[Breaking News]

BASF Receives EPA Approval for Termidor EP/LIT Label Amendment

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved amended usage directions for BASF Professional Pest Control’s Termidor SC and Termidor 80 WG termiticide-insecticides for use as an Exterior Perimeter/Localized Interior Treatment (EP/LIT), when used for post-construction control of subterranean termites within a structure. The new directions-for-use amendment, described by BASF as a Perimeter PLUS application, provides an option for protection from termites with an application that is significantly less invasive to the structure than a "conventional" post-construction liquid termiticide treatment, according to the company.

Termidor is the only liquid termiticide to receive EPA approval of EP/LIT directions for use. Pest control professionals can begin using the new directions-for-use once the amended Termidor label is registered in their respective states. BASF anticipates state approvals in time for the 2005 use season.

"The Termidor Perimeter PLUS label amendment is the most important federal amendment to a termiticide label in eight years (since PR Notice 96-7 was issued), and may be the most significant change in liquid termiticide application methods in decades," said Bill Baxter, business manager, BASF Professional Pest Control.

The new Termidor label will include both conventional and Perimeter PLUS use directions. "We feel that both the conventional and Perimeter PLUS use directions are equally effective," Baxter said. "It is the pest control professional who is best qualified to decide on a case-by-case basis which treatment to use, determined by a thorough inspection and assessment of the structure."

The approved Perimeter PLUS directions-for-use are a result of close collaboration between BASF; researchers; federal and state regulators; and pest management professionals, who also reviewed and provided comments on the label. BASF is training Termidor users on the new Perimeter PLUS direction for use. Termidor users can visit www.PestControlFacts.com, BASF’s Web site, to view a schedule of regional Perimeter PLUS training dates, as well as updated information on state approvals. BASF Partners can also sign up online for the BASF e-Update Program, to receive the latest Perimeter PLUS training and approval information via e-mail. Online Perimeter PLUS training will be available Jan. 1.

OptiGard ZT Insecticide Gains EPA Approval

HONOLULU, Hawaii — OptiGard ZT, a new broad-spectrum product for the control of drywood termites, carpenter ants and nuisance pests, has been registered by the Environmental Protection Agency. The announcement was made at PestWorld 2004.

OptiGard ZT includes the active ingredient thiamethoxam and can be applied as a wood injection treatment for drywood termites and carpenter ants, or may be applied to structural voids for control of nuisance pests, Syngenta reports. OptiGard ZT is applied as a zone treatment to infested areas, using liquid or foam applications. With proper detection and inspection, zone treatments are an effective and efficient alternative to whole house treatments, including fumigation, Syngenta says.

"We are excited to have EPA approval of OptiGard ZT and we remain on track to formally launch it for sale early in 2005," said Geoff Foster, marketing manager, Syngenta.

According to Syngenta, while the product is effective on drywood termites, it is also useful as a wood injection or void application for carpenter ants and nuisance pests. For wall void pest control, OptiGard ZT may also be applied through reticulation systems (fixed tubes installed inside walls). OptiGard ZT is a non-repellent and highly transferable insecticide.

OptiGard ZT has been tested against drywood termites under an Experimental Use Permit in Florida. Additional testing in California structures has demonstrated a high level of effectiveness of OptiGard ZT for controlling drywood termites with zone or limited area treatments, the manufacturer reports.

FMC Announces Growth Plan at NPMA’s PestWorld

HONOLULU, Hawaii — FMC Corporation announced the launch of strategic growth initiatives that will allow the company to develop and commercialize chemistries and open new markets through partnerships in the company’s Specialty Products Business. "FMC SPB’s strategic growth initiatives encompass an exciting series of programs aimed at expanding our presence in the core market segments of termites, general insect pests, and turf & ornamental pests," said Don Claus, director of the Specialty Products Business for FMC.

The Specialty Products Business has made progress in developing partnerships that will result in several imminent product launches:

• FMC has signed development and distribution agreements with Nippon Soda Co. (Nisso) for exclusive access to acetamiprid in the U.S. termite and indoor and structural general household pest segments, in both the professional and consumer markets. Acetamiprid, which belongs to the neonicotinoid family of insecticides, was discovered and is wholly owned by Nippon Soda Co. Ltd. Acetamiprid has demonstrated outstanding activity against an array of pests of economic importance to the pest control industry, according to the company. FMC is developing new product concepts for all of these segments, and registration and launch for these products in the pest control segment is anticipated for the first half of 2005.

• In collaboration with Bayer Crop-Science, FMC has developed a number of new products that combine two leading active ingredients. This new product range will be co-marketed in the professional T&O segment in the first quarter of 2005.

• FMC is exploring the licensing of its SmartBiz software for Dow AgroSciences’ Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System and its AOs.

• FMC has reached an agreement with Arise Technologies to co-develop a new product and service. The new offering would utilize the FMC SmartBiz software platform to develop Web sites for servicing PCOs’ homeowner customer accounts. This would allow homeowners to view the status of their account and service history.

Beyond these product launches, FMC is exploring relationships with additional partners to develop and commercialize several other products in the areas of insect, weed and disease control for the professional pest and T&O markets.