Temephos Sand Granule is a granular insecticide. Apply the sand directly to the water surface where larvae breed. Do not apply to lakes, ponds, fishponds, or drinking water sources. Do not dilute with water.
Temefos or temephos (trade name Abate) is an organophosphate larvicide used to treat water infested with disease-carrying insects (including mosquitoes, midges, and black fly larvae) and crustaceans (copepods).
As with other organophosphates, temephos affects the central nervous system through inhibition of cholinesterase. In larvae, this results in death before reaching the adult stage.
In the developing world where the vector-borne disease dengue fever is endemic, temephos is widely used and applied by both private and public pest control in areas of standing water where the Aedes aegypti mosquito breeds, in order to reduce the population of this disease-carrying insect. Temephos is also used in the Guinea Worm Eradication Program to kill the copepods that carry guinea worm larvae.
Temefos (Temephos) is a non-systemic organophosphate larvicide primarily used in vector control programs.
Chemical Profile
Temephos Mosquito Granule
Product Introduction:
Temephos Mosquito Granule is an organophosphate insecticide used to eliminate mosquito larvae with significant effects.
Apply to areas where mosquito larvae frequently breed, such as puddles, ponds, swamps, abandoned vehicle wheels, sewage pits, ditches, etc., to effectively control the occurrence of epidemics.
Temephos Mosquito Granule is a granular insecticide formulation. Apply the granule directly to the water surface where larvae breed. Do not apply to lakes, ponds, fishponds, or drinking water sources. Do not dilute with water.
Product Specifications: Temephos 1% W/W Sand Granule (2P179)
IUPAC Name: O,O,O',O'-Tetramethyl O,O'-sulfanediylbis(1,4-phenylene) diphosphorothioate
Formula: C₁₆H₂₀O₆P₂S₃
CAS Number: 3383-96-8
Physical State: Colorless/white crystals or brown viscous liquid (technical grade). Commonly formulated as emulsifiable concentrates or sand granules (e.g., 1% Abate).
Mode of Action
It inhibits acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the nervous system, causing accumulation of acetylcholine, overstimulation, paralysis, and death of insect larvae.
Key Applications
Mosquito Control: Highly effective against larvae of Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex species in standing water.
Public Health: Critical tool in dengue, Zika, and malaria prevention programs.
Guinea Worm Eradication: Kills copepods that host Dracunculus medinensis larvae.
Other: Midges, black flies, and certain agricultural pests.
Advantages & Limitations
Long residual effect in water.
Low mammalian toxicity at recommended doses.
Resistance has been reported in some Aedes aegypti populations, prompting integrated pest management strategies.
Safety: Approved by WHO for use in drinking water containers at specific low concentrations, but it is toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates. Always follow local regulatory guidelines.
