Bifenthrin Vs Permethrin- Which Works Better?

Choosing inappropriate or less effective insecticides sucks, right? If you’ve already faced such a situation, you know how it feels. If you have not yet, luckily, you don’t have to face it from now on.

Because today, this article will cover everything you need to know about bifenthrin vs permethrin, which one you should go for, what pros and cons they offer, and some frequently asked questions with answers.

So, you’re not going to leave with any confusion regarding the topic. Sounds promising? Let’s start with a very quick comparison first and then explore more! 

Bifenthrin Vs Permethrin: A Quick Comparison

Key Comparing Factors	Bifenthrin	Permethrin
Active Ingredient	7.9%	36.8%
Odor	No odor	Has odor
Main ingredient	Pyrethroids	Pyrethroids
Mixing ratio	2 ounces in one gallon of water	6.4 fl. Oz. in one gallon of water
Usage	Both indoors and outdoors	Residential and commercial
Targeted insects	75 different insects including Mosquitoes, Spiders, Ticks, Cockroaches, and more	Aphids, Ants, Flies, Mosquitoes, Termites, Beetles, and more

Differences & Similarities Between Bifenthrin and Permethrin: Explained!

You’ve already got an idea about the comparison between bifenthrin and permethrin. Now, let us take responsibility for everything we’ve said, here you go with the explanation.

Efficiency

If you don’t know how the insecticides work, both bifenthrin and permethrin are synthetic pyrethroids that interfere with the nervous systems of the insects. 

When you spray these insecticides on Fleas, Mosquitoes, and other insects, both products shut down the insects’ nervous systems, paralyze them, and eventually kill them in the process.

So, both insecticides are efficient but if you are only doing lawns, permethrin is efficient enough and the cheaper option. 

Usage

You may ask, are permethrin and bifenthrin used for the same purpose? 

No, they are used for different purposes. Permethrin is well-adapted to fabric gears and other treatments of clothing because it holds and fastens greatly to fabric materials. So, you can rely on permethrin to use mosquito netting and tents. 

On the other hand, bifenthrin is best used on lawn pests and turf. It also works like a champ when it comes to killing various destructive insects.

Both insecticides control many different species of insects but Bifen is typically recommended for indoor and outdoor uses whereas permethrin is recommended for especially residential uses. 

Longevity

Another significant difference between permethrin and bifenthrin is that permethrin is longer-lasting. 

You can use bifenthrin for less than even 2 months without damage. In contrast, it’s perfectly okay to use permethrin continuously for up to 3 months without thinking about damages.

Targeted Insects

Since both permethrin and bifenthrin can kill almost any kind of insect, they’re widely used for controlling Fleas, Spiders, Cockroaches, Mosquitoes, and even wood-destroying insects like termites and carpenter ants.

And, about killing mosquitoes, remember that you should spray on mosquito larvae instead of spraying on matured mosquitoes. Because it works more efficiently to solve your mosquito issues.

Both bifenthrin and permethrin are effective to control ticks, they will shut down the nervous systems of the insects and kill them. 

Also, you can control termites with either bifenthrin or permethrin. But you should call an expert to handle this because it’s a bit complex and destructive to deal with termites.

However, if you want to know which insecticide is the best for what specific insect, look at the listing below:

• Bifenthrin should be your choice if you want the best insecticide for spiders outdoors.
• To kill roaches, experts suggest using bifenthrin over permethrin. It provides long-lasting insect barriers and eventually kills roaches on contact. 
• Looking for the best insecticide for ants? Choose a solution that contains bifenthrin.
• Permethrin is considered the best insecticide for Fleas because it works an award-winning job to control adult insects.
• If you want to use granular insecticide for your lawn, both bifenthrin and permethrin are good choices.

Ease of Use

To be honest, both bifenthrin and permethrin are pretty easy to apply if you follow the right directions. 

You can mix the products according to the targeted pest and the level of infestation. 

The mixing ratio of permethrin and bifenthrin is 6.4 fluid ounces in one gallon of water and 0.12-2 fluid ounces per 1 gallon of water respectively.

You can use permethrin as a broadcast spray both indoors and outdoors. You can simply use a hose and applicator on your lawn and get a flawless, even distribution of the insecticides. 

Bifenthrin is also usually used for spraying outdoors. You can also think about using it around windows, along eaves, around doors, and any other entry points like weep holes. 

Both permethrin and bifenthrin come in squeezed-and-measured bottles. For the measurement with a squeeze-and-measure bottle:

• Start with removing the cap on the smaller measuring reservoir.
• Then, squeeze your bottle.
• Next, use the measurement lines on the reservoir for collecting the required amount.
• Fill your sprayer halfway with the water.
• Next, add the product.
• And then, add the rest of the water and thoroughly agitate your sprayer.

That’s all and you can apply it now. Remember, you need to repeatedly agitate the sprayer since the products may settle over time. 

Also, make sure you always cast your eyes on the directions on the product labels for proper mix rate and avoid overapplying. Overuse of any product may decrease effectiveness or harm your plants.

Feel free to use permethrin as a flea spray and many livestock animals. Before doing so, you should consult a veterinarian and read the label to ensure proper treatment levels. 

You can use permethrin and bifenthrin with any of the equipment below:

• Hose
• Pump sprayer
• Backpack sprayer
• Or a spray rig.

The spray rig is recommended for large volume applications. 

Side Effects

Don’t worry, we would never leave the discussion without talking about the side effects of these insecticides. People ask a lot, is permethrin dangerous to humans? 

The shortest answer is, as long as you use it according to the product label and wear your safety outfit, permethrin is not harmful.  

There are several side effects when you don’t wear a safety uniform and inhale permethrin. These are:

• Nausea
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Difficulty breathing
• Vomiting
• Sore throat

When you touch permethrin, you may face:

• Itching
• Irritation
• A pins-and-needles sensation

And, what do you think about bifenthrin? Is bifenthrin dangerous to humans?

The same answer goes for bifenthrin, if you take safety precautions, bifenthrin is totally safe for human use. 

But there are some general side effects of bifenthrin when you get into touch with it. 

• Itching
• A pins-and-needles sensation (Paresthesia)
• Burning at the site where the exposure occurred

These are not going to happen with you if you are aware.

Bifenthrin or Permethrin?- Which Insecticide Should You Pick?

We assume that you’re no more asking this question because we’ve shown everything about permethrin and bifenthrin. Now, it’s your time to choose the one that fits your needs. Because the decision is totally up to where you’re going to apply the insecticide and how you want it to work. 

Still, if you ask for our recommendation, we’ll go for bifenthrin as it can kill a huge number of insects and doesn’t have an odor problem, and the other advantages it offers.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Final Words

Thanks if you’re still there. It’s our pleasure that we’ve crafted the article pretty well for you about bifenthrin vs permethrin. Hopefully, the resources and information helped you to make the right decision based on your preferences. 

Before wrapping up, we would like to remind you of safety precautions. There’s nothing better than the ‘safety first’ practice when you’re dealing with chemicals. 

You Can Also Read:

• Husqvarna Vs John Deere Zero Turn| Which Mower to Get & Why?
• Toro Vs Ariens Zero Turn: What Is Your Ideal ZT Mower & Why?
• Cub Cadet Vs John Deere Zero Turn Mower- What’s The Twist?
• Tractor Vs Skid Steer Lift Capacity- Complete Comparison
• Skid Steer Vs Compact Tractor- What to Pick & Why