up to 88,000 square feet.
The Compare-N-Save concentrate has received 4.4 out of 5 stars in customer ratings and lots of rave reviews. One buyer purchased it to kill black widows. When he was spraying the insecticide, the spiders came out of their hiding places, apparently, trying to survive. In half an hour, they were all dead. Another customer had a horrible flea problem and decided to buy this product. He likes that it has no odor and, more importantly, it works like a miracle.
Compare-N-Save Concentrate Indoor and Outdoor Insect Control: Check the current price
What Are the Target Pest Species? How to apply | How long does it take for Bifen IT to work
Bifen insecticides are labeled for use against more than 70 common pest species. These are aphids , bed bugs , termites , ants , boxelder bugs , carpenter bees , centipedes , stink bugs , flies , fleas , ticks , beetles , mites , silverfish , spiders , pillbugs , scorpions , wasps , grain weevils , cockroaches , mosquitoes, and many more. Now, lets’ see how to apply Bifen products on the examples of some of these pests.
- Bedbugs: Dilute the Bifen IT at a rate of 0.5-1.0 ounce per gallon of water. Apply the solution to cracks, crevices, bed frames, dressers, clothes closets, and the edges of carpets and wallpaper. You can use a low-pressure spray or a brush to apply the product. Note that this insecticide cannot be used on mattresses, clothes, bedsheets, pillows, etc.
- Ants: Detect ant trails and treat these areas with Bifen insecticides. Other common sites of ant activity include areas around doors and windows.
- Wasps: The best time to spray wasps is late evening when they are usually at rest. Treat their nests thoroughly as well as the areas around them. Try to spray on insects as well because bifenthrin is particularly good at killing them on contact.
- Fleas: The Bifen I/T boasts a long residual when it comes to flea control. In this case, the insecticidal effect can last for up to 3 months. It is recommended to vacuum carpets and other surfaces before application. Apply the insecticide as a spot treatment to places where pets usually play and sleep. Pay attention to rugs and areas around furniture. Do not spray it directly on the animals.
- Grain weevils: Before applying the insecticide, remove all infested food items and cover other items. Keep in mind that the product must not come in contact with food or utensils. Focus on areas such as food storage spaces, baseboards, corners, closets, doors, windows, around water pipes, and beneath the kitchen appliances.
- Aphids: These pests infest beans, eggplants, okra, and many other vegetables and plants. They can be controlled by the Bifen IT insecticide diluted at a rate of 0.25 to 0.5 ounces per 1,000 sq.ft. Oftentimes, repeated applications are needed. However, you should wait at least one week between each application.
Expert Opinion: Garrett Matthews, Pest Control Professional
Garrett Matthews , Pest Control Professional
Garrett Matthews is an owner of Matthews Landscape, LLC based in Shreveport. He started his career working for the Fire Department. Then, Garrett received training in horticulture and launched his own company that provides pest control and lawn care services.
“I want to talk about one product that you could use. It is called the Bifen XTS. It comes in two different makeups. One is a really thick milky substance and the other one is oil-based. We prefer to use the XTS, which is oil-based, because it mixes better in the water versus the heavy thick milky substance. But this provides a really quick knockdown for all of your insects out in the yard specifically. Right now, it was the armyworms and it is about to be the grubs. It covers fire ants, it covers several other things. Follow the instructions and mix it up properly. More importantly, make sure your equipment is calibrated. If you have got the equipment, you can blanket spray your entire yard.It works well and isn’t gonna hurt the grass as long as you follow the label.”
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In Conclusion:
Bifen products are effective and easy to use. Stick to the label and follow basic safety and application recommendations to consistant results year after year. We recommend buying in bulk and keeping some in the garage at all times due to the effectiveness throughout the seasons.
