A method for controlling pests, the method comprising applying an effective amount to pests or their locus of one or more compounds of general formula (I) ##STR00001## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 represent, independently from each other, hydrogen, halogen, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy or an ester group; R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, represent an oxirane ring; R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, taken together, represent an akylidenedioxy or substituted alkylidenedioxy group; and R.sub.3 represents --CH.sub.2R.sub.6, wherein R.sub.6 represents an ester group, oxiranyl, or a group of formula ##STR00002## wherein R.sub.7 represents hydrogen or alkyl, R.sub.8 represents phenylsulfanyl, phenylselenyl, phenylsulfoxy or phenylselenoxy, and R.sub.9 represents hydrogen, ethoxycarbonyl or carbamoyl; and R.sub.4 represents, independently, hydrogen, alkoxy or substituted alkoxy, or R.sub.1 and R.sub.4, taken together, represent an alkylidenedioxy or a substituted alkylidenedioxy group; wherein the pest dies as a result of contact with the compound.