See national chem pricing trends in the FBN Research report
This guide includes the following sections:
Bifenthrin is a broad-spectrum insecticide and miticide in the pyrethroid family. It was first registered for use in the United States in 1985 and is applied to more than 14 million acres nationwide to protect numerous food crops from insect damage.
More than 600 products containing bifenthrin are registered for use in the United States. Some are labeled for row and specialty crops, including corn, soybeans, fruits, and vegetables. Bifenthrin insecticides are also available for use indoors and outdoors on residential, institutional, public, commercial, and industrial buildings, greenhouses, animal confinements, kennels, food handling establishments, and lawns, ornamentals, parks, recreational areas, and athletic fields.
Bifenthrin is a restricted-use pesticide in Group 3A, which includes the pyrethroid and pyrethrin families. Pyrethroids are synthetic versions of pyrethrins, naturally occurring chemicals in chrysanthemum flowers.
Group 3 insecticides are sodium channel modulators that control pests by keeping sodium channels open, causing nervous system hyperexcitation and, in some cases, nerve block in the target pest.
Other Group 3A insecticides include lambda-cyhalothrin*, esfenvalerate*, and permethrin*.
Bifenthrin is formulated to be effective on target pests by contact exposure or ingestion, and its effects are generally quick. The insecticide does have some residual activity; therefore, it doesn’t have to be sprayed directly on the insect for adequate control. However, in some instances, multiple bifenthrin spray applications may be required to achieve or maintain effective insect control.
Variables affecting bifenthrin efficacy include:
Pest pressure
Application timing
Use rate
Climate (arid climates typically require higher use rates for effective control)
As a contact insecticide, bifenthrin requires adequate spray coverage for effective insect control. Using best application practices can help keep the spray on target and avoid unintended exposures to non-target species.
Bifenthrin can be applied in several ways, including air or ground spray or chemigation. Some products are soil-applied, while others can be applied via a foliar application. Application timing will depend on the crop and target pest.
In corn, for example, bifenthrin can be applied:
In-furrow at planting (corn rootworm larvae)
Pre-plant incorporated (white grub, black cutworm, and wireworms)
Pre-emergence (armyworm, stalk borer)
Foliar (beetles, earworms, grasshoppers, aphids)
Learn how to identify and manage insects in the FBN Pest Solutions pages.
Application rates will vary depending on the:
Insecticide product
Environmental conditions
Crop
Target pest
Application timing
The table below shows typical use rates for GCS Bifenthrin 2EC*. Review product labels to ensure compliance with state regulations regarding application rates. The maximum allowable use rates vary by crop and must include all registered use patterns, including at-plant, soil-applied, and/or foliar applications, for a given 12-month period.
Crop | Use Rate (fl oz/Ac) |
Brassica species (broccoli, cauliflower, etc.) | 2.1 – 6.4 |
Bushberries (blueberries, elderberries, etc.) | 2.1 – 6.4 |
Canola | 2.1 – 2.6 |
Citrus species | 16.0 – 32.0 |
Corn (foliar application) | 2.1 – 6.4 |
Cotton | 1.3 – 6.4 |
Grapes | 3.2 – 6.4 |
Peanuts | 2.1 – 6.4 |
Soybeans | 2.1 – 6.4 |
Strawberries | 2.56 – 12.8 |
Tobacco | 4.0 – 6.4 |
Tree nut species | 3.2 – 12.8 |
Application timing will vary depending on the crop and targeted pest. The most effective applications generally coincide with critical insect developmental stages, so timing is crucial for success. Review product labels for application timing recommendations.
Bifenthrin is a restricted-use pesticide due to its toxicity risk to vulnerable species. Insecticide runoff is a concern, especially near sensitive environmental areas and bodies of water. To reduce the risk of runoff and surface water contamination, follow label instructions and best application practices to protect waterways.
Find chemical application options with FBN.
Bifenthrin can be applied in tank mixes with fertilizers or other crop protection products approved for use on registered crops. Observe all restrictions and precautions that appear on tank-mix partner product labels.
Soil-applied bifenthrin insecticides are commonly applied with a starter fertilizer like Inhabit™ Start to manage early season pest problems. Foliar bifenthrin insecticides can be used with labeled pre- or post-emergence herbicides and/or fungicides to manage mid- to late-season pests.
An emulsifiable oil like IN-Cert™ Organosil MSO can help enhance foliar spray efficacy in certain crops. Review the product label for adjuvant rates and mixing instructions.
Bifenthrin has been widely used in U.S. crop production for decades, making it a vulnerable target for developing insecticide resistance. With repeated use of Group 3 insecticide as the primary control method in the same field for successive years, insect and mite populations can develop resistant biotypes that eventually dominate the population. This could result in less effective insect control using bifenthrin and other Group 3 insecticides.
Use insecticides with multiple modes of action throughout the season
Apply the recommended label rates at the recommended time
Add effective adjuvants to improve spray performance
Scout fields after applications to verify the application was effective
Develop an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy that considers cultural and biological control practices to support chemical options
Contact your local extension specialist or crop advisor for specific IPM recommendations for your area
The Insecticide Resistance Action Committee offers guidelines for choosing appropriate insecticides for IPM.
As a restricted-use pesticide, Bifenthrin should be used following all labeled requirements. It is toxic to aquatic invertebrates and bees, so proper precautions must be taken when applying it to fields near sensitive environmental areas. This includes:
Avoid applying directly to water, areas where water is present, or intertidal areas below the mean high-water mark.
Use appropriate irrigation rates to avoid runoff.
Avoid applications during rain or when rainfall is expected before the product has sufficient time to dry (minimum 4 hours).
Follow label drift mitigation requirements. Use a drift reduction agent as the label permits.
Be mindful of residual chemical contamination when disposing of equipment washwaters or rinsate.
Bifenthrin binds tightly to soil; therefore, groundwater contamination through leaching is generally not a concern.
Products containing bifenthrin are generally deemed safe to use around people and pets when proper precautions are taken. Use these tips to avoid unintended human exposure risks:
Do not enter bifenthrin-treated areas during the restricted entry interval (REI) or until the spray solution has dried. For many products, the REI is 12 hours.
When handling bifenthrin, wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including a long shirt, pants, gloves, socks, and close-toed shoes.
Wash your hands after handling the insecticide and remove clothing and PPE immediately if the product gets on them.
For some crops that allow higher use rates, PPE must be worn for up to five days after application when working in fields.
Follow all label instructions to ensure the safe use of bifenthrin.
Maintaining an insect-free growing environment helps protect your crops’ yield and quality. FBN offers a comprehensive insecticide portfolio to help you build a successful IPM strategy.
Start with a broad-spectrum insecticide like GCS Bifenthrin 2EC* to control yield-robbing pests like aphids, lepidopteran species, mites, thrips, and beetles. Add appropriate tank mix partners, including fungicides, herbicides, fertilizers, and adjuvants, for additional cost-savings with FBN. You’ll get transparent pricing and direct-to-farm delivery available on your schedule.
Insecticides 101: Everything Farmers Need to Know About Insecticides
Herbicides 101: Everything Growers Need to Know About Herbicides
Crop Nutrition 101: Everything Growers Need to Know About Crop Nutrition
Clethodim 101: Everything Growers Need to Know About Clethodim
Glufosinate 101: Everything Farmers Need to Know About Glufosinate
Glyphosate 101: Everything Farmers Need to Know About Glyphosate
Fungicides 101: Everything Farmers Need to Know About Fungicides
Inoculants 101: Everything Farmers Need to Know About Inoculants
Biostimulants 101: Everything Growers Need to Know About Biostimulants
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*Restricted Use Pesticides due to acute toxicity. For retail sale to and use by certified applicators only – NOT to be used by uncertified persons working under the supervision of a certified applicator.
FBN Direct products and services and other products distributed by FBN Direct are offered by FBN Inputs, LLC and are available only in states where FBN Inputs, LLC is licensed and where those products are registered for sale or use, if applicable. If applicable, please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Nothing contained on this page, including the prices listed should be construed as an offer for sale, or a sale of products. All products and prices are subject to change at any time and without notice. Terms and conditions apply.
ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. It is a violation of federal and state law to use any pesticide product other than in accordance with its label. The distribution, sale and use of an unregistered pesticide is a violation of federal and/or state law and is strictly prohibited. We do not guarantee the accuracy of any information provided on this page or which is provided by us in any form. It is your responsibility to confirm prior to purchase and use that a product is labeled for your specific purposes, including, but not limited to, your target crop or pest and its compatibility with other products in a tank mix and that the usage of a product is otherwise consistent with federal, state and local laws. We reserve the right to restrict sales on a geographic basis in our sole discretion. You must have a valid applicator license to use restricted use pesticides. Please consult your state department of agriculture for complete rules and regulations on the use of restricted use pesticides, as some products require specific record-keeping requirements.
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