Liquid-fertilizer ready formulations of bifenthrin
Insecticidal compositions suitable for use in preparation of insecticidal liquid fertilizers are disclosed. The compositions include bifenthrin, a polymeric dispersant, a suspension agent, a freeze-thaw stabilizer, and optionally a preservative.
1. An insecticidal composition comprising:
a) from about 5% to about 40% of bifenthrin;
b) from about 0.1% to about 30% of a polymeric dispersant selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acids, polymethacrylic acids, copolymers thereof, salts thereof, and combinations thereof;
c) from about 0.1% to about 30% of a suspension agent selected from the group consisting of attapulgite clay, fumed silica, and combinations thereof,
d) from about 1% to about 10% of a freeze-thaw stabilizer selected from the group consisting of polyalkylene glycol and ammonium sulfate, and
e) optionally, a preservative selected from the group consisting of isothiazolinone, a mixture of isothiazolinones, biocidal compounds, and antimicrobial compounds.
2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said polymeric dispersant is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acids, salts thereof, and combinations thereof.
3. The composition of claim 2 , wherein said salt comprises a sodium salt.
4. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said suspension agent is fumed silica.
5. The composition of claim 1 further comprising a liquid fertilizer.
6. The composition of claim 5 , wherein said liquid fertilizer is aqueous-based.
7. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising at least one additive selected from the group consisting of surfactants, wetting agents, anti-foam agents, preservatives and biocides.
8. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said freeze-thaw stabilizer comprises ammonium sulfate.
9. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said polymeric dispersant comprises a salt of polyacrylic acid, having an average molecular weight between about 1000 and about 100,000 Daltons.
10. A process for preparing a homogenous composition comprising (a) dispersing from about 5% to about 40% of bifenthrin in a mixture of water and from about 0.1% to about 30% of a polymeric dispersant selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acids, polymethacrylic acids, copolymers thereof, salts thereof, and combinations thereof, from about 1% to about 10% of a freeze-thaw stabilizer, from about 0.1% to about 30% of a suspension agent selected from the group consisting of attapulgite clay, fumed silica, and combinations thereof and optionally an anti-foam agent and/or a preservative; and (b) wet milling the mixture to an average particle size of about 0.1 to about 10 microns, wherein said freeze-thaw stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of polyalkylene glycol and ammonium sulfate, said anti-foam agent includes an alkylcyclotetrasiloxane, and said preservative is selected from the group consisting of isothiazolinone, a mixture of isothiazolinones, biocidal compounds, and antimicrobial compounds.
11. The process of claim 10 , wherein the particle size ranges between about 1 to about 5 microns.
12. A method of controlling unwanted insects and providing nutrients to plants, the method comprising applying to an area infested with insects and containing such plants an effective amount of a composition according to claim 1 .