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.
この殺虫剤はゴキブリに効きます。
This insecticide works on cockroaches.
殺虫剤を買ってきてください。
Please buy some insecticide.
Agricultural chemicals; often implies pesticides including insecticides. Used in farming contexts.
この農薬は野菜の害虫に使われます。
This agricultural chemical is used for vegetable pests.
Insect repellent or preventive agent, not necessarily killing insects. Often for protecting clothes or stored items.
衣類に防虫剤を使っています。
I use insect repellent for my clothes.
Aerosol or pump spray for killing insects indoors
Common term for insecticide spray. Used for flies, mosquitoes, cockroaches, etc.
蚊に殺虫スプレーをかけた。
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.
アウトドアでは虫除けスプレーが必須です。
Insect repellent spray is essential outdoors.
Insecticides targeting particular insects or with specific active ingredients
Mosquito coil; a traditional insecticide that burns slowly to repel or kill mosquitoes.
夏は蚊取り線香を焚きます。
In summer, we burn mosquito coils.
Bait insecticide, often in gel or trap form for cockroaches or ants.
ゴキブリ用のベイト剤を置きました。
I placed cockroach bait.
Fumigant; a smoke-based insecticide for enclosed spaces.
部屋全体に燻煙剤を使うと効果的です。
Using a fumigant for the whole room is effective.
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.
アリ用の殺虫剤を買わないと。
I need to buy some insecticide for the ants.
この殺虫剤はペットに安全です。
This insecticide is safe for pets.