What is the chemical malathion used for?

What is the chemical malathion used for?

Malathion is a man-made organophosphate insecticide that is commonly used to control mosquitoes and a variety of insects that attack fruits, vegetables, landscaping plants, and shrubs. It can also be found in other pesticide products used indoors and on pets to control ticks and insects, such as fleas and ants.

What is malathion used to kill?

mosquitoes
Malathion is used in agriculture to kill and control insects on crops and in gardens. The government also uses it to kill mosquitoes in large outdoor areas. Malathion may also be found in certain products to kill head lice.

Is malathion harmful to humans?

Overexposure to malathion may cause severe poisoning or death. Persons may be exposed to dangerous amounts if they go into fields too soon after spraying.

How is malathion commonly applied?

It is applied in the environment mainly by aerial, ground spraying, or fogging equipment, but is also used in bait type formulations (i.e., applied to food baits). The annual use of malathion in 1994 was reported to be 3,377,681 pounds, of which 782,434 pounds were used in the state of California (Wilson et al. 1997).

Is malathion still being used?

Malathion is used in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Washington.

Can malathion kill dogs?

Pets will be affected by malathion like other animals. The nervous system is very similar in people and other animals, so animals poisoned by malathion may show signs similar to those observed in people.

Is malathion a carcinogen?

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that malathion is unclassifiable as to carcinogenicity to humans.

Does malathion kill bees?

Malathion is highly toxic to bees and other beneficial insects, some fish, and other aquatic life. Malathion is moderately toxic to other fish and birds, and is considered low in toxicity to mammals.

How do you apply malathion to plants?

Mix 10 mL (2 teaspoonfuls) in 3 L of water and spray to wet all surfaces of foliage. Apply at first appearance of insects. Repeat application as required or at 7 day intervals. Do not apply within seven days of harvest of edible crops.