carbaryl

chemical compound

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

Carbaryl is a carbamate insecticide used to control a variety of insect pests on crops, forage, and forests. It is a chemical compound with the formula C₁₂H₁₁NO₂.1

Carbamate insecticides, like carbaryl, are generally effective and safe when handled correctly, but they can pose risks to those who apply them and may also harm beneficial insects such as bees. Unlike older chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides, carbamates like carbaryl and malathion can be applied closer to harvest without leaving harmful residues in meat or milk. However, they are dangerous and require careful handling.2

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

4 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

agricultural technology
Chemical control of insects
Malathion and carbaryl, for example, are used to control insects in areas where persistent materials might appear later in meat or milk and can also be applied in areas where fish and wildlife might be affected. Those two chemicals offer a broad range of toxicity to insect…
Read More
Malathion and carbaryl, for example, are used to control insects in areas where persistent materials might appear later in meat or milk and can also be applied in areas where fish and wildlife might be affected. Those two chemicals offer a broad range of toxicity to insect…
Read More

typhus
Disease control
…chemicals such as permethrin and carbaryl. Insecticide is applied directly to the clothing of persons at risk and kills the lice as they hatch on the person’s body.
Read More
…chemicals such as permethrin and carbaryl. Insecticide is applied directly to the clothing of persons at risk and kills the lice as they hatch on the person’s body.
Read More