Biflex® - The Real Facts about Repellency vs Non-Repellency

Return to previous page

It is time to get the facts right and dispel the myths.

Since the launch of imidacloprid (1998) and fipronil (2002), there has been a volley of marketing and promotional material from these manufacturers suggesting that termites will randomly forage until they hit a repellent barrier. It is claimed that termites will then probe along the barrier until they find a gap and exploit it.

Some of this promotional material even goes as far as to imply that repellent termiticides do not kill termites but only repels them. This is not correct and it is time the real facts about repellent termiticides were presented.

Biflex® is a repellent termiticide that both kills and repels termites. As a leader in the Australian market, Biflex® has proved itself as a robust and powerful termite management tool, offering 10 years protection from termite attack when used according to the label (using data generated in Australia by FMC and the CSIRO). This is a claim no non-repellent treatment can make.

Claims that termites in the field will probe along a repellent barrier seeking gaps to breach, are not backed with any adequate evidence or scientific explanation of this phenomenon. These myths have produced doubt in the market place over the effectiveness of repellent barrier treatments like Biflex®.

So what is so great about Repellent termiticides?

Double the protection with two modes of action

Fact: - A repellent termiticide like Biflex® will kill and repel termites. If a termite does not move away from the Biflex® barrier it will die very quickly. Non-repellent treatments can take a while to kill the termites and may even allow them to actually enter the structure that you are trying to protect.

Biflex® is fast acting and lethal to invading termites. The added benefit of repellency means there are two modes of action working in combination. One is reducing the pressure of the attack through repellency, the other killing those that do not choose to move away from the barrier.

Non-repellent products only have a single mode of action. Biflex® has a dual action to ensure long-term structural protection.

Target Specific

Fact: - A repellent termiticide like Biflex® will only target termites attacking the given structure. It only kills termites that are attempting to breach the barrier. The aim of any chemical termiticide registered in Australia is to provide longterm protection from concealed entry into a given structure.

The manufacturers of non-repellent termiticides claim that their product may eradicate colonies and that their products have a “margin of safety” that compensates for gaps in the barrier, because the termites do not detect the non-repellent barrier.

Despite these claims ALL chemical barriers registered in Australia must remain intact and continuous during the intended life of the treatment, making claims of application latitude doubtful.

No matter what product you are using the fundamentals of barrier treatments are to protect the structure from concealed termite entry, which can only be achieved by striving for a 100% continuous barrier installation.

Repellent termiticides have a lower environmental impact

Fact: - Repellent termiticides like Biflex® only kill termites attacking the structure. All non-repellent termiticide manufacturers acknowledge that termites are a cornerstone organism in our environment and play a vital role in nature recycling dead and decaying wood. A repellent termiticide like Biflex® displays a lower environmental impact, being more targeted and discriminating and better at maintaining the natural balance in the environment. Biflex® will not leach in the soil or translocate through plants like some of the non-repellent products, causing less disruption to non-target organisms.



Protection Period claims

The expected period of protection provided by a soil applied termiticide should be a key factor when deciding on a suitable product.

Fact: - Biflex® has double the registered protection period of any non-repellent termiticide registered in Australia. Manufacturers register expected protection periods based on Australian scientific data. Biflex® has been tried and tested in Australian conditions for more than 10 years.

Fact: - The non-repellent termiticides have registered protection periods of only 2 and 5 years. Biflex® has a 10 year registered protection claim and all the data to substantiate these claims is sourced from Australian data.

Some non-repellent termiticide manufacturers promote longer residual periods than what is actually printed on their label. Their claims are based upon US Department of Agriculture data which may not be relevant to Australia as soil types, climate, and termite species differ greatly.



Not all Repellent termiticides smell

Fact: - Biflex® Aqua and Biflex Ultra-Lo-Odour have no odour at all. Some non-repellent manufacturers have suggested that repellent termiticides have a “repulsive smell that lasts for a day or two”. This “broad brush” statement is not correct.

Multi-use and versatile

Fact: - Biflex® can be used for both pre-construction and post construction applications. It is registered for hand spraying and is approved for use in reticulation systems as well as for the management of general household insect pests. Its various formulations suit both internal and external situations.

None of the non-repellent termiticides are registered for pre-construction hand spray applications and are more suited to short term post construction termite management situations.



Repellence gives Value for money

Fact: - Based on current market prices, Biflex® is a cost effect, robust termiticide and insecticide that gives great value for your money. Speak to your professional pest manager about the Biflex® Advantage.




In Summary

Repellent or non-repellent - At the end of the day it is your choice but it is worthwhile knowing all the facts before making your choice. Clearly using Biflex® as your preferred termiticide makes good sense. Biflex® gives dual action, cost effective, long-term termite protection every time.

 

Click here for more information about Biflex
Click here to read the Biflex Material Safety Data Sheet


 

FMC® and Biflex® are registered trademarks of FMC (Chemicals) Pty Ltd
ABN 45 095 326 891
Crop & Speciality Products
77 Tingira Street, Pinkenba, QLD 4008
PO Box 329, Hamilton Central, QLD 4007
Free Call: 1800 066 355
Ph: (07) 3866 7700 - Fax: (07) 3866 7777
E-mail: fmcaus@fmc.com - Web site: www.fmc-chemicals.com.au

 

Top of page