Bifen I/T is our most popular choice for mosquito control. This is a water based bifenthrin resdiual insecticide that provides around a 30 day residual outdoors. Bifen XTS uses the same active ingredient bifenthrin but a higher oil based concentration. For general residential mosquito control, the XTS higher concentration is typically not necessary unless you live in a region that experiences high amounts of rainfall.
Bifen IT would be recommended over Permethrin SFR 36.8% due to the the active ingredient permethin breaking down quicker in sunlight requiring repeat applications every 2 weeks where Bifen IT and Bifen XTS provide a residual of about 30 days (weather depending)
The most important thing to remember when treating for mosquitoes is that they hang out on the underside of leaves and shrubs during the heat of the day so focusing on those areas when spraying is recommended. Thoroughly spray the foliage of all bushes, trees, and shrubs around the home or areas in the yard where you socialize. It’s also recommended to spray along any tree lines that may border your property as well as the exterior perimeter foundation, under eaves, overhangs. ember to not only treat the main bush or shrub but also the underside of the leaves.
View our Mosquito Treatment Guide for more information.
Bifen I/T is one of our most popular products for mosquito control. Bifen XTS is basically the same product, just in a higher concentration, and oil-based instead of water-based. For mosquito control you do not need the higher concentration, it is not necessary. The most important thing to remember when treating for mosquitoes is that they hang out on the underside of leaves and shrubs. You should treat all shrubs, bushes and trees, remembering to not only treat the main bush or shrub but also the underside of the leaves. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, so if there are any areas of standing water where you are treating, those should be treated as well with BTI Mosquito Dunks or Altosid Pro-G Mosquito Larvicide.
You may also want to look over our Mosquito Control Article if you have a moment.
Either sprayer or mister application would be effective with either product as long as the application is thorough. Oil-based products such as Bifen XTS can stain some surfaces. This is not usually a concern in most areas outside, but you should use caution when treating around the siding of a home. Most oil-based products such as Bifen XTS do have a "chemical" odor but it is not especially strong.
Both Bifen I/T and Bifen XTS can cause moderate skin irritation. Be sure to use adequate skin protection as outlined on the product label, such as wearing gloves and long pants/sleeves to avoid this.
Bifen XTS does not really make it that much better than the normal Bifen IT, its just that one quart container can make much more than the equivalent Bifen IT.
For lawn applications – Bifen IT is applied at 0.5 to 1 fl oz per gallon of water per 1000 sq ft vs Bifen XTS which is applied at 0.07-0.30 fl oz per 2 gallons of water every 1000 sq ft.
When using Bifen XTS, you only need about a third of an ounce to make the same treatment. You can make many more gallons of solution from one container of Bifen XTS than you can with the normal Bifen IT.
Yes, Bifen XTS can be applied with a hose end sprayer as long as it can be set to the correct product/water ratio as adivsed per the product label.
Lawns: 0.07-0.30 fl oz per 2 gallons of water every 1000 sq ft
Ornamentals: 0.02 fl oz – 0.128 fl oz (0.15 -0.76 tsps) per gallon of water.
Exterior perimeter foundation: 0.16 fl oz – 0.33 fl oz (0.33 tbsp to 0.66 tbsp) per gallon of water.
Bifen XTS is a highly concentrate oil based insecticide with application rates that are minimal per gallon of water compared to the 0.5 – 1 fl oz per gallon of water of Bifen IT or Talstar P that contain the same bifenthrin active ingredient.
We recommend the Chapin Wet/Dry Hose-end Sprayer which is very user friendly and can be set to spray very small concentrations down to 2 tsp per gallon of water.The mixing ratio for Bifen XTS is 0.32 - 0.64 oz. per gallon of water.