Many infestations continue despite spraying for one simple reason: the insecticide used does not suit the insect, the location, or the way the insect feeds. A product that kills cockroaches may not help against ants, which carry bait back to the nest, and what works in the garden may not be right indoors.
In this guide we explain the types of insecticides and how they work, how to choose the right one for your situation, and the safe-use rules that protect you, your family and your pets.
Definition: an insecticide is an active substance that kills insects or stops them from reproducing, available as a concentrated liquid, spray, bait, gel, powder or smoke.
Most important: control succeeds by matching the type of insecticide to the insect and how it feeds, not by the strength of the product alone.
Types by mode of action: contact insecticides, ingestion insecticides (baits), systemic insecticides absorbed by plants, and growth regulators that prevent insects from maturing.
Types by form: concentrated liquid for spraying, ready-to-use spray, gel and bait, powder, and soil granules.
Safety: always read the label and follow the concentration written on it, and never mix different pesticides on your own.
How do insecticides work?
Insecticides differ in how they reach the insect, and understanding this saves you product and effort:
- Contact: kills the insect when it touches the treated surface, suitable for cockroaches, mosquitoes and flies.
- Ingestion: the insect eats it with the bait, which is best for ants because workers carry it back to the colony.
- Systemic: absorbed by the plant, so it kills insects that feed on it, and is useful against aphids and mealybugs.
- Growth regulators: do not kill the adult insect immediately but stop larvae and nymphs from completing their development, so the infestation collapses gradually.
Types of insecticides by use
Household insecticides
Products designed for cockroaches, ants, fleas and mosquitoes inside homes, usually as a spray, gel or diluted liquid. See our household pest control solutions, and for ants in particular read the guide to getting rid of ants.
Garden and farm insecticides
Used on plants and soil against aphids, scale insects, worms and beetles, chosen to suit the crop growth stage and the pre-harvest interval. For details on a specific pest, see aphid control and the mole cricket guide.
Special-case insecticides
Some pests need a dedicated program that one spray cannot deliver, such as bed bugs, which require repeated treatment along with thorough cleaning.
How to choose the right insecticide
- Identify the insect first: the correct name changes the choice completely, since ants, cockroaches and bed bugs are all different.
- Identify the location: indoors, kitchen, garden, fruiting plants or livestock pen, because each place has different safety requirements.
- Choose the right form: bait for ants and cockroaches, spray for cracks and edges, systemic for plants.
- Consider who lives there: children, pets, ornamental fish or nearby bees.
- Read the active ingredient on the label: and rotate active ingredients from time to time so insects do not develop resistance.
Safe use rules
- Wear gloves and a mask when preparing and spraying, and wash your hands afterward.
- Remove children and pets, and cover food and food containers before spraying indoors.
- Do not spray surfaces that come into direct contact with food.
- Ventilate the area well after spraying for the period stated on the label.
- Store the insecticide in its original container out of reach of children, and never transfer it into water or drink bottles.
Common mistakes that weaken results
- Increasing the concentration in the belief that it is stronger, which usually wastes product and raises the risk.
- Spraying only the visible insects and leaving the nests and cracks they come from.
- Spraying directly on ants, which scatters the nest instead of killing it.
- Always using the same insecticide, which builds resistance.
- Neglecting sanitation and removing food and water sources.
Where to find the right product
In the insect and pest control section you will find options for the home and garden from well-known brands, and the Orkida Agri team can help you choose the most suitable one once you know the insect and the location.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a contact and an ingestion insecticide?
A contact insecticide kills the insect when it touches the treated surface, while an ingestion insecticide is eaten by the insect with the bait, which is best for colony insects such as ants.
Is an insecticide safe around children and pets?
It is safer when you choose a product intended for household use, follow the label, and keep them away during spraying until the surface dries and the area is ventilated.
How often should I repeat the spraying?
It depends on the insect and the product. Infestations often need a second round to kill what hatched after the first spray, so follow the interval recommended on the label.
Why do ants not die after spraying?
The spray may only scatter them, while a slow-acting bait is carried to the nest and eliminates the colony.
Can I mix two insecticides for a stronger result?
This is not recommended, since mixing may reduce effectiveness or increase toxicity. It is best to use each product on its own as directed.