The EPA has recently finalized the interim registration review decision for lambda-cyhalothrin, leading to adjustments in the end-user labeling requirements for this pesticide. These changes come as part of the EPA's ongoing efforts to ensure the safe and responsible use of lambda-cyhalothrin in pest control practices.

What are the major changes as it relates to the Pest Control market?

EPA will be terminating broadcast outdoor uses of lambda-cyhalothrin on residential lawns and turf in residential settings (e.g., homes, parks, schools, athletic fields, or any other area frequented by the general public).

What will still be allowed around outdoor residential settings?

Perimeter treatments up to 7 feet from structures to pervious surfaces, applications to ornamentals in the landscape (regardless of their distance from the structure), and crack and crevice applications will still be allowed.

What is the timeline for label changes?

The loss of these application sites (residential lawns/turf) will NOT go into effect until the primary registrants (including CSI) have received label approval from EPA. The EPA has not notified registrants with expected dates of label changes, but is issuing changes in a "rolling approval", meaning labels will not be impacted at one time but on a product by product basis. For example, the PROFLEX label was updated with the new language in August of 2023.

Other Notable Label Changes

(for non-crop and structural)

Prohibition of Application Methods on Certain Sites

Indoor residential sites – “Do not apply to carpets and hard surfaces as a pin stream or coarse spray ”
Industrial/Commercial - “Do not apply as broadcast spray application using a mechanically pressurized handgun in industrial and commercial areas (e.g., tires, rail yards, junk yards).”

Applications requiring updated PPE

For applications to landscaping - Foliar spray treatment using a mechanically pressurized handgun on landscaping trees and shrubs:

» “Mixers, loaders, and applicators must wear long-sleeved shirt, long pants, shoes and socks, coveralls, and gloves.”

For warehouse applications - Broadcast spray treatment using a manually pressurized hand wand in warehouses:

» “Mixers, loaders, and applicators must wear long-sleeved shirt, long pants, shoes, socks, and gloves.”

General Restriction Language

All outdoor spray applications must be limited to spot or crack-and-crevice treatments only, except for the following permitted uses:

Application to pervious surfaces such as soil, lawn, turf, and other vegetation.
Perimeter band treatments of 7 feet wide or less from the base of a man-made structure to previous surfaces (e.g., soil, mulch, or lawn).
Applications to underside of eaves, soffits, doors, or windows permanently protected from rainfall by a covering, overhang, awning, or other structure.
Applications around potential exterior pest entry points into man-made structures such as doorways and windows, when limited to a band not to exceed one inch.
Applications to vertical surfaces (such as the side of a man-made structure) directly above impervious surfaces (e.g., driveways, sidewalks, etc.), up to 2 feet above ground level.
Applications to vertical surfaces directly above pervious surfaces, such as soil, lawn, turf, mulch, or other vegetation) only if the pervious surface does not drain into ditches, storm drains, gutters, or surface waters.”

Spot treatments must not exceed two square feet in size (e.g., 2 x 1 ft. or 4 ft. x 0.5 ft.).
For soil or foliar applications, do not apply by ground within 25 feet of lakes, reservoirs, rivers, permanent streams, marshes or natural ponds, estuaries, and commercial fish farm ponds.
To treat insects harbored in voids and cracks-and-crevices, applications must be made in such a manner to limit dripping and avoid runoff onto untreated structural surfaces and plants.