Although it is very often sold as a mixture of piperonyl butoxide or pyrethrum, this profile applies to rotenone alone unless otherwise stated. Rotenone is used in home gardens for insect control, for lice and tick control on pets and for fish eradications as part of water body management. The use of the pesticide for control of fish and in cranberries is restricted by the Environmental Protection Agency. Rotenone is a rotenoid plant extract obtained from such species as barbasco, cub, haiari, nekoe, and timbo. Rotenone is generally classified as a botanical insecticide.
Rotenone is a general use pesticide.
Local effects on the body include conjunctivitis, dermatitis, sore throat, and congestion. Ingestion produces effects ranging from mild irritation to vomiting. Inhalation can cause increased respiration followed by depression and convulsions. For most laboratory animals, rotenone is much more toxic intravenously than orally. The particle size of the powder determines the inhalation toxicity.