Termite Market Preview

To kick off the new year, PCT wanted to provide its readers with the newest advancements and updates in the world of termite control. The following is a listing of just some of what’s new for pest management professionals involved in the termite control market. Please visit these manufacturers’ Web sites for further information. Stay tuned to the next two issues of PCT as we’ll carry additional termite coverage as well. Good luck this termite season!

AVENTIS ELIMINATES LANGUAGE
BARRIER IN FIGHT AGAINST TERMITES
With its new Spanish literature program, Aventis Environmental Science will soon offer Spanish-speaking pest management professionals and home-owners an edge in their fight against termites. Aventis aims to inform Spanish-speaking communities about the company’s termiticide, Termidor, and its applications in their native language. The Spanish door hangers, brochures and product labels will be available early this year. The new materials will provide Termidor certified pest management professionals with a new level of communication and customer service.

The Spanish literature program will include Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for Termidor concentrate and Termidor finishing spray. Like the standard versions, the MSDSs will list application and ingredient information to help PCOs address homeowner questions and concerns.
For more information, visit www.es.aventis.com.

BASF TO INTRODUCE TWO NEW TERMITE PRODUCTS
Two new products are in the pipeline from BASF Corp. that many pest management professionals are eagerly anticipating: Phantom and Subterfuge. Both products are expected to receive U.S. registration this year. Phantom is a nonrepellent termiticide that eliminates subterranean termite species from infested structures and protects the structures from further invasion, BASF says.

The active ingredient in Phantom, chlorfenapyr, is unique among termiticides and belongs to a class of chemistry called “pyrroles.” Unlike termiticides that affect the insect’s nervous system, chlorfenapyr inhibits the termite’s ability to produce the energy needed to perform its basic life functions, BASF reports. Without this energy, the termite dies. Termites do not detect it in the soil and will move through the treated zone, picking up a lethal dose of Phantom.
Phantom is a water-based formulation that is virtually odorless and does not stain, and it has a low vapor pressure, which makes it essentially nonvolatile, according to the company.

New Subterfuge termite bait contains 0.3% hydramethylnon, a delayed-action insecticide. Subterfuge termite bait provides pest control operators with a bait treatment system for controlling infestations from subterranean termite species commonly found in the United States, including Reticulitermes spp., Coptotermes spp. and Heterotermes spp.

Subterfuge termite bait is contained in bait stations that are placed in the ground in areas of known termite activity. Hydramethylnon is relatively low in toxicity and the low use rate (0.3% active) means less pesticide load, BASF reports.

For more information visit www.spd.basf-corp.com.

BAYER INTRODUCES
HOME HEALTH TOOLBOX
Bayer Professional Care introduces Premise Gel as an integral part of the Bayer Home Health Toolbox. Premise Gel gives pest management professionals interior, localized control with pinpoint accuracy. The stabilized hydrogel technology found in Premise Gel actually attracts termites, Bayer reports. One gram of Premise Gel can kill more than 2,000 termites, even those who don’t come in direct contact with the gel, the company says. Premise Gel acts as an attractant that stays pliable and moist for up to six weeks. It can be used in wall voids, window sills, floor joists, wooden floors, utility penetrations, crown moldings, wainscotting and window casings. Applied with a deep placement gel gun, Premise Gel lets you target termite “hot spots” with surgical precision, eliminating termites in localized areas and stopping their advance.

With Premise Gel, termite hot spots are controlled promptly, without complete reliance on heavy equipment and full interior drilling, according to Bayer. Application holes are 1/8-inch in diameter, about the size of a small nail hole.
As part of the Home Health Toolbox, Premise Gel adds interior convenience and precision control, making it an important part of any termite control program.

For more information visit www.bayerprocentral.com.

ENSYSTEX INTRODUCES
NEW SOFTWARE UNIT
Ensystex Inc. announces the ultimate termite bait data management system, the company says. The Exterra Termite Interception and Baiting System Software, called Exteris, has been improved to allow greater flexibility and ease of use. With the incorporation of the Handspring Visor, along with the Symbol Springboard Scanning Module, an economical and reliable scanning system can be placed in the hands of your termite baiting personnel. Using the Handspring Visor/Scanning unit, as well as the earlier Symbol SPT1700, allows you to:
• Install new sites on the field scanner for downloading at the office.
• Inspection data is verified during the inspection process to be sure all stations due for inspection are completed.
• Inspector can reschedule by date or on calendar the next inspection date for specific stations.
• Inspector can find sites by customer name, address or phone number and inspect those sites even if not currently due for inspection.

Watch for continued improvements and enhancements in the future, the company says. For more information visit www.ensystex.com.

FIRSTLINE’S
NEWEST ADDITION:
THE DEFENDER 
The Defender unit is the biggest new development in termite control, FMC says. The patent-pending four-chamber Defender unit can be used for termite monitoring and baiting. It has been designed for quarterly inspections to help pest management professionals reduce labor costs and increase profits. Plus, the unique design of the Defender unit allows for faster termite control and minimizes disturbance of the termites.

Each Defender unit comes pre-assembled with four octagonal, slotted, southern yellow pine wood monitors, and a novel Transfer Device that allows termites to move freely throughout the Defender unit. The Defender unit uses the FMC-patented SMARTDISC Locator ridged rim to help termites find the food source faster.

The Defender unit is easy to install and remains in the ground for the duration of the termite treatment program. Once a wooden monitor is infested, up to four FirstLine GT Plus Termite Bait Stations can be introduced into the Defender unit. That means no auxiliary stations need to be installed. Each FirstLine GT Plus Termite Bait Station contains enough bait to feed and kill at least 80,000 termites — that’s 320,000 if you use all four chambers. Sulfluramid, the active ingredient in the termite bait, kills all subterranean termite castes, including reproductives, FMC reports.

For more information visit www.fmc-apgspec.com.

NISUS OFFERS BORA-CARE WARRANTY
Nisus Corp. reports that it has recently introduced the only manufacturer’s warranty that covers damage repair, replacement product and retreatment labor.

Bora-Care is effective for eliminating termites and creating profits. Bora-Care saves pest management professionals time and makes them money, according to Nisus. Bora-Care is applied directly to the wood, which is a simple and efficient process that eliminates pumping of gallons of other products into the soil.

In addition, the following are 10 reasons why pest management professionals are switching to Bora-Care, according to Nisus:
1.  Builders love the advantages.
2.  Weather delays are eliminated.
3.  Excavation and landscaping do not affect the pretreatment.
4.  Allows treatment near water.
5.  HUD’s change in policy provides alternatives to builders.
6.  Bora-Care is listed by the International Building Codes.
7.  Toxicity is a rising concern among homeowners.
8.  Efficacy tests show proven results.
9.  Now you can be profitable on termite pretreatments.
10. Scheduling is simple.

For more information about Nisus visit www.nisuscorp.com. 

WHITMIRE MICRO-GEN DEVELOPS
TERMITE BAIT
Whitmire Micro-Gen has developed and registered a new termite bait, offering an innovative termite management solution to pest management professionals. Whitmire Micro-Gen’s termite bait will be initially distributed by Bayer Corporation, Professional Care, under Bayer’s brand Outpost TBR (Termite Bait Response), beginning this month. This strategic partnership marks Whitmire Micro-Gen’s entry into the termite bait market.

Whitmire Micro-Gen’s termite bait employs a unique bait matrix technology and contains the active ingredient diflubenzuron, a proven chitin synthesis inhibitor, which causes delayed-action mortality. The bait provides the performance of a proven IGR bait in a unique matrix that offers flexibility in system design.

In addition to its new termite bait, Whitmire Micro-Gen recently partnered with Sector Diagnostics to introduce Termatrol, a termite monitoring program proven to increase revenue for pest management professionals, according to the company.

This system features three different termite monitoring stations with options for customization, such as imprints and colors, allowing pest management professionals to develop their own brand of termite service. Once termites are detected, pest management professionals have complete flexibility in control options, including the use of Bayer Outpost Bait.

For more information, PCOs can visit www.wmmg.com. 

Manufacturers, to have your product featured in an upcoming issue of PCT magazine, send information to PCT, 4012 Bridge Ave., Cleveland OH 44113. Or, you can e-mail information to jdorsch@pctonline.com.