The Face of Ant Bait

Ryan Neff, Ph.D.

Ryan Neff spent several years at a large pest control company before transferring to manufacturing in 2019. “Manufacturing combines everything I like — not just talking bugs, but advising in a real-world capacity,” he said.

Neff’s expertise in social insects has made him a sought-after consultant for PMPs. While he would be happy to spend all day talking ants, Neff’s role also includes field trials, new product development and troubleshooting infestations.

Neff recognizes that education is critical for successful treatments. “Looking forward, the tools available, like active ingredients and formulations, will become increasingly limited, which means PMPs will need a strong understanding of species biology, products available and how to charge appropriately for those services,” he said.

Available products include MGK’s Sumari® line. Neff swears by the ant gel bait for timely kill, while the all-in-one insecticide is labeled for a wide variety of pests.

Neff received his undergraduate and master’s degrees from Texas A&M University and his Ph.D. in entomology from UC Riverside.

Company: MGK

Company Bio: MGK is a worldwide leader in the development and distribution of the botanical insecticide pyrethrum as well as a wide range of conventional insect control technologies. With high-performing, innovative products for nearly all major pests, MGK is helping PMPs increase productivity and profitability.

Years in Business: 121

Location: Minneapolis, Minn.

More Info: mgk.com

February 2024
Explore the February 2024 Issue

Check out more from this issue and find your next story to read.