How does dichlorvos act on cockroaches, how quickly does it kill them, do they all die from it, and how long does it last? Below are detailed answers to these questions.
In the last century, cockroaches were fought with dangerous poisons. Dichlorvos is one of these. It was synthesized by dehydrochlorination of chlorophos and produced until 1989.
But did you know that the cans with the inscription “Dichlorvos” that store shelves are crowded with today have nothing to do with that same dichlorvos? Their main difference from the original is the absence of a substance from the FOS group.
Let's consider whether the original drug helped get rid of cockroaches and how dichlorvos works on cockroaches now.
What are modern Dichlorvos?
Modern Dichlorvos for cockroaches can be found under different names. This is due to the fact that sprays are produced by several manufacturers and contain components that are different from each other.
Most often found on sale:
- Dichlorvos Super;
- Dichlorvos Neo;
- Dichlorvos Varan;
- Dichlorvos Eco.
It is impossible to say unequivocally which of the listed drugs is more effective. Their mechanism of action on cockroaches is approximately the same, and their composition is similar. All of these drugs are based on substances of the pyrethroid group, excipients, and fragrances.
Advantages and disadvantages
Dichlorvos has both advantages and disadvantages.
Among the advantages are:
- fast, complex impact;
- Ease of use;
- relative safety for humans;
- the presence of biodegradable components that do not generate toxic waste after use;
- versatility;
- duration of action.
The drug has the following disadvantages:
- the need to process the room several times to achieve results;
- the likelihood of allergic reactions: itching, redness of the skin;
- acrid odor;
- remains on surfaces for a long time, which is especially bad if there is a small child or pets in the house;
- harm to humans after prolonged contact with the drug.
Mechanism of action of the product
Modern Dichlorvos necessarily contains substances such as pyrethroids, which have a paralytic effect on the central nervous system of insects. They enter the parasite's body through inhalation or through food. Under the influence of pesticides, disturbances in the transmission of nerve impulses begin, which lead to paralysis of the respiratory organs with subsequent suffocation.
As it settles on the insect’s integument, the drug continues to exert its destructive effect for some time. Having reached the shelter, the parasite begins to “wash itself”, cleaning the poison from its paws, swallowing it with its jaws. As a result, the poison penetrates the insect’s digestive tract, causing severe poisoning.
It is important to know not only how Dichlorvos acts on cockroaches, but also the speed of its effect. With large-scale processing, the main part of the population dies immediately, another part - within a couple of hours.
If only a small amount of the chemical gets on the cockroach, there is a good chance that the insect will survive, especially if water is available. Therefore, treatment should be carried out with a drug that contains, in addition to pyrethroids, other active ingredients.
Reviews
Alexey : Dichlorvos has always been effective against insects, it did not disappoint this time either - the cockroaches died within minutes of being exposed to the aerosol. There were a lot of cockroaches, so the whole jar was used for treatment, and it was good, odorless. The cockroaches were observed for several days and then gradually disappeared. For a month I treated those places where there are the most of them, and since then I have not seen cockroaches.
Olga : It’s a pity that Dichlorvos is no longer the same - the Soviet version was much more merciless with cockroaches and wasps, killing them immediately after impact. But the stench was so strong that you inhaled it several times and it was already evil. Modern versions also feel good and don’t stink at all. Two or three treatments, and the cockroaches completely disappeared.
Victor : In case of advanced infection, dichlorvos is useless. For the most part, it only kills the insects it finds at the time. Resistance to weather conditions is greatly exaggerated; it lasted for several days. If the cockroaches have just appeared, he can do this, but when there are literally hundreds of them in all corners, more serious measures need to be taken, such as bombing.
Application technology
To get rid of parasites forever, you need to poison cockroaches with dichlorvos according to all the rules, adhering to the following instructions for use:
- This drug may harm pets, especially cold-blooded animals. Therefore, it is necessary to remove cats and dogs and cages with rodents from the treatment area. Terrariums and aquariums can be covered with film, making sure that clean air reaches the pets.
- Dishes and food should be removed from the room or placed in plastic bags and sealed tightly.
- Move furniture and large household appliances away from the walls, remove wall cabinets to provide access to baseboards and other potential habitats for cockroaches. Carpets are rolled up, bedding and personal belongings are removed and taken out.
Before properly starting to treat the room, the container is shaken.
The spray is sprayed around the perimeter of the room, spraying visible individuals, as well as potential habitats of cockroaches:
- baseboards, gaps between floorboards;
- batteries;
- the floor under the furniture (if it could not be moved);
- window frames, door jambs;
- walls, floor near the sink.
The treatment is carried out using PPE (gloves, respirator, thick clothing that covers the body as much as possible). Dichlorvos is sprayed, holding the balloon at a distance of 20–30 cm from the surface. After completing the procedure, you need to leave the room for 2-3 hours, closing the doors and windows . Since Dichlorvos has a residual effect, wet cleaning should be carried out only on treated work surfaces, in places accessible to people and animals.
Efficiency of using Dichlorvos
Sometimes people notice surviving cockroaches in a room after pest control. Therefore, they are quite naturally interested in the question: does Dichlorvos help against cockroaches?
It is impossible to answer it unambiguously. This product has proven effective for spot treatment. However, if its concentration is insufficient, individual insects can survive and establish a new population. Therefore, it is advisable to combine Dichlorvos with other, less volatile agents with a long residual effect, for example, with a gel.
Instead of an afterword
Getting rid of household pests is a troublesome and time-consuming task. It is very rare that someone manages to achieve 100% results the first time, especially if the number of insects is off the charts. The presence of cockroaches in neighboring apartments can also ruin all efforts.
Therefore, it is much more productive to reach an agreement with neighbors and treat the building together. Moreover, we should not forget about the technical premises. Basements, attics, and boiler rooms may well become a breeding ground for infection, from where insects will spread to comfortable apartments.
Which Dichlorvos to choose
There are now quite a few varieties of this drug. There are sprays with aroma, unscented ones, and you can also find the traditional “smelly” chemical. Not only the appearance of the cylinders differs, but also their contents.
Modified Dichlorvos
The toxic chemical that was sold a couple of decades ago was made on the basis of dimethyldichlorovinylphosphate (abbreviated as dichlorvos). The effective drug had no significant competitors, but was toxic not only to insects, but also to people.
Most modern products of the same name do not contain organophosphorus compounds. Sprays are based on pyrethroids, which are effective, but not so dangerous to humans and have a longer duration of action. Modern dichlorvos has only the name in common with the old product - marketers use it when creating new products, since people prefer to purchase already proven, well-known chemicals that are well-known.
Modified Dichlorvos contain cypermethrin, tetramethrin, piperonyl butoxide.
Cypermethrin
Belongs to the group of pyrethroid drugs that are used to kill cockroaches and other insects. It has a hazard class 2 for warm-blooded animals, and a hazard class 1 for insects and fish. Resistant to solar radiation, does not cause addiction in cockroaches.
Cypermethrin is part of a drug such as Dichlorvos Eco. The substance is flammable and its vapors may be explosive. The peak effect of the poison occurs 2–3 hours after spraying, the residual protective effect persists for 10–15 days.
Permethrin
Included in preparations against cockroaches, it is harmful to beneficial insects, fish, and reptiles. Before using Dichlorvos, which contains this substance, it is necessary to clean all aquariums and terrariums. Low toxicity for humans. The substance belongs to the group of pyrethroids and has a nerve-paralytic effect. It is resistant to sunlight and high temperatures, has a long-lasting effect - about 2-3 weeks. Included in Dichlorvos Neo.
Piperonyl butoxide
The substance belongs to the group of pyrethroids and quickly decomposes in light. It is capable of having an acute toxic effect, enhances the effect of the use of other pesticides, accelerating the onset of paralysis by 2–5 times. It is part of such modern drugs as “Dichlorvos Innovative”, “Dichlorvos Varan A”, “Dichlorvos No. 1”. It is not the main active ingredient, so insects do not get used to it.
A brief excursion into history
In those days when the chemical industry was just taking its first steps, it was impossible to see the usual range of insecticidal products on store shelves.
Our mothers and grandmothers had to invent a variety of ways to destroy harmful red insects. At the same time, the effectiveness of homemade drugs was not always high, and it was very difficult to deliver a decisive blow to hordes of cockroaches.
The appearance of Dichlorvos became a real salvation for many Soviet housewives. Exterminating cockroaches has become much easier. The synthetic insecticide acted quickly, reliably and always gave 100% results.
Every family in the country used this drug at least once in their life and shared the results with pleasure.
The lack of healthy competition in the market has led to Dichlorvos gaining incredible popularity among consumers. People, by and large, had nothing to choose from.
Preparing the room for processing
Before starting work, it is necessary to clear the room of all foreign objects. Remove paintings, move equipment and furniture to the center. Textiles must be rolled and washed. Wash dishes and personal hygiene items or put them in plastic bags. Such measures will not only protect residents from chemical poisoning, but will also prevent insects from breeding from eggs.
Particular attention should be paid to the bathroom and kitchen. Cockroaches constantly need water, so they try to stay close to it.
Before you start pest control, you need to clean the apartment: sweep out the trash, wipe off the dust. The product adheres better to cleaned surfaces and, accordingly, the residual effect of the drug lasts longer.
Food products must be placed in sealed bags or placed in plastic containers. After completing processing, the container should be wiped to prevent the poison from entering the human body.
Cleaning
After completing the disinsection, leave the room for 5-6 hours, or better yet, for a day. When you return, open the windows and ventilate your home for half an hour. Fill a bucket with hot water, dissolve 5 tablespoons of baking soda and the same amount of laundry soap shavings. Neutralize the poison by washing the floors, stove, and food cabinets.
In hard-to-reach places, it is better not to clean for half a month in order to preserve the insecticidal activity of Dichlorvos.
After the floor is dry, the apartment becomes safe. Return pets and family members there, remove dishes from the balcony, wash them and put them back.
Safety precautions
Dichlorvos is not capable of causing serious harm to health. Poisoning with this drug is most easily tolerated by people, a little worse by pets. Piperonyl butoxide, which is part of many sprays, has a negative effect on the well-being of rats and mice. All pyrethroids are poisonous to reptiles, cockroaches, and fish.
Warm-blooded animals, having inhaled Dichlorvos vapors, become aggressive, they exhibit hyperactivity, and noticeable tremor of the limbs.
Preparations containing a mixture of permethrin and cypermethrin are practically safe for humans (hazard class 3). In rare cases, they may cause redness and burning if they come into contact with the skin.
To avoid unpleasant consequences, disinfestation with Dichlorvos must be carried out while wearing gloves, tight, closed clothing, and a respirator.
Spray manufacturers mask the unpleasant odor with fragrances. Despite the pleasant aroma of the drugs, during processing you can easily inhale the vapors of the poison. At the first signs of illness, you must leave the room and go out into the fresh air.
Description
The product instantly destroys and protects treated surfaces for a long time. The highly effective formula of the composition ensures the extermination of various insects that cause trouble to humans. The aerosol has a pleasant lavender aroma due to the perfume composition it contains. Cylinder volume 250 cubic meters. cm.
The name eco explains the absence of risk of harm to human health. Previously, the spray was very toxic and posed a danger to the body, because of this it was no longer used and sold.
Answers to popular questions
Answers to the following questions can help in the fight against cockroaches::
- Why doesn't Dichlorvos kill insects? Perhaps the current concentration of the drug is too low. It is also worth considering that the toxic effect of the poison does not appear immediately, but only some time later, reaching its peak after 2–3 hours.
- How long does Dichlorvos take to erode and how long do you need to wait after treatment? After finishing disinfestation, you should leave the room for several hours, closing the windows and doors. When the peak activity of the drug has passed, you can ventilate the apartment and begin washing. The residual effect of the spray will continue for another 2-3 weeks.
- Do cockroaches die from Dichlorvos? Why didn't the insects die immediately? The rate of death largely depends on how much poison got onto the parasite’s body and how much it managed to inhale. With abundant irrigation, paralysis of the respiratory tract occurs immediately, with partial irrigation - within several hours.
- Will a pregnant cockroach die from Dichlorvos? Yes, of course, if the room is treated according to the instructions. But this remedy has little effect on parasite eggs. Therefore, the disinfestation procedure should be repeated after some time, when new individuals appear, or use additional means of destruction.
Thus, we can conclude that modern Dichlorvos against cockroaches is an effective remedy that can cope with both an overgrown population and individual parasites.
conclusions
Disinfectors often encounter biological resistance of pests. In case of “irritability”, it is necessary to carry out complete disinsection of the building, and if there is a suspicion of resistance, then treat more than once, alternating drugs according to certain schemes.
Do you want to destroy cockroaches so that you immediately forget about the problem? Avoid aerosol products. Instead, use emulsion concentrates (according to the instructions). And remember that eliminating the outbreak locally is easier and cheaper than when cockroaches are everywhere and you need to carry out a complete pest control of the building.
If you have any questions or don’t know what to do, we recommend that you seek professional help from specialists.
