A composition for killing and/or immobilizing insects, said composition containing 2-tridecanone, at least one solvent, at least one surfactant, piperonyl butoxide, and optionally a carrier. Also a method for killing and/or immobilizing insects, involving treating an object or area with an insect killing effective amount or insect immobilizing effective amount of a composition containing 2-tridecanone, at least one solvent, at least one surfactant, optionally butoxide, and optionally a carrier.