d-Phenothrin is a non-systemic, photolabile synthetic pyrethroid that exhibits rapid knockdown and kills on contact and ingestion. It controls a broad spectrum of insect pests of public health and household importance that include mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches, fleas, bedbugs, ticks, lice, mites, moths, beetles and stored product insects. It is widely used in a variety of formulations, such as: 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.