Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
effective against soft-bodied pests such as aphids, spider mites, mealeybugs
and whitefly.
These products have no toxicity to mammals, and most are biodegradable.
Commercial products include M-Pede, DeMoss, and Savona.
4.
Fluorides
Toxicology and Mode of Action
The probable mode of action of the fluorides is the inhibition of a large
number of metal-containing enzymes with which the fluoride forms com-
plexes. These enzymes include phosphatases and phosphorylases. Because
sodium fluoride may complex with many key enzymes, it is highly toxic to
all plant and animal life. An example of a commercial product is Florocid.
Sodium Fluoride
Sodium fluoride is a crystalline mineral once widely used in the United
States for control of larvae and crawling insects in homes, barns, warehouses
and other storage areas. It is highly toxic to all plant and animal life.
Commercial product is Florocid.
Sodium fluosilicate
Sodium fluosilicate (sodium silico fluoride) has been used to control ec-
toparasites on livestock, as well as crawling insects in homes and work build-
ings. It is approximately as toxic as sodium fluoride.
Commercial products include Satsan (dust formulation) and Prodan (bait
formulation)
Sodium fluoaluminate
Sodium fluoaluminate (sodium aluminofluoride, cryolite) is a stable min-
eral containing fluoride. It is used as an insecticide on some vegetables and
fruits. Cryolite has very low water solubility, does not yield fluoride ions on
decomposition, and presents very little toxic hazard to mammals, including
man.
Commercial product is Kryocide.
Hydrofluoric acid
Hydrofluoric acid is an important industrial toxicant, but is not used as a
pesticide.
Fluoroacetate
Sodium fluoroacetate is a highly toxic rodenticide, and even extremely
small amounts can cause severe or fatal poisoning. Fluoroacetate acts after its
