Article for Professional Pest manager – June/July 2017 V2 15TH JUNE 2017
Sherwood Chemicals have developed and trialled the largest portfolio of termiticide formulations in the world. Over the last 21 years Sherwood has incorporated every significant off patent active ingredient into its proprietary formulation chemistry and independently trialed each formulation under the same conditions against termites in the field in tropical Thailand to form an opinion as to each products suitability as a termiticide.
Over the last 20 years, Australian Professional Pest managers have seen three (3) unique molecules enter the Australian market for Termite management. At the launch of each of these products, each manufacturer has selected and presented their data and claims as to the performance of each termiticide. These 3 products are;
- Biflex containing Bifenthrin formulated as a Suspension Concentrate
- Premise containing Imidacloprid formulated as a Suspension Concentrate
- Termidor containing Fipronil formulated as a Suspension Concentrate
As each of these products have been manufactured, developed and trialed by different companies in accordance with their own specifications and protocols over different time periods, how is it possible that an effective comparison can be made on each active ingredient and formulation (product) with regards to its efficacy and performance?
As Sherwood specializes in the formulation chemistry as opposed to the development of new active ingredients, our bias toward a single active or formulation is not warranted as we manufacturer them all. In presenting this data below, our intention is to demonstrate the performance of each active ingredient and formulation when exposed to the same conditions. This includes the same environmental pressures (The tropics of Thailand is similar to the northern parts of Australia), same assessment protocol and same formulator. This is truly the only way a comparison can be made between the performances of each active ingredient as an effective termiticide when applied under field conditions.
Insert: Sherwood Field Trial Data assessed by the Royal Forestry Department of Thailand in accordance with the Modified Ground Board (MGB) test method. (Slab on ground). The conditions in Thailand represent tropical conditions as experienced in Australia North of the Tropics.
This is what makes Sherwood unique, in that regardless of the active ingredient you chose, our objective is deliver consistent quality products, formulated in accordance with ISO 9001 & GMP, and to present independent data to enable professionals to evaluate and select the right termiticide that matches the expectations and environment in providing cost effective termite management solutions for their customers.
Sherwood Chemicals supply 3 termiticide formulations to the Australian market;
- ImiForce 200SC (Contains imidacloprid)
- BiForce100/200 (Contains bifenthrin)
- Fipforce Aqua (contains fipronil).
All 3 Active Ingredients have a place in post construction. Termatrix Termite Baiting is also supported as a problem-solving solution.
BiForce – Bifenthrin 100g/L & 200g/L is a cost effective termiticide that works by repelling and killing termites from the protected zone and is best applied on new buildings or buildings that have not had termites. In field trials completed by the Royal Forestry Department in Tropical Thailand, Biforce has shown to be effective for at least 5 years at 0.1%. After 5 years the risk of termite damage increases as the bifenthrin breaks down.
ImiForce – Imidacloprid 200g/L is a cost effective non-repellant problem solving termiticide. It does have a tendency to move in the soil and is impacted by vegetation, sunlight and rainfall. Its’ slow knockdown suits problem solving situations where buildings either have termites or have had termites. In field trials completed by the Royal Forestry Department in Tropical Thailand, ImiForce has shown to be effective for at least 3 years at 0.05%. After 3 years the risk of termite damage increases as the Imidacloprid breaks down.
FipForce Aqua – Fipronil 100g/L is Australia’s premium product for termite work for pre-construction and post construction problem solving. The unique properties make it highly stable in the ground and highly effective at low doses. Independent termite field trials in Tropical Thailand completed by the Royal forestry department are currently showing Fipforce has passed 7yrs without a single failure at any dose.
In running any successful business the key to growth is in controlling the consistency of the variables within your control in order to produce a replicated outcome. Through controlling these inputs you are able to effectively and quickly manage and correct problems when they occur, this is in essence the fundamentals of TQM (Total Quality Management). With all termite treatments pest managers need to control the variables within their ability, these include ensuring the applicator products, the selection of a consistent application is the most important part of a successful treatment. Relying on fipronil as the ‘silver bullet’ will lead to failures at some point. Technician training is critical in achieving success.
As a formulator, Sherwood Chemicals goal is to formulate and supply consistent quality and support the highest quality formulations at the lowest cost to Australian Professionals. We work closely with our partners and the industry in listening and understanding what they want.
“We have some great new products in the pipeline and we will continue to push the envelope in supporting the industry with convenient to use products. We will always have roadblocks to negotiate but John Ralph and I enjoy bringing pest controller’s requirements to market.” explains Elton Arderne.