Bifenthrin vs Permethrin (Lawn Insecticide Comparison)

If you’re experiencing an insect problem on your lawn, there are numerous insecticides that you can use to try and resolve the issue. Two of the more common are Bifenthrin and Permethrin, both of which I’ve used at different points over the last few years. But which one should you use and how do they compare?

These are exactly the types of questions I aim to address in this Bifenthrin vs Permethrin comparison.

Difference Between Bifenthrin vs Permethrin

To find the differences between Bifenthrin and Permethrin perhaps we should first examine their similarities. They both end in the suffix -thrin, which shows that they are a part of the Pyrethroid family. Pyrethroids are a group of synthetic pesticides formulated to mimic Pyrethrins (natural pesticide chemicals found in Chrysanthemum flowers).

They are both broad-spectrum insecticides with neurotoxic actions.

So what about absorption? Is Bifenthrin a systemic insecticide? Nope, both it and Permethrin are non-systemic and are taken up by the cuticle or skin of an organism.

So now, what are their main differences? Permethrin is quicker. Insects that come in contact with it show signs of paralysis immediately, whereas Bifenthrin may take up to 10 minutes to have a noticeable effect on insects.

However, Bifenthrin has a much longer residual effect, and is effective against insects for up to 90 days. Permethrin will only work for 30 days on average as it is broken down by soil microorganisms and sunlight.

Comparing Bifenthrin vs Permethrin

Now I am going to compare Bifenthrin vs Permethrin in more depth to help you assess which of these options might be the best choice for your specific circumstances.

How Are They Applied?

Bifenthrin Application

There are 2 ways to apply Bifenthrin:

1. Spray application
2. Granular application

So basically, spray it or throw it. Ok, there is a little more to it than that. Bifenthrin can come in a liquid concentrated form, which means pre-mixing it with water before applying. Always read the label for mixing instructions.

The best thing to do is measure out the square footage of your yard, so you do not over or under mix. Then spray the areas you want to specifically target with a pump sprayer or do a blanket coverage over the entire lawn.

In granular form, you can either throw the Bifenthrin from a container with your hand wearing a protective glove, or use a spreader. The spreader may be better as you can calibrate it to ensure an even spread over your lawn, so no areas go untreated. Once you have cast enough granules, water generously to help break down the granules.

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Permethrin Application

Permethrin comes in a variety of forms and can be applied in the following ways:

• Spray
• Dusting
• Emulsion concentrate
• Wettable powder

The nice thing about having many options is that you can find the best method of application specific to the problem you are having. Remember, as with Bifenthrin, always read the manufacturer’s label to ensure you are applying the correct amount for it to be effective, and that insecticides in a concentrated form always pose a higher risk than those that are diluted.

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What Insects Will They Kill?

Bifenthrin Works On…

Alright, the burning question. We lawn lovers want to know what these insecticides will actually kill when our beautiful patch of green Earth is under attack. Well the answer is a fairly positive one and it is this; Bifenthrin is effective against over 70 species of insects that are commonly found in lawns across the country.

The insects it will kill include:

• Red fire ants
• Aphids
• Worms
• Various other ants
• Gnats
• Moths
• Beetles (read the label for specifics)
• Earwigs
• Grasshoppers
• Mites
• Midges
• Flies
• Fleas
• Caterpillars and many more

Permethrin Works On…

Permethrin, like its insect-destroying counterpart, can also take out a variety of insects. A more detailed list and description will be on the label of the bottle but let’s mention them here anyway for those wanting a broad answer.

Permethrin is very good at fighting off and exterminating mosquitoes, mites, termites, fleas, and ticks. It also binds very tightly with fabrics and can be used to spray garden furniture or walls above drains to ward off mosquitoes. Just don’t lounge around in this furniture until the Permethrin has been fully absorbed and has dried off.

How Do They Work?

Bifenthrin Method

Bifenthrin causes an overstimulation of the nerve cells, causing interruption and paralysis to the central nervous system. Of course, once paralyzed the insect cannot move, eat or maintain normal bodily functions and so it dies.

Bifenthrin causes this paralysis upon contact with the insect or by the insect ingesting it. One of the biggest advantages with Bifenthrin is that it has a very long residual time, meaning it stays in the soil for a prolonged period of around 90 days, which increases the chances of more insects coming into contact with it.

Permethrin Method

Think of Permethrin as the Mike Tyson of the insecticide world. It packs a serious punch and has deadly knockout power. Permethrin attacks the central nervous system of the insect, poisoning it with rapid speed, killing insects on impact.

Most insects that come into contact with Permethrin experience agitations of the nerve cells. This agitation causes quick paralysis, negatively affecting bodily movements, functions, and the ability to eat.

How Fast Are the Results?

Bifenthrin Visible Results

Fast! Bifenthrin is designed to eliminate insects, and you will notice insects dying typically within minutes and almost zero signs of insect activity within 90 days of application because of its long residual effect. This also means that any insects that you may have missed upon initial application will still be killed when they are exposed to the pesticide again, without the need for subsequent applications.

Permethrin Visible Results

While direct application of Permethrin onto an insect will have rapid results, it may take longer to see significant results if your lawn is suffering from a large-scale infestation. Permethrin does have residual effects but only for a few weeks when compared to up to three months for Bifenthrin, and therefore is more likely to require follow-up treatments.

Is One Safer Than the Other?

Bifenthrin Safety Info

Always an important question to ask and for good reason, as using insecticides needs to be done carefully and with safety in mind.

Thankfully Bifenthrin is one of the “safer” chemicals to use around your home and lawn. Just remember though, safe for humans does not necessarily mean safe for animals.

Bifenthrin is highly toxic to fish, so be careful if you treat parts of your lawn that are close to a pond as drift may occur. Luckily, it’s not likely to get into groundwater as it binds tightly with soil. Bifenthrin is also harmful to birds but once the application has dried it is less harmful to pets such as dogs and cats.

Permethrin Safety Info

Pets and children should be in no danger once you have applied Permethrin to your lawn. Obviously, keep them at a distance during application and give time for the application to be watered in or dry before allowing them to run all over the garden again.

Cats can be especially sensitive to Permethrin toxicity if ingested, so keep that in mind if you have a cat that likes to eat grass (which they often seem to have a strange habit of doing.)

Permethrin may also cause skin irritation so long-sleeved shirts are a good idea during application and reports of stomach cramps and diarrhea have also been reported which means prevention of cross-contamination into any drinkable water source or containers should be a priority.

Again for those lawn lovers that are also fish fanatics, Permethrin, like Bifenthrin, is highly toxic to fish.

And be careful when applying it to areas frequented by bees. Not all insects are bad!

When is Bifenthrin a Good Option?

When looking at Bifenthrin vs Permethrin, remember this. Using Bifenthrin will be a good option when you need to control problem insect populations in and around your home, or if your lawn is frequently visited by children and pets.

With the long residual effect, Bifenthrin is a good option for insects that tend to burrow underground or live between cracks and in holes. It’s good for insects such as ants or termites because within 90 days there is a high probability of these insects coming into contact with the insecticide, whereas they may be able to avoid an insecticide that doesn’t remain active for such a long period.

When is Permethrin a Good Option?

Permethrin is great as an immediate and reactive response to bugs. For example, if a small swarm of grasshoppers or locusts settle on your lawn and you want to target that group specifically, then a direct application of Permethrin should stop them in their tracks immediately.

Another good use for Permethrin is as a repellent or preventative measure against pests. Using a mosquito misting system or timed sprayer is a good tool to have for this, just make sure it doesn’t land directly on your skin.

Can I Mix Bifenthrin and Permethrin?

The main objective of comparing Bifenthrin vs Permethrin is to point out each one’s versatility and advantages. Mixing the two may have a negative effect and counter their respective advantages.

With that in mind, I would recommend that you shouldn’t mix them. Each one works well enough as a standalone product for its intended usage.

Between the two they cover almost all common insects that cause damage to lawns. It would be best to apply the Permethrin first, for a quick and impactful treatment and then follow up with Bifenthrin a few days later so that the residual effect can clean up any insects that weren’t in the area for the initial application of Permethrin.

Summary

When choosing between Permethrin and Bifenthrin it really comes down to a matter of when to apply, how to apply, and which specific bug is causing you problems. Remember Bifenthrin will last longer, but Permethrin packs that knockout punch when applied directly to insects.

If you notice damage to your lawn but don’t see the culprit, apply Bifenthrin. But if you can see the insects, you may want to hit them with Permethrin instead for instant action.