Active Ingredient Profile

Metarhizium Fungal Bioinsecticide

Entomopathogenic Fungus (Biological Control)

Metarhizium anisopliae is a naturally occurring soil fungus that infects and kills insects through direct penetration of the exoskeleton. Unlike Bt (which must be eaten), Metarhizium works on contact - fungal spores land on the insect, germinate, penetrate the cuticle, and colonize the body from the inside.

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Classification
Entomopathogenic Fungus (Biological Control)
Signal Word
Exempt
Mode of Action
Contact infection: spores germinate on insect cuticle, penetrate exoskeleton, colonize hemocoel, produce toxins (destruxins), kill host
⚖️ Educational use only. Always read and follow the full product label — the label is the law under FIFRA. Full disclaimer → | ⚗️ Mixing Calculator →

Target Pests

Ticks (excellent - Met52 is specifically registered for tick control), termites, mosquito larvae, white grubs, root weevils, thrips, spittlebugs, grasshoppers, beetles. Very broad host range across many insect orders. Does NOT infect mammals, birds, fish, or plants.

Products and Brand Names

Met52 EC (Novozymes/FMC - tick and ornamental pest control), BioCane (sugarcane grub control, Australia), Green Muscle (locust control, Africa), various experimental and regional products. Growing commercial availability as biocontrol gains mainstream acceptance.

Safety and Precautions

Completely non-toxic to mammals, birds, fish, and plants. Cannot infect warm-blooded animals because Metarhizium cannot grow above 95F (35C) - mammalian body temperature kills the fungus. Safe around children, pets, and wildlife. OMRI organic approved.

Temperature selectivity: This is one of the most elegant safety mechanisms in biological control. Metarhizium cannot survive at mammalian body temperature (98.6F/37C), making infection of warm-blooded animals physically impossible. Cold-blooded insects have no such protection.

Pro Tips

For ticks: Met52 applied to lawn borders, woodland edges, and leaf litter can reduce tick populations by 50-75% in treated areas. The fungal spores persist in the leaf litter and infect questing ticks on contact. Multiple applications per season recommended.

How infection works: Spores land on the insect cuticle. Within 24 hours, they germinate and produce an enzyme (chitinase) that dissolves through the exoskeleton. The fungus enters the body cavity, multiplies, produces destruxin toxins, and kills the insect in 3-7 days. The insect then becomes covered in green spores, which can infect other nearby insects.

Environmental persistence: Unlike chemical pesticides that degrade, Metarhizium persists and reproduces in the soil ecosystem. A single application can provide weeks to months of ongoing control as the fungus cycles through pest populations.

🐛 Pests This Treats — Learn More

Click any pest to view its full identification guide, biology, and treatment options.

🐛 Ants → 🐛 Grubs → 🐛 Mites → 🐛 Mosquito → 🐛 Scales → 🐛 Termites → 🐛 Thrips → 🐛 Ticks → 🐛 Weevils →
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is metarhizium safe for pets?
Follow the product label. Keep pets out of treated areas until completely dried (2–4 hours for sprays). Once dry, treated surfaces pose minimal risk to dogs and cats.
Q: Can I use metarhizium indoors?
Check the specific product label — formulations vary. Baits and dusts often have indoor labeling; concentrates and granulars are typically outdoor.
Q: How long does metarhizium last after application?
Residual varies by formulation, surface type, weather, and UV exposure. Indoor applications last longer than outdoor. Check the product label for re-application intervals.
Q: What should I do if exposed?
Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin with soap and water. For eye contact, rinse 15–20 minutes. For ingestion or severe symptoms, call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222). Have the product label available.

📋 Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

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Metarhizium Fungal Bioinsecticide — Safety Data Sheet

View the official SDS document for this product directly on the CDMS label database.

📄 View SDS on CDMS → 🏛 Search EPA Label Database →
Metarhizium Fungal Bioinsecticide Safety Data Sheet page 1
📄 Metarhizium Fungal Bioinsecticide — Safety Data Sheet · View the complete SDS document above or download below
📄 CDMS Label & SDS Database 📄 EPA Label Search
Did you know? Metarhizium has been used as a bioinsecticide since 1879, making it one of the first biological control agents ever deployed. In Africa, it is the primary weapon against desert locust swarms, applied aerially over millions of acres - proving that biological control can work at massive scale.
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Reviewed by Derek GiordanoContent reviewed by a licensed pest management professional. Last reviewed: April 2026.
📚 Sources: EPA Pesticide Labels · NPIC Pesticide Info
Published: Jan 1, 2025 · Updated: Apr 7, 2026