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Pesticide Formulations
- The physical "form" of a pesticide product -
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Summary: The same pesticide ingredient is often available in different physical forms, or formulations. The best choice is generally determined by the area to be treated and the available application equipment.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
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 Pesticide products are supplied in a number of different physical forms, or formulations. Products may be in the form of dust, aerosol spray, wettable powder, liquid concentrate, granules, etc. The pesticide itself is made of one or more active ingredient (poison) plus inactive carriers like clay or oil. Aerosol sprays also contain a propellent that pressurizes the can.
Dust formulations are dry with the active ingredient bound to clay or some other fine powder, or made entirely from pure active ingredient such as silica or borate. The problem with dust formulations is they are difficult to apply evenly.
Aerosols sprays are convenient because the active ingredient is pre-mixed and you don't need a separate sprayer. Aerosols are relatively expensive, however, on a per volume basis and so are best used for small areas.
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| Wettable powders are dust-like formulations that are mixed with water, or sometimes oil, and sprayed through a sprayer. Wettable powders are economical and solve the application problems inherent in dust formulations.
Liquid concentrates are diluted with water and applied through some type of sprayer. Liquid concentrates are economical and generally easy to apply but you will need a separate sprayer.
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The final commonly used formulation is granular. Granules are course, dry pellets that are applied thrugh some type of spreader. Turf and lawn care pesticides are often applied as granules.
| New botanical insectcides can be safely used indoors for a variety of pests. See label instructions for these applications. As with any insecticide, please read and carefully follow these instructions. |
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