Suspend Polyzone mixes at three rates per gallon of water: 0.25 fl oz for maintenance, 0.75 fl oz for initial treatments, and 1.5 fl oz for severe infestations. The rate you choose depends on how bad the pest problem is and whether you’re doing a first-time application or a follow-up.
Mix Rates Per Gallon of Water
The product label lists three dilution levels, each producing a different concentration of the active ingredient, deltamethrin:
- 0.25 fl oz per gallon (0.01% concentration) for maintenance treatments. This is the lowest rate, meant for routine reapplication when pests are already under control.
- 0.75 fl oz per gallon (0.03% concentration) for initial service or clean-out treatments. This is the standard starting rate for most first-time applications.
- 1.5 fl oz per gallon (0.06% concentration) for severe infestations or when you want the longest residual control.
These rates apply to both indoor and outdoor/perimeter treatments. The same concentration range covers a wide list of pests, including ants, bed bugs, mosquitoes, spiders, cockroaches, and other common household insects. You’re choosing based on the severity of the problem rather than the specific pest in most cases.
Fire Ant Mound Treatment
Fire ants are one exception to the general approach. The label calls for the highest rate, 1.5 fl oz per gallon, mixed into one to two gallons of solution per mound. You gently sprinkle the diluted mix over the surface of the mound and the surrounding area out to a two-foot diameter. The goal is to drench the mound slowly so the solution penetrates rather than running off.
How to Mix and Agitate Properly
Shake the concentrate bottle well before measuring out your dose. Suspend Polyzone is a suspension, not a solution, so the active ingredient settles over time. After adding the measured concentrate to water in your sprayer, shake, agitate, or invert the sprayer thoroughly to get a uniform suspension.
If you take a break during spraying, invert or shake the sprayer again before restarting. The particles will settle surprisingly fast in a still tank. If you mix more than you can use in one session, you can store the diluted mixture overnight, but agitate it well before using it the next day. If your sprayer has a screen filter, use 50 mesh or larger so the suspended particles don’t clog it.
The product works with standard hand-pressurized pump sprayers and power-operated sprayers. You can also tank-mix it with other registered pesticides as long as the other product’s label doesn’t prohibit it. Running a small test batch first is a good idea to check compatibility before filling a full tank.
Why the Polymer Coating Matters
Suspend Polyzone uses a proprietary polymer layer that surrounds each particle of active ingredient. This coating protects the deltamethrin from rain, irrigation, UV exposure, and physical wear. It also helps the product stay on the surface of porous materials like concrete, brick, and wood rather than soaking in where insects can’t contact it.
The practical result is a residual that lasts up to 90 days outdoors, even through weather and watering cycles. That’s significantly longer than many conventional liquid insecticides, which is why the lower maintenance rate (0.25 fl oz per gallon) works for follow-up applications. The polymer slowly releases active ingredient over time, so surfaces stay effective between treatments.
Choosing the Right Rate
For most homeowners doing a perimeter spray for the first time, 0.75 fl oz per gallon is the right starting point. It gives you a solid initial knockdown without using more product than necessary. If you’re dealing with a heavy infestation, visible pest activity in multiple areas, or you want to stretch the interval between treatments as long as possible, go with the full 1.5 fl oz rate.
Once you have the situation under control and you’re reapplying on a quarterly schedule, you can drop to the 0.25 fl oz maintenance rate. This keeps a protective barrier in place without overusing the product.
Protective Gear for Mixing and Spraying
When handling the concentrate and during application, wear chemical-resistant nitrile gloves, long sleeves, long pants, shoes with socks, and tightly fitting safety goggles. If you’re spraying in an enclosed or poorly ventilated area, a NIOSH-approved respirator is recommended. Remove all protective gear immediately after you finish handling the product, and wash your hands before eating, drinking, or touching your face.
Allow treated surfaces to dry completely before people or pets re-enter the area. Drying time varies with humidity and temperature but typically takes a few hours indoors. Outdoors, direct sunlight and airflow speed things up considerably.