The label is the law. Read your product's label before you mix or apply; the rates here come from the labels listed under Sources.
- Active ingredient
- Chlorfenapyr (CAS 122453-73-0)
- Chemical class
- Pyrrole insecticide; IRAC Group 13, which disrupts the energy-producing proton gradient in cells.[2]
- Mode of action
- IRAC Group 13: Uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation via disruption of the proton gradient[2]
- Signal word
- Phantom Termiticide-Insecticide: Caution[1]
Why it matters for resistant bed bugs and cockroaches
Chlorfenapyr's IRAC Group 13 mode of action differs from pyrethroids (Group 3A), neonicotinoids (4A) and fipronil (2B), so it is one option for rotating away from chemistries a population resists.[2][3]
Termites
Phantom is used as a soil treatment around foundations for subterranean termites and by foam or liquid injection into above-ground galleries of subterranean and southeastern drywood termites; annual retreatment is prohibited unless there is evidence of reinfestation or disruption.[1]
Where it is used
For bed bugs, applicators treat bed frame joints and hollow channels and the interior framework. The label forbids applying it to mattresses and to box spring, bed frame or furniture surfaces that commonly contact people or pets.[1]
It may be applied to cracks and crevices around pipes and sinks, behind refrigerators and stoves, along baseboards and carpet edges, in wall voids and inside empty drawers and closets.[1]
The label says not to use it as a spot treatment in indoor residential areas, not to apply it into heating and air-conditioning vents, and not to treat surfaces that linens, clothing or personal items will touch.[1]
It is not a knockdown agent, so insects may keep moving for a while after contact.[1]
Products and registrations
| Product | Registrant | EPA Reg. No. | Active % | Formulation | Signal word |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phantom Termiticide-Insecticide[1] | BASF Agricultural Solutions US LLC | 241-392 | 21.45% | suspension concentrate | Caution |
Label rates
| Product | Use | Pests | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phantom Termiticide-Insecticide | Cracks, crevices and voids indoors; spot treatments in commercial areas | Ants, bed bugs, cockroaches, spiders, silverfish and other listed pests | 3.0 fl oz per gallon of water[1] Makes a 0.5% dilution, the label maximum; 1.5 fl oz per gallon (0.25%) for light ant infestations. |
| Phantom Termiticide-Insecticide | Soil treatment for subterranean termites | Subterranean termites | 0.75–1.5 fl oz per gallon of water[1] 0.125% to 0.25% finished dilution, applied by licensed termite applicators. |
Safety and environmental hazards
People
The signal word is CAUTION: harmful if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Handlers must wear long sleeves, long pants and chemical-resistant gloves.[1]
Pets
The label says to remove pets and cover or remove pet food, water, toys, bedding and fishbowls before application, and keep pets off treated areas until the spray dries.[1]
Bees and pollinators
The label's environmental hazards statement lists aquatic organisms, birds and wildlife; it is applied as crack-and-crevice, void and soil treatments rather than to plants.[1]
Fish and water
Toxic to aquatic organisms, birds and wildlife; do not apply directly to water or to areas where surface water is present.[1]
Common questions
- Can I buy chlorfenapyr for bed bugs myself?
- Phantom is labeled for sale to, use and storage only by individuals or firms licensed or registered by the state to apply termiticides or general pest control products.[1]
- Can chlorfenapyr be sprayed on a mattress?
- No. The label prohibits direct application to mattresses and names other products approved for mattress treatment.[1]
- How fast does chlorfenapyr work?
- The label notes it is not a knockdown agent; treated insects don't die immediately.[1]
Sources
- U.S. EPA Pesticide Product Label System, “Phantom Termiticide-Insecticide label, EPA Reg. No. 241-392 (EPA-stamped, Aug. 23, 2024).” www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/000241-00392-20240823.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Insecticide Resistance Action Committee, “IRAC Mode of Action Classification Scheme, Version 11.5 (Feb. 2026).” irac-online.org/documents/moa-classification/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
- University of California Statewide IPM Program, “Pest Notes: Bed Bugs, Publication 7454 (May 2013).” ipm.ucanr.edu/legacy_assets/PDF/PESTNOTES/pnbedbugs.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)