Professional pest control services use a range of common insecticides – specialised pest treatments designed for their effectiveness at eliminating pests and safety for anyone in the area. Professional’s products are not available to the public — because they’re stronger, more targeted and often require training.
These products, when used by trained pest control technicians, can eliminate pests effectively while also protecting people, pets, and the environment. Whether the job is domestic pest control in a semi-detached home or commercial pest control in a food business, the approach from professionals is always based on precision.
Across the UK, professionals rely on a few main types of insecticides. Each has its strengths — and each plays a role depending on the pest and the property.
Pyrethroids are probably the most common insecticides used by professionals. They’re synthetic versions of pyrethrins, natural compounds found in chrysanthemum flowers. Pyrethroids target the nervous system of insects, leading to rapid knockdown.
They are popular because they are highly effective against a broad range of pests, yet have relatively low toxicity to humans and pets (they can be very toxic to fish and bees). Also, many pests have not developed significant resistance to newer pyrethroids, so these chemicals remain reliable.
A pest technician might spray a pyrethroid-based solution along skirting boards to target crawling insects like ants or cockroaches. In gardens, they might treat around building foundations to prevent bugs from entering.
The beauty of pyrethroids is that they work quickly, are relatively safe for people and pets, and leave a residual effect that keeps killing pests for weeks after application. They’re especially useful in emergency pest control situations, where speed is essential — like dealing with an active wasp nest or a sudden flea outbreak.
If you have ever had a flea infestation at home, a pest control technician likely included an IGR in the treatment.
Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) are a special type of insecticide that don’t kill adult insects on contact but mimic or inhibit the hormones that regulate an insect’s growth, so exposed pests may not mature into reproducing adults or their eggs may not hatch. While IGRs won’t eliminate the pests you already see overnight, they gradually wipe out the next generation – breaking the life cycle and preventing the infestation from continuing.
Flea eggs and larvae can be lurking in carpets and pet bedding. A professional might spray an IGR (such as methoprene or pyriproxyfen) along with a pyrethroid. The pyrethroid knocks down the biting adult fleas, while the IGR stays behind to stop any remaining eggs or larvae from developing into new adult fleas.
This ‘one-two’ approach is crucial for domestic pest control of fleas – without the IGR, you might kill the fleas on your pets, but a month later, new adults would emerge from the pupae and start the cycle again. IGRs are also used for cockroaches in commercial buildings.
This is crucial because many pests — especially fleas, moths, and cockroaches — breed quickly. Without an IGR in the mix, you might kill the visible insects but leave the next generation to take over.
IGRs are very targeted to insects because they exploit biology that insects have and humans don’t, so they tend to be low-risk for people, pets, and the environment.
Organophosphates are an older class of insecticides and in the past were mainstays for pest control due to their potency. Years ago, organophosphate formulations were used to soak into wood and kill wood-boring beetles in barns or historic houses, for example.
These days, you won’t see organophosphates used in routine home treatments — they are potent and tightly controlled. Because of health and environmental concerns, organophosphates have been heavily regulated or phased out for indoor use in the UK.
They attack the nervous system of insects but can affect humans the same way if overexposed. Because of the toxicity risks, these insecticides are always used by trained professionals with proper safety equipment and procedures. For the average household job, there are better, safer options.
Professionals still occasionally use organophosphates in specialist situations – for example, in outdoor pest control or public health scenarios – but only a professional should ever handle it. So, they are a tool of last resort or for a specific purpose in professional pest management.
These days, carbamates are something of a special tool in a professional’s kit. They’re chosen when other insecticides might not be doing the job, or a pest has proven resistant. Carbamates are effective against a wide variety of pests – from fleas and flies to cockroaches and bedbugs – which gives a lot of flexibility. They also often provide a good residual effect.
Carbamates work in a similar way to organophosphates by inhibiting an insect’s nervous system enzyme, causing paralysis. These insecticides have a reputation for being broad-spectrum and fast-acting against many pests – much like pyrethroids – but they can be more hazardous if misapplied. They’re especially useful in situations where pests have developed resistance to newer products. However, because of their strength, they’re only used in specific scenarios and must be handled with professional care.
Carbamates can be more acutely toxic to humans, so carbamate products have been phased out for amateur use in the UK, restricted to certified and trained professionals.
Historically, if you had a wasp nest in the loft a technician might apply a carbamate-based dust into the nest entrance using a long applicator. The powder spreads inside, and the wasps are quickly taken out
Biological insecticides are derived from natural organisms — such as bacteria, fungi, or plant extracts — that target specific pests without harming people, pets, or beneficial insects.
Professional pest control services sometimes turn to biological or “organic” solutions in sensitive environments (like schools, organic farms, or homes with pets and children) or as part of an integrated approach to reduce chemical use.
Biological insecticides tend to be very specific to certain pests and often have minimal impact on non-target species and the environment. Real-world example: One of the most famous biological insecticides is Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a naturally occurring soil bacterium. Different strains of Bt target different insects – for instance, Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) is lethal to mosquito larvae and certain fly and midge larvae.
It’s tempting to pick up a spray can from the supermarket and have a go yourself. But there’s a reason people call in the pros after DIY fails.
Most consumer-grade insecticides are weaker than what professionals use. And without training, it’s easy to miss key areas, misidentify the pest, or create more problems than you solve.
Professionals choose insecticides based on what works best against the pest, what’s safest for the environment, and what method suits the situation.
The average person dealing with pests won’t have the knowledge to make these judgments – which is one big reason to trust a pro.
In the UK, there are regulations on who can use certain potent insecticides. Professional pest controllers are trained to know which chemicals are safe to use in homes or businesses and how to use them properly.
What’s more, the way an insecticide is applied can be just as important as the product itself. Professionals don’t just spray the room. They use precise methods tailored to the pest, the property, and the people inside.
For example, you might see a combination of gel baits for ants or cockroaches, sprays for fleas or flies, and dusts for voids where pests hide. In loft spaces, they may use powdered products or aerosol foggers.
In food businesses, they’ll often rely on non-disruptive baits and traps, keeping treatments discreet and safe. Sometimes you need a quick elimination, and sometimes you need long-term control you want to keep ants from coming back all season. Professionals understand the “time factor” of each insecticide.
Importantly, overusing pesticides can be dangerous, while not using enough just lets pests bounce back. They also know how to avoid contamination of surfaces, food, and air, especially in places where people work or eat.
Note: Pests can be notoriously tricky, and professionals have the training, experience, and tools (including the insecticides we discussed) to deal with them safely. In the UK, pest control technicians often hold certifications – all Able pest controllers hold the RSPH Level 2 Award in Pest Management as a minimum, which means they’ve studied pest biology and pesticide use in depth.
If you’re dealing with a minor pest issue — like the occasional fly or spider — you might manage with over-the-counter products. But if you’re seeing signs of infestation, it’s best to act fast.
Call for professional pest control if:
Pest problems can be stressful. There’s a reason why domestic pest control and commercial pest control teams in the UK rely on specific insecticides. They know what works, how to apply it, and how to keep people safe in the process.
But professionals bring more than just products — they bring precision, experience, and peace of mind.
So, if you’re facing an infestation, call Able for professional, fast and effective pest control. Call us on 0330 108 4111 and we’ll take care of the problem. Plus, we can offer preventive tips to keep those pests from coming back.