Insect Growth Regulator (IGR)

As an insect grows it molts, growing a new exoskeleton under its old one and then shedding the old one to allow the new one to swell to a new size and harden. IGRs prevent an insect from reaching maturity by interfering with the molting process. This in turn curbs infestations because immature insects cannot reproduce. Because these IGRs work by interfering with an insect’s molting process, they kill insects more slowly than traditional insecticides. Death typically occurs within 3 to 10 days, depending on the IGR product, the insect’s life stage at the time the product is applied, and how quickly the insect develops. Some IGRs cause insects to stop feeding long before they die.