Fipronil is a chemical insecticide from the phenylpyrazole family. This kind of insecticide is specially formulated to protect pets against sucking insects like fleas.
Fipronil in its natural form comes in a white powder that has a moldy smell. It is considered a moderately hazardous pesticide. It is also the main active ingredient in many flea collars and other pest products formulated for pets.
How Does It Work?
Fipronil works by blocking chloride channels in insects. This over stimulates the contaminated nerves and muscles. Since humans and other large mammals do not have this channel, it is not harmful in this regard. Fipronil can be used to protect against:
- Ants
- Beetles
- Cockroaches
- Fleas
- Ticks
- Termites
- Mole crickets
- Thrips
- Rootworms
- Weevils
Fipronil can be found as a common ingredient in flea collars, but is also used at pest control on farms and golf courses.
Is It Safe For Humans?
Fipronil is a chemical product that can disrupt human cells in charge of the nervous system.
You may contact fipronil while handling certain products. Although fipronil metabolizes quickly in the human body and should pass through waste, it is important to use caution around chemicals.
Always read and follow the label of any product you’re using. Do not directly ingest or breathe in any products. If you accidentally ingested fipronil, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Seizures
- Skin irritation
- Abdominal pain
- Excessive sweating
Wash your hands before and after using and fipronil products and keep away from children and pets. Fipronil is not a known carcinogen, and does not affect the body’s hormone system.
There are, however, long-term adverse reactions to fipronil in rats.
Is It Safe For Animals and Other Wildlife?
Fipronil is specially formulated to get rid of fleas and ticks on pets. It is not considered dangerous for dogs or cats. However, you should always use caution when first using a product on your pet.
Look out for adverse reactions and ask your vet how to handle the chemical products around your pet. Some cats have experienced skin irritation when overexposed to it. Make sure you always read and follow the label of any product you’re using.
Fipronil is highly toxic to aquatic animals like fish. However, most fipronil is broken down in soil, and absorbs easily into soil or mixes well with water. It is not likely that it will get into groundwater, and can be broken down by sunlight on plants.
You should still take proper precautions when disposing of fipronil and follow the label on any product you’re using.
If you have any questions on how you should properly dispose of fipronil products, contact your local exterminator at (833) 431-0401.
Products Containing Fipronil
Fipronil formulated your pet can be found in collars, gels, and sprays. You can also fins fipronil retail products in:
- Foams
- Liquids
- Dusts
- Baits
- Sprays
Always read and follow the label of any bifenthrin products you’re using, and take caution upon first application. If you have questions on the best solution for your pet, call your vet. If you need help baiting pests in your home, call your local exterminator at (833) 431-0401.
Fipronil vs. Other Products
There are lots of products out there to help you ward off pests on your pet and in your home. Let’s look at some other products that compare to fipronil.
Fipronil vs. Bifenthrin
Bifenthrin is another chemical product that attacks an insect’s nervous system. It can only be sold in certain concentrations at the retail level, and is not formulated to help pets.
Fipronil vs. Lavender Oil
Lavender is a natural solution to repel pests and is one of the few essential oils that can be used on your pets. It may not be as strong as fipronil products, but can be used to regularly repel pests, and relieve pets that have been bitten.
If you’re unsure if fipronil products are the right solution to protect against pests on your pet, try checking out some natural products that can help repel and even kill pests, or call a local exterminator at (833) 431-0401 to see what other solutions they recommend.