[Back Talk]

Great Bed Bug Training Info

We were impressed with the “Your Guide to Bed Bugs” that was included in the June issue of PCT magazine and would like to use it in a weekly training session here at Massey Services. How do I go about getting 500 copies for this purpose?

Tom Jarzynka
Technical & Training Director
Massey Services
Maitland, Fla.

Editor’s reply: We’re pleased readers are making use of the training materials in PCT magazine. To order additional copies of the “Your Guide to Bed Bugs” insert for $1 each, contact PCT’s bookstore at 800/456-0707 or visit www.pctonline.com/store. Quantity discounts are available.

Thoughts on Tertiary
I read with interest the article “Tertiary Mortality in the German Cockroach,” which appeared in the May issue of PCT (page 90), and felt compelled to respond to assertions made about proven strategies for achieving secondary mortality in German cockroach populations.

The authors state that “In the German cockroach, Blattella germanica, three mechanisms have been shown to facilitate horizontal transfer of insecticides: coprophagy, necrophagy and emetophagy.” Each of these modes of transfer has proven valuable for gaining secondary kill of cockroach control for years, but they each require bait consumption for efficacy. Today, with finicky German cockroaches commonplace, a modern discussion of secondary mortality is incomplete without considering the newest strategies for achieving secondary control.

Last July, PCT included new research indicating that secondary control of German cockroaches can also be achieved through contact, an attribute specific to gel baits with a scientifically calibrated level of fipronil.

In 2007, Bayer Environmental Science proved the efficacy of contact kill in scientific research studies conducted for Maxforce FC Magnum. To prove this mode of action, Bayer scientists sealed the mouthparts of German cockroaches and exposed them to placements of Maxforce FC Magnum so that the control could only be attributed to contact. With their mouthparts sealed, the cockroaches could detect food and water, and would forage normally, even if they couldn’t eat the bait. The test results confirmed that by simply contacting the bait, cockroaches picked up a sufficient amount of fipronil to be killed. In addition, the exposed cockroaches transferred the active ingredient, killing nest mates that never directly contacted a bait placement. This secondary kill with bait via contact through Maxforce FC Magnum is what Bayer calls ContactX.

Above all, when it comes to controlling important health pests, fast results matter most to pest management professionals and their customers. In the field, PMPs who use Magnum begin to see significant results within 24 hours. When bait provides fast, powerful primary and secondary control, the concept of tertiary kill, while interesting, is insignificant when the cockroach population is controlled in a timely manner. At Bayer, we’re committed to staying one step ahead of the German cockroach and providing solutions designed to deliver the fast control PMPs expect and their customers demand.

Gordon Morrison
Maxforce Insecticides Market Manager
Bayer Environmental Science
Research Triangle Park, N.C.

PCO Thank You
Thank you so much for allowing our mouse to grace your magazine (April PCT, “Keep the Mouse”). I never really imagined how it would feel to see the article. I can tell you it was heartwarming. Our small company, serving customers for 50 years, which has gone through hard times and good times, helped us remember anything is possible.

Carese Rice
President and Owner
Atomic Pest Control
Memphis, Tenn.