Its major uses include:
- Seed treatment – Imidacloprid is the most popular seed treatment insecticide in the world
- Agriculture – Control of aphids, cane beetles, thrips, stink bugs, locusts, and a variety of other insects that damage...
- Arboriculture – Control of the emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, and other insects that attack trees (including...
Full Answer
How do you use imidacloprid insecticide?
It is sold under many names for many uses; it can be applied by soil injection, tree injection, application to the skin of the plant, broadcast foliar, ground application as a granular or liquid formulation, or as a pesticide-coated seed treatment. Imidacloprid is widely used for pest control in agriculture.
What is imidacloprid used for?
Imidacloprid's mode of action is similar on target and non-target beneficial insects including honeybees, predatory ground beetles and parasitoid wasps. 10 However, imidacloprid is ineffective against spider mites and nematodes. 2
Can I use imidacloprid on apple trees?
Other products have a much higher rate of the active ingredient imidacloprid (1-3%) AND it is labeled for use on ornamental trees and shrubs, not plants with edible parts. A different product, Bayer Advanced 12-month Tree & Shrub Insect Control Super Concentrate with 2.94% imidacloprid, controls Japanese beetles and lists apple trees on the label.
Is imidacloprid toxic to aphids?
Three plant metabolites of imidacloprid, the imidazolidine derivative, the olefin metabolite and the nitroso-derivative, were more toxic to aphids than imidacloprid itself. 55 No information regarding indoor half-life or residues was found for imidacloprid.
Which insecticide used for seed treatment?
Treatment with insecticides thiamethoxam, fipronil and imidacloprid provides adequate quality of the seeds and do not negatively affect the early development of plants. Insecticides [imidacloprid + thiodicarb], acephate and carbofuran affect the germination and vigor of soybean seeds.
What is imidacloprid used for?
Imidacloprid is used to control sucking insects, termites, some soil insects, and fleas on pets. It has been used in products sold in the United States since 1994.
How do you use imidacloprid insecticide?
3:555:30Imidacloprid 2F (Turf & Ornamental Insecticide): Product ReviewYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipApplication for shrubs use a mix rate of 0.1 to 0.2 fluid ounces of product per foot of shrub heightMoreApplication for shrubs use a mix rate of 0.1 to 0.2 fluid ounces of product per foot of shrub height for trees you'll use 0.1 to 0.4 fluid ounces per inch of trunk diameter at breast height.
Is imidacloprid safe for vegetables?
The recent label amendment permits imidacloprid use by homeowners on fruit and nut trees, citrus, herbs and vegetables.
What insects does imidacloprid control?
The insects that Imidacloprid successfully targets are bed bugs, ants, flies, roaches and termites. It is also commonly applied to soil, seed, and foliage to control nutrient-sucking insects including aphids, thrips, whiteflies, turf insects, soil insects and some beetles.
How long does imidacloprid last in soil?
Imidacloprid has a photolysis half-life of 39 days at the soil surface, with a range of 26.5-229 days when incorporated into the soil. Persistence in soil allows for continual availability for uptake by plant roots.
Is imidacloprid harmful to plants?
Imidacloprid applied as a soil treatment can move up into flowers to injure or kill bees, other pollinators and beneficial insects. Avoid application to flowering plants that are visited by these beneficials. If used, don't apply until after bloom has been completed.
How fast does imidacloprid work?
The target pest's feeding activity ceases within minutes to hours, and death occurs usually within 24 - 48 hours but can take up to 7 days depending on the mode of application. As to its performance: good reliable control, high selectivity, quick knock-down/protection and long residual activity are key features.
Is imidacloprid harmful to humans?
Imidacloprid is very low in toxicity via dermal exposure12 and moderately toxic if ingested13; but upon inhalation, its toxicity is variable. Its dust is considered slightly toxic but the aerosol form is highly toxic.
Can I use imidacloprid on tomato plants?
As you shop for a systemic insecticide to use on your tomato plants, look for a product that is labeled as a systemic pesticide and that has the active ingredient imidacloprid or dinotefuran. Imidacloprid systemic products are more readily available and easier to use than dinotefuran products.
What is the safest pesticide for vegetables?
Pyrethrins. Extracted from daisies, pyrethrins is known to be one of the safest insecticides to use in a vegetable garden. Aside from instantly killing insects, they are virtually nontoxic to mammals and dissipates in a day or less.
What is imidacloprid made of?
Chemical Class and Type: Neonicotinoid insecticides are synthetic derivatives of nicotine, an alkaloid compound found in the leaves of many plants in addition to tobacco. Imidacloprid was first registered for use in the U.S. by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) in 1994.
What is imidacloprid used for?
Imidacloprid products may be used on crops, houses, or used in flea products for pets. There are over 400 products for sale in the United States that contain imidacloprid. Always follow label instructions ...
What is the purpose of imidacloprid?
Imidacloprid is used to control sucking insects, termites, some soil insects, and fleas on pets. It has been used in products sold in the United States since 1994.
How does imidacloprid get into the body?
Once it gets into the body, imidacloprid moves through the bloodstream to the whole body. Imidacloprid is broken down in the liver and then removed from the body in feces and urine. Rats that were fed imidacloprid excreted 90% of the dose in 24 hours.
How long does imidacloprid stay in the soil?
Imidacloprid can last for months or years in soil. The residues become more tightly bound to the soil with time. Imidacloprid is broken down rapidly by water and sunlight. The pH and temperature of water affect the speed of the imidacloprid breakdown process.
Does imidacloprid cause cancer?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) decided that there is no evidence that imidacloprid causes cancer based on animal studies. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has not classified imidacloprid for its potential to cause cancer.
Does imidacloprid affect the reproductive system?
The doses that caused the problems in the pups were toxic to the mothers. No data were found on developmental or reproductive effects of imidacloprid in people.
Can you eat a plant with imidacloprid?
Because imidacloprid is a systemic insecticide, you could be exposed to imidacloprid if you ate the fruit, leaves, or roots of plants that were grown in soil treated with imidacloprid.
What is imidacloprid used for?
Imidacloprid is widely used for pest control in agriculture. Other uses include application to foundations to prevent termite damage, pest control for gardens and turf, treatment of domestic pets to control fleas, protection of trees from boring insects, and in preservative treatment of some types of lumber products.
How long does imidacloprid last in soil?
In soil under aerobic conditions, imidacloprid is persistent with a half-life of the order of 1–3 years. On the soil surface the half-life is 39 days.
What is the chemical that acts as an insect neurotoxin?
Chemical compound. Imidacloprid is a systemic insecticide that acts as an insect neurotoxin and belongs to a class of chemicals called the neonicotinoids which act on the central nervous system of insects. The chemical works by interfering with the transmission of stimuli in the insect nervous system.
What are the effects of imidacloprid on the body?
Low- to mid-dose oral exposures have been associated with reproductive toxicity, developmental retardation and neurobehavioral deficits in rats and rabbits.
How much imidacloprid can kill a dog?
In dogs the LD 50 is 450 mg/kg of body weight (i.e., in any sample of medium-sized dogs weighing 13 kilograms (29 lb), half of them would be killed after consuming 5,850 mg of imidacloprid, or about 1⁄5 th of an ounce) . Blood imidacloprid concentrations may be measured to confirm diagnosis in hospitalized patients or to establish the cause of death in postmortem investigations.
What is the most widely used insecticide in the world?
Imidacloprid is the most widely used insecticide in the world. Its major uses include: Seed treatment - Imidacloprid is the most popular seed treatment insecticide in the world. Agriculture - Control of aphids, cane beetles, thrips, stink bugs, locusts, and a variety of other insects that damage crops.
How long does it take for imidacloprid to work on trees?
Application to trees. When used on trees, it can take 30–60 days to reach the top (depending on the size and height) and enter the leaves in high enough quantities to be effective. Imidacloprid can be found in the trunk, the branches, the twigs, the leaves, the leaflets, and the seeds. Many trees are wind pollinated.
What is imidacloprid used for?
Imidacloprid is an neonicotinoid agricultural insecticide used to control sucking insects, termites, soil insects, and fleas on pets. These include plant hoppers, aphids, termites, Colorado beetles, fleas, white grups, craneflies, crickets and ants. It mimics nicotine, a naturally-occuring chemical found in plants, which is toxic to insects. It has been used in products in the U.S. since 1994. Other uses for imidacloprid include cholinergic agent, veterinary substance, and seed treatment. It is highly soluble and persistent in soil. Imidacloprid is toxic to birds, honey bees, mammals and earthworms.
How many products contain imidacloprid?
Over 400 products in the U.S. contain imidacloprid – it is vital to read the the product label prior to purchase or usage. Do not inhale, ingest, or apply imidacloprid products on humans. Do not use products on pets without veterinary recommendations.
Is imidacloprid a cholinergic agent?
It has been used in products in the U.S. since 1994. Other uses for imidacloprid include cholinergic agent, veterinary substance, and seed treatment. It is highly soluble and persistent in soil.
Is imidacloprid bad for dogs?
A one-year feeding study in dogs resulted in increased blood cholesterol and liver stress. Imidacloprid may cause reproductive, teratogenic effects (skeleton abnormalities in rats), and mutagenic effects (DNA changes in hamsters). This chemical is not known to be carcinogenic following carcinogenicity tests (two-year span) in rats.
Is imidacloprid toxic to rabbits?
Oral doses of technical grade imidacloprid resulted in mortality of half of all laboratory test animals. It is considered non-irritating to the eyes and skin of rabbits, and non-sensitizing to the skin of guinea pigs. Some formulations, however, may include clay as an ingredient which may cause irritation to the eyes. Inhalation toxicity with rats resulted in mortality of half of the test group.
Does imidacloprid affect the thyroid?
Body systems affected by imidacloprid. Tests on rats and dogs show that imidacloprid affects the thyroid gland and liver, respectively. There are no known reports of the effects of imidacloprid poisoning in humans, but may be fatal if swallowed and may cause moderate eye irritation on contact.
What are the pests that Imidacloprid kills?
The insects that Imidacloprid successfully targets are bed bugs, ants, flies, roaches and termites. It is also commonly applied to soil, seed, and foliage to control nutrient-sucking insects including aphids, thrips, whiteflies, turf insects, soil insects and some beetles.
When was imidacloprid invented?
Imidacloprid was patented in the United States by Bayer CropScience in 1992 for the use of turfgrass and ornamentals.
What are the drawbacks of imidacloprid?
Drawbacks of Imidacloprid. Extended use of Imidacloprid may lead to the target insect developing a resistance to the active ingredient. You may not want to use Imidacloprid if you desire a quicker knockdown of a problem pest and do not want to wait for the chemical to affect the entire population.
Is imidacloprid a neurotoxin?
Imidacloprid is a general-use insecticide that is systemic and behaves as an insect neurotoxin. Imidacloprid belongs to a class of chemicals called neonicotinoids. The word neonicotinoids may sound familiar to you because it contains the word “nicotine”.
Is imidacloprid good for plants?
Imidacloprid is effective against insects, especially when protecting insects that are damaging plants because it is a systemic insecticide and goes through the plant down to its roots, without harming the plant. Insects that bite into the plant are then effected and succumb to the active ingredient. Imidacloprid is best used to treat ...
What is the chemical class of imidacloprid?
The technical material of Imidacloprid is a chlorinated analog of nicotine, belonging to the class of chloronicotinyl insecticides. Insecticides in this chemical class work in a similar manner to the natural drug nicotine, attacking the central nervous system and causing inhibiting the normal function of nicotinergic acetylcholine receptors. The result is a disruption of nerve transmission, leading to convulsions, hyperexitation, paralysis and death.
What is the name of the insecticide that Bayer makes?
Imidacloprid. Imidacloprid is a systemic insecticide manufactured by Bayer Cropscience for the control of turf, crop, and structural pests. When used on crops, Imidacloprid is taken up by plant roots and into the plant vascular system, where insects ingest it along with the plant fluids. Imidacloprid is sold under a variety ...
Is it safe to take imidacloprid?
Imidacloprid is safe for use around people and pets. Imidacloprid is noted for having low toxicity to most animals other than insects. It is considered much safer for insect control than other neurotoxins, including organophosphates.
Is imidacloprid a trade name?
Imidacloprid is sold under a variety of trade names including Merit, Premise , Pre-Empt, and Maxforce. Imidacloprid is also them main active ingredient in three out of the four most popular preventative topical flea treatments for dogs in the US.
How do systemic insecticides kill insects?
Systemic insecticides are taken up by the roots or other parts of the plant and then move internally through the plant tissues and kill insects eating those tissues. In contrast, non-systemic insecticides remain on the plant surface and kill insects by contact or ingestion of treated foliage. Imidacloprid has been available to commercial growers ...
What insecticides kill apples?
Iowa State’s Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic has received several questions recently about the use of imidacloprid on apple trees and other edible fruits and vegetables. Imidacloprid is a systemic insecticide that has been available for many years under different trade names and concentrations. Systemic insecticides are taken up by the roots or other parts of the plant and then move internally through the plant tissues and kill insects eating those tissues. In contrast, non-systemic insecticides remain on the plant surface and kill insects by contact or ingestion of treated foliage.
Can I use imidacloprid on roses?
Yes, it does get into the reproductive parts, but not in high enough concentrations to control pests. This is why if you use imidacloprid on your roses to control Japanese beetles it does not protect the flowers. Imidacloprid works best on pests that feed on leaves, stems, roots, or woody parts of the plant.
Does imidacloprid affect pollinators?
There is concern about how much imidacloprid gets into the nectar and pollen of plants and how this might affect pollinating insects. It is something to be aware of and why some labels say to not apply until after bloom.
Is imidacloprid available for commercial use?
Imidacloprid has been available to commercial growers for use on edible crops for over a decade. Homeowners, however, have not had any systemic insecticide available for insect control on fruits and vegetables until recently. A new product called Bayer Advanced Fruit, Citrus & Vegetable Insect Control is now available for the general public.
Overview
Products
- Products containing imidacloprid come in many forms, including liquids, granules, dusts, and packages that dissolve in water. Imidacloprid products may be used on crops, houses, or used in flea products for pets. There are over 400 products for sale in the United States that contain imidacloprid.
Prevention
- Always follow label instructions and take steps to avoid exposure. If any exposures occur, be sure to follow the First Aid instructions on the product label carefully. For additional treatment advice, contact the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. If you wish to discuss a pesticide problem, please call 1-800-858-7378.
Toxicity
- Imidacloprid disrupts the nerve's ability to send a normal signal, and the nervous system stops working the way it should. Imidacloprid is much more toxic to insects and other invertebrates than it is to mammals and birds because it binds better to the receptors of insect nerve cells. Scientists fed imidacloprid to mother rats and rabbits during their pregnancies. The exposure caused repro…
Causes
- There are four ways that people can be exposed to chemicals. Chemicals may get on the skin, get into the eyes, be inhaled, or be eaten. This can happen if someone handles a pesticide or a pet recently treated with a product and does not wash their hands before eating. You could be exposed to imidacloprid if you are applying a product to your yard, on a pet, or in another locatio…
Mechanism of action
- Imidacloprid does not go through skin easily but it can cross the lining of the stomach and especially the intestine when it is eaten. Once it gets into the body, imidacloprid moves through the bloodstream to the whole body. Imidacloprid is broken down in the liver and then removed from the body in feces and urine. Rats that were fed imidacloprid excreted 90% of the dose in 2…
Research
- The United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) decided that there is no evidence that imidacloprid causes cancer based on animal studies. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has not classified imidacloprid for its potential to cause cancer. Scientists are actively studying the effects of imidacloprid on bees and other invertebrates. As they finish their …
Formation
- Imidacloprid can last for months or years in soil. The residues become more tightly bound to the soil with time. Imidacloprid is broken down rapidly by water and sunlight. The pH and temperature of water affect the speed of the imidacloprid breakdown process. Imidacloprid may leach from soil into groundwater under some conditions. Imidacloprid is broken down into a number of othe…
Diet
- Other beneficial animals may also be affected. Green lacewings did not avoid nectar of plants grown in soil treated with imidacloprid. The lacewings that fed from the treated plants had lower survival than lacewings that had not fed from treated plants. Ladybugs that ate aphids from plants grown in treated soil also showed reduced survival and reproduction.
Overview
Imidacloprid is a systemic insecticide belonging to a class of chemicals called the neonicotinoids which act on the central nervous system of insects. The chemical works by interfering with the transmission of stimuli in the insect nervous system. Specifically, it causes a blockage of the nicotinergic neuronal pathway. By blocking nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, imidacloprid prevents a…
Authorized uses
Imidacloprid is the most widely used insecticide in the world. Its major uses include:
• Seed treatment – Imidacloprid is the most popular seed treatment insecticide in the world
• Agriculture – Control of aphids, cane beetles, thrips, stink bugs, locusts, and a variety of other insects that damage crops
Application to trees
When used on trees, it can take 30–60 days to reach the top (depending on the size and height) and enter the leaves in high enough quantities to be effective. Imidacloprid can be found in the trunk, the branches, the twigs, the leaves, the leaflets, and the seeds. Many trees are wind pollinated. But others such as fruit trees, linden, catalpa, and black locust trees are bee and wind pollinated and imidacloprid would likely be found in the flowers in small quantities. Higher dose…
Background
On January 21, 1986, a patent was filed and granted on May 3, 1988, for imidacloprid in the United States (U.S. Pat. No. 4,742,060) by Nihon Tokushu Noyaku Seizo K.K. of Tokyo, Japan.
On March 25, 1992, Miles, Inc. (later Bayer CropScience) applied for registration of imidacloprid for turfgrass and ornamentals in the United States. On March 10, 1994, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved the registration of imidacloprid.
Biochemistry
Imidacloprid is a systemic chloronicotinyl pesticide, belonging to the class of neonicotinoid insecticides. It works by interfering with the transmission of nerve impulses in insects by binding irreversibly to specific insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
As a systemic pesticide, imidacloprid translocates or moves easily in the xylem of plants from the soil into the leaves, fruit, pollen, and nectar of a plant. Imidacloprid also exhibits excellent transl…
Environmental fate
The main routes of dissipation of imidacloprid in the environment are aqueous photolysis (half-life = 1–4 hours) and plant uptake. The major photometabolites include imidacloprid desnitro, imidacloprid olefine, imidacloprid urea, and five minor metabolites. The end product of photodegradation is 6-chloronicotinic acid (6-CNA) and ultimately carbon dioxide. Since imidacloprid has a low vapor pressure, it normally does not volatilize readily.
Health effects
The effects of imidacloprid on human health depend on the dose, duration, and frequency of exposure. The effects may also depend on the health of a person and environmental factors. People who might orally ingest acute amounts would experience emesis, diaphoresis, drowsiness and disorientation. This would need to be intentional since a large amount would need to be ingested to experience a toxic reaction.
Toxicology
Based on laboratory rat studies, imidacloprid is rated as "moderately toxic" on an acute oral basis to mammals and low toxicity on a dermal basis by the World Health Organization and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (class II or III, requiring a "Warning" or "Caution" label). It is rated as an "unlikely" carcinogen and as weakly mutagenic by the U.S. EPA (group E). It is not listed for reproductive or developmental toxicity, but is listed on EPA's Tier 1 Screening Order for chemic…