Fipronil

What is Fipronil?
Fipronil is a broad-spectrum insecticide that poisons the central nervous system of many bugs, insects, and small animals. It is more toxic to insects and bugs because it targets a pathway that humans do not have. Fipronil is a white powder with a moldy smell, and is used in a variety of pesticides, agricultural products, baits, and pet care products.

Does it have other names?
Fipronil is commercially known as Regent. Other names it is known by include Goliath, Nexa, and Chipco Choice. Internationally, it has been used for locust control under the name Adonis.

How Does It Work?
The chemical blocks chloride ions from entering cells of the CNS causing the insects nerves and muscles to over excite. It works as a slow-acting poison to kill the insects.

It's quite poisonous in the fact that the chemical can be brought back to the insect's colony when mixed with bait and infect the entire nest. Similarly, the feces and carcass of infected cockroaches can have strong enough residuals to poison the entire nest. Because ants bring their food back to their colony, infected food can quickly spread the poison among the entire colony. Within three days, fipronil is about 95% effective in killing an entire ant or cockroach colony.

What Pests Does It Control?
It is used in many insects including cockroaches, ants, and wasps. It is commonly used for flea and termite control, and pest control of grains, lawns, and turf. It is highly toxic for most insects, crustaceans, bees, termites, rabbits, lizards, many fish, and some types of birds. Frontline, the most commonly used flea control method for pets, contains Fipronil as its main active ingredient.

Does it Harm the Environment?
Fipronil is very poisonous to bees and may be contributing to colony collapse disorder. Colony collapse disorder is the unexplained phenomenon of honey bee colonies abruptly disappearing. Very low doses can affect bees and keep them from being able to locate and return to their nests. It should not be applied to areas that have high bee populations. Additionally, it may be toxic to marine life including fish and aquatic invertebrates, as well as some species of birds.

What Effect Does it Have on Humans?
Fipronil has mild to moderate effects on humans when accidentally ingested, inhaled, or overexposed. Effects include mild skin and eye irritaion. Fipronil poisoning causes seizures, coma, agitation, and should be treated at an early stage to avoid worsening symptoms.