d-Allethrin is a non-systemic, photo-labile synthetic pyrethroid insecticide that kills on contact and ingestion. It has rapid knockdown properties and controls a broad spectrum of insect pests of public health and household importance including mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches, fleas, bedbugs, ticks, lice, mites, moths, beetles, wasps and stored product insects. It has excellent heat-stability and is often used in liquid emanator devices (LEDs), mats and coils. Other formulations include: emulsifiable concentrates, ready-to-use products, aerosols, and ultra-low volume (ULV) space sprays.

It can be used on its own or in combination with other insecticides and the synergist piperonyl butoxide that enhances the activity of an insecticide and assists in overcoming metabolic (detoxification) resistance.