Researchers Meet At First-Ever BASF Technical Interchange

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — About 20 entomology researchers from across the United States are meeting Monday through Thursday for the first-ever BASF Technical Interchange. This meeting brings together many of the pest control industry’s leading university and extension entomologists to share some of the latest advances and insights into structural pest management.

The event coincides with the five-year anniversary of the launch of BASF’s fipronil product, Termidor.

The event kicked off Monday night with dinner and presentations by Stephen Briggs, director, BASF Specialty Products Department; Bill Baxter, business manager, BASF Professional Pest Control; and Susan Burkart, BASF global marketing manager. Mark Coffelt, BASF technical manager, welcomed attendees.

On Tuesday, attendees heard from several BASF representatives. A wide range of topics — from an overview of professional pest control marketing and PerimeterPLUS efficacy training, to the mode of action of fipronil and its soil residue data — were discussed.

Also on Tuesday, attendees broke into groups to tour BASF’s “RTP” facilities. On the tour were visits to the analytical lab, the formulations lab, the Kilo lab (which works on product development and various formulations), the advanced testing II lab, the mode of action lab and the resistance lab.

On Wednesday, attendees will make their research presentations about termite and general pest control throughout the day. Attendees include:

• Jules Silverman, North Carolina State University
• Coby Schal, North Carolina State University
• Edward Vargo, North Carolina State University
• Laurel Hansen, Spokane Falls Community College
• Susan Jones, Ohio State University
• Xing Ping Hu, Auburn University
• Julian Yates, University of Hawaii
• Grzesiek Buczkowski, Purdue University
• Shripat Kamble, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
• Brian Forschler, University of Georgia
• Michael Rust, University of California - Riverside
• Richard Houseman, University of Missouri
• Gary Bennett, Purdue University
• Brad Kard, Oklahoma State University
• Patricia Zungoli, Clemson University
• Rudi Scheffrahn, University of Florida
• Mike Merchant, Texas A&M University
• Ed Freytag, New Orleans Mosquito & Termite Control Board

Stay tuned to PCT Online and PCT magazine in the coming days and months for additional coverage of this event.