Other names: Apex, Diacon, Dianex, Kabat, Minex, Pharoid, Precor-
These mostly have different uses, but in general apply to the same principal of larvae control.
Chemical name- "isopropyl-(2E-4E)-11-methoxy-3,7,11-trimethyl-2,4 dodecadienoate " (pmep.html)
Molecular formula and weight-
C19 H34 O3, 310.5g
What does it do?-First of all, methoprene is extremely biodegradable- it degrades in sunlight, even while in the water! Second of all, methoprene is used as Malathion is for adult mosquitoes- to kill off larvae so they never can reach the mature age.
How does it do it?- Methoprene is formulated to stunt the growth of an insect, essentailly stopping it in pupae stage, which does not mature into an adult. This is because methoprene acts like a mosquitoe's growth hormone, and when applied to the mosquitoe larvae at an early period, it will stop an adult mosquitoe from being produced. In other words, it is like a cigarette- it stunts your growth! Unfortuneately, there is a lack of chemical information on this process.
Vectolex ( naturally occurring bacteria)
Vectobac (naturally occurring bacteria)
Aquabac ( naturally occurring bacteria)
Altosid ( CHEMICAL!!!)
Temephos ( CHEMICAL!)
Chemical name-O,O- (thiodi-4,1-phenylene)bis(O,O-dimethyl-phosphorothioate
Molecular/ Chemical formula and weight- C16 H20 O6 P2 S3, 466.46g
What does it do?-At high amounts, temephos could increase how toxic malathion is, making it extremely toxic especially to animals or bugs! Temephos, like malathion, "inhibits cholinesterase" in the body, but unlike malathion, does so in the larvae stage.
How does it do it?-If in fact you are reading this before the box about methoprene, stop here, because temephos works exactly like methoprene, but with a higher toxicity. So, how does methoprene work? SEE THE RED BOX!
(temephos fact sheet)
