Cypermethrin used in agricultural

Cypermethrin belongs to a class of insecticides known as synthetic pyrethroids, found in Cynoff EC, Cynoff WP, Cyper TC Termiticide, Cyper WP, and Demon WP pesticide concentrates. Synthetic pyrethroids are man-made insecticides created to mimic the chemical properties of the naturally-occurring insecticide pyrethrum, which comes from the crushed petals of the Chrysanthemum flower. Synthetic pyrethroids, like cypermethrin, are often preferred to the real thing as active ingredients because they offer the added bonus of remaining effective for longer periods of time.

1. Application

Cypermethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid used as an insecticide in large-scale commercial agricultural applications as well as in consumer products for domestic purposes. It behaves as a fast-acting neurotoxin in insects. It is easily degraded on soil and plants but can be effective for weeks when applied to indoor inert surfaces. It was synthesised in 1974 and first marketed in 1977, by Shell.

Cypermethrin is highly toxic to fish, bees and aquatic insects, according to the National Pesticides Telecommunications Network (NPTN). It is found in many household ant and cockroach killers, including Raid and ant chalk. Cypermethrin is a synthetic chemical similar to the pyrethrins in pyrethrum extract (whichcomes fromthe chrysanthemum plant). Pyrethroids, including cypermethrin were designed to be effective longer than pyrethrins.

2. Environmental effects

Cypermethrin is a broad-spectrum insecticide, which means it kills beneficial insects and animals as well as the targeted insects. Fish are particularly susceptible to cypermethrin.Resistance to cypermethrin has developed quickly in insects exposed frequently and can render it ineffective.

The typical half-life of cypermethrin in the soil is 30 days, although it can range from two to eight weeks. Soil microbes rapidly break down cypermethrin. Cypermethrin has an extremely low potential to move in the soil. It is unlikely to contaminate groundwater because it binds tightly to soil particles.

3. Mechanism

Cypermethrin begins working immediately upon contact or ingestion, leading to insect knock-down and death. Cypermethrin kills by acting as a high-power poison to the central nervous system. Once poisoned, the insect’s nerve cells become excited, causing paralysis and preventing normal feeding and grooming activities. Absence of these activities leads to the insect’s eventual or immediate death.

4. Cypermethrin Toxicity

Cypermethrin has low toxicity to humans, mammals and birds.


Excessive exposure can cause nausea, headache, muscle weakness, salivation, shortness of breath and seizures. In humans, cypermethrin is deactivated by enzymatic hydrolysis to several carboxylic acid metabolites, which are eliminated in the urine. Worker exposure to the chemical can be monitored by measurement of the urinary metabolites, while severe overdosage may be confirmed by quantitation of cypermethrin in blood or plasma.