Personal baggage is always subjected to thorough searching before you board a plane. This is mostly done to ensure the security and safety of passengers from terrorist attacks and other types of threats. Although pesticides do not pose any form of terrorist attack, they do fall under explosion threats.
Whether you can bring or not bring a pesticide on a plane depends on the airline you are boarding. Different airlines have different rules and regulations regarding the baggage you can carry on a plane.
But, what if you have a pest infestation on your plants back home and really want to carry the pesticide you just bought with you? Here is a guide on what pesticides you can or can’t bring on a plane.
List of Allowed Pesticides
Before we proceed, please be informed that aerosol pesticides are not allowed on carry-on luggage. But, they are allowed in checked in. And must be clearly labeled and sealed. And most airlines only allow you to bring a quart-sized bags of aerosol insecticides that are limited to a 3.4-ounce container. Anything above 100 milliliters is prohibited.
Also, it is never advisable to transport pesticides in the passenger area of a plain. Some of them may leak from time to time and this might affect other passengers as well as yourself.
Here is a list of pesticides that are allowed on a plane:
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- Neem oil
- Organic pyrethrum
- Eucalyptus oil
- Cayenne paper
- Garlic spray
- Limited synthetic pyrethroids such as d-phenothrin, permethrin, and 1R-trans-phenothrin
As you can see, most pesticides allowed on planes are the organic ones that are derived from natural ingredients. Therefore, if you also have another type of organic pesticide that isn’t on the list, it might also be accepted on planes.
List of Pesticides Not Allowed on Planes
Synthetic insecticides, though effective at killing bugs and pests. Most of them are not allowed on planes because they contain gases that are toxic and flammable.
Some of these synthetic insecticides aren’t sealed well and might leak thus intoxicating the passengers. Also, due to the high pressure up in the sky, flammable insecticides might ignite and explode. And there is no telling what catastrophe might result from this. This is why the following list of pesticides are not allowed;
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- DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane)
- Toxaphene
- Aldrin
- Dieldrin
- Malathion
- Diazinon
Required Quantities – How Much Can You Bring On Board/Luggage?
For the few pesticides that are allowed on planes are restricted to a certain quantity. Every airline has its stipulated quantity requirements. For insecticides to be included in carry-on luggage, you should follow the 3-1-1 rule.
For insecticides that are flammable or poisonous, they should be well bagged and labeled and checked in as luggage. This will ensure the safe transport of these commodities. Before reaching the security checkpoint, ensure you understand the guidelines of your flight company policy.
Boarding a flight with prohibited pesticides might lead to legal penalties or fines. Therefore, you need to be very careful. If a pesticide is prohibited you might want to travel home, and then order it online and have it delivered to your home.
Can You Take Raid On A Plane?
Raid is definitely one of the best ant and roach killers out there. It contains permethrin and pyrethroids which are all strong chemicals that can kill roaches instantly. But, can you take it on a plain? It’s too bad that you can’t carry it on a plane.
The manufacturers SC Johnson and Son claim that RAID is safe for humans. However, there have been numerous reports claiming that when it is inhaled it can irritate the nose, lungs, and throat. In high doses, it can affect the central nervous system. It is due to these reasons, RAID is considered a dangerous commodity to carry on planes.
Therefore don’t be surprised if the security officer at the airport asks you to dispose of RAID before boarding a plane. There are some airlines that can, however, allow you to carry it as checked luggage. At the same time, it should be well labeled and packaged to avoid leakages.
Can You Take Rat Poison on A Plane?
The general rule of all airlines is that they don’t allow passengers to carry any form of poison. Rat poison falls under this category. But, there are some limitations. There are some companies that will allow you to carry rat poison provided you make special arrangements.
A rodent infestation is unavoidable. And if you are experiencing one at home, you might be interested in buying rat poison wherever you are and carry it alongside your luggage. However, air transport considers rat poison as a threat to flight safety.
There have been cases of people consuming rat poison by accident. When this occurs on a plane, the airline might be sued. And this is one of the main reasons why they don’t allow rat poison on a plane. To avoid inconveniences at the airport, every airline does have its luggage restrictions. Refer to it to ensure rat poison can be allowed.
Can You Bring Insect Repellent on A Plane?
Insect repellents don’t face strict laws compared to rat poison. This is because flight companies understand the need to carry these repellents especially if you are traveling to an area infested by certain pests. However, insect repellents are also subjected to limitations.
You can include a maximum of 100ml (3.4 oz.) in your carry-on luggage. Anything exceeding that amount is not allowed. In cases where you are carrying an insect repellent in checked baggage. Every passenger is limited to a maximum of 5ooml per container. The total net quantity should also not exceed 2L per person. If the insect repellent is in an aerosol can, the valve or cap must be firmly fitted to prevent leaks.
Note that insect repellents in non-aerosol liquid sprays or wipes aren’t considered as a hazardous material. Therefore passengers are permitted to carry as much as they want. If the repellent is labeled as flammable then it must adhere to the quantity described above. Some airlines may also deny your request to carry flammable insect repellents.
Can You Bring Mosquito Repellent On A Plane
When you are packing for your vacation, there are some things you shouldn’t forget. The first thing is your favorite pair of summer shorts, camera and most importantly mosquito repellent. A mosquito repellent is one of the surest ways to prevent diseases such as malaria and the Zika virus. But, can your airline really allow you to carry a mosquito repellent on a plane?
The Federal Aviation Administration recommends that the total aggregate of mosquito repellent carried shouldn’t exceed 2kg per person. And the capacity of every container shouldn’t exceed more than half a kg.
If the repellent is in aerosol release devices, it must be covered in a firm cap. Similar to all insect repellents, mosquito repellents that are applied or used as patches have no maximum on the amount you can carry on a plane.
Can You Bring Bug Repellent on A Plane?
Catching the travel bug isn’t anyone’s idea of the perfect souvenir when coming from a trip. And this is where bug repellents come in handy. It will protect you as you explore the most remote places. It can repel ticks, sand-flies, and mosquitoes.
One of the perks of traveling with bug repellent is that it is allowed on planes traveling both internationally and domestically.
Here are some of the bugs these repellents can contain:
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- DEET
- Picaridin
- Icaridin
When carried in hand luggage, the bug repellent shouldn’t be more than 100ml. In the case of checked luggage, a maximum of 2L shouldn’t be exceeded. If you are traveling internationally, some airlines might have strict measures. But you can always buy it when you get to your destination.
Can You Bring Spray Insect Repellent on A Plane?
When discussing the above types of pesticides that you can bring on a plane, you might have noticed how strict the regulations are on spray insect repellents. The main reason for this is because spray insect repellents are stored on aerosols.
Aerosols are excellent storage units for repellents. They allow you to spread the contents with a lot of ease. But, the main problem with them is that they are susceptible to leakages. And if the contents are flammable then the disaster can be enormous. This is the primary reason why most airlines are against the carrying of spray insect repellents on a plane.
However, some airlines allow you to carry at most 100ml of insect repellent in carry-on and checked luggage. This quantity is very small and can be contained if a leakage occur.
Also, to enhance the safety of yourself and other passengers, the spray repellent should be packed in a seal-able plastic bag. You should also place them strategically in your luggage so that it doesn’t rattle around.
Final Thoughts
We can conclude that airlines do allow passengers to bring pesticides on a plane. However, the quantity carried is limited to 100 ml for carry-on luggage. This amount is extended to 2L for checked luggage. However, since not all airlines share the same regulations, others might decline your request to carry the pesticide of your choice on a plane.