Bifen IT - Questions & Answers

Bifen IT would be best to treat these insects and many more! Dilute at 1oz per gallon of water.

Bifen IT or other water based bifenthrins are only available in the 7.9% concentration.  If you want higher than thatm the oil based Bifen XTSis the only option. 

Bifen IT can be sprayed 3 feet up the side of the house, and 3 feet into the soil all the way around the perimteter foundation of the home.  When treating for fleas, you will need to apply under decks, under trees, in places where leaves or other yard debris accumulates or areas where dense shrubbery exists. There is little need to spray open, sunny areas, dry and dusty areas or hard surfaces such as patios or driveways as fleas will not be able to develop in those areas.  When treating for noseeums, you want to focus on treating those same areas, along with the understands of tree canopies, interior of shrubs and bushes, and damp areas in your lawn.

Bifen IT will not kill flowers if used as directed. 

Bifen IT is labeled for bagworms and will kill them if applied before the bags have formed.  After the bags have formed, there is little you can do for control other than to physically remove them.  A mask is not required if you are applying in a well-venitlated area.

Bifen IT does not require the use of a surfactant unless you are treating for mites and/or spider mites per the product label.

Bifen IT can be applied quarterly to interior cracks and crevices and monthly to listed exterior areas at 1 fl oz per gallon per 1,000 sq ft.

Bifen IT does not require the use of a surfactant unless you are treating for mites and/or spider mites per the product label.

You do not need a professional applicator’s license to purchase Bifen IT for use in Lousiana if you are applying to your own home or property. 

Bifen IT is a great product for all the insects you have mentioned, but another good product to be used outdoors is Cyzmic CS. That is because Cyzmic CS has a CapVantage Micro Encapsulation which means that each droplet of insecticide is encased in a protective microscopic capsule, providing a long residual, even in direct sunlight or other harsh weather conditions. The only insect Cyzmic CS is not labeled for that you mentioned is crane flies. Most products are still only going to provide a 30 day residual outdoors in the summer. Be sure to check out our Pest Guides for more details about the most common structural pests.

Bifen IT will not harm, inhibit, or promote any kind of growth in turfgrass when used at the label rates. Apply at 1 oz per 1,000 sqft for most insects with a minimum of .5 gallons per 1,000 sqft.  

When applying Bifen IT for mole crickets you should use 1oz per gallon of water. Per the product label:

Mole Cricket adults: Since the preferred grass areas are subject to constant invasion in early spring by the active adult stage, it can be difficult to maintain control of adult mole crickets. It is ideal to treat the areas as late in the day as possible and water immediately after application with up to 0.5 inches of water. To ensure maximum contact when soil is dry, it is necessary to irrigate prior to treatment to bring the adult mole crickets closer to the soil surface. To obtain optimal control of potential nymphal populations, the grass areas preferred by adult mole crickets should be treated immediately prior to the peak hatch stage. 

Mole Cricket nymphs: Treat grass areas that are preferred by adult mole crickets in the spring just before peak egg hatch. Young nymphs are more vulnerable to insecticidal treatment at this stage because they are close to the soil surface where the insecticide is most concentrated and thereby providing the most efficient control. For larger more damaging nymphal stages later in the year, it may be necessary to use higher application rates more frequently. It is ideal to treat the areas as late in the day as possible and water immediately after application with up to 0.5 inches of water. To ensure maximum contact when soil is dry, it is necessary to irrigate prior to treatment to bring the adult mole crickets closer to the soil surface.

Spotted Lantern Fly is an invasive pest mostly found in certain areas of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York right now. Penn State Extension has set up an entire website to help track and control this pest. Please visit this site for information on how to report this pest and non-chemical steps recommended:
https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Plants_Land_Water/PlantIndustry/Entomology/spotted_lanternfly/Pages/default.aspx
Here is a guide regarding management of SLF for homeowners:https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly-management-for-residents 

Some folks are treating trees with dinotefuran, although since these products are not yet labeled for this pest, we cannot be certain as to the efficacy.
https://www.domyown.com/safari-20sg-systemic-insecticide-with-dinotefuran-p-2512.html

 

Talstar P

can be used as trunk and foliar spray where you have found activity, and the manufacturer has a Supplemental Label you can review on how to use it for that pest. You would use 0.25-0.5 oz per 1000 sq/ft per gallon.

When using Bifen IT for chinch bugs you should water in at 1/4 inch immediately after application to get it down to where they are.  It is only when you are applying for surface dwelling insects that you would wait to water so that it has time to dry on the surface it has been applied to.  

Specific instructions from the label for chinch bugs: Mostly found in the thatch layer, chinch bugs infest the base of grass plants. In order to optimize the penetration of the insecticide to location of the chinch bugs, irrigation of the grass prior to treatment may be necessary. If grass is being kept at a long mowing height or if the thatch layer is excessive, use higher volume treatments. It may be necessary to use higher application rates (up to 1 fluid oz. per 1000 square feet) to control populations made up of both adults and nymphs in mid-summer.

Bifen IT can be tank mixed with other products in a tank sprayer. For something like humic acid, we always recommend a small jar test for compatibility before mixing a full tank. It can also be mixed with other herbicides as long as the herbicide label does not state otherwise. You just want to make sure you apply the right amount of products per gallon and per 1,000 sqft.

Generally, after an application of Bifen IT it should take a few hours to dry outside, typically 4-6 hours. 

Yes, Bifen IT can be applied to lawns for control of armyworms. You will apply 0.18-0.25 fl oz per 1,000 sq ft. Please refer to the product label for full mixing and application instructions for treating armyworms (Pages 14-15). 

Bifen IT contains 7.9% bifenthrin it does not contain DEET.

Unfortunately Bifen IT is not labeled to treat for carpet beetles. We would recommend our Carpet Beetle Control Kit and recommend reviewing our Carpet Beetle Control Guide for step by step instructions and more information.