This content is current only at the time of printing. This document was printed on 28 February 2021. A current copy is located at https://apvma.gov.au/node/19361
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Permethrin
Chemical class | Pyrethroid |
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Chemical Structure | ![]() |
CAS Number | 52645-53-1 |
Mode of action | 3A—Sodium channel modulators |
Target pests | Insect pests including flies, cockroaches, silverfish, fleas, moths, ants and spiders. Fleas, ticks and other nuisance insects |
Hosts | Timber, industrial and domestic premises, trees and stumps, seed potatoes, mushroom beds, dogs, cats and horses |
Formulations | Powder, liquid, emulsifiable concentrate, wettable powder, dust, liquid concentrate, topical aerosol spray, shampoo, collar medalion, topical cream, ointment, paste, gel, lotion, ultra-low volume liquid, suspension concentrate (flowable concentrate), topical pump spray, pressurised gas, ear tag and aerosol |
Home garden use | Yes |
No of Australian Approvals and Registrations | 24 active constituents, 295 products |
Poison schedule |
Schedule 4 Permethrin for human therapeutic use except in preparations containing 5 per cent or less of permethrin. Schedule 5 Permethrin (excluding preparations for human therapeutic use):
Except in preparations containing 2 per cent or less of permethrin. Schedule 6 Permethrin except:
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Australian Health-based guidance values |
ADI: 0.05 mg/kg bw per day (1986) No Australian ARfD established |
Key issues
- although toxicity is relatively low, there is the potential for high levels of exposure due to widespread use pattern.
Stakeholder perspective
- some stakeholders consider this important as availability of alternatives for mite control in chickens is limited
- it is used (an off-label use) to control ticks and lice in goats
- little use in grain crops
- one stakeholder expressed reservations about its use in automatic dispensers; but supports the use for pet animals, livestock and farm animals as there are few alternatives for control of ticks
- it is used by Department of Agriculture and Water Resources as a residual insecticide for interceptions of invertebrates of biosecurity concern and for disinfestation of aircraft and livestock vessels.