Translation guide
Substances used to kill insects. The most common general term is 殺虫剤 (さっちゅうざい). For household sprays, use 虫除けスプレー or 殺虫スプレー. Agricultural or professional products may use 農薬 or specific chemical names.
A chemical substance for killing insects in general contexts (home, garden, etc.)
The standard, neutral term for any insecticide. Used on product labels and in everyday conversation.
This insecticide works on cockroaches.
Agricultural chemicals; often implies pesticides including insecticides. Used in farming contexts.
Insect repellent or preventive agent, not necessarily killing insects. Often for protecting clothes or stored items.
Aerosol or pump spray for killing insects indoors
Common term for insecticide spray. Used for flies, mosquitoes, cockroaches, etc.
I sprayed insecticide on the mosquito.
Insect repellent spray, often for personal use against mosquitoes. May not kill insects.
This is a repellent, not a killer. Use 殺虫スプレー if you want to kill insects.
Insecticides targeting particular insects or with specific active ingredients
Mosquito coil; a traditional insecticide that burns slowly to repel or kill mosquitoes.
In summer, we burn mosquito coils.
Bait insecticide, often in gel or trap form for cockroaches or ants.
I placed cockroach bait.
Fumigant; a smoke-based insecticide for enclosed spaces.
虫除け (むしよけ) means insect repellent, not insecticide. It keeps insects away but doesn't kill them. Use 殺虫 (さっちゅう) for killing.
For home use, 殺虫剤 is fine. For farming, 農薬 is more common but broader (includes herbicides, fungicides). Specify 殺虫剤 if you mean only insect killer.
I need to buy some insecticide for the ants.
This insecticide is safe for pets.
Please buy some insecticide.
この農薬は野菜の害虫に使われます。
This agricultural chemical is used for vegetable pests.
I use insect repellent for my clothes.
Insect repellent spray is essential outdoors.
Using a fumigant for the whole room is effective.