Is Talstar safe for pets? What the Talstar P label says
Short answer: Talstar P is a professional bifenthrin concentrate. The label says keep people and pets off treated surfaces until the spray has dried, never spray it on pets, and keep it away from fish.
What the EPA-accepted label says
- Product
- Talstar P Professional Insecticide (same registration as Talstar One and Talstar TC Flowable)
- EPA Reg. No.
- 279-3206
- Active ingredients
- Bifenthrin 7.9%
- Form
- Flowable concentrate you mix with water
- Signal word
- Caution
- Label version
- Accepted by EPA August 5, 2024
“Do not allow people or pets on treated surfaces until the spray has dried.”
“Do not apply Talstar TC dilution directly to pets. Treatment must be dry before pet re-entry.”
“Harmful if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through skin.”
“This pesticide is extremely toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates.”
“Care should be used when spraying to avoid fish and reptile pets in/around ornamental ponds.”
Exact wording from the EPA-stamped label (label PDF). Talstar P is an alternate brand name on this registration, so the label text uses the name Talstar TC. Match the EPA Reg. No. printed on your container before relying on this. Last checked November 4, 2026.
What this means in practice
- This is a concentrate. Mix only as the label directs.
- The applicator must wear long sleeves, long pants, socks, shoes, and chemical-resistant gloves per the label.
- For some lawn uses, the label says to water in with up to 0.5 inches of water immediately after treatment. The label's pet rule is still that the spray has dried.
- If a lawn company uses Talstar, ask them for the product name and Reg. No. NPIC suggests talking to your lawn service about products and pet risk.
Dogs vs cats
NPIC lists signs in pets exposed to bifenthrin: vomiting or diarrhea, reduced activity, ear twitching, paw flicking, and drooling. NPIC says cats are more sensitive to permethrin, a related pyrethroid. NPIC does not say this about bifenthrin, so we make no such claim for Talstar.
Kids
Keep kids off treated surfaces until dry, the same as pets. The label says keep out of reach of children and animals.
Spray vs granules
This label is the liquid concentrate. If you have a granular product, its own label and Reg. No. apply.
Questions people ask
How long after Talstar can my dog go outside?
The label says do not allow people or pets on treated surfaces until the spray has dried, and for areas where pets rest, that treatment must be dry before pets re-enter. It gives no fixed time.
Is Talstar the same as bifenthrin?
Yes, bifenthrin is the active ingredient, at 7.9% in the concentrate. See our bifenthrin page.
Can I spray Talstar on my dog?
No. The label says do not apply the dilution directly to pets.
Sources
- EPA label, Reg. No. 279-3206, accepted August 5, 2024. Checked November 4, 2026.
- NPIC: Bifenthrin Fact Sheet (reviewed June 2011). Checked November 4, 2026.
- NPIC: Permethrin General Fact Sheet (reviewed July 2009). Checked November 4, 2026.
- NPIC: Pesticide Use Around Pets (updated April 14, 2026). Checked November 4, 2026.