A Bridge To The Future

"A Bridge To The Future" was the theme for the recent National Pest Control Association Convention. The Star Wars-style concept centered around the movement that appears to be shaping up as the "Force" of the future: integrated pest management (IPM). There were many interesting products and technological developments to look at and discuss at this truly international meeting. The attendees seemed extremely interested in the new products that were introduced, and it is interesting to note that there are trends developing in certain areas of pest control that make one wonder: Why did we ever do it the other way?

In the weeks and months to come you will be seeing, touching, feeling — and, the manufacturers hope, using — these new products: new ant baits, equipment for foaming and application, wider registration uses for some products, new formulations, rodent stations, and, of course, the introduction of the first termite baiting system. This should all make 1995 a very interesting year for PCOs.

I will not try to list all the products that were introduced at the convention. PCT, through editorial information and advertising, will cover that side of the coin. My intention here is to possibly pique your interest by investigating some of the new products. Also, to clue you in to some potential areas of controversy, and to give you some food for thought.

RODENT CONTROL. It is fairly obvious that the trend in development of the prebaited tamper-resistant mouse station is complete. All of the rodenticide manufacturers have these now. The discussion about using tamper-resistant stations seems to have become a moot point. I seldom see the "other" plastic or cardboard stations in the manufacturers' booths, even though they still do have uses in rodent control. Michael Goldstein of Woodstream discovered a new way of using a cardboard bait station in a rat trapping program. You may want to ask him about it the next time you see him.

A new tamper-resistant station for rats and mice was introduced by Paragon. This spring-loaded station makes it difficult if not impossible for someone to tamper with the bait in the station. If the station is moved or picked up, the bait compartment "seals itself," rendering it basically unopenable unless you have the right tools. This station is due out after the first of the year.

One of the more interesting mouse "traps" I have seen was being displayed by a company from Vienna, Austria. This "humane" station allows a mouse to enter; then, as the door shuts, a "PUR Mouse-Tab" drops into water. This produces CO₂, and the mouse succumbs due to lack of oxygen. (CO₂ is considered a humane method of euthanasia by the American Veterinary Medical Association.) I don't know if we'll see this one in the exhibition halls this year, but it is sold and used in Europe.

ANT BAITS. The competition for the ultimate ant bait took another step forward. The FMC product FluorGuard and the new Maxforce bait were displayed. The FMC product, which should be out soon, offers the PCO a sulfluramid formulation in a see-through ant station. The granular Maxforce bait will have different application regimens. This bait claims success against carpenter ants. Clorox has requested feedback from PCOs using the bait on carpenter ants. The real test for the Maxforce bait in the market will come in the spring when carpenter ants become more active in their foraging.

The pest control industry's love affair with baits begs the question, Why did we ever stop baiting for ants? Was it product development? That it just takes too much time to bait? Or is this the result of pressure to reduce pesticide use? In the history of the industry, which is being rewritten every day, a chapter has to be devoted to the baiting revolution.

TERMITE BAITS. Naturally, one of the introductions in 1995 will be the DowElanco Sentricon System. The stations and bait were not on display at the convention, but the interest was high. There were negotiations going on between DowElanco and distributors, and rumors were everywhere. Sometimes the behind-the-scenes meetings at the convention are more interesting than the programs the PCOs hear. We will see what becomes of all this during the first quarter of this year.

As preparation for the termite baiting "era," I would recommend that PCOs get a copy of an article that appeared in the October 1994 issue of Pest Management, the monthly magazine published by the NPCA: "Termites: Detection and Control Through Baiting" by University of Maryland termite researcher Barbara Thorne and James Traniello of Entomological Associations Inc., Lexington, Mass. In the article, the authors describe termite baiting as a four-phase program, and give us some food for thought about this developing technology.

EQUIPMENT. As PCOs consider IPM programs in their future, the use of equipment will be looked at very carefully. The equipment manufacturers are producing new devices that both reduce pesticide use and accentuate the delivery systems and effective application theory (phew!). B&G Equipment Co., Roussel Uclaf, R.E. Chapin Manufacturing and others are always modifying and finding new application devices. Usually these are from evaluations of the previous products' performance in the field. The use of sprayers and aerosols are all part of IPM technology. How you use them is the key. Precise application and delivery is the direction the manufacturers are headed. It should be an easier task to train your people to use a new spray tip or wand than to try to wean them off the sprayer.

Foam machines are getting more interesting as well. Two new machines at the convention were Foam Innovations' Flexafoamer II and B&G's new in-line unit. The Flexafoamer II is a device that automates the foaming process. B&G's product enables the PCO to adjust to foam or liquid directly at the application tool. The use of these devices for subterranean termite control by PCOs will be looked at very carefully, since Foam Innovations has received a patent for the use of insecticidal foams in termite control. There were all kinds of discussions and meetings at the convention regarding licensing agreements. It will be interesting to watch where this goes.

Meanwhile, the use of borates for drywood termite control, foaming wall voids, and injection has gained increased interest. Both the Tim-Bor expanded label and the Bora-Care label have directions for foaming. There are several companies marketing this treatment technology in areas of the country where drywood termites are a problem.

`PASSIVE' TRAPS. One of the more interesting developments recently has been the increased number of introductions of what I refer to as "passive light traps" for fly control. Two more of these traps (which do not use electric grids, fields or contact to trap flies) were introduced at the NPCA convention. The pertinent question with these traps is: Is one type more effective than the other? I have seen studies that indicate there is not a significant difference between the "passive" and "active" (electric grid) traps. Assuming this is the case, the emphasis should probably be placed on cost. The ultimate use of these devices is in the appropriate placement and sanitation recommendations to clean up the source of the infestation. To that end, I find it intriguing that we are now "disguising" these traps so that they appear to be simply ornamental lighting in an account. Light traps will find increasing use in monitoring and surveillance programs in IPM contracts. The industry needs more information on the best use of these products.

These are just some of the products that will be coming in the near future. Look for them at your next meeting. And may the "Force" be with you.

George Rambo is a contributing editor to PCT. Readers with comments can contact him at George Rambo Consulting Services, 1004 Van Buren St., Herndon VA 22070, 703/709-6364 .