Just to piggy-back on my last post about DuPont's new product, here is a video created by the University of Florida's Department of Entomology. This video shows the effects of Altriset on termites. You can see the effect it has on their muscles and locomotion. The black line is from a ballpoint ink pen--there is a chemical in the ink that mimics the pheromones they use to mark trails, they will follow a drawn line for a good distance.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
DuPont's newest product, Altriset.
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.
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.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Sad story
This happened over a year ago, but it looks like the the accused will be held responsible soon. This is a sad story and shows the dangers we have trying to protect peoples' property from pests. An honest, well-trained pest technician can do wonders to preventing pests in and around homes, while things like this happen when pesticide labels are not followed, quick or cheap fixes are done and standards are not followed.
From when I first read about this to today when I read this latest article, my heart breaks for this family and the pain they have and will continue to endure.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/51177556-76/nocks-company-court-federal.html.csp
From when I first read about this to today when I read this latest article, my heart breaks for this family and the pain they have and will continue to endure.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/51177556-76/nocks-company-court-federal.html.csp
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Political rats
President Obama had a vole run across his feet during a speech outside the White House a while back, but now the British Prime Minister had a rat run across the outside of his residence:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJFsNtKqy-c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJFsNtKqy-c
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