PHILADELPHIA — FMC Professional Solutions, a business unit of FMC Corporation, announced it has received registration from the State of California for the sale and use of Talstar XTRA granular insecticide.

Talstar XTRA combines the proven residual of Talstar with the speed of a new active ingredient, zeta-cypermethrin. For turf and pest professionals, this means quick and long-term control of a wide range of surface feeding pests, including the red imported fire ant and Argentine ants. In addition, Talstar XTRA is not labeled as “restricted use” by the EPA.

“When used as directed, Talstar XTRA controls fire ant colonies in four hours or less, often in as little as minutes,” said Adam Manwarren, FMC product manager for turf and ornamental products.  “This means you can treat in the morning and your customers can enjoy their yards that afternoon.”

Fire ants were first discovered in California in parts of Orange, Los Angeles and Riverside counties in October 1998. Today, they are also found in San Diego and San Bernandino counties, throughout the Coachella Valley, and in parts of the San Joaquin Valley. According to the EPA, all of Orange County is now quarantined against fire ants, with Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernandino counties under partial quarantine.

Combining the proven molecule in Talstar with the fast-acting zeta-cypermethrin, Talstar XTRA quickly disrupts the insect’s nervous system. Though the formulation acts very fast, it doesn’t sacrifice the residual—three months or more—that professionals have come to expect from Talstar. The unique, dense sand granule enables the product to penetrate mulch and thatch to reach many surface feeding pests, yet appear invisible due to its small size.

Talstar XTRA granular insecticide is labeled for use against most ants (including fire ants and Argentine ants), chinch bugs, fleas, ticks, earwigs, crane flies and many other lawn pests. It is approved for broadcast lawn, perimeter and mound treatments on a wide variety of application sites, including residential lawns, institutional grounds, around buildings (public, commercial and industrial), parks, recreational areas and athletic fields.

Talstar XTRA is available from FMC authorized distributors. Visit www.fmcprosolutions.com to locate an authorized distributor in California. The product is sold in a 25 lb. resealable bag and the granules can be broadcast across almost 11,000 sq. ft. (1/4 acre) or treat more than 70 fire ant mounds per bag.