Systemic Insecticides
Systemic Insecticides for Trees, Turf, and Plants
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What Are Systemic Insecticides?
Systemic insecticides are chemical treatments absorbed by plants through their roots, bark, or leaves, and distributed through internal tissue. Unlike contact insecticides, which kill insects on touch, systemics remain active inside the plant for weeks to months, protecting against pests that feed on plant tissue, sap, or roots, including aphids, whiteflies, emerald ash borer, and spider mites.
How Systemic Insecticides Work
When applied as a soil drench, trunk spray, or foliar treatment, systemic insecticides enter the plant's vascular system and move through the phloem and xylem to reach leaves, stems, and roots. As insects feed on treated plant tissue, they ingest the active ingredients and die. Because the insecticide lives inside the plant rather than on its surface, it continues working even after rain or irrigation.
Systemic vs. Contact Insecticides
Contact insecticides kill insects that touch or ingest the treated surface directly. They work fast but break down quickly and offer little residual protection. Systemic insecticides trade speed for duration; they take longer to act but remain effective inside plant tissue for weeks, making them the better choice for persistent infestations, wood-boring insects, and pests that shelter inside plant tissue where contact products cannot reach.
Common Active Ingredients in Systemic Insecticides
Imidacloprid
A neonicotinoid and one of the most widely used systemic active ingredients. Effective against aphids, whiteflies, thrips, and soil-dwelling grubs. Available in soil drench, granules, and foliar formulations.
Dinotefuran
A fast-acting neonicotinoid with strong uptake through bark, making it well-suited for trunk spray applications on trees. Effective against emerald ash borer, scale insects, and leafhoppers.
Acephate
An organophosphate systemic with both contact and systemic action. Commonly used for ornamentals, turf, and nonbearing trees. Effective against aphids, caterpillars, leafminers, and sawfly larvae.
Thiamethoxam
A broad-spectrum neonicotinoid with fast plant uptake. Used in soil and foliar applications for aphids, whiteflies, and beetles. Often formulated as a seed treatment or wettable granule for commercial and residential turf applications.
What Pests Do Systemic Insecticides Control?
Systemic insecticides control a wide range of feeding insects, including:
- Aphids
- Whiteflies
- Thrips
- Scale insects
- Spider mites
- Emerald ash borer
- Psyllids
- Leafminers
- Japanese beetles and grubs
- Leafhoppers
- Sawfly larvae
Because the active ingredient travels through plant tissue, systemics are especially effective against pests that feed internally, such as borers, or pests that feed on leaf undersides where surface sprays do not reach.
Systemic Insecticide Application Methods
Soil Drench
Mix the product concentrate with water and pour it directly into the soil at the base of the plant. The roots absorb the solution and distribute it throughout the plant. Soil drenches provide the longest residual activity and are the most common method for trees, shrubs, and large ornamentals.
Trunk and Bark Spray
Applied directly to the lower trunk or bark of trees. The active ingredient penetrates bark tissue and enters the vascular system. This method works faster than a soil drench and is particularly effective for borers and bark-feeding insects.
Foliar Application
Diluted product is sprayed directly onto leaves. The plant absorbs the active ingredient through leaf tissue. Foliar applications act faster than soil methods but offer shorter residual protection. Avoid foliar applications when plants are in bloom to reduce pollinator exposure.
Granular Treatment
Granules are broadcast or banded around the plant base and watered in. As moisture dissolves the granules, the active ingredient moves into the root zone and is absorbed. Granular formulations are convenient for turf applications and large treatment areas.
How Long Do Systemic Insecticides Last?
Most systemic insecticides remain active in plant tissue for 4 to 12 weeks depending on the product, active ingredient, application method, and soil conditions. Soil drench applications generally provide the longest residual protection, up to 12 weeks for imidacloprid-based products. Foliar applications break down faster, typically offering 2 to 4 weeks of activity. Always check the product label for specific reapplication intervals before retreating.
Are Systemic Insecticides Safe for Bees and Pollinators?
Some systemic insecticides, particularly neonicotinoids such as imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, can be harmful to bees when plants are in bloom or when pollinators are actively foraging. To minimize risk, apply soil drenches when target plants are not flowering, avoid foliar applications during bloom periods, and follow all label precautions. All products sold on this site carry full EPA-registered labels and Safety Data Sheets.
What Advantages Do Systemic Insecticides Have?
Unlike surface treatments that wash away with rain or break down in sunlight, systemic insecticides are absorbed directly into the plant and distributed through its stems, leaves, and roots. That means the entire plant is protected, not just the treated surface, and the active ingredient stays effective long after application.
Systemic insecticides are a reliable choice for treating:
- Lawns and turf
- Trees and shrubs
- Ornamentals and groundcover
Common target pests include Japanese beetles, mole crickets, white grubs, aphids, and whiteflies. We carry systemic options with active ingredients including imidacloprid, dinotefuran, acephate, and thiamethoxam to match the right product to your specific pest and application method.
Frequently Asked Questions About Systemic Insecticides
What is the difference between systemic and contact insecticides?
Contact insecticides kill insects that directly touch or ingest a treated surface. Systemic insecticides are absorbed into the plant itself, making all plant tissue toxic to feeding insects including pests that burrow inside stems, roots, or bark where contact products cannot reach.
How long do systemic insecticides last?
Most systemic insecticides remain active for 4 to 12 weeks depending on the product, application method, and soil conditions. Soil drench applications typically provide the longest residual protection. Check the product label for specific reapplication intervals.
What are examples of systemic insecticides?
Common systemic insecticide active ingredients include imidacloprid, dinotefuran, acephate, thiamethoxam, and clothianidin. These are available in soil drenches, granules, trunk sprays, and foliar concentrates.
Are systemic insecticides safe for bees?
Some systemic insecticides, particularly neonicotinoids like imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, can be harmful to bees if applied to plants in bloom or while pollinators are active. Apply soil drenches when plants are not flowering, and avoid foliar applications during bloom periods. Follow all EPA label requirements.
Can systemic insecticides be used on vegetables?
Some systemic insecticides are labeled for edible crops; others are not. Always confirm the product label lists your specific vegetable or food crop before applying, and observe the pre-harvest interval listed on the label.
Shop Systemic Insecticides for Every Application
Whether you are treating a single ornamental tree, managing a turf infestation, or protecting a landscape from wood-boring insects, DIY Pest Control carries the systemic insecticide products and formulations professionals rely on available to homeowners and applicators alike. Browse our full selection above to find the right active ingredient, application method, and concentration for your situation. Every product ships with its full EPA-registered label and Safety Data Sheet, so you have everything.
Not sure which product is right for your pest problem? Use our product filters to narrow by active ingredient, application method, or target pest, or contact our team of licensed pest control experts for a recommendation.