What Is Permethrin?

Permethrin is a Type I pyrethroid, offering strong knockdown and residual action. It’s extensively used in household, livestock, vector control, and agriculture settings. Permethrin also targets sodium channels, but lacks the alpha-cyano group present in Type II pyrethroids. It’s available in emulsifiable concentrates (EC), wettable powders (WP), and dust formulations, and is approved for both indoor and outdoor use.

Quick Comparison Table: Lambda-Cyhalothrin vs Permethrin

Feature	Lambda-Cyhalothrin	Permethrin
Chemical Class	Type II Pyrethroid	Type I Pyrethroid
Mode of Action	Sodium channel modulator (IRAC 3A)	Sodium channel modulator (IRAC 3A)
Speed of Action	Fast knockdown	Fast knockdown
Residual Activity	Long (up to 4 weeks or more)	Moderate to long (2–4 weeks)
Dosage Rate	Low dose needed (high potency)	Higher dose required
Common Formulations	SC, CS, EW	EC, WP, Dust
Typical Use Sites	Crops, public health, turf	Household, livestock, gardens
Target Pests	Mosquitoes, thrips, beetles	Ants, flies, ticks, fleas, mites
Mammalian Toxicity	Low	Low
UV/Water Stability	Moderate	Moderate to high

1. Chemical and Structural Overview

Feature	Lambda-Cyhalothrin	Permethrin
Chemical Group	Synthetic pyrethroid (Type II)	Synthetic pyrethroid (Type I)
IRAC Mode of Action	Group 3A – Sodium channel modulator	Group 3A – Sodium channel modulator
Molecular Action	Prolonged nerve excitation with cyano group	Nerve excitation without cyano group
Structural Formula	More potent, lower dose required	Less potent, higher dose usually needed

Lambda-cyhalothrin is a Type II pyrethroid, which contains a cyano group. This structural feature results in longer-lasting neurotoxic effects, making it more potent per gram of active ingredient compared to permethrin.

2. Lambda-Cyhalothrin vs Permethrin: Which Is Better for Pest Control?

Knockdown and Residual Power

• Lambda-cyhalothrin provides faster knockdown and stronger residual control, even at lower concentrations.
• Permethrin, while effective, may require higher application rates and offers moderate residual performance on certain surfaces.

Target Pests

Both are effective against:

• Mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches, ants, bed bugs
• Agricultural pests: aphids, thrips, caterpillars
• Public health vectors: ticks, fleas

However:

• Lambda-cyhalothrin is often preferred for commercial agriculture, vector control, and resistant pest populations.
• Permethrin is commonly used in public health, veterinary products, residential pest control, and mosquito nets.

Application Flexibility

• Lambda-cyhalothrin is approved for indoor and outdoor use, including crops, livestock housing, grain storage, and building perimeters.
• Permethrin is used in clothing treatment, insect-repellent fabrics, animal sprays, and residential premises.

3. Formulation and Cost Considerations

• Lambda-cyhalothrin tends to be more concentrated and cost-effective per treated hectare, but often comes at a higher unit price.
• Permethrin formulations are generally more affordable upfront, suitable for low-cost retail markets.

Formulations available from our company include:

• Lambda-cyhalothrin 2.5% EC, 5% EC, 10% WP, 25g/L CS
• Permethrin 10% EC, 25:75 EC, 50:50 EC, 92% TC

We also offer custom formulations for specific markets and resistance profiles.

4. Safety and Environmental Impact

Aspect	Lambda-Cyhalothrin	Permethrin
Toxicity to Humans	Moderate (requires PPE)	Moderate (slightly more dermal toxicity)
Aquatic Toxicity	Highly toxic to fish and aquatic life	Also toxic, but degrades faster
Use in Public Health	WHO-approved for IRS and vector control	Used in clothing and personal repellents

Both products must be used with caution near water bodies. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is strongly recommended during application, especially in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas.

5. Mixing or Rotating Lambda-Cyhalothrin and Permethrin

In some pest management programs, rotating or mixing lambda-cyhalothrin and permethrin can help delay resistance development, especially in mosquito or bed bug control scenarios.

However, tank mixing should only be performed under label guidance and with technical supervision, as certain combinations may lead to antagonistic or synergistic effects.

Conclusion: Permethrin vs Lambda-Cyhalothrin – Choosing the Right Active Ingredient

The choice between permethrin vs lambda-cyhalothrin depends on:

• Target pest
• Treatment area
• Resistance management goals
• Budget and formulation preference

Summary:

• Choose lambda-cyhalothrin for faster knockdown, superior residual activity, and high-resistance environments.
• Choose permethrin for broader public health use, affordability, and repellent applications.

Professional Supply for B2B Clients

We are a certified manufacturer and exporter of technical-grade and formulated insecticides, including:

• Lambda-cyhalothrin EC, CS, WP
• Permethrin EC, TC, household-grade solutions
• OEM/ODM formulation services
• Free samples and COA/MSDS support
• Private label packaging for pest control brands

We support clients in agriculture, public health, urban pest control, and distribution across Asia, Africa, South America, and the Middle East.

Contact Us for Bulk Orders or Custom Formulations

If you are looking to source high-performance pyrethroid insecticides, compare market options, or build your own pest control product line, we are ready to assist.

Let us know your target pests, preferred formulations, and packaging needs—we’ll provide technical support and competitive solutions tailored to your market.

Partner with POMAIS for Insecticide Solutions

Shijiazhuang Pomais Technology Co., Ltd. offers global B2B support for both Lambda-Cyhalothrin and Permethrin formulations:

• Available types: EC, SC, CS, WP, OD
• Free samples and technical documentation
• Support for private label development
• Global logistics and fast delivery