There are so many pesticides on the market promising to help you get rid of pests at home. When you're down to these two options, which would you choose to use between Sevin and Spectracide? We've researched these two products to help you decide and make the right choice.
It's better to go with Spectracide Triazicide insect killers because their products have low toxicity. This makes them safer to use at home especially if you have kids and pets. You won't be compromising effectiveness because Spectracide is fast-acting and can kill a wide range of pests above and below the ground.
Keep on reading to know more about these two insecticides so you will know which one to use for your pest control needs. We'll also tell you how effective these insecticides are so you can manage your expectations. Let's get this started!
Which is the best insecticide to choose: Sevin or Spectracide?
With all the insecticides on the market, it is understandable why you will narrow down your choices to the popular brands out there when it comes to DIY pest control in your home. Aside from being readily available, their popularity through the years somehow equates to reliability and good quality.
But which one will you choose between these two popular insecticide brands - Sevin or Spectracide? Both are broad-spectrum pesticides which means that they can help you treat a wide range of pests and insects that are infesting your home, garden, and lawn.
Both brands are also available in different formulations which make it easier for consumers to choose which one they're more comfortable using.
But Sevin and Spectracide contain different ingredients that affect their performance and safety so it's best to study them in detail to come up with an informed decision.
Sevin Insecticide
Sevin is made of synthetic chemicals with carbaryl, zeta-cypermethrin, or bifenthrin as its active ingredients depending on the formula. This pesticide is available in ready to use, ready to spray, liquid concentrate, granules, and dust powder formulas.
Each product form is better suited for particular pest problems. For example, Sevin ready-to-use spray can kill over 100 species of pests including ants, aphids, caterpillars, mealybugs, and millipedes.
Click this link to find this ready-to-use spray on Amazon.
The insect killer concentrate can eliminate over 500 kinds of insects such as black flies, lace bugs, springtails, ticks, and wasps.
It's best to read the product label to know which insects it can effectively control.
To use Sevin on your infected plants, you spray it all over the different parts of the plant including the upper and lower leaves.
If you have the concentrate or granular formula, prepare the solution according to instructions on the product label. Follow the appropriate rate according to the size of the area and pest type that you're treating to optimize its effectiveness and efficiency in killing pests.
How does Sevin work?
Sevin is a non-systemic insecticide. This means that the plants do not absorb its chemicals and they just stay on the surface. They kill pests immediately upon contact when the insects take a bite or even just crawl through the plants.
The active ingredients cause paralysis or disruption in the pests' central nervous system leading to their death.
However, it might take three days to some weeks to solve the pest infestation depending on the severity of the problem.
Sevin is also strictly for outdoor use only because its ingredients are toxic for humans and pets. It may cause poisoning when it is inhaled or ingested in large quantities. Symptoms could include slurred speech, dizziness, nausea, seizures, and weaker lung and heart functions.
But with proper use and observing safety precautions to ensure minimal exposure to this insecticide, you can reduce the health risks to your family and pets.
What plants can you use Sevin on?
The good thing about Sevin is that it is safe to use on all plants. It is recommended for use on both ornamental and edible gardens. You can also apply this insecticide on fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
Just take note of the recommended preharvest interval to reduce the risk of exposure to the chemicals when you eat these produce. Upon harvest, wash them properly to remove any chemical residue on their surface.
If your indoor plants are infested with pests, you can take them outside in the meantime to have them treated. Once the insecticide has dried on their surface, it is safe to bring them back inside.
You can apply Sevin on infected ornamental plants, not more than once a week. For your fruit and vegetable garden, the frequency can be once every two weeks. Less frequent application is required for trees, shrubs, and perennials.
Spectracide Triazicide Insect Killer
Spectracide Triazicide insect killer is recommended for commercial and residential pest control because it is fast-acting and cost-efficient.
Its active ingredient is gamma-cyhalothrin which is a potent pyrethroid. It affects the insects' nervous system and causes instant paralysis and death upon contact especially if the pests have gotten a significant dose of this chemical.
Spectracide Triazicide insect killer can be used for broad-spectrum pest control, spot treatment, barrier band treatment or pest prevention on the perimeter of your home. It is available in ready-to-use, ready-to-spray, concentrate, granules, aerosol, and fogger formulations.
Check out this concentrate formula on Amazon.
Each product is specifically formulated to be able to respond well to the type of pests that you have to deal with such as fire ants, carpenter ants, termites, wasps, hornets, and Japanese beetles. Spectracide has insect killers that can be used indoors or outdoors. Just read the product label for more information.
The active ingredient of Spectracide Triazicide has a low level of toxicity for humans and pets. But still, safety precautions should be practiced especially when using the insect killer indoors.
Avoid skin contact, ingestion, and inhalation. Wait for the area to be completely dry before allowing other people, especially kids and pets to use the premises.
How effective is Spectracide Triazicide?
Spectracide Triazicide can effectively kill hundreds of pests above and below the ground. It kills them upon contact. You will see the results in as short as a few hours after application while some may take days.
Again, it depends on the severity of the pest infestation and how well the product is applied so that the target pests come into direct contact with it.
You can use Spectracide Triazicide on your plants, trees, and shrubs. It can also help you protect your flowers, fruits, and vegetable plants from being attacked by pests. Once you have applied this insecticide, its protection lasts for three months.
The Verdict
If you have a pest problem indoors, then you should look for the right product formula from Spectracide since Sevin products aren't recommended for indoor use.
If you're treating a pest infestation outdoors, it is still better to go with Spectracide. This insecticide is preferred by many consumers because it provides quick results for your DIY pest control treatment and has low toxicity for humans and pets. It makes it relatively safer to use than Sevin.
But again, check the product information for the pests that you're trying to get rid of to see if these products would work well in your situation.
Final Thoughts
It is better to use Spectracide in getting rid of pests at home. Just choose the right product that you need and you can expect quick results. Besides, you're not just after killing the pests, you're also protecting your property and most of all, your family's health so go with low toxicity but high effectiveness.
If you want to know more about Sevin insecticide, feel free to visit the following posts:
