Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
with the pest. When an emulsion concen-
trate or a suspension concentrate is used,
the insecticide is absorbed and becomes
unavailable.
for fl ying insects and being used for residual
activity. The most signifi cant role aerosols
play is in preventing the use of excess
chemicals by being precise.
Targeting the feeding zone
Controlling mosquito larvae in stagnant
water pools is a formidable challenge. The
use of a broad-spectrum insecticide would
often pose limitations owing to fear of
contamination and an effect on non-target
organisms. One such formulation developed
by Ramdas and Khetan (1990) was designed
to incorporate a number of unique features
that would specifi cally work against mos-
quito larvae. The formulation used
Bacillus
thuringiensis
in a stabilized suspension of
the micronized toxicant in an oil phase
containing lyophillic surfactants dispersed
in an alcohol. The droplet of the product on
contact with water spread spontaneously
into a micro-reticulum, which eventually
breaks down into evenly distributed
microglobules. These microglobules are of
5 μm diameter and are for rapid ingestion
by the mosquito larvae. This formulation
allowed the easy horizontal spread of the
toxin compared with other fl owable
formulations, which spread out in three
dimensions.
Sprayable baits
Pest such cockroaches and ants are often
diffi cult to treat using conventional chemi-
cals because their harbourages are often
beyond the reach of a sprayer. Baits also
fail if they are placed away from the
harbourage and feeding zone. This
situation could be very well addressed by a
sprayable bait formulation. This type uses
a food attractant and an active ingredient
together in a water-miscible formulation
that can be sprayed using a conventional
hand sprayer.
Horizontal transfer and colony suppression
Conventional insecticides are often not
effective in managing structural pests such
as cockroaches, ants and termites, which
are cryptic in nature. Also when disturbed
they move out of the treated zone.
Insecticide baits have provided a rational
solution for such hard-to-control pests by
allowing the treatment of inaccessible areas
and saving cost. The process of 'horizontal
transfer' of insecticide across to other
members of the group or colony has been
successfully elucidated in cockroaches,
termites and ants by the use of baits.
Dispersal in the treatment
zone
Treating hard-to-reach cracks and crevices
is often a challenge because most pests
harbour in such areas. Aerosol formulations
help achieve this task. This form of for-
mulation has many advantages over other
types of delivery systems. Formulations of
this nature are safe, convenient, have a long
shelf life and can be precisely delivered.
The compressed air also helps deep
penetration, such as in cracks and crevices,
which cannot be attained by coarse sprayers.
Aerosol formulations also allow particle
choices from super-fi ne space spraying to a
coarser surface spray. Under indoor con-
ditions, aerosols can perform a variety of
roles such as fl ushing out pests from hidden
zones, directly killing them, treating a space
Providing options and warranties
Knowing consumers have a poor knowledge
of pest management, practitioners can go
around the 'information asymmetry' and
make the business more tradable by offering
extra benefi ts to gain consumers' trust.
Information asymmetry between the con-
sumer and practitioner can be further
addressed by providing literature, client
references and web reviews on both prod-
ucts and quality of services. Practitioners
can use product updates with research and
fi ndings to help the consumer gain
reassuring information and thus make a
decision. Practitioners can also experiment
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