Just attended a DuPont symposium on their new termiticide, Altriset. This is the first termiticide to come to market in 10 years, has a very "safe" label and MSDS and does some interesting things to termites that aid in it protecting structures.
It's toxicological profile is very interesting, it targets a very specific part of the termite's muscles. This limits its effects on non-target animals, including other insects, pets and humans. We just don't have the same "targets" in our bodies that this pesticide attacks. The MSDS is something I have never seen on a pesticide, it has no First Aid requirements for inhalation, skin contact or ingestion. Even boric acid, which many consider "safe", has first aid steps that need to be taken for certain exposures. Also, the label of Altriset has no "signal word", which indicates the relative toxicity or hazard of the product. I have never seen a pesticide without a signal word, which goes to show the safety of this product.
Because it attacks the muscles of the termites, one of the first symptoms of exposure to Altriset is the cessation of feeding. Within hours of exposure, the termites stop feeding on wood--their mandibles are paralyzed first because they are attached to the largest muscles in the insect. The will eventually stop moving, but not until they make it back into the colony and spread the insecticide through contact with unexposed individuals.
The third thing I'll share about Altriset is its performance in the field. It is great to do some of these things in the lab, but in the real world it stands up. The government has tests that all termiticides must pass before being approved, Altriset passed these without problem. In test plots and real world treatment sites, the Altriset is killing termites and lasting in the soil as good or better than every other termiticide available today.
APM has made the move to this great new product. We will continue to provide great service against termites, now with the additional benefits provided by Altriset.
I think APM is going to use this at my house next week. Glad to hear it's safe and reliable!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. Thank you for the info.
ReplyDeleteTERMITE COLONY ELIMINATION ? Your website says the Altriset affected termites "will eventually stop moving, but not until they make it back into the colony and spread the insecticide". This cannot be proven by current technologies - besides commonsense tells you that this depends upon the dosage of the poison consumed - some termites with high dose will be paralyzed immediately and die closeby - the other unaffected termites may close off this area if lots of termites are dead in one location - the colony nest could be 200 feet away - Be careful what you say or imply about this product's ability to eradicate entire colony attacking a home ... even DuPont do NOT say explicity it will eradicate the entire colony. Glenn DuBois www.termite.com
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