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Merit Insecticide (Imidacloprid)
- Relatively new, broad-spectrum insecticide -
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Summary: Imidacloprid is the active ingredient in Merit Insecticide (tm), Bayer Advanced (tm), Premise (tm), and some other insecticides. It is a synthetic, broad-spectum, and relatively low-toxicity insecticide.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
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What is imidacloprid?
 Imidacloprid is the active ingredient in several widely used insecticides. Merit Insecticide (tm) is used extensively in commercial plant nurseries as well as in lawn and landscape insect control. Bayer Advanced (tm) branded insecticides are intended for the homeowner market and Premise (tm) insecticide is use for termites and other structural pest control.
Imidacloprid is also the active ingredient in Advantage Flea Control and many agricultural insecticides. The chemical structure of imidacloprid (right) is a synthetic analog of nicotine, the natural alkaloid found in the leaves of tobacco and related plants.
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The chemical structure of imidacloprid, the active ingredient in Merit Insecticide. Drawing from Wikipedia.
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Using imidacloprid
Imidacloprid is a very effective, broad spectrum, water soluble** insecticide for use against soil insect pests such as white grubs, crane fly, mole crickets and lawn moths like sod webworm. Different products are available for ornamental pests such as aphids, scales insects and thrips and for structural pests such as termites and carpenter ants (see Specimen Labels below).
Compared to many older synthetic pesticides imidacloprid is only moderately toxic to mammals, including humans. It is, however, highly toxic to other "non-target" and beneficial insect species so, as always, care should be taken to avoid misapplication.
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Generally, products with the Merit and Premise labels have a higher active ingredient concentration while the Bayer Advanced packaging is smaller with a lower concentration of active ingredient. Bayer Advanced products may also contain active ingredients other than just imidacloprid.
** Because imidacloprid is soluble in water it is easily taken up through plant roots, leaves and stems and moved throughout plants where it controls plant-feeding insects. Imidacloprid is sometimes misspelled imadacloprid.
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Possible connection to colony collapse disorder
Recently, concerns have been raised over a possible connection between neonicotinoid insecticides like imidacloprid, and a decline in honey bees called colony collapse disorder (CCD). Scientists are now engaged in studies to find the cause of CCD and determine if a link exists. You should limit the use of all insecticides to situations where they are really needed but be especially cautious when using the imidacloprid insecticides until we know more.
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+ Merit 2F Specimen Label (pdf file) - product label for Merit Insecticide the formulation of imidacloprid that is used in lawn and landscape pest control.
+ Premise 2 Specimen Label (large file) (pdf file) - product label for Premise 2 insecticide the formulation of imidacloprid that is used in structural pest control for termites, carpenter ants and other wood-destroying insects.
+ Imidacloprid Factsheet (pdf file) - the National Pesticide Telecommunications Network (NPTN) factsheet for the active ingredient in Merit.
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Mission: To provide accurate, up-to-date and unbiased information for solving common insect and mite problems around your home, business and landscape using least-toxic methods.
Jack DeAngelis, Ph.D.
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