Pirimiphos-methyl is a cholinesterase inhibitor. It is a broad-spectrum insecticide and acaricide with contact and respiratory action. In crop protection it penetrates leaf tissue and exhibits translaminar action controlling chewing, sucking and boring insects. It is widely used in the control of insects and mites in warehouses, animal houses, domestic and industrial premises and as an adulticide in mosquito control. It plays and important role in grain protection often in combination with other insecticide molecules. Formulations include aerosols, dusting powders, emulsifiable concentrates, hot and cold ultra-low volume space sprays, capsule suspensions and water soluble granules.

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