[Annual Termite Issue] Termite Market: An Update

Dow AgroSciences: Commitment
to Continuous Innovation
www.dowagrosciences.com

Continuous enhancements to the Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System, such as Recruit IV termite bait, Ready to Install (RTI) stations and ESP technology, are making Dow AgroSciences’ termite control solution even better, the company reports. Authorized Operators are already experiencing faster colony elimination with Recruit IV termite bait, and can now realize additional labor savings and revenues using a new quarterly monitoring label, which was accepted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in late 2005.
Another Dow AgroSciences innovation is new Halo Electronic Termite Detection, the only monitoring-specific termite detection product using state-of-the-art electronic technology. Halo Detection gives pest management professionals the ability to quickly monitor a site for termites and accurately detect termites in a Halo monitoring station.
In addition, Vikane gas fumigant continues to be a cornerstone of the fumigation industry. Used for more than 2 million fumigations, Vikane is backed by superior support that includes more than 50 years of fumigation experience, highly experienced and knowledgeable local field representatives, and extensive support from distribution partners, Dow AgroSciences reports.

EPA Approves Premise Label
Amendments for Perimeter Ant Control
www.bayerprocentral.com

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently approved amendments to the Premise label that allow for the use of Premise for perimeter ant control. With this new labeling, Premise can be applied to the surface of buildings, including doors, windows, eaves and other entry points where ants enter the structure. Additionally, Premise can be applied to turf, ground cover, flowers, shrubs and ornamental plant beds where ants forage for food and seek harborage.
“We know that PMPs will be very excited about this new labeling,” said Dan Meek, termite market manager for Bayer Environmental Science. Now, pest management professionals can use a non-repellent insecticide in areas where they know ants are a problem. Applications can even be made to aerial ant nests found in tree hollows and other non-structural wood construction, such as posts, fences and decks.
Premise is a non-repellent termiticide that delivers effective, long-lasting termite elimination, the company reports. EPA has granted federal approval of these ant control amendments for Premise 75 WSP, Premise 2F, Premise 0.5SC and Premise Pre. Bayer is currently seeking EPA approval for these amendments at the state level.

Control Solutions: A Diverse Termiticide Portfolio
www.controlsolutionsinc.com

Control Solutions offers one of the pest control industry’s most diverse portfolios of termiticides. The company’s list of active ingredients includes: bifenthrin (Bifen I/T), cypermethrin (Cyper TC), permethrin (Permethrin SFR) and disodium-octoborate tetrahydrate (Borrada LP and Borrada D). Joining the Control Solutions termiticide family in 2006 is imidacloprid (Dominion 75WSP and Dominion 0.5%G). Whether PCOs’ needs include pre-treatments, post-construction or wood treatments, Control Solutions has a product to solve the problem, the company says.

Shock Elimination for Termites With Electro-Gun from Etex
www.Etex-Ltd.com

Since 1979, the Electro-Gun from Etex Ltd. has offered pest management professionals a non-chemical alternative for termite control. This technically intricate, hand-held electronic system combines high frequency, high voltage and very low current to overcome wood’s natural resistance to electrical current flow. The system allows electrical current to penetrate wood and flow into the galleries and nests of drywood termites, killing them by electrical shock.
Tested and validated for safety, efficacy and structural integrity by leading entomologists, universities, world-renowned scientific research organizations and forensic science establishments, the Electro-Gun has proven to be an asset to industry professionals throughout its 27 years, Etex Ltd. reports. The product can be used as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with one or more non-chemical treatments, borates or localized chemical treatments. The product works in harmony with all current detection devices and fits well into IPM treatment programs.
Etex trains and certifies pest management professionals from companies that lease the Electro-Gun, as well as providing continual and ongoing service and support, together with any required repairs and upgrades to the equipment. The Electro-Gun was featured on the Discovery Channel segment “The Exterminator” in the fall of 2004.

EPA Approves New Pre-Treat Label for Termidor SC
www.PestControlFacts.com
 
BASF recently announced the EPA approval of a supplemental label for its Termidor SC product for use as a pre-construction termite treatment.
“More pest control professionals than ever are using premium termiticides for pre-construction termite treatments,” said Karl J. Kisner, senior marketing manager, BASF. “This supplemental label gives PMPs another effective Termidor option — along with Termidor 80 WG — for pre-construction termite prevention.”
Pre-construction treatments are defined to include treatments made during all phases of construction, up to and including installation of the final grade. Effective preconstruction termite control is achieved by establishing a thorough and complete horizontal or vertical treated zone using 0.06%, 0.09% or 0.125% Termidor SC, BASF reports.
Until packaging reflecting this new label amendment is produced, BASF Partners looking to apply Termidor SC as a pre-construction termite treatment must have a copy of the supplemental label on-hand for use. Partners can download the new label online by clicking on “Product Labels/MSDS” at PestControlFacts.com.

Syngenta ProBuild TC Termiticide:
A Proven Performer
www.syngentaprofessionalproducts.com/ppm/

A proven performer in the termite control market, ProBuild TC is a cost-effective choice for the value driven pest management professional. ProBuild TC, featuring the active ingredient cypermethrin, provides control of subterranean termites, including eastern subterranean, western subterranean, desert termite and Formosan subterranean termite, and when applied to wood, can be used for spot treatment of drywood termites.
ProBuild TC also benefits builders by satisfying the pre-construction termite requirements of mortgage lenders and state regulators.
Featuring the product reliability for which Syngenta is known, ProBuild TC is an excellent alternative treatment for past Dursban users, as well as former chlorypyrifos users, since that product is no longer available, according to Syngenta.

Close More Sales in 2006 with the Advance Termite Bait System
www.wmmg.com

Pest management professionals across America have experienced outstanding efficacy over the past two seasons with the Advance Termite Bait System (ATBS) from Whitmire Micro-Gen, the company reports. In addition to outstanding results and satisfied homeowners, pest management professionals indicate that the advance Termite Bait System “sells itself.” Consumer research conducted by Whitmire Micro-Gen supports the idea that homeowners appreciate the design advantages that the Advance Termite Bait System brings. This translates into increased close rates with pest management professionals in the field. This year, Whitmire Micro-Gen will add several new tools designed to support the Advance Termite Bait System user base.
New 2006 ATBS tools include:
• Radio Ads. WMG will provide a CD with pre-recorded ads that allow pest management professionals to tag the end with their customized message and contact information.
• Direct Mail Post Cards. WMG will provide a CD with direct mail post cards that allow pest management professionals to customize a section of the card and print locally to meet their specific needs.
• Proposal Folder. Professional folder designed to reinforce the ATBS message; holds your treatment proposal, graphs, labels and business card.
• Service Door Hanger. Designed to leave behind with homeowner to communicate the value of your baiting service that day; includes a convenient pocket that holds your invoice statement.
• Advance Termite Bait System Selling Overview. Designed with the pest management professional sales person in mind, this DVD or VHS tape trains your sales force to effectively sell ATBS.

Extermital Chemicals Tool Helps
With Repetitive Inspections
www.extermital.com

Extermital Chemicals manufactures a tool specifically for the Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System and now the new Hex-Pro System, both manufactured by Dow AgroSciences. EX2000 pliers are available at various chemical distributors, including Forshaw Distribution, Oldham Chemicals, Southern Mill Creek Products and Univar. They were developed as a time-saving, rugged solution to the repetitive job of inspecting termite monitoring stations.

XT-2000 Receives DPR Approval
as Wood Boring Beetle Treatment
www.xt2000.com

In March 2005, XT-2000 Orange Oil was approved by the EPA as a treatment for wood-boring beetle infestations. Effective Dec. 14, 2005, California approved XT-2000 as a beetle treatment as well. XT-2000 Orange Oil’s success in the eradication of drywood termites spurred additional applications with other pests, the company says.
“Until now, there have been few options for foresters, arborists and homeowners trying to fight these devastating beetles,” said Michael Folkins, president of XT-2000. “XT-2000 Orange Oil, with its capillary ability, is an effective and low-risk treatment that eliminates wood-boring beetles. Orange oil is also of little consequence to humans and animals which is another great advantage.”
Wood-boring beetles were the focus of supplemental test studies with XT-2000. Generally regarded as safe (GRAS), XT-2000 was found to kill wood-boring beetles on contact. Test results state a 93.5 to 98 percent kill ratio of wood-boring beetles in their abeyant state when XT-2000 Orange Oil was applied to the exterior of tree segments. XT-2000’s capillary effect, its unique ability to wick through wood as well as bark, is the product’s main advantage in the fight against wood-boring beetles. In these tests, XT-2000 was first applied to the exterior of tree limbs. The orange oil then traveled through the bark into the cambium area of the tree, successfully killing the beetles within 24 hours, XT-2000 reports.

EPA Registration Application
Submitted for FMC’s Transport Insecticide
www.pestsolutions.fmc.com

FMC Corporation announced late in 2005 that the U.S. EPA granted an initial registration for acetamiprid to kill termite workers and/or winged reproductive forms of termites present at the time of application. The label states that this initial acetamiprid registration is for outdoor use only and will not provide structural protection nor substitute for mechanical alteration, soil or foundation treatment with termiticides. The use on this approved initial registration label is not for sole protection against termites, as it is not intended for use to eliminate termite infestations or protection against future infestations. This initial registration was submitted to facilitate future commercial acetamiprid-based insecticide products and FMC does not plan to commercialize this product at this time.
This initial acetamiprid registration also includes use for general household pests such as ants (excluding public health pests), beetles, boxelder beetles, crickets, earwigs, firebrats, flies, millipedes, pillbugs, silverfish, springtails and sowbugs for outdoor use on/and around buildings as a perimeter spray within 3 feet of the structure where pests hide or forage.
Most recently, an application for registration was made for Transport insecticide — a new product to control subterranean termites. This pending registration is for a Transport insecticide product containing both acetamiprid and bifenthrin for pre- and post-construction termite uses, as well as general household pest control. Bifenthrin has been registered since 1992 as a termiticide. This new Transport insecticide provides control of Reticulitermes, Heterotermes and Coptotermes.

BoraShield Warranty Extends Pest
Management Professional Protection
www.nisuscorp.com

After 12 years of successful efficacy studies and five years in the field with Bora-Care, Nisus Corporation has created BoraShield, an extended warranty for Bora-Care. BoraShield extends the subterranean termite warranty for Bora-Care to 12 years.
Since the beginning of Bora-Care’s original five-year warranty, there have been no claims made. Furthermore, more than 250,000 homes have been treated with Bora-Care with no product failures; termites have not consumed or tubed over Bora-Care-treated wood, according to Nisus Corp. The warranty will also extend to whole house treatments and cover drywood termites and other wood-destroying organisms.
The new BoraShield warranty is offered at several levels. Level One includes subterranean termite coverage for a 1+1 dilution of Bora-Care used in a 2-foot band termite pretreatment barrier. It covers product, labor and damage repair. Level Two includes a whole house pretreatment using a 1+5 dilution of Bora-Care, and covers drywood termites, wood destroying beetles, carpenter ants and fungal decay. Level Three combines the coverage of both Levels One and Two for unprecedented warranty protection. Level Four provides an additional warranty on mold, and will be offered to pest management professionals who are participating in the Mold-Care program and are treating homes with Mold-Care.
The extension of Bora-Care’s warranty makes it the longest manufacturer’s warranty in the industry, Nisus said. Furthermore, it is the only warranty that also covers damage repair, according to Nisus.

Ensystex Offers New Brand of Products
www.for-thor.com

The mission of Thor brand products from Ensystex II (a subsidiary of Ensystex) is to be the “premiere vertically integrated supplier of termite and pest management products to the structural pest management industry,” the company says. Ensystex is best known as the manufacturer of the Exterrra Termite Interception and Baiting System featuring diflubenzuron, a highly effective chitin synthesis inhibitor insecticide used throughout the world.