Cockroach control has become a whole lot easier and flexible with the recent release of Phantom® Pressurised Insecticide and the new System III applicator from BASF.
Phantom Pressurised Insecticide has been formulated with chlorfenapyr, a powerful non-repellent active ingredient that is undetectable to pests. It is the first pressurised product of its type to be launched in Australia.
Phantom Pressurised Insecticide is non-repellent
“Being non-repellent means that Phantom Pressurised Insecticide broadens the options for effective cockroach control,” said Stewart Paterson, Commercial Manager, BASF Pest Control Solutions. “It is undetectable to cockroaches, so they can’t avoid making contact with it.
“Phantom Pressurised Insecticide is an ideal alternative to synthetic pyrethroids for cockroach control – particularly in commercial situations. With Phantom Pressurised Insecticide there is no flushing effect. Cockroaches don’t scatter, they stay where they are and perish, in complete contrast to the synthetic pyrethroids. On top of that, Phantom Pressurised Insecticide will control cockroaches resistant to synthetic pyrethroids.
This makes Phantom Pressurised Insecticide ideal for use in commercial situations, particularly establishments where food preparation takes place. The operator can treat during normal business hours rather than having to wait until premises have been vacated.
“That flexibility is a great benefit to pest managers as it makes scheduling jobs easier and reduces out of hours labour costs.”
Phantom Pressurised Insecticide also allows pest managers to adopt a truly integrated approach to cockroach control. Its non-repellency means Phantom Pressurised Insecticide will not affect the palatability or attractiveness of gels and baits.
“So pest managers can reduce and manage populations of cockroaches by using Goliath® Cockroach Gel simultaneously with Phantom Pressurised Insecticide.”
Active ingredient dries as a crystal
Unlike the SC formulation, the chlorfenapyr in Phantom Pressurised Insecticide dries as a crystal. This offers several distinct benefits.
“The crystalline form of chlorfenapyr has a longer residual, and research has shown that Phantom Pressurised Insecticide is faster acting on German cockroaches than the SC formulation,” added Mr Paterson.
“The crystals have sharp edges which lacerate the cockroach cuticle. This improves uptake and absorption.”
An added benefit of the crystals is that they leave less visible residue than SC formulations and are effective on a range of surfaces – porous, non-porous or even those with high organic matter.
Strong effect on German cockroach nymphs
“Feedback from pest managers who have used Phantom Pressurised Insecticide has been enthusiastic and positive,” said Craig Burleigh, Sales Manager, BASF Pest Control Solutions. “From the start, our trial work on adult cockroaches indicated good control and good residual effect, so the positive comments from pest managers came as no surprise.”
“In addition, both trials and field use led us to believe that Phantom Pressurised Insecticide was also having a strong effect on the nymphs and eggs of German cockroaches. We asked BASF researchers to look into the issue and they conducted a laboratory study under controlled conditions that would provide a definitive answer.”
The results obtained were quite astounding. The majority of the nymphs that emerged from German cockroaches that had been killed by Phantom Pressurised Insecticide died within a few days.
“These results suggested that even though Phantom Pressurised Insecticide does not eradicate German cockroach eggs, it will eradicate a significant number of the nymphs that do hatch, even without direct contact to a treated surface.”
System III improves crack and crevice control of cockroaches
The System III is designed to make crack and crevice treatment of cockroaches faster, easier and more effective. Specifically developed and designed by BASF for Phantom Pressurised Insecticide, the System III takes cockroach control to a new level of targeted efficiency.
“Made from quality brass fittings and consisting of a small applicator and a long coiled hose, the System III makes reaching cracks, crevices and voids much easier,” said Mr Burleigh. The belt-mounted system is lightweight and manageable. You can have your flashlight in one hand and your applicator in the other.”
By using the System III, operators do not have to walk through premises with large sprayers. They look less conspicuous, an important consideration for public areas and commercial situations.
The System III enables the operator to get closer to where cockroaches are hiding. It also enables the applicator to to be turned upside down yet still deliver product.
“Because the delivery of the Phantom Pressurised Insecticide is so precise and targeted, less product is used and the can lasts longer. The combination of efficient product delivery and reduced job time means real savings for pest managers,” concluded Mr Burleigh.
The effectiveness of Phantom Pressurised Insecticide and the System III was demonstrated in a commercial café in Melbourne where an infestation of cockroaches needed to be controlled.
The café had a German cockroach problem that had been evident for about four months. On inspection, Michael Ashworth of Adams Pest Control found the infestation to be concentrated around the kitchen, the dishwasher and restroom area. A treatment of Phantom Pressurised Insecticide was carried out to cracks and crevices in and around the water pipes, skirtings and harbourage areas in the kitchen.
After two weeks, monitoring boards indicated only 33 nymphs present, down from 84 adults and nymphs prior to treatment. After three weeks the café owner reported seeing no cockroaches and only nine nymphs were found on the monitoring boards. After four weeks there were only two nymphs on the monitoring boards with no adults observed.
It was a great result for the cafe owner. Mr Ashworth thought the Phantom Pressurised Insecticide had done a great job and the System III made the job a lot easier. His final comment was, “When Phantom Pressurised Insecticide is used in conjunction with other applications, such as gels for example, cockroaches could be totally eliminated.”
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