Asian ambrosia beetle

The Asian ambrosia beetle, also called the granulate ambrosia beetle, is an invasive pest first introduced in Carolina peach orchards in the 1970s. They have since spread all over the United States and caused many millions of dollars in damages. Several tree species are susceptible to attack, including oak, dogwood, maple, cherry, peach, crape myrtle, hickory and many more.

Ambrosia beetles are small wood-boring insects that spend most of their lives inside trees. This makes it difficult to control. Females emerge for a short time in spring to find suitable nest sites. They usually fly to young trees (1-3 years old) and bore into branches or trunks.

Ambrosia beetles do not eat wood, but they carve out tunnels and galleries in which to lay their eggs. Their sawdust, frass, tends to collect on the outside of the bark and will form “toothpicks.” This “toothpick” frass is very delicate and can be blown away by a slight breeze or washed away by rain.

The females carry a fungus on their backs that they use to feed the newly-hatched larvae. The fungus will then spread to the tree and clog up its vascular system. The fungal infestation usually results in tree death.

It’s not so much the insects that damage trees as much as what they carry. Each species of ambrosia beetle brings its own species of fungus, which breaks down cellulose in the tree’s cell walls.

After boring into the tree, the beetles release the fungus and farm it, creating food for their offspring, she said. A new generation of mature beetles emerges from the tree, begins mating and starts the cycle all over.

There is no more accurate description of Asian Ambrosia Beetle damage than “Toothpicks coming out of the trunk of my tree!”

New mystery to bug citrus growers

By Kevin Bouffard │January 22, 2019

LAKE ALFRED – As if Florida citrus growers didn’t have enough pests and diseases to worry about – including an 800-pound gorilla called citrus greening – another possible threat has come onto the radar.

Diepenbrock began hunting for the little bug with a pleasant name in October, when a commercial citrus grower in Hernando County reported some unusual damage to one of his Hamlin orange trees, including nail-sized holes in the trunk and a collection of sawdust at the base.

The entomologist determined the visual damage was created by several species of Ambrosia beetle, a wood-boring insect common in nature.

But they’re not common in citrus trees, said Diepenbrock and Chris Oswalt, the citrus extension agent in Polk County who took the initial report from the Hernando grower.

Tiny beetle is killing SA’s trees – and nothing can stop it

Riaan Grobler │September 5th 2018


Tiny holes in the bark of an infested tree. (Supplied)

A beetle smaller than a sesame seed is killing huge trees throughout South Africa, and little can be done to stop it.

The polyphagous shot hole borer, a native of southeast Asia no bigger than 2mm, has found its way to South Africa and is infesting trees at an alarming rate.

“It’s an ambrosia beetle, which means it carries a fungus which it feeds its babies on. When it introduces that fungus into trees that have never experienced it before, it threatens those trees with illness or death.”

Trunk sprays using pyrethroid insecticides are sprayed. Even traps are used to control these beetles. But how effective and efficient are they?  Even barrier sprays are applied as a preventative measure for other borers but are not effective on these beetles.  

A reliable and effective solution is the need of the hour. And C Tech Corporation can provide you with one such solution.

The unique product Termirepel™ manufactured by C Tech Corporation is an anti-insect aversive which repels insects.

Termirepel™ works on the mechanism of repellency. It temporarily inhibits the mating cycle of the insects. The product impairs the ability of the insects to reproduce, that is the insects will not lay eggs or the laid eggs will be infertile. The product causes feeding disruption in an insect by triggering an unpleasant reaction within the insect which might try to feed on the application.

The product temporarily blocks the reproduction system of the insects by hindering the release of the vital hormones for growth.

Termirepel™ is an extremely low concern, low toxic, low hazard, non-carcinogenic and non-mutagenic insect aversive. It does not kill or cause harm to insects as well as to the environment which indirectly helps to maintain the ecological balance.

TermirepelTM is available in the form of the masterbatch, which can be incorporated into polymeric applications like polymeric tree guards, pipes, etc.

The product available in the form of liquid concentrate can be mixed in paints in a predetermined ratio and be applied on the fences in gardens to keep the ash borer away from these places.

Our product in the lacquer form can be applied topically on the applications. The lacquer is compatible with most of the surfaces like wood, concrete, metal, polymer, ceramic, etc.

The lacquer can be applied to the tree trunks protecting it from the attacks. The product is also effective against other pests thus protecting the trees from other pest attacks. Termirepel™ can also be injected in the tree trunks to repel the beetles.

Termirepel™ is thermally stable and does not degrade on exposure to heat and sunlight. It does not kill or harm the insect but repels them. It does not volatilize and does not degrade the soil. It is RoHS, RoHS2, ISO, EU BPR, REACH, APVMA, NEA compliant and FIFRA exempted.

Contact us at technical.marketing@ctechcorporation.com to keep the pests away.

Also, visit our websites:

http://www.ctechcorporation.com/
http://www.rodrepel.com/
http://www.termirepel.com/
http://www.combirepel.com/

Follow our Facebook pages at:

1] https://www.facebook.com/Combirepel-411710912249274/
2] https://www.facebook.com/Termirepel-104225413091251/
3] https://www.facebook.com/Rodrepel-120734974768048/

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3] https://twitter.com/combirepel

Cloth Moths eating your clothes

Have you ever delved into your chest of drawers or wardrobe to retrieve an item of clothing only to find it completely dotted with small holes? But what is causing the damage?

Most likely the perpetrators are clothes moths, which eat fabric and leave your garments a little worse for wear.

Cloth moths are small silvery brown insects often seen in fleeting glimpses upon opening the wardrobe door.

Those pesky holes in your sweaters, scarves, and coats are a result of the adult moths laying eggs on your clothes.

It is not the actual moth that causes the damage – it is the larvae that feed on fabric that has bodily fluid on it, like sweat, saliva, oil, and even food. Their favored delicacies include wool and natural fibres such as cashmere, tweed, sheepskin, silk, fur, hair, and feathers.

Females can lay up to 100 pinhead-sized eggs over a three-week period before they die.

Clothes-munching moths more likely in warmer southern England

Flats or apartments are more susceptible to clothes moths as they have shared walls, according to the English Heritage survey.

22 April 2018, UK


Image:Warmer southern parts of England are more at risk from common clothes moths, according to the survey

Common clothes moths are more predominant in warmer parts of southern England, according to a survey.

Members of the public were asked by English Heritage to monitor moths in their homes to help the charity look after its collection of historic wool carpets, tapestries, and period clothing.

English Heritage launched Operation Clothes Moth a year ago after its experts witnessed the numbers of common or webbing clothes moths double, and observed the appearance of the pale-backed clothes moth.

Thousands of traps were handed out at English Heritage sites for the survey which collected data from 42 counties.

It discovered an “alarmingly high” number of pale-backed clothes moths and also revealed that the reported catch of the common clothes moth was significantly higher in London and the South East, where an average of 23 moths were found per trap – more than anywhere else in England.

Warning that textile moths are on the rise in Irish homes and businesses

By Eimear Dodd │26 February 2019

The company says there has been an increase in callouts

Pest control provider, Rentokil has warned textile moths are on the rise in Irish homes and businesses.

The company says there has been an increase in callouts for moth infestations of 54% since 2015. Meanwhile, callouts to deal with the butterfly-like pests have increased by almost 14% in 2018 when compared with 2017.

Dublin was the county which accounted for the most callouts for moths in 2018, with 53% of all callouts to the capital. Cork (18%), Wicklow (6%) and Kildare (5%) were the next three counties which accounted for the most callouts for moths from Rentokil.

We need a solution that is effective, eco- friendly and easy to use.

The unique product Termirepel™ manufactured by C Tech Corporation is an anti-insect aversive which repels insects.

Termirepel™ works on the mechanism of repellency. It temporarily inhibits the mating cycle of the insects. The product impairs the ability of the insects to reproduce, that is the insects will not lay eggs or the laid eggs will be infertile. The product causes feeding disruption in an insect by triggering an unpleasant reaction within the insect which might try to feed on the application.

The product temporarily blocks the reproduction system of the insects by hindering the release of the vital hormones for growth.

Termirepel™ is an extremely low concern, low toxic, low hazard, non-carcinogenic and non-mutagenic insect aversive. It does not kill or cause harm to insects as well as to the environment which indirectly helps to maintain the ecological balance.

TermirepelTM wood polish additive can be mixed with the wood polish and applied on the wooden surfaces, furniture, bookshelves, wardrobes, etc.

The product available in the form of liquid concentrate can be mixed in paints in a predetermined ratio and be applied on the interior and exterior of the buildings and structures to keep the silverfish away from these places.

Our product in the lacquer form can be applied topically to the applications. The lacquer is compatible with the surfaces wood, concrete, metal, polymer, ceramic, cables, wires which are already installed, etc. The lacquer can be applied on the cupboards, shelves, wardrobes, installed wires, and cables, etc. thus protecting it from damage. The product is also effective against other pests thus protecting the trees from other pest attacks.

TermirepelTM is available in the form of the masterbatch, which can be incorporated into polymeric applications like polymeric wires and cables, pipes, etc.

TermirepelTM insect repellent spray can be sprayed on the infested area to repel the pests.

Termirepel™ is thermally stable and does not degrade on exposure to heat and sunlight. It does not kill or harm the insect but repels them. It is RoHS, RoHS2, ISO, REACH, APVMA, NEA, EU BPR compliant and FIFRA exempted.

Contact us at technical.marketing@ctechcorporation.com to keep the pests away.

Also, visit our websites:

http://www.ctechcorporation.com/
http://www.rodrepel.com/
http://www.termirepel.com/
http://www.combirepel.com/

Follow our Facebook pages at:

1] https://www.facebook.com/Combirepel-411710912249274/
2] https://www.facebook.com/Termirepel-104225413091251/
3] https://www.facebook.com/Rodrepel-120734974768048/

Follow us on our Twitter pages at:

1] https://twitter.com/rodrepel
2] https://twitter.com/termirepel
3] https://twitter.com/combirepel

Pesky Silverleaf whiteflies

Ever wondered how to get rid of the white or lotion coloured creatures, resembling an ant once and for all? Silverleaf whiteflies are one of those tiny pests that can engage in havoc if left uncontrolled. These tiny insects are really powerful capable of even destroying the entire vegetation!

Feeding whiteflies extract important plant nutrients, causing defoliation, stunting and poor yield. Sticky honeydew is excreted by whitefly nymphs and adults, promoting the growth of black sooty mold on leaves. The sticky residue allows the fungus to grow, turning the leaves black and making it harder for them to photosynthesize.

Silverleaf whitefly has been reported on an estimated 500 plants worldwide. Silverleaf whitefly populations feed on various plants, particularly the undersides of leaves. They are also known to feed on crops, such as tomato, eggplant, and cucumber.

Direct damage is caused by the removal of sap, and indirect damage as a disease vector. The Silverleaf whitefly is a vector for several important virus diseases of lettuce and melons in the southwestern United States. Both the adult and nymphal stages contribute to direct damage.

A major crop pest can make tomato plants lie to their neighbors

Whiteflies use plants’ chemical eavesdropping powers to get an easier meal

By Susan Milius │April 4, 2019

Silverleaf whiteflies can make a tomato plant give off deceptive smells that trick neighboring plants into becoming easier targets for the insects’ attack.

Don’t blame the tomato. Tiny pests called Silverleaf whiteflies can make a tomato plant spread deceptive scents that leave its neighbors vulnerable to attach.

Sap-sucking Bemisia tabaci, an invasive menace to a wide range of crops, are definitely insects. Yet when they attack a tomato plant, prompting a silent shriek of scents, the plant starts smelling as if bacteria or fungi have struck instead. Those phony odors prime neighboring tomato plants for an attack, but not from an insect, an international research team found.

Those plants prepare to mount a fast and strong resistance against an incoming pathogen. But that high alert suppresses the plants’ chemistry for resisting insects and “leaves them far more vulnerable to the whiteflies when they arrive,” says Xiao-Ping Yu, an entomologist at China Jiliang University in Hangzhou.

Control of Silverleaf whiteflies is difficult because the eggs and older immature forms are resistant to many aerosol and insecticide sprays (in addition, the adults are extremely resistant to dry pesticide residue). Evidence or the same is given below:

Pesticide-resistant whitefly could ‘devastate’ many US crops

By Kerry Sheridan

A tiny, invasive whitefly that is resistant to pesticides and carries crop-devastating viruses has been found outdoors in the United States for the first time, raising concerns among fruit and vegetable growers.

Having whiteflies outdoors makes the problem “much more difficult to control,” and they may never be fully eradicated, said Lance Osborne, a professor of entomology at the University of Florida.

The resistance to pesticides—that is what really sets them apart,” he told a few dozen growers who attended a recent session to learn about the whitefly in Homestead, an agricultural area south of Miami.

C Tech Corporation offers a range of extremely low toxic and extremely low hazard insect aversive repellent, which can be successfully used to keep these pesky creatures at bay.

Termirepel™ is an insect aversive repellent manufactured by C Tech Corporation, used against all types of insects and which works on the mechanism of repellency. It means that it does not kill the target insects but only repel them, thus balancing the ecology and helping in maintaining the goal of sustainability.

This product can be easily used against a number of insects.

The product available in the form of masterbatch can be incorporated into the base polymer of applications like the wire and cables, pipes, agricultural films, and mulches, irrigation pipes, etc.

The lacquer can be applied as a topical application on the fence, wooden objects, furniture, frames, etc.

Termirepel™ liquid concentrate can be diluted in paints in a pre-determined ratio can be applied on walls and many other end applications to keep the Silverleaf whiteflies away from homes, gardens, and greenhouses.

TermirepelTM insect repellent spray can be sprayed on infested and susceptible areas to keep them away from the application.

Contact us at  technical.marketing@ctechcorporation.com to keep the pests away.

Also, visit our websites:

http://www.ctechcorporation.com/
http://www.rodrepel.com/
http://www.termirepel.com/
http://www.combirepel.com/

Follow our Facebook pages at:

1] https://www.facebook.com/Combirepel-411710912249274/
2] https://www.facebook.com/Termirepel-104225413091251/
3] https://www.facebook.com/Rodrepel-120734974768048/

Follow us on our Twitter pages at:

1] https://twitter.com/rodrepel
2] https://twitter.com/termirepel
3] https://twitter.com/combirepel

Leafcutter ant menace!

An ant infestation can be annoying for the average homeowner, but there are other ant species which can be devastating to those who are in the agricultural industry or growing a garden. One particular ant that can be a threat to plant life is Leafcutter Ant. Leaf cutter ants get their name due to their habit of cutting into leaves and carrying pieces of leaves around. Leafcutter ants are known to damage residential areas but are also considered an agricultural pest and do a lot of damage to vegetation when they infest areas in heavy numbers. High populations of leaf cutter ants have the ability to defoliate plants in the span of a day and have lead to annual decreases in plant yield, affecting the agricultural economy.

Leafcutter ants prefer to live in warm areas, and unlike other species of ants, leafcutter ants cultivate and feed on fungus within their nests.

While leaf cutter ants are usually a problem in rural and agricultural areas they can also travel to urban areas and be a problem for homeowners because of their ability to rapidly defoliate lawns and gardens.

Leaf cutting ants damage weeds, grasses, fruit trees, blackberry bushes and much other fruit, nut, and ornamental plants as well as several grain and forage crops.

Leaf cutter ants are often regarded as the planets first farmers. What’s surprising about the leaf cutter ant is that they actually don’t eat the leaves they cut down. In fact, they use them to grow a fungus garden which becomes both their food and living space. They keep their fungus garden well maintained with bacteria on their body. Bacteria on the body of a leaf-cutter ant keep harmful microbes from damaging the fungus.

Wherever leaf cutting ants are plentiful, it can be nearly impossible for plantlife to grow and survive because of how efficient they are in tearing down plants, grasses, and other foliage.

Britain’s biggest colony of leafcutter ants has self-destructed after chewing through a power cable in its tank

By Sophie Jane Evans │22nd May 2014 

More than a million of the tropical insects – who can carry 20 times their weight in their jaws – had been living at Butterfly World near St Albans, Hertfordshire.

They were dominated by a giant queen ant, the size of a small mouse, who was protected by an inner circle of soldier ants.


Disaster: Britain’s biggest colony of leafcutter ants has self-destructed after chewing through a power cable in its tank. Above, a worker ant at Butterfly World near St Albans, Herfordshire, where the incident happened

But in recent weeks, some of the ants had started nibbling on a power lead in their glass cabinet, which was linked to a water tank regulating their temperature.

They finally bit through the lead and sent an electric current shooting through the colony – killing the queen and her soldier guards. 

Most of the worker ants escaped the shock as they were in a separate part of the enclosure cutting leaves. But carnage erupted when they returned to find the queen and her inner circle dead.

Without a queen to protect, fighting broke out and the leaderless ants started dying in huge numbers as they killed each other or starved to death.

Homeowners Left Vulnerable To Leafcutter Ant Excavations

April 15, 2005

Leafcutter ants can be a huge pain when it comes to your house’s landscape and foundation.

Merchant said that though the leafcutter ant has yet to become a widespread problem in the Dallas metroplex area, it has been a problem for homeowners in east, south and central Texas.

“Their large colony sizes, impressive soil excavating power and destructive potential against plants makes them a serious pest,” said Merchant, who is based at the Texas A&M University System Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Dallas.

Not only do leafcutter ants strip landscape foliage of leaves, they create huge underground storage vaults for the leaves they gather. They don’t actually eat the leaves, but use them in a form of ant agriculture, inoculating the leaves with a fungus. The fungus eats the leaves; the ants eat the fungus.

Though vegetarian ants may sound charming, in the process of excavating, they can cause both sunken areas in lawns and create large unsightly mounds. On many occasions, they have reportedly tunneled under house slabs and cause them to crack, Merchant said.

Control of leafcutter ants used to be fairly straight-forward with a bait product called Volcano, Merchant said.

Because these ants eat only the fungus they cultivate, they do not respond to most conventional ant baits, such as those labeled for fire ants.

So what can be used efficiently to keep the leafcutter ants away from your plants?

C Tech Corporation offers a range of low toxic and low hazard insect aversive repellent, which can be successfully used to keep pesky creatures at bay.

Termirepel™ can be easily described as insect aversive repellent, used also against all types of insects and which works on the mechanism of repellency. It means that it does not kill the target insects but only repel them, thus balancing the ecology and helping in maintaining the goal of sustainability.

This product can be easily used against a number of insects.

The product available in the form of masterbatch can be incorporated into the base polymer of applications like the wire and cables, pipes, agricultural films, and mulches, irrigation pipes, etc.

The lacquer can be applied as a topical application on the fence, wooden objects, furniture, ceilings, frames, etc.

TermirepelTM liquid concentrate can be diluted in paints in a pre-determined ratio can be applied on walls and many other end applications to keep the leafcutter ants away from homes, gardens and farms.

TermirepelTM insect repellent spray can be sprayed on infested and susceptible areas to keep them away from the application.

Termirepel™ is thermally stable and does not degrade on exposure to heat and sunlight. It does not kill or harm the insect but repels them. It does not volatilize and does not degrade the soil. It is RoHS, RoHS2, ISO, EU BPR, REACH, APVMA, NEA compliant and FIFRA exempted.

Contact us at  technical.marketing@ctechcorporation.com to keep the pests away.

Also, visit our websites:

http://www.ctechcorporation.com/
http://www.rodrepel.com/
http://www.termirepel.com/
http://www.combirepel.com/

Follow our Facebook pages at:

1] https://www.facebook.com/Combirepel-411710912249274/
2] https://www.facebook.com/Termirepel-104225413091251/
3] https://www.facebook.com/Rodrepel-120734974768048/

Follow us on our Twitter pages at:

1] https://twitter.com/rodrepel
2] https://twitter.com/termirepel
3] https://twitter.com/combirepel