Case Study:
Premise Insecticide
Treating structures infested with formosan termites is always a challenge. It can be a complete nightmare when certian conditions exist, like the ones at Quadomain Condominiums in Hollywood, FL. Sandy beach soil, high pH levels
and high water tables make treatment challenging. Yet, Premise Insecticide from Bayer Corp. continues to provide owners and tennants a successful solution to formosan infestations.
Conditions at the four unit, twenty seven-story condiminiums, which houses 800 families, were key challenges for Bart Bruni, CEO and owner of Bestec Exterminators. Bestec is among the few companies in the area that has had success treating formosan termites. Heavy infestations were found in two of the buildings. Typically, more than one formosan colony is found in a complex of this size, but in this case several colonies were attacking the site and colony members numbered in the millions.
Bruni, who provides the Quadomain with monthly pest control services, was looking for a control solution that would work successfully in beach sand, which consistantly moves and has a high pH level of 9.3. He was also looking for a termicide that would hold up to high water tables that measured 2 feet and higher.
Bruni wanted a solution. Jorge Moreno, a Bayer sales representative in Southern Florida, saw an opportunity. Moreno donated one case of Premise, 400 gal. of n-use dilution, to treat the quadomain in the hopes of illustrating how Premise effectively controls Formosans. Due to the unique treatment conditions, Bruni accepted the donation and started the treatment with Premise because of the products unique chemical makeup.
"This is the worst-case scenario. We are dealing with beach sand, the most difficult soil type to treat", says Bruni. "The soil conditions contain salt which can break down chemicals, and it's difficult to get a termicide not leach in these conditions."
Bruni says that prior to the development of Premise, organic phosphates and sythetic pyrethroids were used but did not remain active in these soil conditions for very long, some only for six months.
"Premise suprised me", says Bruni. "Inspections have been made every ninety days over the last year and we haven't seen any signs of re-infestation in areas treated with Premise. It stayed in place and created a treated zone, even in the worst soil conditions."
He says conditions like this are common in South Florida and unfortunately, until now, he hadn't found a successful solution.
"Now I have a product that I feel comfortable using in the worst possible conditions. And it's Premise.", he says. "It's ideal for my conditions and my staff."
Bruni isn't just sold on the effectiveness of Premise. He says he and his technicians Premise over other termicides because it has low odor. It has no odor, which makes customers and technicians happy. He says, Premise, is easy to mix and apply and the convenient packaging makes for easy inventory control. |
