Temephos is an organophosphate cholinesterase inhibitor insecticide with contact and stomach action. It is used in public health and animal health programmes as a larvicide to control Anopheles, Ades and Culex mosquitoes, Culicoides (midges) and Simulium (black fly) spp in water collection and breeding areas. Effective water treatment results in the death of larvae before reaching the adult stage. It is formulated as emulsifiable concentrates, microgranules, dispersible powders, baits and ultra-low volume cold fogging space sprays.

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.