What is Abamectin?

Abamectin is the key ingredient in insect baits such as Advance 375A, Invict AB Insect Paste,Optiguard Ant Gel, Ascend Fire Ant Bait and Vendetta Roach Bait. This insecticide is used in agriculture and residential areas to control mites, leaf miners, pear psylla, cockroaches, and fire ants. Abamectin is a combination of two types of avermectins, or nerve poisons. These avermectins are compounds that are produced naturally in soil bacteria called Streptomyces avermitilis.

How Abamectin Works

Abamectin paralyzes pests by interrupting the nervous system of targeted insects. It is a slow acting pesticide, allowing ants to carry it back to their colony. Roaches do not carry the bait back, but the bait is transferred via feces.

Where is Abamectin used?

Abamectin is used by the agricultural community to control insects and mites on a large range of crops such as: citrus, pears, alfalfa, nut trees, cotton, vegetables, and ornamental. When abamectin is applied to crops and orchards, it is absorbed by the foliage and affects the insect when it eats the leaves. Abamectin is used worldwide.

How does Abamectin work?

Abamectin works by targeting the transmissions in the neural and neuromuscular systems of insects. The avermectins (nerve poisons) that are contained within the insecticide stimulate a neural transmitter which causes the break-down of nerve to nerve and nerve to muscle communication. The insect will then become paralyzed, stop eating, and die within 3 to 4 days. Abamectin is a delayed-action insecticide, meaning it is not instant. The benefit of a delayed-action insecticide is it gives the affected insect time to return to the colony and spread the poison through contact or food sharing (ingestion) with the other insects.

How safe is Abamectin?

Abamectin has been evaluated extensively by the EPA for its effect on humans and the environment. Although it can be highly toxic, most formulated products are of low toxicity to humans and other mammals, making it safe to use. Abamectin is relatively non-toxic to birds; however, it is highly toxic for bees and fish. The insecticide degrades from or is absorbed into the leaves within a few hours, making it then safe for the bees after absorption. Abamectin is safe for plants and food as it is not absorbed by crops from the soil and it rapidly degrades due to the sun (photo degradation). It is also environmentally friendly to water systems as it does not leach into groundwater and rapidly degrades when exposed to water. When applying abamectin, always wear a mask, avoid contact with skin, wash hands thoroughly, and wait for leaves to dry before entering applied area. As always, use only as directed by the product label.