Greenzone has acquired Altis reticulation systems to broaden its termite protection range of products.   Greenzone Termite Barrier has announced the acquisition of Altis Pty. Ltd., the company that produces the Altis Reticulation System. The acquisition of Altis is a significant expansion of Greenzone’s product range and capabilities within the termite market. “Following on from the launch of Greenzone Fipronil and Greenzone Bifenthrin late last year, the acquisition of Altis means Greenzone can now offer our customers a comprehensive range of termite protection products for both the pre ..read more

Barbara Checchi takes over from Joanne George as Australia business manager for Sentricon at Corteva AgriScience.   After 29 years’ commitment to the Sentricon brand, Joanne George has announced her retirement from Corteva Agriscience. Ms George will be a familiar name for those working in termite management as she has been a trusted contact for technical support for Sentricon for many years, first in her role with Dow AgroSciences and later with Corteva. Following Ms George’s retirement, Barbara Checchi has now stepped into the role of business manager for Sentricon and is based at the C ..read more

MethioSHIELD is the latest release from Sundew Solutions, a methiocarb-based pellet for controlling slugs and snails. Sundew Solutions has announced the addition of MethioSHIELD Snail and Slug Bait to its growing range of products. Harnessing the power of its unique active ingredient, methiocarb, MethioSHIELD offers a powerful solution for snail and slug and control. Available in two commercial sizes – a 10 kg carton or a 150 kg steel drum – this Australian-made solution sets a new standard in snail and slug control. Each pellet is a potent force, capable of eliminating up to 30 snails, making ..read more

The chemicals emitted by bed bugs (both dead and alive) could be the key to their accurate detection and trapping. The resurgence of bed bugs as a public health concern has been brought to global attention in recent months. Those in the pest control industry know that new and sustainable methods to monitor and control bed bugs are greatly needed. One of the greatest challenges is detection; due to their nocturnal activity, small size and discreet behaviour, bed bugs are difficult to find in the first place. The resurgence of bed bug infestations and the inefficiency of chemical insecticides in ..read more

Researchers have tested two naturally-derived substances as potential bed bug insecticides, with encouraging initial results. It is well documented that bed bugs (Cimex spp.) pose a serious threat to human physical and mental health, especially in areas of high housing density. Using an effective repellent can prevent or reduce the number of bed bug bites suffered. Long considered the gold standard of insect repellents, DEET (N,N-diethyl-3-methyl benzoyl amide) has high repellency and long-term effectiveness, and is the most commonly used repellent for preventing bites. However, increasing evi ..read more

Researchers have devised a simple, cost-effective approach to modern bed bug control.  There is a significant need for cost-effective bed bug control, as the level of bed bug infestations in lower socioeconomic areas of the world can be significant. Indeed, the level of infestation in government housing in some areas of the US has to be seen to be believed! Whether it’s governments spending the money or the residents themselves, budget is tight. But with the high levels of insecticide resistance in these same bed bug infestations, any bed bug control not only needs to be low cost but also ..read more

Gavin Wilson, Technical and Marketing Manager ANZ for Liphatech, outlines the tools available at the pest manager’s disposable for dealing with rodents.  Integrated Rodent Management (IRM) is a comprehensive approach that combines various strategies and tools to effectively manage and prevent rodent infestations. To execute IRM successfully, pest management professionals rely on a diverse set of tools designed to address the unique challenges posed by rodents. These tools include inspection equipment, exclusion materials, technology, hardware and personal protective gear. When used togeth ..read more

It has been a few years since our last Pest Pulse survey on bed bugs. So what are pest managers reporting about bed bug work now in 2024? It’s been five years since Professional Pest Manager magazine ran a bed bug survey. So, following the high level of media exposure resulting from the bed bug ‘outbreak’ in Paris and its potential impact on the Olympics, it seemed like a good time to see what might be happening with bed bugs in Australia. The first point to make about the survey is that, although it was open to all pest managers to reply, it is likely that the responses were biased towards pe ..read more

If a rodent control program fails, is it a case of rodenticide resistance? An overview of rodenticide resistance – history, incidence, mechanism and more. As with all pesticide use, the potential for rodent populations developing resistance to rodenticides is very real. But before jumping to a conclusion that the non-performance of a rodent program is due to rodenticide resistance, it is important to exclude other potential factors for non-performance. Are the rodents actually taking the bait? Is enough bait being provided? Are additional rodents entering from outside the treatment area? If al ..read more

The start of 2024 saw the voluntary winding down of Women in Pest Management (WIPM) and the last episode of Pestie Profiles, two organisations appreciated by many.  Two prominent figures in the Australian pest management industry, Nicky and Jay Turner, have announced the end of their volunteer roles at Women in Pest Management and Pestie Profiles, respectively. Former President of Women In Pest Management (WIPM), Ms Turner spoke on behalf of the executive committee to announce the voluntary winding down of the female-led organisation in a statement released on January 25, 2024. The wind d ..read more