Bifenthrin 10% EC Insecticide Uses

Bifenthrin 10% EC is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide (IRAC Group 3A), registered for use in India under the Insecticides Act, 1968, formulated as an emulsifiable concentrate (EC). It is used as a foliar spray and, for termite control, as a soil application against a range of chewing and sucking insect pests in field crops including cotton, paddy and sugarcane. This page lists its mode of action, key benefits and the complete crop-wise recommended dosage as per the Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee's (CIB&RC) official list of approved insecticide uses for this exact Bifenthrin 10% EC formulation, cross-checked against TNAU's recommendations and manufacturer/retailer labels.

Which Problem Is This For? (Symptom Guide)

Not sure whether what you're seeing in the field matches this insecticide's use case? This guide helps match pest damage symptoms to this insecticide's approved crop-wise uses.

Mode of Action

Bifenthrin belongs to the pyrethroid class of insecticides (IRAC Group 3A, sodium channel modulators). It acts on the insect's nervous system by keeping voltage-gated sodium channels in nerve cell membranes open for longer than normal, causing repeated, uncontrolled nerve firing. This leads to rapid knockdown, paralysis and death of the target insect. Bifenthrin acts through both contact action (absorbed through the insect's cuticle on direct spray contact) and stomach action (ingested when the insect feeds on treated leaf or stem surface), giving it activity against both chewing pests (such as bollworm and stem borer larvae) and sucking pests (such as whitefly and leafhoppers). It has no systemic movement within the plant, so thorough spray coverage of the crop canopy — including the underside of leaves, where sucking pests often shelter — is essential for good control.

Features & Benefits

• Broad-spectrum contact and stomach-poison activity against both chewing pests (bollworm, stem borer, leaf folder) and sucking pests (whitefly, leafhopper) in the same spray.
• Fast knockdown action on target insects due to its effect on the nerve sodium channel, giving visible pest reduction soon after spraying.
• Useful for below-ground termite control in sugarcane as a soil application at the base of the plant, in addition to its foliar insecticidal uses.
• Emulsifiable concentrate (EC) formulation that mixes readily with water for uniform tank application.

Recommended Usage of Bifenthrin 10% EC Insecticide

The table below gives the recommended dose and water volume per acre for each crop and target pest, based on the CIB&RC's official list of approved insecticide uses (Government of India) for this exact Bifenthrin 10% EC formulation — see the note below the table for the per-hectare conversion. These figures also agree closely with TNAU's recommendations and the general 200–400 ml/acre range quoted on multiple independent manufacturer/retailer labels for this formulation, cross-checked as secondary references. Always spray in the recommended water volume for uniform coverage, and confirm against the current product label before use.

Doses above are converted from the official rate published in the Government of India's CIB & RC (Central Insecticide Board & Registration Committee) approved-use list for this exact Bifenthrin 10% EC formulation, which states the rate in grams a.i./formulation per hectare; converted here to a practical per-acre spray-tank quantity (1 ha ≈ 2.47 acres) and rounded. These crop/pest combinations and dose figures also agree closely with TNAU's recommendations and multiple independent manufacturer/retailer product labels for this exact formulation, cross-checked as secondary references. For sugarcane termite control, the CIB&RC approved-use list specifies a 300-day waiting period; as a soil-applied treatment given at planting/early growth stage, this is well ahead of the sugarcane harvest (typically 10–12 months after planting) in normal practice, but always confirm the current product label and consult your local agricultural extension office before use.

How to Use

1. Identify your crop and target pest from the table above, and confirm the correct dose per acre and water volume.
2. Measure the required quantity of Bifenthrin 10% EC and mix it thoroughly into the spray tank water, agitating well before and during spraying so the emulsion stays evenly mixed.
3. For foliar sprays (cotton, paddy), apply as a fine, uniform spray covering the entire crop canopy, including the undersides of leaves where sucking pests such as whitefly and leafhoppers typically shelter.
4. For sugarcane termite control, apply as a soil drench around the base of the setts/plants rather than as a foliar spray, ensuring the treated zone is moist so the insecticide reaches the root zone.
5. Spray during the early morning or late evening when pest activity and pollinator activity are both lower, and avoid spraying in hot, windy conditions or ahead of expected rain.
6. Repeat only if pest pressure resumes, allowing at least 10–15 days between sprays, and do not exceed 2–3 applications per season on the same crop to help manage resistance.

Precautions & Safety

• Wear appropriate PPE — mask/respirator, gloves, goggles and full-sleeved clothing — while mixing and spraying.
• Bifenthrin is highly toxic to bees, fish and other aquatic life; do not spray during crop flowering when bees are foraging, and avoid any drift or runoff into ponds, canals or water bodies.
• Store in the original, tightly closed container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, food and feed, and out of reach of children and livestock.
• Do not exceed the recommended dose or spray frequency; repeated, back-to-back use of the same insecticide class can lead to resistance development in target pest populations, so rotate with insecticides from a different mode-of-action (IRAC) group where possible.
• Respect the waiting period (PHI) given in the table above before harvesting the treated crop.
• Wash hands, face and any exposed skin thoroughly with soap and water after handling or spraying, and change out of contaminated clothing before eating, drinking or smoking.

Brand names mentioned on this page are registered trademarks of their respective owners and are referenced here for identification purposes only; FarmMate is not affiliated with or endorsed by these brands. This page is for general information only — always consult your local agricultural extension office and confirm the current product label before use.