Resources Available from Rockwell Labs

Resources Available from Rockwell Labs

Choosing the right product is only half the battle when it comes to pest management. It is important to have access to quality information and educational resources. Rockwell Labs offers several resources to help ensure your efforts are successful and your customers are happy. Check out the different resources available to you on our website.

Technical Guides

Our technical guides and service protocols provide information to help you confidently and effectively handle pest and bio-sanitation problems. The guides are beneficial whether you are treating residential or commercial accounts. You can find information about common pests, products, and application tips to guarantee effective results.

Our technical guide topics include:

  • Ant Management
  • Bed Bug Control
  • Cockroach Management (English and Spanish versions available)
  • Mosquito Management
  • EcoVia Botanicals (Benefits and Science of Botanical Insecticides)
  • Flea & Tick Management
  • InVade Bio Sanitation Treatment Protocol
  • Overwintering Pests
  • Perimeter Pest Control
  • Small Fly Management
  • Choosing the Appropriate Dust

You can read, download, and print any of our technical guides. If you would prefer a hard copy, contact your Rockwell Labs technical rep and they will be able to assist you.

Videos

If you are seeking information about our products or service training, our videos are a great resource. The video section is comprised of three categories including:

  • Company and Product Overview Video: This video provides background information about Rockwell Labs. You can also familiarize yourself with our different product lines.
  • Product/Treatment Videos: These videos contain detailed information about our products and equipment. You can also view videos that explain application protocols and the ideal products to use for specific pest problems.
  • Educational/Training Videos: Our educational and training videos offer additional information to help you deal with pest problems. You can find information about green and conventional protocols, pursuing a bio sanitation business, tips for choosing the right products, and product application tips (to name a few).

Printed Literature

Our printed literature section contains other product-related information. You’ll be able to view the Rockwell Labs product catalog, which provides detailed information about available products and product codes.

Other literature includes information about:

  • The InVade product line
  • SeptiTreat
  • EcoVia EC
  • Invict Xpress
  • The Spanish InTice 10 product sheet

These can be viewed, downloaded, and printed.

Quick Tip Sheets

For a quick but helpful read, you can view our quick tip sheets. These pack a lot of information into easy one page reference sheets. They highlight various pest treatment protocols and provide information about our products.

Our quick tip sheet topics include:

  • Ultimate 2-Step Perimeter Protection
  • Top 10 Reasons Why You Need InTice 10
  • Spring Foraging Ant Baiting Product Guide
  • Get Control of Small Flies, Turn the Scum into Bait
  • 10 Reasons Why CimeXa Should Be Your Go-To Bed Bug Product
  • Cockroach Bait Rotation Prevents Bait Aversion
  • Get Lightning-Fast Results for Active Infestations
  • Monitoring Solutions for Stored Product Pests
  • Cockroach Resistance. Diversify Your Plan of Attack!
  • The Most Advanced Botanical Concentrate Formulation for Mosquito & Tick Control
  • Get Into the Green Scene with Rockwell’s Green Zone Products
  • Innovative Bait Formulation Technology for Superior Efficacy Against Ants

Product Documentation

This section includes important reference information and documentation related to various Rockwell products regarding organic use classifications, specifications, NSF registrations, and statements.  

Documentation includes:

  • National Organic Program Statement: This document certifies that the products listed meet the requirements of the USDA National Organic Program (NOP). These products can be used for pests on organic crops, organic livestock, and in and around organic processing facilities.
  • InVade Bio Sanitation Specifications: The specifications document discusses the microbial blend used in our InVade Bio Sanitation products, how the microbes work, why the strains chosen are the most effective at fighting organic build-up, and end product specifications for the InVade product line.  
  • InVade Bio Cleaner NSF Registration: This document verifies the NSF registration of InVade Bio Cleaner and outlines the acceptable uses of the product. NSF Registration Number 141413.
  • InVade Bio Drain NSF Registration: This document verifies the NSF registration of InVade Bio Drain and outlines the acceptable uses of the product. NSF Registration Number 141412.
  • InVade Bio Sanitation Food Processing Facility Usage Statement: Food Processing Facilities Including USDA Inspected Meat and Poultry Plants and National Organic Program Compliant Processing Facilities. You can find information about our InVade Bio Sanitation product line in this document. It provides information about the safety and efficacy of the products, registration information, use directions, and guidelines for using products in organic facilities.
  • InVade Non-Pathogenic Statement: This document states that the Bacillus spp. microbial spores found in our InVade Bio Sanitation products are nonpathogenic and safe to plants, animals, aquatic life, and humans when used as directed. You can also find general guidelines for using the products as well.

Ingredient & Product Reference Materials

This section includes information about ingredients used in our products, Rockwell’s “Green Zone” product designations, product “Hazard Tier” designations, as well as additional product reference materials.

Reference materials include:

  • What is Amorphous Silica?: Our CimeXa Insecticide Dust contains 92.1% silicon dioxide as synthetic amorphous silica. This document provides information about amorphous silica including safety information.
  • PEP Allergen Information: Our EcoVia insecticides contain 2-Phenylethyl Propionate (PEP), which is found in plants and peanuts. PEP does not contribute to the allergic reactions associated with peanuts. This information is outlined in this document.
  • What Does Green Zone & Green Zone Brand Mean?: Some of our products have green zone and green zone brand logos on their labels. These logos identify products that we find suitable for a green service offering. For more information, you can visit this page.
  • Green Zone Product List: You can find a list of our products with a green zone logo that we consider suitable for green service offerings.
  • Product Hazard Tier Evaluations for USGBC LEED®-EBOM Programs: Our product hazard tier evaluations provide the active ingredients, EPA registration numbers (when applicable), and the hazard assessment for our products.
  • Borate Hazard Tiers: InVade Products: This document provides detailed information about the LEED® hazard tier rating for our borate-based products. It explains why these products are classified as Tier III, which is the least-toxic or lowest concern category.
  • Microbes vs Enzymes: Microbes and enzymes are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. Microbes produce enzymes that digest organic matter. This document highlights the advantages of using microbial products over enzyme-only products.
  • Statement on Usage of PFAS: This statement verifies that Rockwell Labs products are not formulated with PFAS or PFAS-based products.

BorActin 2ee Label: Recommendation to Control Fruit Flies and Phorid Flies

This section contains our FIFRA Section 2(ee) recommendation for our BorActin insecticide powder. The recommendation is made in accordance to FIFRA Section 2(ee). This section outlines circumstances when a pesticide can be used in a manner that is not specifically listed on the label. Our recommendation includes information for using BorActin to treat fruit flies and phorid flies. If using the product in accordance to the recommendation, some states require PMPs to have this document with them.  

 

EcoVia MT Supplemental Label & EcoVia EC & MT Application Calculator

Following application guidelines can help ensure pest control efforts are successful. These label addendums will help you determine the best application rates when using EcoVia MT and EcoVia EC.

  • EcoVia MT Supplemental Label: Our supplemental label provides dilution charts and supplemental application recommendations. It includes dilution rates for mosquito, tick, and fly control using coarse sprays and backpack sprayers as well as rates for backpack misters, cold/ULV foggers, and other portable misting devices. For best results, we recommend following the application guidelines.
  • EcoVia EC & MT Application Rate Calculator: This form can be filled out to calculate application rates for EcoVia EC & EcoVia MT. You’ll be able to find results for spraying, fogging, and ULV misting applications.

Current Promotions

Our promotions section is where you can find information about any active product promotions. Details are outlined on information sheets that you can view and download. You can also contact your Rockwell Technical Representative for more information.

Having access to educational resources enables you to confidently serve your customers. Our resources are designed to help you effectively treat pest and bio-sanitation problems. Whether you’re looking for technical guides, videos, or current promotions, Rockwell Labs has you covered.

Advantages of Using InTice 10 Perimeter Bait in a Perimeter Pest Treatment

Advantages of Using InTice 10 Perimeter Bait in a Perimeter Pest Treatment

Having an effective perimeter treatment program is beneficial to you and your customers. Homeowners want to prevent pests from entering their house and a perimeter treatment can meet this need. To achieve efficient results, it is crucial to choose the right products to keep your customers happy and minimize callbacks. Our InTice 10 perimeter bait is the ideal key product in a perimeter pest treatment program because it offers proven and effective results. Check out seven key advantages of making InTice 10 the cornerstone of your perimeter treatment program.

1. Highly Effective & Non-Repellent

InTice 10 is a highly effective granular bait. It is formulated with a proprietary bait matrix that contains a blend of premium food attractants including protein, carbohydrates, and oils. This formula is designed to attract and kill a variety of crawling pests. InTice 10 is non-repellent and does not chase pests away. Ants eat the bait and carry it back to the nest where they share it with the colony, eliminating the source of the infestation. Other target pests will eat the bait and die.

2. Exclusive Formula & Outstanding Value 

InTice 10 is the only 10% boric acid granular bait available. A 10% boric acid bait has advantages over baits formulated with 5% boric acid. When exposed to rain and irrigation systems, the 10% granules will maintain a higher concentration of boric acid compared to a 5% bait as the granules are exposed to water. This results in longer lasting effectiveness. A 10% boric acid bait also has a lower use rate of only 1 lb per 1000 sq ft. This is half the rate of a 5% bait, making it a more economical option. Using InTice 10 will save you money, time, and space on trucks.

3. Broad Spectrum & Broad Label 

InTice 10 controls a variety of pests including ants, cockroaches, crickets, earwigs, silverfish, millipedes, sowbugs, pillbugs, snails, and slugs. InTice 10 also has a broad use label and can be applied both outdoors and indoors including food areas. InTice 10 is great to use in voids, attics, crawlspaces, and unfinished basements. Typically, a once-a-year treatment is all that is needed in these protected areas.

4. Works in the Toughest Areas

Multi-layered surfaces, such as mulch beds, grass, and ground cover vegetation, can be difficult to treat. These areas provide pests with food, moisture, and shelter. Maintaining a repellent barrier on these surfaces can be challenging. Opting for a granular bait instead of an insecticide spray can provide more effective, longer-lasting results. You can apply InTice 10 granules to mulch beds, grass, and ground cover vegetation. It can be used on turf except in California.

5. No Weather Application Restrictions: Mold & Moisture Resistant  

There are no weather restrictions when using InTice 10, which means you can apply it during rainy weather. When exposed to rain, InTice 10 maintains its effectiveness. It can also be applied to yards with irrigation systems. Not only is the bait moisture resistant, it is also mold resistant. The boric acid helps to protect the bait from mold and mildew while working to kill pests. Because of its resistance to moisture and mold, InTice 10 keeps working as a perimeter bait even under difficult outdoor conditions.

6. Long Residual Protection

When using a granular bait either outdoors or indoors, it is important to find a product that provides long residual protection. The boric acid in InTice 10 will not break down from heat or UV light. For outdoor treatments, it remains effective for up to 90 days. This makes it a great option for a quarterly service program. When InTice 10 is applied indoors, it is a once-a-year bait treatment. The combination of high efficacy and long residual provides customers with lasting protection, resulting in fewer callbacks.

7. No Pyrethriod or Neonicotinoid Restrictions

InTice 10 is a mineral-based bait that contains naturally derived boric acid. It is suitable for green service programs. InTice 10 has no pyrethroid or neonic use restrictions, which makes it ideal for an outdoor perimeter program. There are no PPE requirements when handling and applying InTice 10 except in California.

How to Use InTice 10 in a 3-Step Perimeter Pest Treatment Program

When implementing a perimeter pest treatment program, a three-step process can help you achieve effective and long-lasting results. Whether your clients are looking for a green or conventional program, Rockwell Labs has products to help you meet their needs.

Step 1. Spray the Foundation

Spray the foundation, up to three feet high, of the structure. A green botanical product, like EcoVia EC emulsifiable concentrate, works well for a green service protocol. It provides fast knockdown and residual repellency for a wide range of pests, making it great for protecting the perimeter of a structure. EcoVia EC has no pyrethroid or neonic use restrictions. The application rate is 1 gal per 1000 sq ft and can be mixed at a rate of 2 oz per gallon of water. You can also use a synthetic pyrethroid product like LambdaStar UltraCap for a conventional service protocol that provides quick control and residual protection. It can be mixed at a rate of .4 oz per gallon of water and applied at a rate of 1 gallon per 1000 sq ft.

Step 2. Use InTice 10 Perimeter Bait

After spraying the foundation, you will want to treat the perimeter of the structure with InTice 10. Granules should be applied in a 2–3-foot band outside of where you previously sprayed. Apply at a rate of 4-6 oz per 100 linear feet. InTice 10 can be used to treat mulch beds and landscaped areas. It is important to apply baits to pest-conducive areas away from the perimeter including woodpiles, tree stumps, near foraging ant trails, along the edges of sidewalks, patios, and driveways, near landscaping stones, and around exterior lights. InTice 10 perimeter bait is available in 1 lb and 4 lb shaker bottles, a 10 lb bag, and 40 lb carton.

Step 3. Apply Add-On Treatment

You can also provide additional treatments to help control spiders, occasional invaders, and overwintering pests. For a green program, EcoVia WD wettable dust is ideal. EcoVia WD works as a dust or wettable powder. To complement the perimeter treatments, we recommend applying EcoVia WD as a wettable powder to the underside of eaves, around window and door frames, weep holes, and under the edges of siding. EcoVia WD should be mixed at a rate of 2 oz per 1 gallon of water. For a conventional program, LambdaStar UltraCap can also provide great results. Apply in a one-inch pinstream to possible pest entry points including any cracks around window and door frames.

Creating and maintaining a protective barrier around your customer’s home can help to ensure pests aren’t a problem. Because of its many advantages, InTice 10 should be your go-to perimeter product. Incorporating InTice 10 into your perimeter program will help ensure your customers are satisfied while also providing value to your business. For more information about implementing a perimeter program, check out our Perimeter Pest Control Gu

Turning Filth To Clean With Green

Turning Filth To Clean With Green

InVade Bio Sanitation Product Logo
InVict Advanced Baits Logo

The buildup of grease and microscopic food material was so thick that the white wall beneath the sink had turned orange. The lid on a trashcan in which staff dumped every kind of waste imaginable was also caked with grease and organic matter, attracting cockroaches and filth flies. And it stank. It was one of the nastiest restaurant kitchens Jennifer Leggett had ever seen. Luckily, the president and owner of Lindsey Pest Services in Jacksonville, Fla., was carrying a powerful weapon in her arsenal: InVade Bio Foam by Rockwell Labs. Leggett and her team foamed the wall and trashcan lid with InVade Bio Foam. The effect was instantaneous. “As the foam went down the wall, it turned the orange film to white,” Leggett recalls. “Once the surfaces were clean, we were able to apply baits.”

Removing debris: InVade Bio Foam contains powerful, natural microbes that digest and eliminate the organic gunk, including fats, oils and grease, protein, carbohydrates and urea. As an added bonus, they eliminate organic odors at the source. In a commercial kitchen, InVade Bio Foam can be applied in drains, beverage equipment and other machinery cracks, along baseboards, under counters and around dishwashers. Lindsey Pest Services also uses another Rockwell product, InVade Bio Bullets, to clean grease traps. The product contains bacteria that consume organic material like sludge, fats, oils and grease. Lindsey technicians, after treating a kitchen with Bio Foam and Bio Bullets, sell InVade Bio Cleaner to restaurant customers for use in mop water. Bio Cleaner’s microscopic probiotics continue to gobble organic matter long after the team is done with their treatment. Leggett likes all the InVade products not only because they are effective. They’re also nontoxic green products that smell nice. Leggett praises Dr. Cisse Spragins, a Pest Management Professional Hall of Famer (Class of 2018) who founded Rockwell Labs and today is the company’s owner and CEO. “She’s fantastic, brilliant,” Leggett says of Dr. Spragins. “She has developed some marvelous products.”

More tools in the toolbox: Lindsey Pest Services uses several other Rockwell products, including: CimeXa Insecticide Dust. Leggett has found that CimeXa is ideal for battling bed bugs. Only a light film of the product is needed. It’s odorless and the residual can last up to 10 years if not disturbed. “CimeXa is a ground-up silica gel that dehydrates the bed bug when they crawl through it — and a dried-out bug is a dead bug,” Leggett points out. Leggett places CimeXa inside wall voids, underneath furniture, between the mattress and box spring, and behind baseboards if possible. It also works in garages for flea control. “Bed bugs, fleas and silverfish don’t have a resistance to CimeXa,” Leggett reports. “And I love that it’s a green product.” InVict Xpress Granular Bait. This product kills ants, cockroaches, crickets, mole crickets, silverfish, firebrats and earwigs within one hour of application. Pests are drawn to it as a tasty treat. Leggett places InVict Xpress in attics and around buildings to attack perimeter pests. “The insects love it, and it works really well on silverfish,” Leggett says. “It’s easy to use and it’s a clean product, not dusty or messy.” FenvaStar Plus. This emulsifiable concentrate has a fast knockdown and lasting residual that kills a wide variety of pests. “This is another product we use on fleas,” Leggett says. “It’s a contact product, the fleas crawl through it. It’s very effective.”

 

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Effective Green & Conventional Solutions for Tick Management

Effective Green & Conventional Solutions for Tick Management

Ticks can make it difficult for homeowners and their pets to enjoy their outdoor space. Offering a tick control service can provide you with a revenue opportunity and allow your customers to spend time outside worry-free. Ticks adapt well to environments and can easily stay hidden and move around, making infestations challenging. However, an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach can help to provide lasting control for your customers, prevent re-infestation, and reduce callbacks.

Tick Overview

Ticks are mainly a problem outside, unless they sneak into homes on a person or a pet. These pests require a human or animal host, and most species feed on mammal blood. Ticks are members of the arachnid family, and they vary in size and color, depending on the species. They have a flat, oval or pear-shaped body. Adults and nymphs have eight legs, while larvae have 6 legs. These pests can be found throughout the United States, but they thrive in warm and humid climates. They are most often spotted in wooded areas near animals or in areas with overgrown vegetation.

Common Tick Species

Some ticks are more likely to target humans and pets than other species. Common tick species include American dog ticks, deer ticks, brown dog ticks, and lone star ticks.

American Dog Tick

 

These ticks are also known as wood ticks. They are brown with gray markings. American dog ticks range in size from 5mm-15mm. As their name suggests, these ticks prefer dogs as their host. They harbor in grassy areas where animals can easily pass through. American dog ticks can survive 2-3 years without a meal.  

Deer Tick

 

Deer ticks are small, 3-5mm in length. They have a brown body with a reddish hue. They are also called black-legged ticks because of their dark legs. White tailed deer are their preferred host. These ticks prefer to live near thick grass, shrubs, and wooded areas.

Brown Dog Tick

Brown dog ticks are reddish brown and have no distinct markings. After feeding, they turn a bluish-gray. They range in size from 3mm-12mm, depending on if they’ve had a recent bloodmeal. These pests prefer dog hosts. They can complete their life cycle indoors and will lay eggs in cracks and crevices.

Lone Star Tick 

  

These ticks are reddish-brown. After feeding, they can turn gray. Females have a silvery-white spot on their shield. Males have white streaks or spots. They grow between 4-6mm. When fed, they can grow up to 16mm. At each stage of their life, they require a different host. Lone star ticks prefer shaded areas and won’t survive indoors. 

Tick Prevention

Ticks live in shady, moist, cooler areas, usually at ground level. Tall grass, ground cover, low-hanging shrubs, and leaf litter are some of their favorite places to rest. Ticks avoid heat and direct sunlight.

Preventing and controlling tick infestations begins with eliminating conducive conditions. Educate your customers on the importance of implementing preventive measures to reduce pest populations. Encourage customers to:  

  • Mow lawns frequently and remove clippings
  • Trim foliage
  • Clean up brush and leaf litter
  • Remove weeds
  • Keep firewood stacked neatly, off the ground, and away from the house to discourage rodents that ticks feed on
  • Add a fence to keep out animals that could be carrying ticks
  • Add a border of woodchips or gravel 3-feet wide between their yard and wooded areas or dense vegetation to prevent tick migration into their yard
  • Reduce shaded areas by trimming bushes, trees, and shrubs
  • Talk with their pet’s veterinarian about preventive tick medications

                     

Managing Ticks: Outdoor & Indoor Pesticide Application

After you have worked with your customers to identify and remove tick harboring sites, pesticide application will be needed. Rockwell Labs offers several green and conventional pesticides to help control and prevent future infestations.

Green Products

EcoVia Botanicals are the most advanced botanical insecticides available. They are classified as “minimum-risk”, EPA exempt FIFRA 25(b) products. The multiple modes of action are fast acting and excellent for resistance management. The botanical components are highly repellent, which provides residual protection. They have no pyrethroid or neonicotinoid use restrictions, can be applied up to the water’s edge, pose minimal risk to pollinators, and do not require notification in most states (be sure to check your state regulations).

  • EcoVia MT Mosquito & Tick Concentrate: EcoVia MT is a FIFRA 25(b) exempt botanical insecticide specially formulated for tick control and repellency. For ticks, it is best to apply as a heavy wet spray using a backpack sprayer or a power spray rig. EcoVia MT can be mixed at a rate of .33 to 1.0 fl oz per gallon of water per 1,000 sq ft. For deer ticks, the lowest rate is effective. If treating for larger ticks, use the higher rate.
  • EcoVia G Granular Insecticide: EcoVia G is a broad spectrum botanical granular pesticide. It provides quick control and residual protection against ticks and other pests. It contains a higher level of active ingredients compared to other botanical granules, resulting in lower use rates. It can be applied at a rate of 1 to 2 pounds per 1,000 sq ft with a hand-operated or power spreader, duster, or shaker container. Apply EcoVia G granules to the perimeter of your customer’s yard and home, ground cover vegetation, wooded areas, landscaped areas, or turf.
  • EcoVia WD Wettable Dust: EcoVia WD is a versatile product that can be applied as a dust or mixed with water and sprayed as a wettable powder. It provides quick control and residual protection. EcoVia WD’s unique formulation provides extended residual protection with the amorphous silica carrier. For outdoor treatment of ticks, we recommend liquid applications. Mix 1 to 4 oz of EcoVia WD per gallon of water to treat 1,000 sq ft. Apply as a coarse, low-pressure spray to shrubs, brush, vegetation, grass, and other areas where ticks are likely to harbor.
  • EcoVia EC Emulsifiable Concentrate: EcoVia EC can also help to control ticks. It is a broad spectrum product that contains a potent blend of botanical oils that are effective against ticks and other pests. EcoVia EC should be mixed at a rate of 2 to 4 oz per gallon of water (use the higher rate for heavy infestations). Apply EcoVia EC as a coarse fan spray to vegetation brush, branches, rock walls, and other areas where ticks harbor.
  • CimeXa Insecticide Dust: CimeXa is an amorphous silica dust that is odorless, non-staining, and very low in toxicity. It is a desiccant dust that breaks down the waxy cuticle of pests, causing rapid dehydration and death. When undisturbed, it lasts up to ten years in dry areas. For indoor treatments, you can apply CimeXa under pet beds, upholstered cushions, in cracks, crevices, voids, and in other areas where ticks may frequent.

Conventional Products:

Quality, time-tested, broad spectrum insecticide concentrate formulations with the proven potency of lambda-cyhalothrin and esfenvalerate, labeled for indoor, outdoor, and turf uses. They are manufactured by LG Chem, a supplier of high-quality active ingredients and formulated products.

  • FenvaStar EcoCap: FenvaStar EcoCap is a micro-encapsulated formula with 3.5% esfenvalerate. It provides quick control and long residual protection against ticks and other pests. It can be mixed at a rate of 1 to 2 oz per gallon of water. Apply thoroughly to areas where ticks are likely to inhabit. FenvaStar EcoCap can be used as a perimeter barrier spray. FenvaStar EcoCap can also be used indoors to control ticks. Mix at a rate of 1 oz per gallon of water and apply as a fine particle broadcast spray. Apply to cracks, crevices, along and behind baseboards, window and door frames, and infested rugs and pet resting areas.
  • LambdaStar UltraCap: LambdaStar UltraCap is an innovative capsule suspension formulation with 9.7% lambda-cyhalothrin. It is potent against ticks and other pests and provides long residual protection. Mix at a rate of 0.8 fl oz per gallon of water. Apply LambdaStar UltraCap using a coarse fan spray to vegetation brush, branches, rock walls, and other areas where ticks are likely to be found.

Tick infestations can be difficult and worrisome to your customers. Implementing the right strategy can help ensure your control efforts are successful and your customers are happy. To control and prevent re-infestation, the most effective solution is an IPM approach that includes pesticide application and the reduction of tick harboring sites. 

An Effective Green Mosquito Management Program

An Effective Green Mosquito Management Program

Mosquito control has become a popular service offering for PMPs since pesky mosquitoes can make it very difficult for homeowners to enjoy their yards during mosquito season. Customers today not only want their homes to be bug free but also their outdoor living space. Offering a mosquito control service can provide your customers the relief they want and give you an additional source of revenue. When tackling a mosquito problem or setting up a mosquito prevention service, an IPM (Integrated Pest Management) approach is best. An effective mosquito management program will combine the use of insecticides, targeting mosquitoes at different stages of the life cycle, and working with customers to reduce breeding and resting sites.

Mosquito ID & Behavior

To successfully manage mosquitoes, it is important to understand their behaviors. There are more than 3,000 species of mosquitoes in the world and over 180 species in the United States. A mosquito’s appearance and breeding, habitat, and host preferences vary depending on the species. However, mosquitoes develop through the same process.

Their life cycle includes four stages—egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Understanding this life cycle will aid in control and prevention efforts. Female mosquitoes require a blood meal to produce eggs. Eggs are deposited in water where they hatch as larvae. The larvae live in water and feed on microorganisms and organic debris. They develop into pupae that remain in the water. When adults emerge, they begin to feed and breed. Mosquitoes will remain active as long as temperatures are consistently 50°F or higher.

Mosquito Breeding Sites

After female mosquitoes feed, they need to find a place to lay their eggs. This location will change depending on the species. Mosquitoes can be divided into three categories based on their preferred breeding site: permanent water breeders, flood water breeders, and temporary water breeders.

1. Permanent Water Breeders

Mosquitoes that prefer permanent water sources are looking for areas where water is always present. These mosquitoes often lay eggs in masses called rafts. Ponds, lakes, and ditches are potential water sources. Permanent water breeders include Culex and Anopheles species.

  

2. Flood Water Breeders

These mosquitoes lay eggs on moist surfaces including damp soil. Flood water breeders also deposit eggs in areas prone to flooding as well as marshes. If water dries up, eggs will remain dormant until it rains. Aedes and Psorophora species are considered flood water breeders.

3. Temporary Water Source Breeders

Temporary water source breeders take advantage of water that accumulates for a short period of time. Puddles, tree holes, containers, toys, and other manmade items can provide mosquitoes with enough water to breed. Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are considered temporary water source breeders.

  

Knowing where mosquitoes are likely to breed will make it easier to effectively treat your customer’s space. Anywhere water collects could become a breeding site. Here are a few of the most common mosquito breeding sites:   

  • Puddles
  • Lakes
  • Ponds
  • Marshes
  • Holes in trees
  • Gutters
  • Buckets
  • Old tires
  • Pool covers
  • Unused flower pots
  • Plant trays
  • Watering cans

A Complete Green Solution Program

The use of conventional insecticides for mosquito control is not the only way to deliver an effective treatment program. In fact, there is a large and growing number of consumers that are leery of the use of conventional products that are broadcast sprayed in and around yards where children and pets play and where adults hang out. There has also been an increase in the number  of restrictions related to the use of conventional insecticides outdoors including pyrethroid application restrictions, water set-back restrictions, and notification restrictions.

The availability of effective, green insecticide products makes it easier than ever for PMPs to provide a completely green mosquito treatment program that addresses both consumer concerns and pyrethroid application restrictions. EcoVia botanical insecticides are a research-based, comprehensive product line of minimum-risk, EPA 25(b) exempt insecticides from Rockwell Labs. Our EcoVia products are proven in the real world and deliver quick knock down and kill, and true repellency. True repellents act in the vapor phase. Mosquitoes and other insects that come in the vicinity of them will be repelled by the vapors. In contrast, synthetic pyrethroids are called excito-repellents. The mosquitoes and other insects have to touch them, and then the irritating effect can cause them to act erratically and potentially be repelled.

EcoVia botanical products have several other advantages over synthetic products. Because EcoVia botanical insecticides have no water set-back restrictions, they can be fogged over water and applied near water sources, areas where mosquitoes are likely to be found. There are no pyrethroid or neonicotinoid use restrictions. EcoVia botanicals offer minimal risk to pollinators and don’t require notification in most states (Be sure to check your state’s regulations). The two EcoVia products we will be focusing on for an effective green mosquito control program are the EcoVia MT concentrate and the EcoVia G granules.

EcoVia MT Mosquito & Tick Concentrate

EcoVia MT is specially formulated to treat mosquitoes, ticks, and flies. It provides quick kill and residual control. Its concentrated formula provides low use rates as low as 0.33 oz/gallon for mosquitoes and deer ticks. EcoVia MT can be used outdoors and in unfinished indoor areas including attics, garages, sheds, and basements. For outdoor applications, thoroughly apply using a compressed air sprayer, mist blower, or fogger to ground cover, shrubbery, heavy vegetation, and shaded areas where mosquitoes may harbor including under porches and decks. EcoVia MT mixes easily and stays in solution like a traditional synthetic insecticide. For information about dilution rates and supplemental application recommendations, check out the supplemental label for EcoVia MT.

EcoVia G Granular Insecticide

EcoVia G is a broad-spectrum granular insecticide that is effective against mosquitoes and other pests. It provides long-lasting adult repellency and larval kill. It has low use rates and contains more than two times the level of active ingredients compared to other 25(b) granules. A higher level of botanical actives means EcoVia G delivers quicker control and longer residual protection. Another benefit of having a higher level of botanical active ingredients is lower use rates that save PMPs money and time. EcoVia G can be applied at a rate of 1 to 2 pounds per 1000 sq ft. It is the perfect complement to EcoVia MT mosquito treatments for targeted applications. Apply EcoVia G to landscaped areas, ground cover vegetation, wooded areas, and turf. Pay special attention to heavy growth, shady damp areas, and the boundary between wooded areas and turf.

Other EcoVia Botanical Products

In addition to EcoVia MT and EcoVia G, there are other EcoVia botanical products that you can use in your mosquito control program. You can also use EcoVia EC Emulsifiable Concentrate rather than EcoVia MT. EcoVia EC is a broad-spectrum insecticide that is labeled to control a wide variety of pests including mosquitoes. The main difference between EcoVia EC and EcoVia MT is that EcoVia MT was specifically formulated for mosquito, tick, and fly control.  Those are the only pests listed on the label. EcoVia MT also has a higher level of botanical active ingredients (68% actives vs. 42%), so the use rates for EcoVia MT are lower. The mosquito control application instructions are virtually the same as EcoVia MT. EcoVia WD Wettable Dust is a versatile formula that can be applied as a dust or wettable powder. Use EcoVia WD as a supplemental dust spot treatment in shaded or damp zone areas and as a wettable powder in other areas to provide enhanced kill and to extend the residual protection. Apply to dark and damp areas where mosquitoes breed and rest.

To learn more about using these EcoVia botanical products for a mosquito control program, watch this video. 

Contributing Conditions

To ensure your mosquito control program is successful, it is important to identify mosquito breeding and resting areas around the property. Once these have been located, you can work with your customer to reduce them. Mosquitoes prefer shaded and humid areas, so reducing the moisture and shade in a yard will enhance your control efforts.

Encourage your customers to practice preventive techniques including:

  • Minimizing standing water around the structure
  • Keeping gutters clean
  • Removing items where water collects
  • Ensuring water properly drains from the property
  • Filling in ditches where water accumulates
  • Repairing leaking faucets or hoses
  • Properly maintaining swimming pools
  • Changing water in water features, like bird baths, weekly
  • Avoiding overwatering their plants and their lawn
  • Trimming overgrown shrubs and bushes
  • Trimming back tree branches
  • Regularly mowing their lawn
  • Using outdoor fans to deter mosquitoes

Other Mosquito Control Opportunities

Mosquito control does not have to stop when you leave your customer’s property. There are other opportunities to help your customers and add revenue to your business.

  • Misting Systems: Some homeowners may opt for on-going mosquito control through misting systems. These systems are designed to release predetermined concentrations of an insecticide at set intervals. EcoVia MT can be used in misting systems to aid in the prevention and control of mosquitoes. The ingredients in EcoVia MT are more gentle on application equipment than some essential oil pesticides. 
  • Outdoor Events: Your customers do not want mosquitoes interrupting their outdoor events. You can provide them with mosquito control for their outdoor festivities. Applications of EcoVia botanicals should be made 1-2 days before the event. 

Understanding mosquito behaviors and utilizing a range of products and treatments can help you successfully control mosquito problems utilizing a green approach. Helping customers identify and remove mosquito breeding and resting sites will aid in the prevention and control of these pesky pests. With EcoVia botanical insecticides, you can provide your customers with an effective green service program that is safe for their kids, pets, and the environment.

Effective Cockroach Control: Diversify Your Plan of Attack

Effective Cockroach Control: Diversify Your Plan of Attack

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Cockroaches can be an on-going problem for your clients and a real challenge for your technicians. These pests are very adaptable, multiply quickly, are master hiders, and have shown resistance to insecticides. A diverse treatment program can help to prevent pest resistance and provide the best results for your customers. Choosing the right combination of products, including gel baits, granular baits, and dusts, will help you diversify your plan of attack for an effective cockroach control program.

1. Gel Baits

Gel baits are a great tool for PMPs, especially when battling German cockroaches. Not only do baits kill the cockroaches that feed on it, they also provide secondary kill. Cockroaches will be killed when exposed to the carcasses and droppings of cockroaches that fed on the bait.

Using the same bait over a long period of time can lead to bait aversion (roaches no longer take the bait) and/or bait resistance (active is no longer effective). To prevent this from happening, you’ll want to rotate the bait being used every three to four months. At a minimum, rotate between two gel baits with different classes of actives and different types of attractants. Rockwell Labs offers gel baits that are formulated with unique actives and bait matrixes that are unlike other popular gel baits, making them ideal for rotation.

InVict Cockroach Gel

InVict Gold Cockroach Gel contains 2.15% imidacloprid and unique food grade attractants. Its lightning-fast control causes cockroaches to begin dying in as little as 20 minutes after eating the bait. It also delivers proven secondary kill.When to Use: InVict Gold is great to use for initial cleanouts, helping to quickly control a cockroach infestation. It is also ideal for sensitive accounts, including schools, because it is formulated without the eight most common food allergens.

InVict AB Gel Bait

InVict AB Gel Bait is formulated with .05% abamectin, which is derived from soil microbes. It contains a wide range of attractants including sweet, oil, and protein attractants. Its formula is different from other roach baits, which makes it a good choice for rotation.

When to Use: InVict AB Gel Bait works well when paired with InVict Gold. InVict AB Gel Bait can be rotated with InVict Gold every three months. This will help to prevent problems with a resistant population of cockroaches and with bait aversion. It is also ideal in sensitive accounts because it is free of peanut ingredients.

2. Granular Baits

When dealing with large roaches (i.e., American, Orientals, and Smokybrowns), granular baits should be the primary bait to use since they are ideal for outdoor use. But granular baits also add value and diversity to a German cockroach program by offering a very different bait matrix compared to gel baits. Granular baits can also be dusted into pipe chases, sewers, attics, crawlspaces, above drop ceilings, under appliances, etc.

InVict Xpress Granular Bait

InVict Xpress Granular Bait is formulated with .5% imidacloprid. It has a wide range of attractants and provides rapid knockdown of large pest populations. InVict Xpress starts killing cockroaches and other pests in one hour.

When to Use: InVict Xpress Granular Bait is ideal for outdoor use as a perimeter treatment, in sewers, and on impervious surfaces. It can be applied indoors and works well in cracks, crevices, and voids where cockroaches have been seen. It is also labeled for use in food processing and handling establishments.

InTice 10 Perimeter Bait

InTice 10 Perimeter Bait contains 10% boric acid and multiple food attractants including protein, carbohydrates, and oils. It can help control cockroaches year-round. It is moisture resistant and doesn’t break down from heat or UV light. Since it is non-repellent, it won’t chase cockroaches away.

When to Use: Using InTice 10 as a quarterly perimeter treatment can provide year-long protection for your customers. It can also be used in sewers. It also works well indoors, in cracks and crevices, void areas, attics, crawlspaces, and in damp areas where German cockroaches are present.

3. Dusts

Dusts are another valuable and versatile cockroach management tool. They are long-lasting when applied to undisturbed areas such as wall voids. Non-repellent dusts, including desiccant and borate dusts, work well when fighting a cockroach infestation.

CimeXa Insecticide Dust

CimeXa Insecticide Dust is comprised of 100% engineered amorphous silica. It is an odorless desiccant dust that clings to pests as they walk through it. CimeXa breaks down the waxy cuticle, causing rapid dehydration and death. When undisturbed, CimeXa will remain active for up to 10 years. It can be applied as a dust or as a wettable powder.

When to Use: CimeXa is ideal in dry, undisturbed areas. It can be applied to attics, crawl spaces, wall voids, closets, behind or under appliances, in cracks and crevices, and other areas where cockroaches have been seen.

BorActin Insecticide Powder

BorActin Insecticide Powder is a superfine, 99% boric acid dust. It effectively sticks to cockroaches and other pests. BorActin works when ingested, which makes it an ideal dust for cockroaches and other self-grooming pests. While BorActin works best as a dust, it can also be applied as a spray, foam, or mop solution.

When to Use: BorActin is suited for areas with chronic moisture including commercial kitchens, in and around drains, or in sewers. When applied to organic build-up, it turns the scum into a toxic bait. BorActin can also be used as a preventative treatment for cockroaches in new construction sites.

General Tips

  • Seal Entry Points: Work with your customers to examine the building for potential entry points. Cockroaches can slip inside through small cracks and gaps near the foundation, utility and electrical lines, doors, windows, and holes in damaged screen. Eliminating these entry points will help to prevent future pest problems.
  • Remove Clutter: Encourage your customers to clean up clutter. Minimizing hiding spots will make it easier to control an infestation.
  • Remove Organic Debris: If cockroaches can find something else to eat, they will be less likely to consume baits. Encourage your customers to remove potential food sources. In areas with organic build-up, Rockwell’s Bio Sanitation program can provide effective cleaning.
  • Use Fresh Bait: Baits work best when they are applied fresh and not stored for long periods of time before use. Rockwell Labs manufactures baits just in time and ships them directly to distributors, avoiding a third-party warehouse, to help ensure baits are as fresh as possible.
  • Monitor the Treatment: It is important to monitor the treatment to ensure it is working properly and to make adjustments when necessary.

Cockroaches can be a real challenge to control, especially when they show signs of pesticide resistance. This is why it is so important to diversify your program. Attacking cockroaches from multiple angles by using different products can help to ensure these pests aren’t a problem.

Pursue a Bio Sanitation Business with Confidence: Using The Cleaning Power of Microbes!

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Pursue a Bio Sanitation Business with Confidence: Using The Cleaning Power of Microbes!

The presence of chronic moisture and organic matter create special challenges for sanitation in commercial facilities. If left unaddressed, these problems can result in nuisance at best, and threats to health and safety at worst. Food and garbage areas are the primary problem spots, but areas like public toilets and showers, and animal areas are also a challenge. Wash down and wet mopping tends to push food and other organic matter and moisture into cracks and crevices where it builds up, often making problems worse.

Sanitation in these facilities can be addressed most effectively and in a green manner with the InVade range of probiotic cleaners. InVade products utilize naturally occurring soil microbes that digest organic matter like fats, oils and grease (also known as FOG), carbohydrates, proteins, cellulose and urea. The microbe spores activate and multiply when in contact with their food supply (the organic debris). It also eliminates odors by decomposing the organic debris that is the source of the odors. Setting up a professional and highly effective bio sanitation program using the InVade products is very straightforward and easy to do, so service companies can pursue bio sanitation with confidence.

The Core System of InVade Products:
For Use in the Initial Cleanout Service & Regular Maintenance Service

The core system of InVade products needed for floor level treatments are Bio Foam, Bio Cleaner and Bio Bullet. These three products are the foundation of an effective bio sanitation service program.

  • InVade Bio Foam is the single most effective product for eliminating organic build-up and odors in commercial kitchens and food processing facilities. The super-concentrated foaming formula contains a blend of premium, natural microbes, citrus oil and a foaming agent. It is designed to work with a Foamer Simpson pump-up sprayer or a power foamer for applications. The foam coats areas with organic build-up to provide the microbes longer contact time.

  • InVade Bio Cleaner is a versatile 4-in-1 cleaning agent for mopping, spraying, foaming and drain treatment. It also contains powerful microbes and citrus oil and a foaming agent. It can be used as part of the regular maintenance service instead of Bio Foam (Bio Foam should be used for the initial foam treatment and maintenance treatments as needed). It also provides a great add-on sales opportunities for use by customers in between scheduled service visits.

  • InVade Bio Bullets are solid blocks laden with high concentrations of powerful microbes that slowly dissolve and release the microbes as water runs over them. They are ideal for continuous treatment without the need for equipment in areas with difficult organic problems like grease traps, drains and condensation pans.

A Typical Bio Sanitation Service Protocol

For the Initial Cleanout Service, all that is needed is the InVade Bio Foam concentrate, water and a foamer like Foamer Simpson.

  • Apply Bio Foam liberally to all dirty, scummy areas other than food contact surfaces. This includes under and behind equipment, around equipment legs, baseboards, under counters, at floor wall junctions, on the outside of beverage feed line bundles, beverage drip trays, trash receptacles, in drains, and any areas with organic debris build-up. The product should be left undisturbed as long as possible to let the foam slowly dissipate to give the microbes maximum contact time with the organic debris. Therefore, there is no need to do any wash down.

  • For this initial cleanout service in a typical restaurant kitchen, you should budget 1 to 2 hours of labor and 4 to 8 oz of the Bio Foam concentrate (1 to 2 gallons diluted).

For the Regular Monthly Service (monthly is ideal as a standard service interval in all types of commercial food accounts), maintenance will require about half the time and material as the initial cleanout, as a rule of thumb. The InVade Bio Cleaner can be used in lieu of Bio Foam for maintenance service.

For Continuous Drain Cleaning and/or Grease Trap Remediation, install the InVade Bio Bullets. Bio Bullets come in 4 different sizes to handle a variety of difficult organic problems:

  • 5 lb Bullets are perfect for large grease traps to reduce pump outs and odors
  • 1 lb Bullets are ideal for small grease traps and interceptors and for placing in large collection drains
  • 100 g Bullets and 50 g Bullets can be used just about anywhere with chronic moisture such as beverage fountain trays, condensation pans under ice machines, in or on top of smaller floor drains, and in urinals

The Complete System of InVade Products:
For Use in Service Visits and/or Add-on Sales Opportunities

The complete system of InVade products include an assortment of microbial products that can used when servicing accounts, and/or provide great add-on sales opportunities for accounts to use in between scheduled service visits.

    • InVade Bio Cleaner – For accounts with a lot of floor level problems like missing grout, floor cracks and peeling baseboards, sell them InVade Bio Cleaner for regular use in their mop water or right from the sprayer bottle.
    • InVade Mop Clean – Sell your customers InVade Mop Clean packets, pre-measured for use in standard mop buckets. Ideally instruct the customer to use Mop Clean daily as it comes in a dispenser box with 32 packets for a one-month supply. At minimum, have your customer use it twice a week

  • InVade Bio Drain – Bio Drain is a specialized thickened gel drain cleaner that clings to the sides of drains. It can be used for microbial drain treatments when servicing accounts, or sell it to your customers for regular drain treatments between scheduled service visits.

  • InVade Hot Spot+ – Hot Spot+ is essentially Bio Foam in a ready-to-use aerosol can, which is perfect for quick microbial treatments in chronically moist areas with organic build-up such as cracks/crevices on floors and around baseboards, around equipment, and in drains and voids. Given its ease-of-use, Hot Spot+ is a great product for an add-on sales opportunity.

  • InVade Bio Zap – Bio Zap is a versatile, ready-to-use microbe-based liquid spray that quickly eliminates organic odors at the source. It can be used for carpets, walls and fabrics, and may also be used in garbage receptacles and restrooms. And is yet another great product for an add-on sales opportunity

For Accounts with Chronic Organic Debris Build-Up in Drain Lines:
A Programmable Injection System

For accounts that need continuous, metered dosing of concentrated microbial solution to drain lines, the InVade Power Dose is the answer. InVade Power Dose is a programmable, compact, battery-operated dispenser that injects one dose of the highly concentrated InVade microbial formula per cycle. The continuous dosing of the drain line maximizes the effectiveness of the microbes. The easy-to-replace cartridges makes servicing the dispenser units simple and quick. A full cartridge holds approximately a 30-day dosing supply of microbial solution. The dispensing units are easy to install, and their compact size allows for flexible installation close to where continuous drain treatment is needed.

 

How to Choose the Right Dust for Your Application

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How to Choose the Right Dust for Your Application

When it comes to pest control products, there are many options available. Dusts are an effective solution that can provide long-lasting control, making them a valuable tool for PMPs. With dusts and other insecticide formulations, having the right product makes all the difference. It’s important to choose the right dust for the right application.

Repellent vs. Non-Repellent Dusts

There are two types of insecticide dusts: repellent and non-repellent. Repellent dusts can contain botanical actives as well as pyrethroids or pyrethrin. These dusts kill on contact and provide residual repellency, and longer-term control from their carriers. Dusts with botanical actives are considered true repellents, which means that they repel pests even if the insects don’t make contact with the dust. This is different from excito repellents, like synthetic pyrethroid dusts, which require insects to touch the dust to be repelled. Botanical actives provide quick knockdown.

Non-repellent dusts are also effective. With non-repellent dusts, you have a few options to choose from. Desiccant dusts kill pests as they walk through the dust. These dusts include silicone dioxide and diatomaceous earth. They kill by dehydrating insects. Borate dusts kill pests when they are ingested. Boric acid dusts are more effective than dusts containing borate salts because they stick to pests better. Pests can’t detect non-repellent dusts, which means they will crawl right through them. Rockwell Labs offers several dust insecticides including a repellent dust and two non-repellent dusts.

Repellent Dust: EcoVia WD

EcoVia WD is a highly effective, broad-spectrum botanical dust. It provides quick control and residual repellency and protection. It is effective against many pests including larger, hard-bodied, and difficult to control pests like beetles, ticks, pill bugs, and scorpions. EcoVia WD is a versatile product and can be used as a dust, wettable powder, or foam. When the botanical oils volatilize off the dust carrier, the carrier will continue to provide long term control as a desiccant.

Advantages of Using EcoVia WD

  • Quick control and residual protection
  • EPA Exempt 25(b) product
  • No pyrethroid or neonicotinoid use restrictions
  • Suitable for green service programs

When to Use EcoVia WD

  • Indoor Applications: EcoVia WD can be applied as a coarse, low-pressure liquid spray or dust application. You’ll want to apply to areas where pests are active, hide, or enter the home or structure. This includes cracks, crevices, voids, attics, behind or under appliances, and other areas where pests are likely to be found.
  • Outdoor Applications: You can apply EcoVia WD as a wettable dust spray to the exterior of buildings. Dust can be applied in cracks and crevices where pests hide. Foam application can be used in voids, insect galleries, and hard-to-reach areas. EcoVia WD can be sprayed on boat docks (and other sensitive areas), eaves, and other areas for spider control.

  • Perimeter Applications: EcoVia WD can also be used as a perimeter treatment. You can spray entry points. Apply as a spray in a band around the structure’s foundation and near doors and windows to repel pests from entering the structure.
  • Stinging Insect Nests: EcoVia WD works fast, making it an effective treatment for stinging insect nests.

Non-Repellent Dust: CimeXa

CimeXa is a non-repellent, desiccant dust. It is effective against a broad spectrum of pests including bed bugs, cockroaches, ants, spiders, fleas, drywood termites, silverfish, and stored product pests. When pests walk through the dust it clings to their exoskeleton. The engineered silica destroys the waxy cuticle, which leads to rapid dehydration and death. Pests are killed within 12 to 24 hours of exposure, much faster than diatomaceous earth. CimeXa is odorless, non-clumping, non-staining, and has low toxicity. It is also versatile and can be used as a dust or wettable powder.

Advantages of Using CimeXa

  • Engineered silica for rapid and long-lasting control
  • Effective for up to 10 years when undisturbed
  • Not affected by heat
  • Suitable for green service programs

When to Use CimeXa

  • Dry Interior Applications: CimeXa works best in dry interior areas. Dust can be applied to attics, crawl spaces, wall voids, closets, behind or under appliances, in cracks and crevices, and other areas where pests or signs of their activity have been spotted.
  • Bed Bug Treatment: CimeXa is effective against bed bugs including those resistant to pyrethroids and neonicotinoids. You can use CimeXa to treat bedframes, box springs, mattresses, head boards, picture frames, molding, rugs, and carpet.

  • Stored Product Pest Treatment: CimeXa can also control stored product pests. Treat cracks, crevices, and the edges of cabinets, closets, pantries, and shelving units. You’ll also want to treat voids beneath drawers, shelving units, and cabinets. To control carpet beetles, apply CimeXa under rugs and along the edges of carpets and baseboards.

Non-Repellent Dust: BorActin

BorActin is a non-repellent, superfine, 99% boric acid dust. Because it’s superfine, it effectively sticks to pests and fills voids. It controls a wide range of insects including cockroaches, palmetto bugs, water bugs, ants, silverfish, small flies, and darkling beetles. Unlike CimeXa, BorActin needs to be ingested to kill pests. It is ideal for self-grooming pests like cockroaches. BorActin is odorless, non-clumping, and moisture resistant. It can be used as a liquid spray, foam, or mop solution, but it’s most effective when used as a dust.

Advantages of Using BorActin

  • Superfine non-clumping powder for superior dustability
  • Remains active until removed
  • Doesn’t break down in heat or UV light
  • Suitable for green service programs

When to Use BorActin

  • Commercial Kitchen Applications: BorActin works well in chronically damp areas like commercial kitchens. When the dust is applied to organic build-up, it turns the scum into toxic bait that pests will eat and be killed. When used as a liquid, you can mop or spray floors and other non-food contact surfaces.

  • Drain Treatment: BorActin is also effective against drain flies. 1 oz of dust can be applied to each floor drain. If using as a mop solution, mix 1 cup of dust per gallon of mop water. After mopping, up to 1 quart of mop solution can be poured into each floor drain.

  • New Construction: BorActin can be used as a preventative treatment for cockroaches and drywood termites in new construction sites. It can be applied around the edges of attics, along baseplates, and in plumbing voids.

Dusts are a great tool for PMPs because they are effective, long-lasting, and versatile. Knowing which dust to use and when to use it will provide you with the best results. Whether you’re looking for a repellent or non-repellent dust, Rockwell Labs has you covered.

The Science Behind Botanical Pesticides and 10 Key Benefits of EcoVia Botanicals for PMPs

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The Science Behind Botanical Pesticides and 10 Key Benefits of EcoVia Botanicals for PMPs

Background on Botanical Oils

Using plant extracts as insecticides goes back to when botanical insecticides including pyrethrum, nicotine, and rotenone were found and used to kill and repel insects. Unfortunately, the use and interest in these natural ingredients were replaced by the discovery of synthetic insecticides after World War 2. However, problems with the synthetic pesticides such as residues in food, environmental health related concerns, and pest resistance issues have sparked a renewed interest in the development of botanical insecticides.

Using plant oils to kill bugs may sound like hocus pocus, but nature is smarter than you might think. Plants have evolved over time by producing compounds to protect themselves from insects, mites, and diseases. Some plants produce particularly high amounts and/or particularly potent compounds. These essential oils have been studied and used since ancient times for their medicinal and other beneficial properties. The essential oils are obtained by grinding the plants and steam-distilling or cold-pressing them to extract the oil. The oils may then be further processed for purification.

The botanical oils that exhibit insecticidal or deterrent properties often contain numerous active compounds. For example, rosemary oil contains three active components in significant concentrations and numerous other components in lower concentrations. Combining the right botanicals in the right proportions with the right inert ingredients is a complex process to perform effectively. At Rockwell Labs, we have taken the time to research and understand the science underlying the observed effects of natural plant oils. Combining that knowledge with modern formulation chemistry has allowed us to offer the most effective and innovative range of EPA minimum-risk 25(b) botanical pesticides available on the market today.

Botanical Oil Compounds & Modes of Action

There are many ways to kill an insect. Many synthetic pesticides are neurotoxins, and there are several different modes of action for different chemicals within the neurotoxin family. Others, like IGRs, affect the cuticle formation or the endocrine system. Botanical compounds, in many cases, have similar modes of action to synthetic pesticides. Some botanical actives block tyramine or octopamine which is basically insect adrenaline. Others affect neurotransmitters in various ways such as:

  • GABA receptor antagonists
  • Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (responsible for the fast action of some botanicals)
  • Effects on transient receptor potential

These multiple modes of action from the various compounds in the botanical oils gives botanical insecticides an advantage against insect species with acquired resistance to common synthetic pesticide classes, such as bed bugs, roaches, and flies.

What to Look For in a Botanical Insecticide

  • Active Ingredients with Multiple Plants Oils – By using multiple plant oils in the actives for our botanical products (and their various modes-of-action), Rockwell has learned that it enhances the overall efficacy of our EcoVia products against the targeted pests listed on their respective labels.
  • Total Percentage of Active Ingredients – Rockwell specifically formulates our EcoVia products with higher levels of plant oil actives (compared to most competitive botanical products) to allow for lower use rates for PMPs and lower application costs. It also means fewer products a PMP has to buy and less space needed on their trucks.
  • Compare Application Costs vs. Product Costs – Even though EcoVia product costs may be higher than competitive botanical products, the higher percentages of plant oil active ingredients in EcoVia products translate into very low use rates. For example, the use rate for treating mosquitoes and ticks using EcoVia MT is .33 oz per gallon while the general pest and mosquito granule application rate using EcoVia G is 1 lb per 1000 sq ft. This actually provides PMPs significant savings when comparing per application costs.

EcoVia Botanicals: A Comprehensive Range of Natural Insecticides That Provide 10 Key Benefits to PMPs

The EcoVia line of research-based products from Rockwell are the most advanced, natural FIFRA 25(b) exempt botanical insecticide formulations on the market today. EcoVia botanicals offer specific advantages over conventional synthetic insecticides for certain applications. These advantages extend far beyond simply the green or natural status of the products. Here are the 10 key benefits EcoVia botanicals provide PMPs:

  1. EcoVia botanicals are fast-acting – Certain botanical oil components have modes of action that are extremely fast, causing immediate paralysis and rapid death in most pests. When properly combined and formulated, and applied correctly, botanical pesticides are often faster-acting than synthetic pyrethroids.
  2. EcoVia botanicals provide true repellency – Many botanical components take effect in the vapor phase and are classified as true repellents. This means that pests that come into their vicinity will immediately be repelled by the vapors. And they will stay far away from the area. In contrast, synthetic pyrethroids are known as excito-repellents, which means the pests have to physically contact the treated surface, and then an irritant effect can cause them to behave erratically. Maybe then they’ll be repelled.
  3. EcoVia botanicals are excellent flushing agents – The fast-action and vapor-phase repellency of EcoVia botanical pesticides make them excellent flushing agents. This can be helpful for numerous applications, whether it’s flushing out cockroaches from a wall void, quickly ridding a yard of mosquitoes, or removing overwintering pests from the side of a structure.
  4. EcoVia botanicals can act as fumigants – The vapor-phase activity of EcoVia pesticides causes them to have a fumigation effect in enclosed spaces. Whether it’s for small flies in a drain, or pests in an electrical box, the vapor action will quickly kill, flush, and repel pests from the treated area.
  5. EcoVia botanicals are excellent tools for resistance management – Each unique EcoVia formula consists of multiple botanical oils, and each natural plant oil, in turn, contains several active components, often with different modes of action. This diversity of active ingredients and modes of action, when properly combined, gives EcoVia formulations an advantage against species that have acquired resistance to common synthetic pesticides such as bed bugs, roaches, and flies.
  6. EcoVia botanicals offer minimal threat to pollinators – EcoVia botanicals don’t accumulate in plants or in the environment, so aside from direct application, their threat to pollinators is minimal. Also, the vapor-phase action tends to repel pollinators away from treated plants while the pesticide treatment is still active.
  7. EcoVia botanicals don’t have label restrictions related to impervious surfaces – Since EcoVia botanicals don’t accumulate in ground water, they can be broadly sprayed on impervious surfaces when and where necessary, unlike pyrethroids. Whether it’s for a dumpster and pad behind a restaurant, or the side of a structure for overwintering pests, EcoVia provides treatment options with minimal use site restrictions.
  8. EcoVia botanicals have no water set-back restrictions and can be used near and over water – With dramatically lower fish toxicity compared to pyrethroids and other, much broader-label pesticides, EcoVia botanicals can be safely used on, near, and over water. For example, they can be sprayed up to the water’s edge, applied to boat docks for spider control, fogged over water for mosquitoes, or used on properties with ornamental water features, all with reduced risk.
  9. EcoVia botanicals don’t require notification in most states – While many states require notification before treatment on certain properties such as schools, most states exempt minimum risk 25(b) pesticides (such as EcoVia products) from these requirements. This allows inspection and treatment to be completed in a single visit! Be sure to check your state’s specific regulations.
  10. EcoVia botanicals are the most advanced natural pesticide formulations available – Whatever your reason for choosing a botanical pesticide, whether for the fast-action, for the multiple modes-of-action, for the lack of label restrictions, or simply for the green status of the products, you can rest assured that EcoVia pesticides represent the most-advanced and most-tested 25(b) exempt formulations on the market today.

Small Fly Control

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Small Fly Control

Small fly infestations can be very challenging for business owners since they breed inside the account and can multiply quickly with their short life cycle. Customers won’t take kindly to bugs flying around the areas where their food is being prepared or their drinks are being dispensed. Health inspectors will have a problem with the presence of these pests, and employees won’t want to work in an environment where they’re swatting at flies all day. Properly identifying these pesky insects and their breeding sites, and implementing control methods including sanitation, physical and mechanical measures, and insecticide use is needed to keep your client’s space free of small flies.

Small Flies

Small flies can be problematic in commercial kitchens, food and beverage service areas, food-processing facilities, health facilities, and medical facilities. While they are a nuisance, small flies can also carry pathogens from breeding sites to food and food preparation areas. These pests multiply quickly when breeding sites and food sources are available. There are three common small flies that your clients are likely to encounter: fruit flies, phorid flies, and drain flies.

Fruit Flies

The first fly on the list is the fruit fly, and there are two species that can be problematic. The red-eyed fruit fly is about 1/8″ in length. It has a tan body with black rings across its abdomen. As their name suggests, these flies have red eyes. Dark-eyed fruit flies, as you may have guessed, have darker eyes. They look like red-eyed fruit flies but are bigger and darker. These pests can multiple very quickly.

Fruit flies lay eggs and feed on ripened, rotting, or decaying fruits and vegetables. Fermented items, like beer and wine, can also attract fruit flies. You are likely to find these flies in areas with food waste or moisture. Drains, mop buckets, garbage disposals, and trash bins are potential breeding spots for fruit flies. Dark-eyed fruit flies are typically more attracted to an advanced state of rot compared to red-eyed fruit flies.

Phorid Flies

Next up is the phorid fly. These flies have an arched thorax, so they are sometimes referred to as humpback flies. They move erratically across surfaces, which is why they can also be called scuttle flies. Phorid flies range in size from 1/64″ to 1/8″ and are black, brown, or yellowish. They can be mistaken for fruit flies and gnats.

Phorid flies prefer to breed in areas where moist organic matter has accumulated for five or more days. This often includes drains, recycle bins, trash bins, garbage disposals, and grease traps. Rotting food and decaying carcasses can also attract these flies. Chronic moisture, like from a drain leak, is often the reason behind phorid flies’ arrival. Cracked sewer or drain lines can cause large numbers of phorid flies to gather in the soil around the line.

Drain Flies

Drain flies are fuzzy with a moth-like appearance. This is why you may hear them referred to as moth flies. They have a brownish-grey body with lighter-colored wings. They range in size from 1/16″ to 1/4″. These pests can be sluggish and aren’t the best fliers. They have a jerky, irregular flight pattern. Drain flies are most active at night.

Like other small flies, drain flies prefer moist organic environments. If water has accumulated in a spot for more than a week, there’s a good chance drain flies will find it. Larvae live in drains where biofilm, a scum produced by bacteria, is present. These flies are often attracted to drain pans, infrequently used toilets, and areas where water collects including behind loose or broken tiles.

How to Control Small Flies

To manage small flies, the focus needs to be on eliminating their breeding sites and applying insecticides that will control populations, targeting both adults and larvae. As with any effective IPM program, the use of insecticides should only come after the small fly infestation has been correctly identified, the source of the problem has been found through the monitoring and inspection process, and the conducive conditions contributing to the problem have been determined and eliminated. Check out our three-step guide to manage a small fly infestation.

1. Indentify Pests & Breeding Sites

The first two things you need to do is properly identify the small fly species on site, and then inspect the area for conditions that could support small flies as well as other pests. Since small flies are attracted to moisture and organic matter, you’ll want to focus on areas where these could be present.

Common breeding sites include:

  • Decaying fruits and vegetables
  • Cracks, crevices, and areas where food and moisture collect
  • Drains
  • Dirty mops and brooms
  • Beer and soda overflow trays and the outside of beverage lines
  • Ice machines
  • Leaky pipes
  • Recycling bins
  • Sources of stagnant water
  • Trash bins

2. Eliminate Conducive Conditions

Once you have identified breeding sites, you’ll want to work with your client to eliminate favorable conditions that support larval development through both sanitation and physical or mechanical measures. This involves your client rolling up their sleeves, cleaning, and minimizing attractants. If small flies can’t find anything to eat or a place to breed, they won’t have a reason to stay. Small amounts of organic debris could attract and support these pests. Encourage your clients to get involved by:

  • Cleaning up food and drinks spills promptly
  • Cleaning soda fountain and beer tap drip trays
  • Cleaning the areas where food residue can accumulate
  • Eliminating standing water and repairing plumbing and sewage line leaks
  • Examining produce to ensure fruit flies aren’t present and storing it in sealed bins in a cool storage area
  • Keeping mops and buckets clean and hanging mops to dry
  • Regularly cleaning drains. It’s best to do this at least two times a week to eliminate organic residues.
  • Rinsing containers before placing them in the recycling bin
  • Placing trash bins, recycling bins, and dumpsters away from entrances when possible
  • Sealing cracks and crevices, repairing damaged tiles and kitchen fixtures or equipment to eliminate potential breeding sites
  • Using drain baskets or filters to capture organic material that might clog drains, and emptying these daily.
  • Using non-toxic fruit fly traps to capture adult fruit flies.

We know good sanitation and eliminating conducive conditions is key to preventing a small fly infestation. When dealing with organic build-up and chronic moisture conditions, bio sanitation is the most effective solution. This is the use of microbial surface and drain cleaners. The microbes actually digest the organic debris. Check out the InVade Bio Sanitation product line and technical guide to see how easy it is to utilize these probiotic cleaning products in a commercial kitchen environment and how easy it is to pursue a bio sanitation service business with confidence!

3. Treatment Applications

After properly identifying the small fly problem, inspecting and locating their breeding areas, and eliminating and preventing the conducive conditions, it’s time to proceed with the pesticide application. Treating your client’s space with pesticides will help to control current small fly populations including their larvae. Pesticide applications need to work in tandem with proper sanitation efforts. Relief from pesticides will be temporary if conducive conditions aren’t removed. Small flies will be more than happy to show up again if breeding sites and food sources return. Rockwell Labs offers a variety of products to help target small flies with most being classified as Green Zone products. These are products Rockwell considers to be suitable for green service programs.  

  • BorActin: BorActin is a 99% boric acid, non-repellent powder that can be applied as a dust, spray, or foam. It can be used to treat organic build-up by poisoning the food sources of small flies, essentially turning the scum into bait. BorActin can be used in food areas when the facility is in operation, except in service areas. When used as a dust, apply at a rate of 1 lb per 1,000 sq ft. To kill adults and larvae, apply to organic build-up. For treatment of floor drains, apply up to 1 oz. If applying BorActin as a liquid, mix 1 cup by volume per gallon of water. You can mop or spray floors and non-food contact surfaces. BorActin is also very effective for controlling roaches by turning their food source, the organic debris, into bait as well.
  • EcoVia IB: Our innovative EcoVia IB Bloks are formulated with botanical insecticide oils. The EcoVia IB Bloks kill small flies in small enclosed spaces. They also emit botanical vapors that repel small flies and other insects from an area. Their effectiveness is enhanced when they slowly dissolve in water like when they are placed in beverage fountain drip trays or set on drains. EcoVia IB Bloks are EPA 25(b) Exempt.
  • InVite Lures: Our InVite Liquid Lure is a concentrated non-pesticidal attractant. It can be added to traps to help attract and capture small flies. For fruit flies, our non-toxic InVite Fruit Fly Lure is designed for small flies and can be applied to an insect glue board to help capture small flies. Our InVite Fruit Fly Traps are non-pesticidal traps for small flies that are ideal for use in food areas.
  • OutLAST Pro: If you’re looking for a product to improve coverage and contact time, our OutLAST Pro foaming agent can help. It is long-lasting and has a broad-use label. It can be combined with BorActin, or other insecticides and bio sanitation products, to create thick, longer-lasting foam that retains liquid and is ideal for use in drains and wall voids.

Small flies can be quite worrisome for business owners, their customers, and their employees. An effective IPM program that includes the cooperation of facility management to identify and address any sites or conditions that could support flies is key to eliminating a current small fly infestation and preventing small flies from returning. Check out and download our Smally Fly Management technical guide.