VANCOUVER, B.C., Canada  – Terramera Inc. announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered the company’s two new neem-based biopesticides for the control of bed bugs, bed bug eggs and cellar spiders. The products will be marketed under the brand name CIRKIL.

According to the manufacturer, CIRKIL products are the first commercially available solutions that effectively kill bed bugs and also completely prevent bed bug egg hatch as residual treatments. Residual effectiveness has been seen to last up to 2 weeks in killing live bed bugs and up to 3 weeks in killing eggs, the manufacturer reports.

Given urgent and nationwide public interest in controlling rampant spread of bed bug infestations, EPA expedited approval of Terramera’s CIRKIL insecticide and ovicide products.

“We are pleased to bring CIRKIL to market in the U.S.,” said Karn Manhas, President & CEO of Terramera, “CIRKIL  products were developed to meet the market’s need for safe, highly effective bed bug control solutions. They are important new tools to control the spread of bed bug infestations. Gaining EPA approval for CIRKIL products means we can begin U.S. production and sales this year.”

Two CIRKIL products, CIRKIL CX1 and CIRKIL RTU, will be available exclusively to U.S. Pest Management Professionals (PMPs) this fall.
CIRKIL CX1
*An emulsifiable concentrate containing 22% cold-pressed neem oil
*Flexible label, for whole room application
*For use in hand pump sprayers (e.g. one gallon)

CIRKIL RTU
*A ready-to-use formulation containing 5.5% cold-pressed neem oil
*Quick dry formula, flexible label, for spot treaents
*Ideal for use on surfaces and areas where quick dry time is required

The ready-to-use (RTU) product will also be available to PMPs as a leave-behind or for sale to consumers.

Key characteristics of CIRKIL pesticides are their fast-acting ability to kill bed bugs as residual and knockdown treaents (reaching kill within 24-hours of application), their unique effect in killing eggs, their extremely low toxicity, their naturally derived active ingredient, and versatility of allowable application areas.

The California Deparent of Pesticide Regulation (Cal DPR) also expedited a concurrent review of Terramera’s CIRKIL products last year, and conditional approval was granted pending US EPA approval. As a result, CIRKIL products will become available starting in California. “We have worked closely with federal and California regulators over the last year and have been impressed with the professionalism of both US EPA and Cal DPR staff in expediting our applications,” said Manhas.

Although CIRKIL products will not be officially launched until fall, a limited amount of pre-release product will be available in advance to PMPs who obtain a Terramera Partner Number (TPN). Obtaining a TPN will require PMPs to participate in a short training session on proper use and application of CIRKIL products. Pre-release TPNs will be available only in select U.S. markets, beginning in California this summer. PMPs in eligible areas will receive further information from participating distributors as it becomes available.

“We know there is a strong public interest in making CIRKIL products available widely,” added Manhas. “We will be working with state regulators and pesticide distributors to make CIRKIL products available in other markets by the time these products are officially launched this fall, or as quickly as possible.”

For more information on CIRKIL CX1 and CIRKILTM RTU, see CIRKIL download the Fact Sheet.