Annual Termite Control Issue: Termite Market Preview

To kick off the termite season, PCT wanted to provide its readers with the newest product innovations 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.

Be sure to check out the March issue of PCT as we’ll feature additional termite coverage. Good luck this termite season!

Manufacturers, if you have information about a new termite product, send a press release and photo to jdorsch@pctonline.com.

BASF PROFESSIONAL PEST CONTROL

Phantom termiticide-insecticide is a nonrepellent product that eliminates subterranean termite species from infested structures and protects those structures from further invasion. It is also labeled for indoor use in cracks and crevices to control general pests, such as ants and cockroaches. Its effectiveness was demonstrated in nearly 500 Experimental Use Permit (EUP) trials across the United States in a wide variety of structures, the company says.

Phantom is a significant tool for pest control operators who are facing even the most persistent, troublesome termite infestations. The majority of structures treated in the Phantom EUP trials had high levels of infestations of different termite species, including Formosans.

The residual activity of Phantom is another important benefit since the areas treated retain their effectiveness and continue to defend the structure against the continuous siege of termites over a long period of time, BASF reports.

Phantom provides the same performance across the full range of soil types, pH ranges and percent of organic matter in the soil. In addition, because it is nonrepellent, it does not create a barrier that can trap termites within a structure. Since Phantom is not detected in the soil, termites move through the treated area, picking up an effective dose. Subsequent contact with other colony members helps transfer the dose to other colony members and accelerates population reduction. Ultimately, the product reaches other damage-causing termites well within the structure.

For more information about Phantom, contact the BASF Professional Pest Control group via its Web site at www.pestcontrolfacts.com.

BAYER ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Premise Gel is a unique, innovative tool for termite control, the company says. It attracts termites and knocks them dead, killing thousands of termites with every drop. Premise Gel stops termites at interior trouble spots with pinpoint accuracy and less drilling. Premise Gel features technology that gives termites what they need in above-ground infestations: water. An attractant that stays pliable and moist for up to six weeks, Premise Gel is applied with a deep-placement gel gun. Homeowners will appreciate the less intrusive method and PCOs will save time and labor, Bayer ES reports. With termites under control in hot spots, pest management professionals can more effectively protect the entire home and satisfy customers’ needs.

The original non-repellant termiticide, Premise protects more than 1 million homes. With liquid and new gel formulations, Premise provides reliable, precise solutions to build a termite control business. For more information, visit the newly enhanced www.BayerProCentral.com.

DOW AGROSCIENCES

The Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System sets the standard of performance in termite protection through its proven colony elimination, less disruption and environmental responsibility, the company says. The unmatched performance and innovation of the Sentricon System is protecting more than 1 million properties, including the Statue of Liberty and White House. Backed by independent research including more than 15 universities and the USDA, no other termite treatment offers such a wealth of research data to prove its effectiveness, Dow AgroSciences reports.

Through a managed introduction, Dow AgroSciences LLC is introducing the newest enhancement to the Sentricon System — the world’s first state-of-the-art electronic termite sensing technology. Another advancement in termite protection, the Sentricon System is the only treatment that electronically detects termites and eliminates colonies attacking the structure. Once termite colonies are eliminated, Authorized Operators (AOs) continue to electronically monitor the property to provide lifetime home protection against termite re-infestation.

For more information, visit the company’s Web site at www.dowagrosciences.com.

DIVERSIFIED PLASTICS

The E-Z Access Crawlspace Door SF is a new, economical compact frame version of the original E-Z Access Crawlspace Door. Designed for tight spaces such as vent wells, the SF model has a door opening of 18 by 24 inches and frame of 24 by 30 inches. It opens easily by simply lifting the door up and out of the frame. For more information visit the company’s Web site at www.divplastic.com.

FMC CORPORATION

FMC Corp. has introduced a food source that termites prefer eight times more than any other, the company says. Summon is a proprietary food source and is more readily accepted by termites over all commercially available termite baits and monitors, FMC reports. Termites want to fully exploit this food source, bringing more termites to the station and once termites enter into a station with Summon, they immediately begin to consume the material. It is so attractive to termites that they quickly "summon" more termites to the station. While termites find Summon more attractive than other food sources it does not prevent termites from consuming the bait. For more information, visit www.fmc.apgspec.com.

NISUS CORPORATION

Bora-Care a borate-based termiticide manufactured by the Nisus Corporation is now available to pest management professionals in 5-gallon containers as well as the traditional 1-gallon size. Bora-Care’s companion product, Jecta is also being distributed in a larger caulk gun size.

Nisus developed Bora-Care to address many pest control concerns. It is a termiticide, insecticide and fungicide that offers an innovative approach for the control and elimination of termites. Bora-Care is not a soil treatment but rather is applied directly to the wood during the dried-in phase of construction. Bora-Care diffuses deep into the wood and eliminates active infestations of termites, as well as beetles, carpenter ants and decay fungi.

In addition, Bora-Care provides long-term protection against future infestations. Nisus reports that Bora-Care is an environmentally sound method of termite treatment, is more cost effective, has less odor and work crews are not required to leave the job site during application. For those states that require soil treatments, Bora-Care can be used alongside these typical treatments to assure protection. The Nisus Corporation gives pest management professionals a five-year manufacturer’s warranty on Bora-Care. For more information visit the company’s Web site at www.nisuscorp.com.

WHITMIRE MICRO-GEN

Whitmire Micro-Gen’s Prescription Treatment brand Termite Monitoring System anchored by Termatrol offers tools for a perimeter termite monitoring program. PT 701 and PT 706 termite monitoring stations can be placed at critical termite entry "hot spots" of a home for selective monitoring or around the entire perimeter of a home for comprehensive termite monitoring. PT 709 C-Thru stations can be used as an interior and exterior termite detection portal for monitoring beneath slabs on grade or above ground into wall voids.

Whitmire Micro-Gen offers a Termite Monitoring brochure which describes in detail its termite monitoring product line and accessories, explains the benefits to both the pest management professional and the homeowner of a termite monitoring system, and offers a customized program using a company’s logo. Also available from Whitmire Micro-Gen is a termite monitoring video with a hands-on demonstration and practical information to make pest management more profitable.

For a free copy of Whitmire Micro-Gen’s Termite Monitoring Brochure or to purchase a video, call customer service at 800/777-8570 or visit www.wmmg.com.

PCT MEDIA GROUP

The PCT Media Group presents the third in the highly acclaimed series of interactive pest identification training aids. Volume III: The Termites features cutting-edge CD-ROM technology, high-resolution photography and 3-D imaging to educate pest management professionals on the finer points of termite identification and control. Features include: convenient, easy-to-use CD-ROM format, original three-dimensional full-color images, comprehensive visual and text descriptions of 21 commonly encountered termite species, searchable glossary of technical terms, printable homeowner fact sheets, interactive taxonomic key and termite ID testing component.

The CD, sponsored by Bayer Environmental Science, is just $49.95 (regular price $59.95) until 2/28/03. For further information, including a complete list of termites featured, visit www.pctonline.com/store or call 800/456-0707.

TERMITECH

The device patented in 2001 that allows for termite bait monitoring without the labor-intensive opening and closing of individual stations is nearing commercial reality, reports Dr. Gregg Henderson, a professor and urban entomologist at Louisiana State University AgCenter. A company has been formed to market the patent and create a commercial product.

"We have several companies interested in the pop-up technology," Henderson said. "Several manufacturers have recognized how the pop-up technology can benefit their baiting systems, reducing labor costs and increasing profits for pest management professionals (PMPs) while creating better loyalty amid very competitive termite bait systems. Based on early reports in PCT magazine, several PMPs have inquired about the technology; Orkin, in particular, has expressed interest in adding the pop up technology to their services nationwide."

The patented technology for the pop-up device is deceptively simple. Termites enter a traditional bait station and consume a cellulose trigger affixed to the bottom of the station. This releases a spring under tension, connected to both the trigger and the top of the station, which deploys a flag-indicator through the top of the station and alerts the pest management professional and/or homeowner to the presence of termites in the station. The pest management professional can then treat the station with the appropriate termite bait matrix.

"Not only can the station reduce labor costs and possibly lengthen the interval of monitoring visits," Henderson continued, "but the device can allow the homeowner to become a participant in the baiting process — imagine the calls placed to the pest management professional immediately after a pop-up event. Those customers are likely to renew their baiting contracts when they feel so involved and have proof of termites on their property and so near their homes."

Inquiries into the pop-up technology can be made to TermiTech LLC, at 225/603-8638, and through RealTermites@aol.com. — contributed by Allen Fugler, LIPCA Insurance Group

SYNGENTA PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Oct. 10 issued Syngenta Crop Protection Professional Products Division, registration of the Impasse Termite System. With this registration, Syngenta may now offer Impasse for commercial sale.

Impasse Termite System is a construction-grade, termite-proof sheet with the termiticide "locked in" between outer polymer layers. According to Syngenta, studies show that Impasse Termite System protects homes from slab-penetrating termites three to four times longer than traditional liquid termiticides.

"EPA registration concludes a journey started five years ago when we recognized a strong marketplace need for an advanced treatment under the foundation of a home," said Karen West-cott, marketing manager, Syngenta Professional Products. "Impasse Termite System allows Syngenta, which has provided termite treatments for decades, to expand our expertise within the building and pest management industries."

Impasse Termite System employs the active ingredient lambda-cyhalothrin, an insecticide with excellent efficacy against termite species and other urban insect pests, Syngenta says. Because Impasse Termite System contains the insecticide within a multilayered plastic barrier, it provides construction-grade strength while presenting virtually no exposure to installers or release into the environment.

Further information is available on the company’s Web site at www.syngentaprofessionalproducts.com.

LIPCA INSURANCE GROUP

LIPCA Insurance Group announces the addition of a new feature to its Web site (www.lipca.com): a map of every county in the United States that has reported a Formosan termite infestation. The map, compiled by LIPCA staff, is the result of the cooperation of PCOs, state associations, state regulatory officials and termite researchers.

Every effort has been taken to insure accuracy of the map and LIPCA is committed to keeping it current. For reports on new or current sites of Formosan infestations, e-mail LIPCA at 800/893-9887 or via e-mail at allenfugler@lipca.com.