Seven particulate formulations of four synthetic pyrethroids were compared with tetrachlorvinphos for persistence and control of Lasioderma serricorne (F.) on three surfaces : uncoated quarry tile, limewashed quarry tile and PVA-coated quarry tile. Tetrachlorvinphos was sprayed on to the various surfaces at 1 g. a.i./m2; cyfluthrin wp at 25 mg a.i./m2; fenvalerate wp and permethrin wp at 50 mg a.i./m2; deltamethrin wp, microencapsulated deltamethrin, microencapsulated delthamethrin + piperonyl butoxide and deltamethrin sc at 10 mg a.i./m2. The residual activity of the formulations on the surfaces was monitored at intervals up to 52 weeks after treatment by confining tobacco beetles on the treated surfaces for durations ranging from 5 minutes to 12 hours. Tetrachlovinphos, the only registered compound for residual control of tobacco beetle in Zimbabwe, was effective up to 36 weeks on uncoated quarry tile, up to 8 weeks on PVA and 4 weeks on limewash when beetles were confined to the treated surfaces for 1 hour. For the same exposure period, both deltamethrin sc and deltamethrin wp were effective at 52 weeks on both uncoated and limewashed tiles but began to break down after 24 weeks on PVA. Microencapsulated deltamethrin was effective up to 24 weeks on both uncoated and limewashed surfaces but was not effective after 1 week on PVA. Microencapsulated deltamethrin plus piperonyl butoxide was effective for up to 24 weeks on uncoated surface, 8 weeks on limewashed and up to 1 week on PVA. Cyfluthrin wp was effective up to 24 weeks on uncoated surface but began to break down after 1 week on both limewash and PVA. Fenvalerate wp and permethrin wp were not effective on all surfaces 1 week after treatment. Exposure of beetles to treated surfaces for more than 1 hour resulted in slightly higher mortalities for all compounds. The effect of duration of exposure to insecticides is discussed with respect to the biology of the beetle.