# How Treatment Works — Spider Squad

## Products Used

Spider Squad uses professional-grade bifenthrin suspension concentrates registered with Health Canada's PMRA for use by licensed pest control professionals. The primary products are Suspend Polyzone and Dragnet — both SC (suspension concentrate) formulations where bifenthrin is suspended in a polymer matrix.

Bifenthrin is a synthetic pyrethroid — a class of insecticides modelled after pyrethrins, which occur naturally in chrysanthemum flowers. Pyrethroids are among the most widely studied active ingredients in professional pest control, with an established safety record when applied correctly.

## How Bifenthrin Works

Two mechanisms:

**Contact kill:** Insects that walk across or contact the treated surface absorb bifenthrin through their exoskeleton. It disrupts the nervous system, causing rapid knockdown.

**Residual repellency:** The polymer suspension forms a microencapsulated layer on treated surfaces that remains active long after application, deterring insects from establishing webs, nests, or foraging routes in treated zones.

The dual action eliminates spiders and insects already present and prevents new ones from settling in treated areas.

## Why SC Formulations

Suspension concentrate (SC) products have significantly longer residual life than standard liquid sprays or concentrates. The "Polyzone" designation in Suspend Polyzone specifically refers to its polymer matrix, which makes it resistant to rain washoff and UV degradation — extending how long each treatment remains effective on exterior surfaces.

This is why professional-grade products outperform retail spider sprays: it's not just concentration, it's the delivery mechanism. Consumer products break down quickly outdoors, especially in Ontario's variable weather.

## What Gets Treated

For spider control: foundation perimeter, window frames and sills, door frames and thresholds, garage door frames, soffits, fascia, and any visible web or harbouring zones identified during the technician's walk-around.

For ant control: foundation line, lower exterior wall surface, entry points, weep holes, pipe penetrations, visible ant trails.

For mosquito control: shrub and vegetation undersides, fence-line vegetation, deck undersides, shaded structural surfaces, lawn-to-garden transition zones.

For tick control: lawn edge transition zones, shrub interiors, wood/fence lines, and leaf litter zones.

## Application Method

Product is diluted with water according to label specifications and applied with a professional pump sprayer. Application is low-pressure and targeted — not blanket sprayed everywhere. The goal is coverage of pest-travel surfaces and harbouring zones, not saturation.

## Safety After Treatment

Once treated surfaces are dry — typically 30 to 60 minutes after application — the property is safe for children and pets. Actual dry time depends on temperature, humidity, and surface type. In cool, humid conditions it may take slightly longer. Your operator will give you an estimate based on conditions on the day.

Bifenthrin products produce minimal odour and do not stain painted or finished surfaces. No interior preparation is required for standard exterior treatment.

## Residual Duration

Spider/ant treatment on exterior surfaces: 30 to 90 days, depending on surface type and weather. Smooth, painted surfaces retain the barrier longest. Rough or porous surfaces (brick, unfinished wood) absorb product and may need reapplication sooner.

Mosquito/tick vegetation treatment: approximately 3 to 4 weeks, degraded faster by rainfall and heat on foliage.

## Interior Treatment

Standard treatment is exterior-only for most residential properties. Interior spot treatment is available on request for:
- Basements with established spider populations (not just occasional wanderers)
- Crawl spaces
- Garages
- Interior ant infestations with identifiable harbouring sites

Interior treatment is discussed and agreed on before the job starts. No interior work is done without prior discussion.

## Licensing

All Spider Squad operators hold a valid Ontario pest control licence (issued under Ontario Regulation 914 under the Pesticides Act) and carry liability insurance. All products are applied according to Health Canada label directions. No unlicensed applicators are used in the network.