Phenothrin
Encyclopedia
Phenothrin, also called sumithrin, is a synthetic pyrethroid
that kills adult flea
s and tick
s. It has also been used to kill head lice in humans. D-Phenothrin is used as a component of aerosol insecticides for domestic use.
Phenothrin is often used with methoprene
, an insect growth regulator that interrupts the insect's biological life cycle
by killing the eggs.
In 2005, the EPA
canceled permission to use phenothrin in several flea and tick products, at the request of the manufacturer, Hartz Mountain Industries
. The products were linked to a range of adverse reactions, including hair loss, salivation, tremors, and numerous deaths in cats and kittens. In the short term, the agreement called for new warning labels on the products.
As of March 31, 2006, the sale and distribution of Hartz's phenothrin-containing flea and tick products for cats has been terminated. However, EPA's product cancellation order did not apply to Hartz flea and tick products for dogs, and Hartz continues to use phenothrin in a concentration of 85.7% in many of its flea and tick products for dogs.
Pyrethroid
A pyrethroid is an organic compound similar to the natural pyrethrins produced by the flowers of pyrethrums . Pyrethroids now constitute a major commercial household insecticides...
that kills adult flea
Flea
Flea is the common name for insects of the order Siphonaptera which are wingless insects with mouthparts adapted for piercing skin and sucking blood...
s and tick
Tick
Ticks are small arachnids in the order Ixodida, along with mites, constitute the subclass Acarina. Ticks are ectoparasites , living by hematophagy on the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles and amphibians...
s. It has also been used to kill head lice in humans. D-Phenothrin is used as a component of aerosol insecticides for domestic use.
Phenothrin is often used with methoprene
Methoprene
Methoprene is a juvenile hormone analog which can be used as an insecticide that acts as a growth regulator. Methoprene is an amber-colored liquid with a faint fruity odor which is essentially nontoxic to humans when ingested or inhaled. It is used in drinking water cisterns to control mosquitoes...
, an insect growth regulator that interrupts the insect's biological life cycle
Biological life cycle
A life cycle is a period involving all different generations of a species succeeding each other through means of reproduction, whether through asexual reproduction or sexual reproduction...
by killing the eggs.
In 2005, the EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
canceled permission to use phenothrin in several flea and tick products, at the request of the manufacturer, Hartz Mountain Industries
Hartz Mountain Industries
Hartz Mountain Industries is a private family-owned and -operated company known for its vast real estate holdings in the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan Area. Its former parent Hartz Mountain Corporation , was founded by German-American businessmen Max and Gustav Stern. Leonard N. Stern is...
. The products were linked to a range of adverse reactions, including hair loss, salivation, tremors, and numerous deaths in cats and kittens. In the short term, the agreement called for new warning labels on the products.
As of March 31, 2006, the sale and distribution of Hartz's phenothrin-containing flea and tick products for cats has been terminated. However, EPA's product cancellation order did not apply to Hartz flea and tick products for dogs, and Hartz continues to use phenothrin in a concentration of 85.7% in many of its flea and tick products for dogs.