Pyrethroids Provide Protection Against Insects that Compromise Food Security & Endanger Public Health
FEATURED NEWS
What a Flea-Infested Playground Can Teach Us About Science
July 28, 2026
Responsible use of pest control tools has always been about balance. Integrated pest management encourages a prevention-first approach—removing standing water, eliminating breeding sites, improving sanitation, and using non-chemical solutions whenever practical. But when pest levels threaten public health or safety, science tells us that pest control tools are among several important tools for safely managing the problem.
Why are Pyrethroids Important?
Pyrethroids have been used for over 70 years by governments, homeowners, farmers and commercial pest control operators. They are a class of synthetic insecticides designed to improve on the insecticidally active products found in Chrysanthemum plant powders known as pyrethrum. Pyrethroids have emerged as some of the most trusted, reliable and effective tools for combating pests that spread dangerous diseases and destroy crops.
Global Human Health
Pyrethroids are also critical for protecting human health from many infectious diseases carried by pests, including Lyme disease, Zika virus and West Nile virus. Pyrethroid impregnated mosquito nets have proved to be one of the most effective ways to reduce malaria transmission in areas of the world where the scourge is endemic.
Food Security
Pyrethroids provide a wide range of benefits to society by offering growers a proven way to control a broad spectrum of agricultural insect pests which reduce growth and yields of over 120 crops which provide food and fiber to millions of Americans and people around the world.
Animal Health
Veterinarians depend on pyrethroids for protecting livestock and horses from disease. Pet owners rely on them for preventing fleas and ticks from infecting from infecting their dogs.
Consumer Protection
Homes, Gardens + Restaurants: Pyrethroids are an important tool used by both consumers and professionals to control insects such as ants, bed bugs, cockroaches, spiders, and other nuisance pests in the home or outdoor garden/landscape. Professional pest control companies rely on this class of chemistry to keep residential, commercial, and food-service areas free from insect pests.
Pyrethroids Provide Protection Against Insects that
Compromise Food Security & Endanger Public Health
Pyrethroids are a group of insecticides that were designed to improve upon the insecticidally active natural compound found in Chrysanthemum plant powders, known as pyrethrum.
The Pyrethroids Resource Center is a place where you can find credible, science-based information about the pyrethroid class of pesticides and better inform yourself about their strict regulatory oversight, grounding in research and the many benefits associated with their use. This is one of several public education programs funded by the Pyrethroid Working Group (PWG).
News Articles
The following represents the latest information, news, trends and research involving pyrethroids. This and previous items are intended to underscore the important benefits of pyrethroids and respond to misinformation that often circulates online.
July 28, 2026
What a Flea-Infested Playground Can Teach Us About Science
Responsible use of pest control tools has always been about balance. Integrated pest management encourages a prevention-first approach—removing standing water, eliminating breeding sites, improving sanitation, and using non-chemical solutions whenever practical. But when pest levels threaten public health or safety, science tells us that pest control tools are among several important tools for safely managing the problem.
Pyrethroids Staff
July 15, 2026
After the Fire: The Pests Have Become a Serious Public Health Concern
Pests are far more than a nuisance. Large fly populations can spread bacteria after feeding on decaying organic matter and then landing on food preparation surfaces, trash containers, or other areas where people live and work. Some fly species can also pose additional health risks under certain conditions.
Pyrethroids Staff
June 16, 2026
Bed Bugs Don't Discriminate: Responsible Pest Management Matters
When most people think of bed bugs, they picture hotel rooms or apartment buildings. But recent reports remind us that these resilient pests can show up almost anywhere—including government offices, corporate headquarters, warehouses, and even movie theaters.
