Pesticide formulations

Emulsifiable concentrate

Contains an oil-soluble liquid active ingredient, one or more petroleum-based solvents, and a mixing agent. One of the most versatile formulations.

Solutions

Pesticides that dissolve readily in a liquid solvent like water or oil form solutions. When mixed they form a solution, that does not settle out or separate.

RTU low concentrate solution

Ready to use solutions require no further dilution before application. Typically, more expensive but make up for it in convenience.

Concentrate solutions

Some solutions are sold as concentrates, which require additional dilution with a liquid solvent before you apply them.

Liquid baits

Think ant traps. Most are liquid sugar with a pesticide or rodenticide.

Ultra-Low volume

These concentrates have almost 100% active ingredient. Designed to be used “as-is” or diluted by small amounts of a solvent. Typically applied as very fine droplets at very low rates.

Invert emulsions

Contain a water-soluble pesticide dispersed in an oil carrier.

Flowables

Some active ingredients are insoluble solids; they will not dissolve in oil or water. Most are prepared by first impregnating them into a dry carrier. The active ingredients are then ground into a fine powder. These are then suspended in a very small amount of liquid.

Ready to use aerosols

Usually small, self-contained units Typically atomized in an inert gas.

Formulations for smoke or fog generators

These formulations are not packaged or sold under pressure. They are used in machines that break the liquid formulation into fine mist or fog.

Dusts

Typically, ready to use. Have one or more active ingredients plus a very fine carrier made from talc, chalk, clay, nut hulls, or volcanic ash.

Granules

Larger and heavier particles than dusts, and like dusts they are not water soluble. They are ready to use. Typically need rain or soil moisture to release the pesticide over time.

Pellets

Very similar to granular formulations in their uses, advantages and disadvantages. More uniform than granules. typically used as spot treatments.

Wettable powders

Dry, finely ground solid Materiels mixed with water and applied as a spray. These need constant agitation to stay suspended in the water.

Water dispersible granules or dry foldables

Granules that break down into powder when added to water. Same advantages and disadvantages as wettable powders. One added benefit, less exposure risk.

Soluble powders

Look like wettable powders. Have all of the advantages of wettable powders, and no disadvantages but one, which is inhalation hazard during mixing.

Bait

Pesticide mixed with food or other attractive substance.

Fumigants

Pesticides that deliver the active ingredient to the target site in the form of a gas.

microencapsulated pesticides

dry or liquid particles surrounded by a coating. May be used to be timed release, or weather dependent. typically requires agitation.

Water soluble packaging

Packaging method that dissolves and deposits a pre-measured amount of pesticide (whether it be gel, wettable powder, or soluble powder).