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
