Pesticides, on the other hand, contain an active ingredient and other additional ingredients which are typically called inert ingredients. Meanwhile, non-residual insecticides commonly contain the active ingredient of pyrethrin. Just some of the possible active ingredients in residual pesticides can be allethrin, bifenthrin, boric acid, diatomaceous earth, to name a few. The effects of residual insecticides can be seen from as short as a few hours, to as long as a few days or weeks. In terms of the duration of the effect, insecticides can be classified as either residual or non-residual. Insecticides can be manufactured into any of the following types of agents, namely sprays, dusts, as well as liquid and station baits. Typically, both pesticides and insecticide contain an active ingredient which is the main chemical providing the exterminating action on the target animal. One of the most important determining factors to tell insecticides and pesticides apart is their respective chemical formulations. Simply put, one can find themselves in a situation where they’re using the wrong kind of chemical agent in order to terminate a pest or a type of bug in their home.Ĭontinue reading to learn more about the differences between the two, so that you may be able to distinguish their uses in the future. While on the surface, the misnomer might seem inconsequential, this can lead to potentially inefficient use of a particular chemical agent. It is far too often the case that people use the terms “pesticide” and “insecticide” interchangeably. It is for this reason that one should learn the difference between a pesticide and an insecticide.

What are the differences between insecticides and pesticides?ĭifferent kinds of pests and insects exist in the environment.

Insecticides and pesticides