Insects such as cockroaches have been on planet Earth for millions of years with the minimal adaptations needed to survive. As the human population grew, we began competing with them for food, water and building materials. An estimated 20% to 40% of our annual food supply is lost to insects, which makes finding a sustainable solution urgent.
In the 1900s we developed toxic methods to control insects and called them "insecticides."
Insecticides
The official definition (at least the one that matters to the pest control industry) follows FIFRA:
FIFRA (Section 2) defines a pesticide as "(1) any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest, (2) any substance or mixture of substances intended for use as a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant, and (3) any nitrogen stabilizer"... (except that the term "pesticide" shall not include any article that is a new animal drug under the FFDCA, and certain other biocides/devices also covered by the FFDCA). The term "pesticide" includes natural and genetically engineered microbials. The regulatory concept of a pesticide has changed markedly over the last 100 years. At the start of the last century, "pesticide" law covered only "insecticides," the main type of pesticide in use at the time.
Synthetic insecticides on the market bring problems, including cross-contamination of food supplies, bioaccumulation in the food chain (DDT), paresthesia (type II pyrethroids) and links to chronic illnesses such as liver malfunction and cancer.
These insecticides either last too long in the environment, increasing the chance of contact with people and non-target animals, or they don't work effectively and require multiple applications and rotations (resistance).
The ideal insecticide
If you've ever read Truman's Scientific Guide to Pest Management Operations, you'll find what the author describes as the "ideal insecticide":
Ideally, any pesticide would act quickly on pests but be completely harmless to people, pets, wildlife and other aspects of the environment. Its residues would last only as long as needed for the desired effect, usually for very short periods. It would also be inexpensive and readily available in the quantities needed, chemically stable, nonflammable and safe to use around homes or industrial sites. It would be easy to prepare and apply, noncorrosive, nonstaining and would leave no undesirable odors.
The author goes on to say that no such pesticide exists, and that if it did, pest management professionals' work would be very easy.
I disagree
In 2023, at least in urban pest management, we have at least three candidates that achieve what the author described.
70% isopropyl alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol is in almost every home in the Americas. It's especially effective against insects because of their exoskeleton. Sprayed directly on the insect (bed bug, cockroach, mite), it acts fast, working as a solvent and desiccant. It can also kill oothecae and bed bug eggs.
- Low cost
- Ready to use
- Non-toxic to people, pets and wildlife on skin contact
- Noncorrosive
- Nonstaining: can be used on mattresses and pet bedding
- Leaves no odor
Although isopropyl alcohol is a perfect candidate, and there are products on the market for this reason (Steri-Fab), it is flammable, and in the hands of a desperate homeowner it can be dangerous. Still, it's an excellent option for bed bug control.
Provecta (Stik-Kote)
In urban pest management we like to talk about "rotation" and "resistance." What if there were a concentrated insecticide that currently has no resistance in cockroaches, bed bugs and flies?
Meet Provecta. It has no active ingredient; it's a modified polymer that affects the insect's exoskeleton, causing almost immediate paralysis. It's compatible with most insecticides and even enhances them when applied together.
- Lasts only as long as needed
- Low cost
- Easy to mix and store
- Non-toxic to people, pets and wildlife on skin contact
- Noncorrosive
- Nonstaining: can be used on mattresses and pet bedding
- Leaves no odor
- Nonflammable
- Can be applied around food and animals
- Kills resistant populations in seconds
Sounds like magic, right? The truth is that most pest control operators don't know how to use it correctly, and they're so used to "cheap by volume" synthetic pesticides that they find it hard to work a product like this into their regular residual applications, which amount to a "spray and pray" solution.
Last but not least...
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
Welcome to the most common yet least known insecticide on the market. Sodium lauryl sulfate is used by millions every day, and yes, even by you.
SLS is a well-known surfactant, widely used in cleaning products such as high-efficiency liquid dish soap (Dawn, Axion, Palmolive).
Dawn dish soap ingredient list
It's an effective degreaser that removes even the toughest grease and oil from our dishes every day.
What does that have to do with pest control?
Insects such as cockroaches and bed bugs have an oily, waxy exoskeleton that helps them avoid water loss, dehydration and death. When a 2–3% Dawn solution is applied directly to the insect, it is bound to die in one of two ways:
Suffocation: SLS enters the spiracles on the exposed abdomen and stops airflow, causing rapid paralysis and death. With adult German cockroaches, be generous; their wings may cover their spiracles. Nymphs are very vulnerable.
Dehydration: if the insect somehow escapes and hides in a crack or crevice, it's still doomed. Dehydration begins as the degreaser cuts through the waxy layer. Cockroaches that survive direct contact are estimated to die within 72 hours of treatment.
It also works as a synergist. Used with insecticides such as ER-22, it strips the waxy layer and improves pesticide penetration, making the insect more susceptible and raising mortality.
Once again:
- Lasts only as long as needed
- Low cost
- Easy to mix and store
- Non-toxic to people, pets and wildlife on skin contact
- Noncorrosive
- Nonstaining: can be used on mattresses and pet bedding
- Leaves no odor
- Nonflammable
- Can be applied around food and animals
- Kills resistant populations in seconds
And yes, just as the author said, if we could use this correctly, many people who value their chemicals would go out of business, because it's easy and effective for most people. The truth is that it is. What makes us professionals isn't the chemicals we use, but our ability to control pest populations effectively and sustainably, instead of waiting for the next "ideal insecticide."
About Jorge Bedoya, ACE, PCQI
Jorge Bedoya is an urban integrated pest management professional, currently head of operations at New York Exterminating. You can find him on LinkedIn, where this article was originally published.
