What effect does permethrin have on wildlife?
• Permethrin has been found to be highly toxic to fish in laboratory experiments. Products for agricultural and commercial outdoor use are limited to Certified Applicators and bear specific precautions and directions to avoid contamination of water. However, when permethrin products are used properly (i.e. according to the label) around the home or other residential sites, they pose little risk to aquatic life. • Permethrin is highly toxic to bees in laboratory conditions. However, when used properly, permethrin has a strong repellent effect in the environment and should pose little risk to bees (1). • Permethrin is of low toxicity to birds (1). Selected References: (1) World Health Organization. 1990. Environmental Health Criteria 94. Permethrin. International Programme on Chemical Safety. Geneva, Switzerland. (2) Cantalamessa, F. 1993. Acute toxicity of two pyrethroids, permethrin and cypermethrin, in neonatal and adult rats. Arch Toxicol 67:510-513. (3) Wagner, S.L. 1994. Allergy fr
