Insect Growth Regulator 

What is an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR)…..and why they are important ingredients in several Kiwicare insecticide products?

Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) are substances that inhibit the development of insects. They are used to break the life-cycle of pest insects by stopping the pests reaching maturity and preventing them reproduce.

There are two basic types of IGR; hormonal and chitin synthesis inhibitors. Hormonal IGRs mimic the juvenile hormone (JH) of insects that are involved in insect moulting. Normally insects moult, losing their exoskeletons so they can move to their next life-cycle stage, the juvenile hormone mimic IGR interferes with this moulting. Chitin synthesis inhibitors prevent the formation of chitin which the insect needs to form new exoskeletons.

IGRs do kill the insects but they are slow-acting and may take 3-12 days to kill the insects. In that time the insects often stop feeding.

IGRS are long-lasting and safe so they give protection from many insect pests that are more difficult to control, particularly those that hide away in cracks and crevices and do not need to come out into the open often.

Several Kiwicare products contain the IGR pyriproxyfen in combination with another insecticide. Pyriproxyfen is a JH mimic and it inhibits egg hatching, stops larva developing into adults, and sterilises adult females. The ‘standard’ insecticide kills adults and other life stages of the insect pests and the IGR stops development and ongoing infestation. Combinations of insecticides with different modes of action also help prevent resistance from developing in insect populations.

Kiwicare products that include the IGR pyriproxyfen are:

• NO Fleas Total Protection
• NO Fleas Bugs Bombs
• NO Bed Bugs Total Protection
• NO Bed Bugs Total Solution Box spray
• NO Cockroaches Nest Killer Spray
• NO Bugs Super Bug Bombs

David Brittain
Kiwicare