Steve Broadbent, Ensystex’s Regional Director, has advised that Ensystex’s next generation of cockroach control measures, ATTRATHOR Targeted Insecticide will be featured at the forthcoming AEPMA Conference in Sydney. ATTRATHOR is the world’s first liquid cockroach bait, powered by micro-encapsulated fipronil.

Cockroach control historically began with liquids and sprays. Then came gel baits, which are generally considered more effective and environmentally friendlier, but labour intensive. Now ATTRATHOR revolutionises cockroach control again, using a targeted film application containing Quick-release Insect Attractant Micro-capsules™ with Controlled-release Active Microcapsules™ of fipronil to give improved efficacy compared to that of gel baits, and it is much quicker to apply.

Mr Broadbent explained the unique technology employed in this breakthrough product, “The Quick-release Insect Attractant Micro-capsules are tiny, 2 μm solid-core capsules which contain the food attractant in a matrix within a polymer shell. These tiny micro-capsules have a large surface area relative to their volume, which allows for the quick release of the attractant. The attractant diffuses out through the shell, quickly luring the cockroaches to the target zone.

The Controlled-release Active Microcapsules are larger, 35 – 55 μm liquid-core capsules containing the active fipronil. These micro-capsules have a finer polymer shell, and trapped between the liquid fipronil core and the shell are tiny bubbles of CO₂. These bubbles pressurise the micro-capsules, ensuring that when the insect treads on them, or makes contact with them, they burst open. This releases the deadly fipronil which is absorbed directly through the cuticle. The micro-capsules also adhere to their legs and antennae. Then, when the cockroaches groom themselves, they remove the fipronil micro-capsules which again burst, to release more liquid fipronil.

Additionally, when the cockroaches socialise, they unknowingly pass the fipronil on. This creates the Viral Transfer Effect™ leading to the kill of more cockroaches. Consequently, in field situations, we see a significant reduction in the cockroach population within 48 hours.”

Mr Broadbent further explained how “ATTRATHOR is easily applied through standard spray equipment and is quickly targeted into cockroach harbourages. Numerous smaller placements will provide faster control than fewer larger spots, especially for German cockroach control. ATTRATHOR is great for use in warehouses, restaurants, food manufacturing, processing and storage plants, supermarkets, hotels, hospitals, domestic and other similar situations.

Long-lasting protection is ensured through the micro-encapsulated fipronil, with the larger size of these micro-capsules ensuring improved performance on porous surfaces. The encapsulation protects the fipronil, only releasing it when the cockroaches pass over the micro-capsules, thus improving the longevity of the product, even in harsh kitchen environments.”

Mr Broadbent finished by advising, “ATTRATHOR uniquely provides both active and passive control of cockroaches. Active control is achieved through the liquid bait effect with the Quick-release Insect Attractant Micro-capsules luring the cockroaches to the residual film. When the cockroaches traverse the film to seek out the food, they break the Controlled-release Active Micro-capsules releasing the deadly fipronil. Due to fipronil’s non-repellent chemistry, with its presence further concealed by the polymer coating of the capsules, the cockroaches remain totally unaware of fipronil’s presence. They are therefore actively lured to their death. Death occurs through either Contact Action - as the fipronil passes into the cockroach through the cuticle; or Stomach Action - as the cockroach grooms itself and breaks or removes the Active Micro-capsules laced with fipronil; or through the Viral Transfer Effect when the cockroaches pass the Active Micro-capsules on to other cockroaches.

Passive control is achieved through the effects of the liquid film forming a residual defence zone. ATTRATHOR is applied as a targeted surface spray into cockroach harbourages and areas where cockroaches frequent. Here it also works like any other surface spray, except there is a very big benefit because ATTRATHOR is powered by fipronil’s non-repellent insecticidal chemistry. The cockroaches cannot detect the presence of the fipronil, so they readily cross the treated target zone and later die.”

For more information on ATTRATHOR simply visit the Ensystex booth at the National Conference.

The 35 – 55 μm Controlled-release Active Microcapsules contain liquid fipronil and are pressurised with CO₂. The 2 μm solid core Quick-release Insect Attractant Micro-capsules contain the bait attractant.

Electron microscope view of the different capsules.

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