{"hq_id":"hq-p-out-000033","name":"Tick / mosquito yard spray (concentrate)","category":{"primary":"outdoor","secondary":"pest control","tags":["tick spray","bifenthrin","permethrin","yard treatment","mosquito","outdoor pest control"]},"product_tier":"OUT","overall_risk_level":"high","description":"Outdoor yard treatment concentrate containing synthetic pyrethroids (bifenthrin, permethrin) for broadcast application to lawns, landscaping, and perimeter areas to kill ticks, mosquitoes, and other biting insects. Applied via hose-end sprayer or pump sprayer. Bifenthrin and permethrin are broad-spectrum synthetic pyrethroids that disrupt insect sodium channels. Highly toxic to cats (permethrin toxicosis is a leading cause of feline pesticide poisoning), fish, and aquatic invertebrates. Runoff from treated yards contaminates waterways.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate","synthesis_confidence":0.82,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_adult","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":1.1,"vulnerability_escalated":true,"escalation_reason":"Child exposure group","compounds_resolved":2,"compounds_total":2,"synthesis_date":"2026-03-27","synthesis_version":"1.0.0"},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"cat, child, aquatic_life","overall_risk":"high","primary_concerns":["Cat toxicosis: permethrin causes tremors, seizures, and death in cats; a leading cause of feline pesticide poisoning","Aquatic toxicity: bifenthrin is extremely toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates at parts-per-trillion levels","Pollinator harm: both pyrethroids are toxic to bees and beneficial insects","Child exposure: children playing on treated lawns have dermal and oral exposure to residues"],"exposure_routes":"dermal (primary), inhalation during application, incidental ingestion"},"exposure":{"routes":["dermal","inhalation","ingestion"],"contact_types":["skin_prolonged","inhalation","oral_incidental"],"users":["adult","child","dog","cat"],"duration":"acute_and_chronic","frequency":"periodic","scenarios":["Children playing on treated lawn","Pets walking/rolling on treated grass","Applicator exposure during spraying","Runoff into storm drains and waterways","Cat walking on treated surfaces and grooming paws"],"notes":"Bifenthrin binds strongly to soil and persists 7-240 days. Permethrin is acutely lethal to cats at doses as low as 100 mg/kg."},"consumer_guidance":{"red_flags":[{"indicator":"Application near water features or storm drains","meaning":"Bifenthrin/permethrin runoff is lethal to aquatic life at parts-per-trillion","action":"Maintain 25+ foot buffer from all water bodies; do not apply before rain"}],"green_flags":[],"what_to_ask":[],"alternatives":[{"name":"Cedar oil-based yard sprays","notes":"Natural repellent; lower toxicity to mammals and aquatic life; less persistent"},{"name":"Tick tubes (permethrin-treated cotton for rodent nesting)","notes":"Targeted delivery to tick hosts (mice) reduces broad environmental exposure"}],"notes":null},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"EPA FIFRA — Registered pesticide","citation":null,"requirements":"Must bear EPA registration number. Buffer zones required near water bodies.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"EPA","penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":["EPA registration number","Active ingredient percentages","Environmental hazard statements"],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":"WARNING","pictograms":["exclamation_mark","environment"],"hazard_statements":["Harmful if swallowed or absorbed through skin","Very toxic to aquatic life"],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":false,"disposal_guidance":"Hazardous waste disposal; triple-rinse container","hazardous_waste":true,"expected_lifespan":"2-3_years"},"formulation":{"form":"liquid_concentrate","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000364","name":"Bifenthrin","role":"active_insecticide","concentration_pct":"7.9"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000024","name":"Permethrin","role":"active_insecticide_alt","concentration_pct":"10-38"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000673","name":"Petroleum solvent","role":"carrier_solvent","concentration_pct":"40-60"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Surfactant / emulsifier","role":"dispersal_agent","concentration_pct":"5-10"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000364","compound_name":"Bifenthrin","role":"active_insecticide","typical_concentration":null},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000024","compound_name":"Permethrin","role":"active_insecticide","typical_concentration":null}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["tick spray","yard spray","mosquito yard treatment","outdoor insecticide"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand A","manufacturer":"Consumer Products Corporation","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Widely available mass-market option"},{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand B","manufacturer":"Consumer Goods Ltd","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Popular budget alternative"},{"brand":"Premium Brand A","manufacturer":"Premium Consumer Inc","market_position":"premium","notable":"Professional-grade concentrate"}],"sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-24"},{"type":"regulation","title":"EPA FIFRA — Registered pesticide","jurisdiction":"USA","id":"src_8254193a"},{"id":"epa_pyrethroid_reregistration_2011","type":"regulatory","title":"US EPA Pyrethroid Reregistration Eligibility Decision — cypermethrin/deltamethrin/lambda-cyhalothrin/bifenthrin/cyfluthrin/fenvalerate/tau-fluvalinate/fenpropathrin; type I/II classification; aquatic toxicity; cat sensitivity; sodium channel mechanism; human paresthesia; buffer zones (2011)","year":2011,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000364"},{"id":"aspca_apcc_pyrethroid_2023","type":"veterinary","title":"ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Pyrethroid Toxicosis in Cats and Dogs — type I vs type II CS/T syndromes; extreme cat sensitivity (sodium channel/UGT deficiency); bathing decontamination; methocarbamol tremor control; cyproheptadine; lipid emulsion severe cases (2023)","year":2023,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000364"},{"id":"epa_permethrin_2006","type":"regulatory","title":"EPA: Permethrin Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED)","year":2006,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000024"},{"id":"aspca_permethrin","type":"report","title":"ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Permethrin Toxicity in Cats","year":2021,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000024"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-24","timestamp":"2026-05-01T14:20:21.418Z"}}