Multipurpose insecticides which comes in several brand names such as Mortein, Mobil, Swan, Rambo, Raid are formulated to provide fast killing power against all types of flying and crawling insects found in and around the home. Insecticides have become a real menace in households especially I unsanitary environments and in most tropical countries with high humidity, rainfall and thick vegetation. These insects can transmit various types of diseases and ailments some of which include malaria, typhoid, diarrhea and other food borne or water borne diseases.

We shall now examine how to effectively use multipurpose insect killers(insecticides) in combating both flying and crawling insects that are increasingly becoming resistant to most insecticides found in the market

Flying Insects:– When using all purpose insecticides bottled in pressurized spray cans, then you must ensure that you shake and point the spray can away from your face and held in an upright position.   Flying insects such as mosquitoes, moths, fruit flies, flies and gnats can be knocked down very fast when the insecticide is sprayed directly on them keeping a distance of about 1meter from interior walls, furniture and fabrics.

For room misting, the advantage of all purpose insecticides is that the air in a room sprayed with these insecticides would also kill the flying insects even if it is not sprayed directly at them. All you need to do is to shut all the doors and windows for about 15minutes after spraying the insecticide for a few seconds. You should spray in a slow sweeping motion for about 7 to 9 seconds starting from the middle of the room and gradually to all other parts of the room. Do not remain in a room after treatment with the insecticides. Make sure you ventilate the room properly before re-entry!

When you use insecticides in kitchens, make sure you cover or remove all food or utensils before you begin treatment. You can spray in doorways, garbage, sinks, crevices and hidden corners and spray directly at wasps and hornets for all round effectiveness.

Crawling Insects:— Spray directly at crawling insects such as cockroaches, spiders and ants. Spray at a distance of about 0.5 meters away from the surface been sprayed. Do not spray continuously on crawling insects until it dies. Once the insecticide has touched the skin surface of the insect, it would surely die after a few minutes.

Storage and Disposal:— Chemical insecticides compressed in pressurized spray cans are stored in a dry place and away from heat and flame. Disposal is done by discarding the empty used cans in trash baskets or containers. You must never dispose off in an incinerator or puncture the container. Recycling can be done by experts in recycling industry under very safe industrial conditions.

Caution and First Aid treatments:— Avoid contact of the multipurpose insecticide with the eye, skin or fabric. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling any insecticide. Never spray on humans, pets or plants or contaminate food, feedstuffs or other cooking utensils. Make sure you cover aquariums, pet houses or dishes of both humans and animals while using the insecticides.

 1.  Seek immediate medical attention when irritation persists if mistakenly swallowed or if the insecticide accidentally enters your eye. This can be done after you have flushed your eyes with plenty of clean water.

2. Do not induce vomiting if mistakenly swallowed. These insecticides contain petroleum distillates. Seek immediate medical attention.

3. If breathing difficulty is noticed, leave the room or enclosure for a well ventilated area or open arena. Drink plenty of clean water and flush your face with water to clear the airways.

Insecticides and indeed all pesticides are toxic to aquatic life including fish. Drift and run-off water can contaminate aquatic life and organisms in the neighborhood. Do not incinerate and do not keep the pressurized containers in places with temperatures above 54 degrees centigrade as this may cause violent explosions.

Ingredients Used in the Production of Multipurpose Insecticides.

The active ingredients(percentage composition) used in the production of multipurpose insecticides are

                         D-allethrin——————— about  0.25%

                         Tetramethrin—————– about   0.15%

                         Deltamethrin—————– about   0.015%

Photo by Montgomery Cty Division of Solid Waste Services

There are other inert ingredients such as alcohol, perfume and water which make up about 99.59% of the total constituent. The active ingredients are believed to cause asphyxiation in the tracheal system of the insects, impairing respiration and preventing uptake and utilization of oxygen leading to the death of the insect.