The present invention provides a novel insecticide formulation that not only demonstrates strong insecticidal and residual activity against a variety of insects, but also exhibits low mammalian toxicity. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the use of pesticidal compounds selected from beta damascone, CYCLEMONE A™, melafleur, and derivatives thereof for killing arthropod pests including, but not limited to, mosquitoes and flies. Specifically exemplified herein is the use of the compounds of the present invention to control three mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti, Ae. albopictus, and Anopheles quadrimaculatus), the house fly (Musca domestica), the stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans) and the sand fly (Lutzomyia shannoni).