Summary
PT Ultracide is an aerosol insecticide for controlling and preventing indoor flea infestations. Ultracide contains pyrethrins to quickly kill adult fleas. And pyriproxyfen, an insect growth regulator, to prevent new eggs and larvae from reaching adulthood for 7 months.
PT Ultracide Flea Spray
Ultracide is a premise spray containing an IGR to control fleas indoors for 7 months.
While effective, Ultracide is more expensive than some other competing premise sprays. For example, Precor 2000 Plus and Siphotrol Plus II are similar in quality but are cheaper.
| Product name | PT Ultracide Pressurized Flea Insecticide |
| Active ingredients | 0.100% pyriproxyfen 0.050% pyrethrins 0.400% permethrin 0.400% MGK 264 0.035% related compounds 99.015% other ingredients |
| Target pest | Fleas |
| Kills | Adults, eggs & larvae |
| Duration | 7 months |
| Size | 20 ounces |
| Capacity | 2625 sq ft |
| Application | Aerosol spray |
| Use on | Home premises |
| Manufacturer | Whitmire Micro-Gen |
| UPCs | 631589040509 804338127992 |
| Product label | view |
| MSDS | view |
| Tech notes | view |
| Shop | Amazon.com |
| Price | $27 |
| Customer reviews | Read reviews |
| Competitors | Browse premise sprays |
- Prices are based on Amazon.com at time of publishing.
Details
How PT Ultracide Works
Pyriproxyfen
The most important active ingredient in PT Ultracide is 0.1% pyriproxyfen (Nylar). This compound is an insect growth regulator (IGR). It works by mimicking natural insect hormones that regulate development. When present, the IGR inhibits biological triggers that would transform the insect into the next stage of life. As a result, exposed flea eggs and larvae can’t pupate into adults. Also, exposed adult females can’t lay viable eggs.
95-99% of flea infestations consist of eggs, larvae, and pupae. These stages live in the environment, most often deep within carpet fibers. Traditional insecticides don’t work well for killing immature stages, because the sprays can’t penetrate deep enough and they have a short residual effect. IGRs are better suited for controlling young fleas, because they remain active for a long time (7 months indoors). IGRs are also considered safer than traditional insecticides, because they specifically target the endocrine system of insects.
Pyrethrins & Permethrin
Pyrethrins are used in PT Ultracide as adulticides, for killing adult fleas. Pyrethrins are a botanically derived insecticides. Their chemical structures are based off of compounds (pyrethrum) in Chrysanthemum flowers. These insecticides target insect nervous systems, paralyzing and killing them. Permethrin is a synthetic derivative of pyrethrum, known as a pyrethroid. It’s similar in structure but more photostable.
Adult fleas only make up 1-5% of total flea populations. And once they jump onto a host, they stay there. Thus, only newly emerging adults are typically found in the environment, so there won’t be many at any given time. However, those present at the time of spraying will die.
A large portion of the immature fleas developing at the base of carpets won’t be affected by the pyrethrins. Eventually they will emerge as adults, which can aggravate those who’ve sprayed. The good news is this will be the last generation. Future eggs that fall onto the carpets will be sterilized by the IGR.
MGK 264
N-octyl bicycloheptene dicarboximide (MGK 264) is a synergist. It doesn’t have any insecticidal properties itself, but enhances the potency of pyrethrins. Thus, synergists and pyrethrins are often found together. This lowers the amount of insecticide needed, resulting in cost and health benefits.
Precor 2000 Plus
Precor 2000 Plus is comparable to Ultracide, and is cheaper (may change).
Competitor Comparison
Ultracide’s main competitors are Precor 2000 Plus, Siphotrol Plus II, and Virbac Knockout. All of these are aerosol premise sprays that contain similar active ingredients and in similar concentrations. As you’d imagine, they are all about equal in performance and quality, as evidenced from Amazon.com reviews. The most significant difference between them is price, and Precor 2000 Plus wins as the least expensive.
Instructions
The following instructions were taken from Ultracide’s product label. Please view the label for the full directions and precautionary statements before use.
Active flea infestations and prevents infestations from developing. Prevents re-infestation for 7 months.
FOR USE IN AND AROUND:
Apartments, Automobiles, Homes, Hospitals, Hotels, Kennels, Motels, Offices, Schools, Supermarkets, Transportation Equipment (Buses, Boats, Ships, Trains, Trucks), Warehouses, Utilities, Veterinary Clinics and Other Commercial and Industrial Buildings.
Directions for Use
It is a violation of federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling.
Shake well before use.
General Information
PT® ULTRACIDE kills fleas and prevents flea infestations for a full season. Adult fleas may be seen in the treated areas when brought in on infested animals or when adults emerge from pupal cases; however, a population will not develop in the treated area.
In transportation equipment, certain plastics may be whitened or dulled. Apply only to carpets and cloth upholstered areas, or test an inconspicuous area before treating.
Directions
Use PT ULTRACIDE at the rate of 20 oz. for up to 2,625 sq. ft. Carpeted areas may be vacuumed before treatment and after treatment has dried. Treat infested areas or areas which could be infested; these include rugs, carpets, upholstered furniture, pet beds and pet resting areas. Hold can at arms length and direct spray toward the area to be treated. Use a sweeping motion to apply product and back away from treated area while holding the can 36 inches away from the surface being treated. An area of 80 – 100 sq. ft. can be treated in approximately 10 seconds with PT ULTRACIDE. When treating upholstered furniture, treat under cushions and areas where flea development occurs.
Cover aquariums and fish bowls and remove birds from area prior to treating. Treated areas should be vacated during application. EXCEPT FOR APPLICATOR, DO NOT PERMIT HUMANS OR PETS TO CONTACT TREATED SURFACES UNTIL THE SPRAY HAS DRIED. Do not treat pets with this product.
Notice
PT ULTRACIDE has been tested on several types of carpet, fabric and other household furnishings without adverse affects. In a few instances, waxed surfaces have been whitened or dulled. Holding the can 36 inches away from the target surface normally prevents any whitening from occurring. Because of the wide variety of floor types and finishes, treat a small inconspicuous area before treating the entire area. Avoid contact with antique finishes.
Storage and Disposal
Do not contaminate water, food or feed by storage or disposal.
STORAGE: Store in a cool dry area away from heat or open flame and inaccessible to children.
PESTICIDE DISPOSAL: Wastes resulting from use of this product may be disposed of on site or at an approved waste disposal facility.
CONTAINER DISPOSAL: Do not puncture or incinerate! Empty container by using the product according to the label directions. Offer empty container for recycling, if available, or place in trash if allowed by state and local regulations. If container is partly filled, contact your local solid waste agency or call 1-800-CLEANUP for disposal instructions.
NOTE: This specimen label is for informational purposes only. All uses may not be approved in all states. See labeling which accompanied product for Directions for Use or call 800-777-8570 for more information.
Tips for Success
Target Hot-Spots
Flea eggs can fall anywhere the infested animal wanders. However, most will accumulate in areas where the pet spends a lot of time. Flea hot-spots often occur around where the animal sleeps, grooms, and eats. In bedrooms, flea-prone areas tend to be at the side or foot of the bed. Similarly, hot-spots in living rooms will often be next to seating or animal bedding.
All flooring in infested rooms should be sprayed with a premise spray. However, special attention can be given to the potential hot-spots. And follow-up treatments, if needed, can be limited to these areas where most of the fleas are developing and emerging from as adults.
Have Realistic Expectations
It’s important to have realistic expectations. Carpet treatments, like PT Ultracide, won’t end an infestation immediately. Many immature stages live deep in carpets where sprays and vacuums can’t reach them. Before the fleas are completely gone, all of the immature stages in the environment must mature, emerge, and then die. Usually it takes around 8 weeks before an infestation ends. This is why pet treatments are continued for 3 months.
After spraying, new generations shouldn’t be able to survive and develop. However, a large portion of the fleas already in the base of the carpeting may be unaffected. They will eventually mature and emerge as the last generation of adults. Seeing new adults can cause confusion and give the false impression that premise sprays don’t work.
Pre-Emerged Adults
Pre-emerged adult fleas can cause infestations to last longer than expected. After maturing, cocooned adult fleas can enter into a quiescent, sleep-like state for up to 5 months. However, they’ll immediately wake up and emerge upon detecting heat and pressure, cues which indicate that a host is resting on the cocoon. Vacuuming is the best way to simulate these host cues and force emergence.
Vacuuming Procedure
Vacuum prior to spraying the carpets. Vacuuming lifts up the carpet fibers, allowing the insecticide spray to penetrate deeper into the matrix. Don’t vacuum again until the spray has completely dried. Then vacuum at least every other day. There’s no evidence to show that vacuuming reduces the efficacy of flea insecticides. Vacuuming may actually help by causing cocooned adults to emerge into the insecticide.
Premise Sprays Aren’t Enough
Adult fleas, accounting for 1-5% of infestations, live on pets. Once they acquire a host, they won’t leave of their own volition. Even if the carpets get treated, the adult fleas will continue to live on the dog or cat. And each female lays around 25 eggs a day. The eggs will fall anywhere the animal roams. If the eggs fall onto any untreated area, then the infestation will continue.
This is why an integrated approach is the best way to control fleas. If the environment is treated, pets are treated, and regular vacuuming and sanitation is done, then establishing control is faster and maintaining control is easier.
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I have had everything possible done to my home and pets to stop my infestation, spending nearly $500 so far. I just bought Ultriacide and plan to use it this weekend. I have all hardwood floors. My question is regarding the ability to mop my floors once I have applied the Ultracide… I know I cannot do so immediately. I read on one site that you should not mop for a month, but if I am having to treat every 14 days, I will never get to mop my floors again.
Wet cleaning can dilute the insecticide, reducing efficacy and residual effect. It is better to do dry cleaning until the infestation is over. Or you can re-apply the spray after you mop.