Laboratory evaluation of repellent properties against birds of the synthetic pyrethroid decamethrin.

Both technical grade and commercially formulated decamethrin administered in feed has a generally repellent action upon quail, with strong individual variations. The excipient used in the commercial preparation has a similar effect on its own, probably due to its odor. Repellency diminishes after repeated exposure and even becomes reversed in the case of the purified pyrethroid, which attracts intoxicated quail.