Cyfox tick repellent: how to use it correctly

There are currently many methods for controlling ticks. There are folk remedies that are often used as adjunctive or preventative measures against the parasites. However, the most effective are chemical treatments applied to land in the spring and summer. One of the most popular is Cyfox.

Composition and release form of the drug Cyfox

Cyfox is a professional disinfectant used by both sanitary and epidemiological services and private individuals at home. The active ingredient is cypermethrin.

The drug Cyfox destroys many types of insects and parasites

Cypermethrin is a yellowish, viscous, and odorous active ingredient that is the basis of many pest control products. It belongs to the pyrethroid class of synthetic insecticides.

Cyfox contains 25% cypermethrin, the remainder being emulsifiers, solvents, and fragrance. It is sold as a liquid emulsion concentrate in 50 ml, 0.5 liter, and 1 liter bottles. Its color can vary from light yellow to yellow.

Purpose of Cyfox

The drug is used in the following cases:

• control of ixodid ticks, which are carriers of tick-borne encephalitis and borreliosis, Lyme disease and other diseases;
• extermination of synanthropic insects - cockroaches, ants, fleas, mosquitoes, flies, rat mites, bed bugs;
• disinfestation of premises against lice and scabies mites;

Cyfox is harmful to bees and fish, so it is prohibited to treat water bodies used for commercial purposes, and it is also not recommended to spray the product during bee flight.

The principle and duration of action of the drug

Cyfox kills pests by contact, meaning it directly contacts the parasite's body, penetrating it, and also through its mouth, causing nervous system paralysis. The product is effective both through direct contact with the insect when sprayed and when it comes into contact with the treated surface.

The product remains effective indoors after spraying for 1 week to 3 months, depending on the dilution concentration. Outdoors, its effectiveness lasts 1 to 6 weeks, and when treating for ticks, 1 to 3 months.

Storage conditions

To maintain effectiveness and comply with safety precautions, you must store Cifox correctly:

• The container must be tightly closed with a lid.
• The bottle must be kept separate from food, medicines and hygiene products.
• The drug should be kept out of reach of children.
• Cifox is flammable, so it should be stored away from sources of fire and heating devices.
• The bottle containing the concentrate must have a label with the name and expiration date of the drug.
• The diluted solution is not intended for storage; it must be used within 8 hours of preparation.

Advantages and disadvantages of the drug Cyfox

The drug Cifox has gained popularity due to its positive qualities, which far outweigh its drawbacks. These include:

• Highly effective. The product targets both adult insects and larvae of certain insect species (mosquitoes). The parasites die within 30 minutes of spraying.
• Duration of residual action. The product remains active for up to 3–4 months after treatment. The duration of action depends on the spray location (indoors or outdoors) and the concentration of the prepared solution applied to the surfaces.
• Broad-spectrum action. Cyfox kills not only ixodid ticks but also other species of these parasites and other insects.
• Low toxicity. The drug is safe for humans and animals if safety regulations are observed.
• The product is safe for upholstered furniture. It leaves virtually no stains and dissipates within a week at most.
• Container sizes vary. Larger containers can be purchased for larger areas, while a small bottle is sufficient for a smaller space, providing cost-effective solutions for the user.
• Affordable cost. The product's affordable price allows many consumers to use it for pest control.

After treating a room with Cyfox, a persistent odor lingers for a long time. This is not a cause for concern, as the toxin is destroyed by exposure to oxygen.

The following points can be considered as disadvantages:

• Possible adaptation of pests to the active substance. Bedbugs and cockroaches can even adapt to toxic substances, so it's not uncommon for the product to become ineffective due to the parasites' adaptation to cypermethrin.
• The drug destroys only adult insects, but is harmless to larvae.
• In some cases, after using Cyfox, a slight poisoning or allergic reaction may occur. It is worth noting that this happens when instructions are violated and safety measures are neglected.

How to use Cyfox

Depending on the parasites against which Cyfox is used, it is diluted in different consistencies.

Preparation of solution (concentration):

• 0.01% – take 2 ml of the preparation per 5 liters of water;
• 0.05% – for 5 liters of water – 10 ml of emulsion;
• 0.1% – 20 ml of liquid concentrate is needed for 5 liters of water.

Rules for preparing the solution:

1. Pour a third of the water into a plastic container;
2. Add the required amount of concentrated emulsion;
3. Stir the resulting mixture thoroughly;
4. Add the remaining water and stir thoroughly again for 5 minutes;
5. Use the prepared solution within 8 hours.

Table of solution concentrations for the destruction of various insects and parasites

Rules for treating indoors with Cyfox

To safely treat a room for unwanted insects, you need to remember some important rules:

1. Perform wet cleaning of the premises.
2. Keep food and medications out of reach of the spray solution.
3. Prepare a container for the prepared mixture and a sprayer. A dedicated sprayer is ideal.
4. Ensure the personal safety of those performing the treatment. They should wear protective clothing, shoes, a scarf, gloves, and a respirator for respiratory safety. After the procedure, they should take a hygienic shower, wash the clothes used, and clean their shoes.
5. Be sure to ventilate the room during the event.
6. Do not eat, drink or smoke in the treatment area.
7. After 12 hours of work, wash the room with warm water.

For chemical treatment, you can use a regular sprayer.

Preparing a solution to kill ixodid ticks

To prepare a solution against ixodid ticks, dilute 5 ml of concentrated emulsion in 1–2 liters of water. The volume of the prepared solution is calculated for 100 square meters of surface area. The instructions for preparing the solution are described above.

If the tick population is very high and there is a risk of spreading tick-borne infections, then instead of 5 ml, you need to dilute 12 ml in 1–2 liters of water per 100 square meters of land.

Rules for land cultivation

To effectively treat an open area against ticks, you must adhere to the following rules:

1. Treat the area twice per season: in early spring before planting seedlings (April - early May) and in late autumn after harvesting (late October - November).
2. Choose a dry, warm, windless day. In this weather, ticks are on the surface and easier to kill. Ideally, there should be no rain or snow for three days before and three days after treatment. If it rains immediately after applying chemicals, the toxins will be washed away and the effect will be negligible. Therefore, check the weather forecast.
3. Carry out treatment no later than 40 days before harvest. This is necessary to allow any chemicals that have come into contact with garden crops to be neutralized by rain, watering, and plant activity. The risk of poisoning and severe intoxication is high during the first month after treatment. Also, remove garden furniture and equipment before the procedure.
4. On the day of the procedure, keep children and pets away from the area. Don't forget to take care of yourself. Wear a gown or protective suit, a headscarf, gloves, and high boots or closed shoes over your regular clothing. Protect your breathing with a respirator. After work, wash your clothes, clean your shoes, and take a hygienic shower. Avoid contact with water, especially drinking water, and avoid returning to the area without protection after three days.
5. Pay special attention to garden paths, seating areas, and areas near entrances. Spray any shrubs and trees no higher than 1.5 meters. There's no point in spraying higher than that, as ticks won't be found there.

The recommendation to avoid visiting the treated area for the next 3 days is not due to the risk of intoxication (the concentration of cypermethrin in the spray solution is not dangerous to humans). The reason is that ticks do not die immediately after treatment, so the risk of being bitten remains high for another 3 days.

User reviews

Last time, the red ants disappeared for two years... Our friends who were suffering from unpleasant neighbors also treated their apartments with Cifox on our recommendation, and everyone is very happy! Kudos to the manufacturer! It's a real salvation from these annoying insects.

I was recommended the professional bedbug treatment Cyfox... If you have bedbugs or suspect their presence, don't delay and start treatment. I definitely recommend Cyfox, as I've treated two apartments with it and (knock on wood) the bugs are gone... It's been a little over a year since the treatment, and the bedbugs haven't returned.

Following advice from the internet, I bought Cyfox... We tried poisoning, but it was all in vain. The product is only effective when applied directly to the insect, but you still have to reach it, which is difficult... It turns out that if the insect survives the treatment, its offspring are no longer susceptible to cypermethrin.

…they asked that friend the name. It turned out to be "CIFOX." After the poisoning, they left the windows open (it's very smelly, so ONLY wear masks when working!). And they didn't return home for a day. The next day, they cleaned the entire kitchen. The floor was littered with cockroach corpses.

I'd like to share my opinion on a very good parasite control product. It kills bedbugs, beetles, and ticks. Cyfox... It's excellent at fighting parasites.

Cyfox helps control them. We use it to treat our yard and sheds. The numbers really do decrease. In enclosed spaces (garages, sheds), after treatment, mosquitoes are a thing of the past. They won't even visit our open verandas.

Cyfox helped in that the ticks decreased significantly. However, it still didn't get rid of them completely.

I want to share with you a very effective product for fighting fleas and other insects: Cifox. It worked. The fleas were literally dying before my eyes. Cifox is just what you need to fight these parasites. I highly recommend it!

We had wasps in our summer house… The store recommended Cyfox. And within a week, the kids and I were able to enjoy the great outdoors.

We've been using this product for years now to spray our garden plots against ants and ticks that carry encephalitis and other dangerous diseases. It's really working. In several years of using it, we haven't had a single bite, and I haven't even found any on my dog, even though he's always running around. I highly recommend it.

Analogues of the drug Cyfox

Cyfox isn't always available in stores. If it's unavailable and treatment is urgent, similar medications are available:

• Tetracin;
• Biocifen;
• Medilis Ziper;
• Cipromal;
• Sichlor;
• Face.

The main active ingredient in the listed products is also cypermethrin.

When using Cyfox or any other chemical antiparasitic product, always strictly follow safety precautions and instructions for preparing the solution at the required concentration. Use the product only as directed to avoid hazardous situations (poisoning or allergic reactions).