[Termite Update] News and Notes from the Termite World

Genetic Pesticide Developed in UF Lab

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The next generation of termite control weapons could target the termite’s very genes. “The trend in insect control is to find methods that eliminate the problematic insect without affecting anything else in the environment,” said Michael Scharf, an entomologist with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. “What could possibly be more specific than genes that are unique to the insect itself?”

In a paper published in the journal Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Scharf, along with colleagues Xuguo Zhou, Faith Oi and graduate student Marsha Wheeler, describe the effects of a mixture that, when consumed by termites, causes them to be cripplingly deformed after molting.

The active agent in this “genetic pesticide” is RNA — small strips of genetic material that, within a cell, carry the instructions encoded in DNA to other cellular structures that put those instructions to work.

The team analyzed part of the termite genome and picked a gene that would disrupt the insect’s life cycle and is only found in that type of termite. They then crafted an RNA structure that would interfere with the RNA associated with that specific gene — thus silencing its activity.

“For a long time, the pest control industry has been trying to develop neurotoxin-like chemicals to control insects by trying to tailor the toxin to the insect,” said John Reese, a Kansas State University entomology professor working on a genetic pesticide for aphids. “But all nervous systems are going to be at least a little bit alike, and the chances that you could hurt other creatures or cause damaging pollution are still a major concern.

“But if you try to interfere with a gene of an insect, there’s virtually no chance that you’re going to affect a mammal and almost no chance that you’ll even affect an insect that’s a close relative to the target species,” Reese added.

Despite certain pests’ susceptibility to RNA interference, any marketable genetic pesticide is still many years away from development, Scharf said. When and if they are put into use, however, they may solve another major problem plaguing modern insecticides.

Whitmire Micro-Gen Launches Advance Compressed Termite Bait II

ST. LOUIS — Whitmire Micro-Gen has launched Advance Compressed Termite Bait II, a larger bait load product for the Advance Termite Bait System (ATBS). Available in the spring of 2009, the new bait features a 124-gram load — 33 percent greater than in the existing Advance 93-gram bait cartridge — along with a new four-month service interval option for monitoring stations.

The cartridge has the same dimensions as the 93-gram bait product, meaning it fits in all existing ATBS stations. By optimizing the compression of the bait tablets, Whitmire Micro-Gen scientists were able to fit four bait tablets into the same size container that previously held only three.

The 124-gram bait label allows pest management professionals to monitor the Advance Termite Bait Stations three times per year or, if preferred, to continue the current quarterly monitoring interval. Such a schedule can save PCOs money through reductions in labor and gas costs by servicing one less time per year, all while maintaining the same effectiveness of the quarterly service frequency, the company said.

“Flexibility is a key reason for the enhanced bait load,” said Dr. James Cink, termite product development manager at Whitmire Micro-Gen. “Our customers can use the label as they currently do, or utilize the tri-annual bait label, which gives both pest management professionals and their customers more options.”

Transport Termiticide Insecticide Receives Registration in New York State

PHILADELPHIA — FMC Professional Solutions has received registration from the State of New York for the sale and use of Transport termiticide insecticide, a broad label non-repellent product.

Transport has a flexible label, which allows pest management professionals in New York to extend their coverage area for termites. In addition, Transport extends its coverage because of its non-repellent formulation, which combines fast-acting control and long-term residual.

Transport termiticide insecticide has demonstrated that it clears structures of termites within 30 days, according to FMC. The dual-action technology delivers control of termites while providing the structure with long-lasting perimeter protection from the three main genera of subterranean termites: Reticulitermes, Heterotermes and Coptotermes.

“New York is the strongest pest control market in the country and Transport’s broad label was approved as-is, allowing it to deliver fast-acting, long-lasting results for pest management professionals who have high expectations,” said Ryan Weber, pest product manager, FMC Professional Solutions.

Arrow Exterminators Installs 100,000th Sentricon System

WOODSTOCK, Ga. — The team at Arrow Exterminators, Atlanta, recently completed its 100,000th installation of the Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System. The company is one of the first Authorized Operators of the Sentricon System to reach this milestone.

“We love the Sentricon System because it allows us an opportunity to communicate with our customers on a regular basis,” said Jeff Singley, executive vice president of Arrow Exterminators. “We’re proud to say our customer retention has never been better and our termite reinfestation rate is at an all-time low.”

Representatives from Dow AgroSciences recently recognized the achievement during a partner appreciation dinner held at Arrow Exterminators’ National Training Center in Woodstock, Ga.

Dave Morris, commercial leader, U.S. Urban Pest Management, and Mike Lind, district sales manager, for Dow AgroSciences, presented a plaque honoring the accomplishment to Singley, along with Joe Thomas, chairman and CEO of Arrow Exterminators.

“We are thankful to have extraordinary partners like Arrow Exterminators,” Morris said. “Ongoing improvements to our portfolio of products have only been possible through our relationship with companies like Arrow Exterminators — companies that are willing to explore new potentials and possibilities and that truly stand behind our brands.”

E-Town Exterminating and Bayer ES Help Preserve a Piece of U.S. History

LARUE COUNTY, Ky. — Roy Rich, retired president of E-Town Exterminating, founded his company in Elizabethtown, Ky., in 1976. Today, Roy’s son, Shawn, who has 14 years experience in the industry, guides the business with the same steady hand as his father.

Fittingly, with more than 30 years in the business, E-Town has experienced a wide variety of innovation and new products, and it has evolved as new techniques and methods have developed. In the last decade, however, the only product Shawn and Roy have needed to combat termites is Bayer’s non-repellent termiticide, Premise. In fact, when Premise debuted on the market in 1997, E-Town began to use the product immediately. That’s why, when the Lincoln Boyhood Home called Roy and Shawn to ask for their help in controlling a termite infestation at this historic site, they chose Premise.

The Lincoln Boyhood Home, on Knob Creek in LaRue County, Ky., is the childhood home of President Abraham Lincoln. It can be found in history books and in Lincoln’s own letters as the place of his first memories as a young boy.

Ever-committed to preserving the nation’s historical sites, the National Park Service announced plans for a $1.8 million restoration of the site to prepare for the Lincoln Bicentennnial in 2009. During a recent inspection of the home, crews discovered active termites.

Sandy Brue, chief of interpretation and resource management for the National Park Service, called E-Town because she knew the company had previously worked with sensitive historical sites, including Lincoln’s birthplace.

Roy and Shawn Rich were honored to have the chance to preserve such an important historical site. For a severe infestation, like the one at the Lincoln Boyhood Home, they turned to Premise 75 for its non-repellent chemistry.

“Premise has a proven record of success for me,” Roy said. “I wouldn’t think of using anything else because of its great track record, especially on a structure of such significance.” An inspection of the site revealed old termite damage as well as active tunnels and termites. E-Town has treated the site already, and plans to re-inspect regularly, to ensure termites will never again attempt to destroy this important piece of American history.

Termite Institute Web Content Now Available to BASF Partner Sites

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — BASF now offers its pest management professional customers the opportunity to link their company Web sites to its consumer education Web site, the Termite Institute (www.termiteinstitute.com).

Since its launch in 2006, the Termite Institute has helped tens of thousands of visitors learn the basics of pest biology and moved them forward in their decisions to purchase pest management services from BASF partner companies. The site was updated in 2008 to offer new content and interactive visitor experiences. 

The site features a Find a Professional ZIP code locator and the company’s Termidor termiticide/insecticide Hot Leads program that connects consumers with companies in their area. Partners interested in linking directly from their Web sites to either or both special versions of the Institutes, can do so by simply establishing a link from their Web site to www.TermiteInstitutePartners.com.

In partnership with the University of Florida, the site allows visitors to follow the daily lives of eastern subterranean termites in real time. Web cameras capture engaging and up-close snapshots of termites 24 hours a day, seven days a week — simulating a typical home invasion for consumers at the click of a mouse.

Additional new features for the Termite Institute include multimedia galleries of videos, photos and audio; a podcast; a news tool on the home page that refreshes to feature the latest termite news; a poll feature that allows visitors to weigh in on timely pest-related topics; and a keyword search that directs visitors where they want to go in seconds.