Blogs to keep termites and insects away from plastics

Leafcutter ants, also known as cut ants or fungus ant, are any of the 47 species of leaf-chewing ants belonging to two genera Atta and Acromyrmex. These species of tropical, fungus-growing ants are all endemic to South and Central America, Mexico, and parts of the southern United States. Leaf-cutting ants live in large colonies of up to two million. The name comes from their habit of cutting leaves and other plant parts from a variety of plants. An interesting fact about these ants is that they can carry more than 5000 times their body weight. Leafcutter ants can be extremely destructive to landscape plants, gardens, and some agricultural crops. In extreme cases, these ants are capable of destroying entire citrus trees in the span of a day and can lead to an annual decrease in crop yield in affected areas. In North and South America, damages caused by leaf-cutter ants amount to $1 billion in losses. These ants mostly damage weeds, grasses, plum and peach trees, blackberry bushes and much other fruit, nut, and ornamental plants as well as several cereal and forage crops.

leaf cutter ants are mostly found in warm areas. One of the unique things about these ants is that they cultivate and feed on fungus within their nest. These ants cut and process fresh vegetation including leaves, flowers etc. which serves as the nutritional substrate for their fungal activity.

The foraging leaf cutter worker ant is reddish or rust-colored. They range from 1/12 to 1/2 inch in length. The winged reproductive leafcutter ants can be 1-1/4 inch longer. These ants have a spiny body and long legs. A leaf-cutter ant nest can cover up to many hundred square feet in area coverage. These nests can extend as far as ten-twelve feet into the ground. A mature colony of leaf-cutter ants could contain 100,000 insects which mostly consist of sterile female workers. These female leafcutter workers are divided into four castes—major, minor, media and minim. Major workers are soldiers; minors guard the nests and trails; media forage for food, and minims tend the fungus gardens.

Leaf-cutter ants damage vegetation by removing the foliage which is further carried to their nests. They can also remove all the leaves from a tree in one night. The leaves are not eaten.  They are chewed into a material similar to a pulp. This pulp further produces a fungus that feeds the colony. Different species of ants use different species of fungus, but all of the fungi the ants use are members of the Lepiotaceae family. The ants actively cultivate their fungus, feeding it with freshly cut plant material and keeping it free from pests and molds. Defoliation by leaf-cutting ants can resemble damage produced by several other leaves chewing insects, particularly sawflies and leafcutting bees. Considerable damage to a plant can occur in a few hours. Small- to medium-sized trees can be stripped in one night. One researcher in South America estimated that a large leaf cutting ant colony harvested approximately 13,000 pounds of leaves over a 6-year period. This same colony excavated 802 cubic feet of soil weighing over 44 tons.

Let us look at some news articles pertaining to the damage caused by leaf-cutter ants and also how these ants are immune to the conventional insecticides and poison baits.

Garden Sage: Growths on an oleander; leaf-cutter ants; a spectacular silk floss tree
By Peter L. Warren , October 1, 2016, Arizona

Question: Our hopseed bushes suddenly had no leaves, and we think it is from leaf-cutter ants. We also noticed our palo verde tree near their mound has no leaves.  There are a few mounds near the hopseed bushes and palo verde tree. We also just put in a brick paver driveway and are concerned that the ants will damage it. What should we do?

A: Leaf-cutting ants are often difficult to manage. Although plants can be protected temporarily using insecticides, they need to be reapplied frequently, and these chemicals kill other insects that may be beneficial or harmless. The nests may be very large, hard to find and difficult to manage with insecticides. Because these ants don’t eat the leaves directly, they do not respond to most ant baits.

Leaf Cutter Ants Chew up Photographer’s Camera Gear

June 8, 2016, Brazil

“It’s not just the big guys you have to be worried about when setting up a camera trap in the jungle, you should probably look out for ants too” explains Naturalist Phil Torres

Torres is a biologist, conservationist, naturalist, and photographer, and he was in the Amazon rainforest with photographer Jeff Cremer of Rainforest Expeditions when they tried to set up a simple camera trap using a Canon 7D, an off-camera flash, and an IR sensor.

Everything was neatly bagged up to keep it out of the rain, and the gear was tested and in good condition. But when they arrived the next morning, they found all the bags and coverings gone, Jeff’s tripods and cables chewed up, and all of his gear waterlogged beyond saving.

The culprit? The tiny leaf cutter ants!

It turned out Cremer and Torres had set up the trap just a few feet away from the ants’ nest. Overnight, the ants came and cut the bags to pieces, chewed into the gorilla pods and cables, and left whatever gear was still working exposed to the elements so the rain could finish the job. In all, the ants caused about $2,800 worth of damage.

Leafcutter ants are a serious agricultural threat. Thus we need a long-term and effective solution to control their nuisance.

We at C Tech Corporation have a solution to avoid the damages caused by these pesky ants. Termirepel™ anti-insect additive, a C Tech Corporation product is the best solution for the prevention and control of insect infestations. It follows 6 tiered mechanism, which is extremely effective on insects like ants, termites, beetles etc.

Termirepel™ masterbatch can be incorporated in agricultural films, mulches, greenhouse films etc. during polymer processing. The incorporation of our masterbatches into the films would keep the leaf-cutter ants away from the crops which need to be protected.

Also, Termirepel™ liquid concentrate can be added to paints which can then be applied to fencing, etc. for protection. Termirepel™ is a nontoxic and nonhazardous anti-insect additive. It 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, REACH, ISO, APVMA, NEA compliant and FIFRA exempted.

Carpenter ants are large ants indigenous to many forested parts of the world. They are among the largest ants found in the United States. Most of these ants are black in color, but some species may also have reddish or yellowish coloration. Carpenter ants can grow as long as three-fourths of an inch, depending on the type. Queen lays 9 to 16 eggs the first year and may live up to 25 years. Eggs complete their life cycle in about 6 to 12 weeks. The body of these carpenter ants has three distinct sections consisting of the head, thorax, and abdomen. The thorax and abdomen are visibly divided by a pinched waist, which helps distinguish carpenter ants from termites. They also have six legs and a pair of elbowed, or bent, antennae.

These ants are found everywhere, both outdoor as well as indoor, mostly in moist and hollow wood. They are capable of damaging any wood within which they nest. The ants further cut galleries into the wood grain to form their nests and provide passageways for movement from section to section of the nest.  Galleries excavated from damp or damaged wood are mostly preferred by them to establish their colonies. Carpenter ants infestation can become severe when left untreated. These ants do not eat wood as termites do; instead, they remove the wood and deposit debris outside of their nests in small piles. Usually, the carpenter ants build two types of nests: parent colonies and satellite colonies. Parent colonies consist of a queen, her brood, and workers. Satellite colonies consist of workers, older larvae, and pupae. Workers create satellite colonies when the parent colony lacks sufficient space or when there is a suitable supply of food or water. There may be several satellite colonies associated with a parent colony.

The amount of damage caused by such nesting and infestations on a property varies. If a colony has been actively infesting a property for a long period of time, the structural damage can be very extensive. That’s why it’s crucial to have infestations treated as quickly as possible. One sign of carpenter ant damage is the appearance of small, circular galleries on the surface of the wood. The worker carpenter ants excavate sawdust-like debris around or below the exit holes. The area inside the galleries appears smooth and free of debris. This damage caused due to tunneling is huge.Also, the carpenter ants are usually drawn to moisture. Thus colonies of carpenter ants infiltrate homes and build nests in the wood near windows, doorframes, attics, chimneys, bathtubs, and any other area in the home with damaged or waterlogged wood. Carpenter ants often gravitate to homes with leaks that allow excess moisture to permeate the structure.

These pests do not eat wood but use it only for the purpose of building nests. Thus they are commonly attracted to human food sources, such as sweets, meats, and fats. Food items like sugar, honey, and syrup are highly attractive to carpenter ants. The insects are also drawn to grease spills and overripe fruit.

Let us look at some news articles pertaining to the damage caused by the carpenter ants.

Blog: Spring has sprung and so have the carpenter ants

March 21, 2017, Canada

Carpenter ants are plentiful in Delta, and are common pests in homes, sheds and other buildings. In spring carpenter ants are more active at night and by using a flashlight you can find the main nest outdoors. In structures, the presence of sawdust is a key clue in locating ant nests. The most common carpenter ants are the familiar large, black ants that are 4 mm or more in length and shiny black. If you find both small and large ants then there is likely more than one queen in the nest, if they are all the same size then there is only one queen. Carpenter ants chew through wet and rotting wood and can cause structural damage. They discard the wood, not using it as a food source like termites, and tunnel to create their satellites nests where eggs are stored in the hollowed frame. Damage can go unnoticed until the wood structural integrity has become compromised.

Carpenter ant damage results in increase in bridge repair costs

November 2016, USA

The cost to maintain and repair a bridge nearly doubled recently and experts say part of the problem is due to carpenter ants.

The bridge we’re talking about is the Scipio Road Bridge over Keshequa Creek in Livingston County. Leaders there say the repairs need to be done now or that cost could grow even more.

Kathy Link owns a furniture shop in Mt. Morris. Since she opened six years ago, she says they’ve been watching out for carpenter ants.

“They can eat it right up,” says Link. “They can make a mess — that’s what they do.”

And that’s exactly what carpenter ants did to a small portion of Scipio Road’s bridge. The projected cost to replace the deck skyrocketed from $442,000 to $643,000 after inspectors found severe bug damage in the first four feet on each end of the 100-foot wooden deck.

Carpenter ants on rise, causing problems in Windsor

July 7, 2014, Canada

Pest management companies in Canada say it’s likely that an unusually snowy winter has allowed a high number of carpenter ants to survive the winter.

They say the number of carpenter ants is on the rise in Windsor, Ont., and Halifax, N.S.

Steve Pelletier of Steve’s Pest Management says he has already responded to 220 calls for carpenter ants this year. He had 237 carpenter ants calls in all of 2013.

Windsor is not alone in its fight against carpenter ants. Residents in Halifax, N.S., have also noticed an increase in the number of carpenter ants.

Now, they’re out foraging for food and establishing new colonies.

“In the early spring or late fall, you’ll see large ants moving around in the house. They’re low on the feed so they start wandering and looking for food,” he said. “Most people complain when they actually see the ants.”

Stewart said 95 per cent of a colony stays in its main nest, but there could be 13 satellite nests in one location.

“You won’t see the damage until much later on,” Stewart said.

So is there an effective solution for this problem?

Yes, there is. Termirepel ™, an anti-insect additive, a C Tech Corporation product is an ideal solution for the prevention and control of carpenter ants infestation.

Our product 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 a non-toxic, non-hazardous and environment-friendly product, with a high efficacy to repel insects like carpenter ants from the wood. It 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, REACH, ISO, APVMA, NEA compliant and FIFRA exempted.

Termirepel ™ in solution form can be injected at a high pressure in the lumber so as to prevent the infestation. It is also available in lacquer form which can be applied to the furniture, patios, floor, doorframes, windows, attics as a coating so as to prevent further infestation.

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

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Bed bugs are flat, reddish-brown, oval insects up to 4 to 5 mm long or the size of an apple seed. Bedbugs do not fly, but they can move quickly over floors, walls, and ceilings. The common bed bug (Cimex lectularius) has been a pest feeding on blood, causing itchy bites and generally irritating the human hosts. Bedbugs are considered to be a public health pest by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Bedbugs can live anywhere in the home. They can live in cracks in furniture or in any type of textile, including upholstered furniture. They are most common in beds, including the mattress, box springs, and bed frames.

Bedbugs are most active at night. They may bite any exposed areas of skin while an individual is sleeping. Common locations for bedbug bites are the face, neck, hands, and arms. Bed Bugs feed exclusively on blood, and people have various responses to Bed Bug Bites. They feed by piercing the skin and withdrawing blood through an elongated beak. The bugs feed on three to ten minutes to become engorged and then crawl away unnoticed.

Most bedbug bites are painless at first but later turn into itchy welts. Unlike flea bites that are mainly around the ankles, bedbug bites are on any area of skin exposed while sleeping.

Let us now look at the characteristics of bedbugs. Adult bed bugs are light brown to reddish-brown, flattened, oval-shaped, and have no hind wings. The front wings are vestigial and reduced to pad-like structures. Bed bugs have segmented abdomens with microscopic hair that gives them a banded appearance. Adults grow to 4–5 mm long and 1.5–3 mm wide.

Female bedbugs can deposit one to five eggs a day and may lay 200 to 500 eggs in a Bed Bug’s lifetime. Under normal room temperatures and with an adequate food supply, they can live for more than 300 days. Newly hatched nymphs are translucent, light in color, and become browner as they molt and reach maturity. A bed bug nymph of any age that has just consumed a blood meal has a bright red, translucent abdomen, fading to brown over the next several hours, and to opaque black within two days as the insect digests its meal.

Let us look at some recent news articles pertaining to the bedbug menace.

Bed bugs found at two Norfolk schools

March 24, 2017, Norfolk, USA

Bed bugs have been found at two public schools in Norfolk.

Norfolk Public Schools say both incidents involved a single bed bug located in a classroom, happening at Ruffner Academy and Lake Taylor High School.

Bed bugs take over a Denver woman’s apartment

March 20, 2017, Denver, USA

Upon stepping into Elizabeth Trujillo’s apartment in Columbine Towers, it doesn’t take long to notice an infestation.

They’re bed bugs, and they’re crawling everywhere. Trujillo said the problem wasn’t always so visible.

“It’s so bad, “said Trujillo.

The infestation is so bad; the bugs were crawling on Trujillo during Denver7 interview. She says she’s been living in the apartment complex for two years, but the bed bugs issue began about a year and half ago.

“I’m tired of living with bed bugs. If they aren’t in my bathtub, they are in my bed and on the floor. They are crawling all over the place,” said Trujillo.

Bedbugs invade school for the deaf in Koforidua

March 19, 2017, Koforidua, Ghana

The Koforidua School for the deaf has been hit by bedbug infestation.
Starr News sources say the pupils reported the development to the school authorities, prompting a fumigation of the compound. However, the insects have refused to disappear causing discomfort for the school and disturbing pupils in their hostel.

Bedbug re-infestation frustrates residents

March 15, 2017, Glasgow, Scotland

Camilla Marshall has scars spotting her arms from an infestation of bedbugs that affected several apartments last May in the Woodbine Crest Seniors Complex where she lives in New Glasgow.

Marshall was upset to learn last week that bedbugs had been spotted once again in her complex, albeit in a different section of the building. She said this is the third time bedbugs have been reported in recent years in the complex, adding it’s frustrating to her and other residents.

The Eastern Mainland Housing Authority did treat the affected apartment this time, but Marshall said it still concerns her. She lost a lot when her apartment was impacted last year. She believes the bugs got into her apartment on a piece of furniture another resident had given her.

That gift ended up costing her much more than she expected.

“I lost my headboard, footboard, box spring, mattress, book case, chesterfield and a $800 Lazy Boy chair,” she said.

She estimates she lost about $3,000 from the ordeal, but wasn’t given any compensation.

So how do we get rid of them? Regular pest control is considered to be one of the solutions. However the use of toxic insecticides is now proving to be futile in getting rid of these nasty little creatures. A 2013 study in the journal Nature Scientific Reports suggested that bedbugs have evolved ways to resist insecticides.

So is there any other effective solution for this problem? Yes, there is.

Termirepel ™, an anti-insect additive, a C Tech Corporation product is an ideal solution for the prevention and control of bedbug infestation. It follows 6 pronged strategy which is extremely effective in preventing the damage caused by bedbugs as well as insects like ants, beetles, grasshopper, termites etc. Termirepel ™ is a nontoxic and nonhazardous insect repellent. It 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, REACH, ISO, APVMA compliant and FIFRA exempted. The product in the form of liquid concentrate can be blended in any paint or organic solvent and can be applied to the various surfaces vulnerable to damages caused by bedbugs like the walls, ceiling etc. Termirepel ™ lacquer can also be used as a coating for furniture for protection. The masterbatch of Termirepel ™ can be incorporated in wires and cables which are used in domestic wiring.

Today shipping industry has become a dynamic market. From 2000 to 2008 world trade increased by an average 5.4 percent each year. As markets are becoming increasingly globalized, a necessity for shipping bigger volumes of cargo in less time possible is also increasing. Tankers, shipping containers, and bulk carriers are the most important means of transportation of today’s time. About 90 percent of world trade is carried by the international shipping industry! Containers have boosted globalization more than all trade agreements in the past 50 years put together! Earlier the goods to be shipped used to be crammed into the hold of a ship and lose cargo in wooden crates would be loaded and unloaded by vast crews of dockworkers. The process was unwieldy, unreliable and so slow that ships often spent longer docked than they did at sea. Containers changed this in several ways. The price of everything fell, starting with the cost of loading and unloading. However, some notorious pests like insects are proving to be a major threat to the shipping industry. They not only damage the goods being shipped but are also dangerous as these pests carry and spread deadly diseases. Also, the introduction of a foreign pest in any country can be dangerous for the local agricultural produce.

There have been reported incidences of pests contaminating the foodstuff which is carried in the shipping containers. The pests that eat foodstuffs are usually not present in large numbers to be noticed by crews. Few pests left behind while unloading continues to breed and multiply in cargo unless eradicated. The combination of a residual pest population and food debris in un-cleaned cracks and crevices leads to the large numbers of pests that attack and spoil subsequent cargoes. Each year, pests cause losses that vary from 5-10% of the value of the original crops. Few insects even seriously reduce the nutritive value of a large quantity of material. Such pest infestation can also trigger a complex heating process that spreads throughout the pile and causes losses more serious than those resulting from the insects themselves. Also, the foodstuffs with even mild infestation need to be discarded since the food products reaching the consumer should be free of insect material in any case.

Let us look at some incidences pertaining to the damage caused by pest migration to a foreign country through these shipping containers.

A floating threat: Sea containers spread pests and diseases
17 August 2016, Rome

International Plant Protection Convention grapples with challenges of globalized trade. It was an exotic fungus that wiped out billions of American chestnut trees in the early 20th century, dramatically altering the landscape and ecosystem, while today the emerald ash borer – another pest that hitch-hiked along global trade routes to new habitats – threatens to do the same with a valuable tree long used by humans to make tool handles, guitars and office furniture.

Also as per the Food and Agricultural Organization of UN,the biggest “biological spill” of all was when a fungus-like eukaryotic microorganism called Phytophthora infestans – the name of the genus comes from Greek for “plant destroyer” – sailed from the Americas to Belgium. Within months it arrived in Ireland, it triggered a potato blight that led to famine, death and mass migration. Also a relative of the toxic cane toad that has run rampant in Australia recently disembarked from a container carrying freight to Madagascar, a biodiversity hotspot, and the ability of females to lay up to 40,000 eggs a year has made it a catastrophic threat for local lemurs and birds while also threatening the habitat of a host of animals and plants. In Rome, municipal authorities have been ramping up their annual campaign against the tiger mosquito, an invasive species that has arrived by ship in Albania in the 1970s. Aedes albopictus, famous for its aggressive biting, is now prolific across Italy.

Shipping containers: Importing insect pests, too…
By Faith Campbell, September 22, 2014, USA

Several of the most damaging tree-killing insects came to America as larvae riding in crates, pallets, or other forms of wood packaging material.

These include the Asian long horned beetle (ALB), emerald ash borer, and red bay ambrosia beetle. All entered the country since trade opened with China in the late 1980s.

So is there a reliable and effective solution for the pest nuisance in the shipping containers?

We have a solution for this problem.

At C Tech Corporation we make use of Mother Nature’s gift of senses to these insects in developing non- toxic & non-hazardous formulation!

Termirepel™ paint and additives are the solution. Termirepel™ paint can be directly applied to the containers which need protection from pest infestation. It is easy to apply and does not affect the aesthetics of the application which needs protection.

Termirepel™ polymer additives can be incorporated into the base polymer while manufacturing the containers. It works on the mechanism of repellence by affecting the olfactory senses of the pests. The product is RoHS, RoHS 2 and REACH compliant and FIFRA exempted.

Grasshoppers are insects of the suborder Caelifera within the order Orthoptera, which includes crickets and katydids. They are sometimes referred to as short-horned grasshoppers to distinguish them from the katydids, which have much longer antennae. They are probably the oldest living group of chewing herbivorous insects, dating back to the early Triassic around 250 million years ago. Grasshoppers are typically ground-dwelling insects with powerful hind legs which enable them to escape from threats by leaping vigorously. They are hemimetabolous insects i.e they do not undergo complete metamorphosis and hatch from an egg into a nymph or “hopper” which undergoes five moults, becoming more similar to the adult insect at each developmental stage. At high population densities and under certain environmental conditions, some grasshopper species can change color and behavior and form swarms. Under these circumstances, they are known as locusts.

Grasshoppers are voracious feeders, consuming approximately one-half of their body weight per day. Both adults and nymphs cause damage by chewing on the leaves and stems of plants, and if infestations are severe, may defoliate entire fields. It is estimated that grasshoppers consume up to 25 percent of the available forage in the western United States annually.

The injurious species of grasshoppers are all alike in their cycle of development. Eggs are deposited in late summer in elongated masses or pods inserted in the soil. These pass through the winter, and on hatching in the spring, the young seek food in the immediate area. As they increase in size and food becomes scarce, migration to other food sources takes place. After molting 5 or 6 times, during a period of 40-60 days, the adults appear and continue feeding until cold weather kills them.

Grasshoppers are general feeders on grasses and weeds and often move to cultivated crops. Crop damage is likely to be greatest in years when dry weather accompanies high populations. Drought conditions reduce natural vegetation, forcing grasshoppers to move to cultivated crops. Several species of grasshoppers feed on soybean foliage. The damage that grasshoppers cause appears as round to ragged holes in the leaves. These ragged holes extend in from the leaf margins and between the veins. Grasshoppers may also feed on and damage soybean pods, often chewing through the pod tissue into the seed. This may be a serious problem in dry years.

Mostly grasshoppers prefer young green plants, especially lettuce, beans, corn, carrots, onions, and some annual flowers. Squash and tomatoes are among the vegetables grasshoppers least favor. Grasshoppers have chewing mouthparts that remove large sections of leaves and flowers, sometimes devouring entire plants. Garden damage is usually limited to a few weeks in early summer immediately after range weeds dry up. However, during major outbreaks grasshoppers will feed on almost any green plant, and damage may occur over a considerably longer period.

Let us look at some recent news articles pertaining to the damage caused by the grasshoppers.

Voracious, gregarious locusts
January 31 2017, The Hindu, India

A locust is a grasshopper, which in its swarming phase can devastate thousands of acres of crops — to the extent of putting humans into famine and starvation. History is fraught with its notorious acts.

In solitary phase, locusts are just another grasshopper, with short horns. Taxonomically, there is no difference between a grasshopper or a locust, it is in their behaviour, that they exhibit differences. They are also called acridid and commonly seen in swarms in different parts of the world, on all continents except Antarctica.

They are highly migratory and are classified into ten subspecies. Species such as the Senegalese grasshopper and the African rice grasshopper have been observed to display locust-like behaviour on crowding.

Destructive behavior

When conditions are right, the harmless solitary locust undergoes a rapid set of changes. When there is a dramatic vegetation growth followed by drought in an area, the locusts start to breed more. The scores of wingless nymphs become swarms of winged adults. They together become gregarious (tending to associate with others of one’s kind and growing in a cluster) and migratory. They fly as a thick patch of swarms, devouring the crops on their way. They also cause huge damage. The adults consume most of the green vegetation.

They migrate in millions and cause damage through infestation. They have been a major cause of concern in agriculture that they have formed plagues since prehistory. In 1915, swarms of locusts stripped areas in Palestine and Syria from March to October, putting these places into a deep food crisis.

More recently, in 2013, Malagasy migratory locust devastated Madagascar, following a cyclone in February. The nation saw a surge in locust population and soon the insects occupied 50 percent of it. The authorities changed the situation to plague status.

Swarm of grasshoppers takes over Central Australia
January 24, 2017, ABC News, Australia

Swarms of insects have descended upon the Central Australian outback after recent rainfall.

In particular, large amounts of yellow-winged grasshoppers have populated the area, both in Alice Springs and surrounding areas.

Chris Adriaansen, director of the Australian Plague Locust Commission, identified the insect as a grasshopper species.

“They’re not a locust species, they’re a grasshopper species,” he said.

“Yellow-winged grasshoppers are fairly widespread across Australia, and the population rises and falls quite dramatically with weather conditions.

“Given the rainfall that’s been in Central Australia four or five weeks ago, the population has just burst forth.”

Mr. Adriaansen said local grasshoppers will be looking to eat vegetation, unlike the Australian plague locusts which feed on grass species and grain crops.

“When they’re in numbers obviously they can create a level of damage,” he said.

Today food scarcity is one of the major issues that the world is facing. About 11.3 % of the world population is hungry. Thus we cannot afford this significant amount of crop damage caused by pests like a grasshopper. There is an urgent need for a sustainable solution.

Termirepel™ anti-insect additive, a C Tech Corporation product is the best solution for the prevention and control of insect infestations. Termirepel™ masterbatch can be incorporated in agricultural films, mulches, etc. during polymer processing. It can also be incorporated in silage bags and packaging films to protect the crops in a post-harvest stage from pest damage.

Termirepel™ lacquer can be added to paints which can then be applied to fencing, tree guards etc. It follows 6 tiered mechanism, which is extremely effective on insects like grasshopper, ants, beetles, termites etc.

Termirepel™ is a non-toxic and non-hazardous anti-insect additive. It 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, REACH, NEA, APVMA compliant and FIFRA exempted.

Museums have always been exciting and enriching places to visit for people of all ages. However, the nuisance and damage caused by museum pest are one of the major challenges that we are currently facing. Museum pests are biological agents that can cause damage to museum collections. Museum collections are very susceptible to such pest attacks. These pests are responsible for substantial damage to museum objects, historic books and in buildings like palaces or historic houses. The cumulative effects of this damage can ultimately destroy a museum object.

Lack of sanitation and poor maintenance of museums are the major reasons to attract pests. Many different types of the artifact created from every imaginable material in museums throughout the world are responsible for both the rodent as well as insect infestation. The collection of material, antique in such museums is a very good source of food for these pests. Pests come in a variety of forms: insects, rodents, bats, birds, and mold. For insects, often the first evidence of their presence is the resultant damage, cast skins, or fecal spots rather than the pest itself. Insect pests that cause the most damage to museum collections can be classified into several types based on the kind of food sources they seek. Textile or fabrics pests, wood pests, stored product pests, paper pests, general pests are some of them. Wood mainly attracts burrowing insects that leave residue called frass and molted skins from larvae. These insects burrow into the wood causing a significant amount of structural damage. The most commonly found burrowing insects are the carpenter ants, termites, and furniture beetles. Textile in costumes, carpets, upholstery and other objects attract clothes moth. Webbing clothes mob, case making moth and carpet moth are the types of moth that are commonly encountered.  Paper and adhesive are usually damaged by silverfish which leave a characteristic pattern of damage called as ‘grazing’. Grazing is a type of damage where the surfaces are partially eaten by insects thus damaging them. Booklice also wreak havoc on book pages by poking holes in them as they feed.

The nests of mice, rats, birds, and bats also affect museum collections because they can attract insects that may then move into collections seeking a food source. Poisonous baits deployed to control infestations and dead rodent carcasses will also provide a food source for a range of insect pests, including clothes moths, carpet beetles, blowflies and hide & leather beetles.

Insects infest not all collections of objects in an equal way. Mostly natural history collections with large numbers of dried insects, usually stored in drawers, dry plant material in herbaria, stuffed animals, fur and skeleton specimens are at a very high risk of infestation and damage. Large numbers of objects of these vulnerable materials are stored close to each other and in dark areas. This helps the spread of an infestation from one drawer or closet to the other.

The second high-risk collections are ethnographic objects, which have similar materials as the natural history museums. In addition, a large amount of fur, feather, leather, plant materials or wood is stored together. Many of these objects like pumpkin vessels or textiles are stained (with food, body oil, sweat or urine), which is part of their use and cultural history and make them even more attractive for the insects feeding on them.

Libraries and archives are also a very vulnerable site for pest infestation. Only a few insect species feed on paper and the historic bookbinding, but they can result in severe damage if the infestation is not found.

Historic buildings like castles, palaces, or old museum buildings usually have resident populations of insect pests found in shafts, unused chimneys, under wooden floors or behind wooden walls. Finding and getting rid of these pest populations is often very difficult and costly.

Bio-deterioration of the building material is another major type of damage caused by the pests. It is caused by several biological agents like the bacteria, insects, rodents, lichens, mammals, birds, mosses etc.

Let us now look at the following case study. Over the last century, there has been at least one period of high activity of wood-destroying fungi and insects in Estonia. After World War II, many cultural monuments had to be renovated and refurbished. Since substandard building materials, including timber with inadequately high moisture content, were used, the wood destroying fungi easily spread all over Estonia. In many buildings, slightly damaged elements were replaced by new elements of same size and shape, whereas the growth of the destroying insects and fungi was enhanced as the spread rate in fresh timber is manifold higher than in the old one.

 Also recently a depiction of an ancient sword brought in for the museum’s Steel and Gold – Historic Swords exhibition in 2013, had been chewed full of holes by pests.

Let us also look at news pertaining to damage caused by pests to heritage buildings.

Beak hour traffic destroying heritage buildings
September 2013, The Sydney morning Herald, Australia

RESIDENTS have tried everything to get rid of them: flashing lights, rubber snakes, spikes on sills, mirrors on windows, chili oil on woodwork, even lying in wait with hoses or water pistols. But the sulfur-crested cockatoos of Potts Point, which have caused more than $40,000 in damage to one building alone, are absolutely incorrigible, say, infuriated residents, whose plan for a cull is stuck in bureaucratic limbo.

Many of the homes affected are in heritage-listed, art-deco buildings, with wooden window frames eaten through by the birds. At Kingsclere, a 1912 building on Macleay Street, cockatoos have destroyed slate roof tiles, causing them to drop seven storeys to the street.

We need an effective solution to this problem. Termirepel™ a non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, non-hazardous and environment-friendly insect repellent is definitely an effective and long-lasting solution to control the pest menace in museums. Termirepel™ works against 500 species of insects. Termirepel™ is available in form of solid masterbatches, liquid form, and lacquer. The product does not kill the target species; it just repels them. It follows 6 tiered mechanism, which is extremely effective on insects like termites, ants, beetles etc.

It is RoHS, RoHS2, REACH, APVMA, NEA compliant and FIFRA exempted. Termirepel™ liquid concentrate and the lacquer can be coated on the walls, furniture and other surfaces which require protection from the pests.

Termites comprise a large and diverse group of ecologically and economically important insects that feed on cellulose, primarily in wood. Worldwide there are over 2,600 species of termites and about 23 different species are found in California alone. Termites are eusocial insects that are classified at the taxonomic rank of infraorder Isoptera. Termites were once classified in a separate order from cockroaches, but recent studies indicate that they evolved from close ancestors of cockroaches during the Jurassic or Triassic.

Termites can be grouped into three basic categories:

Dampwood: Dampwood termites are normally larger in size than other termite species. Like dry wood termites, dampwood colonies don’t have workers. Younger termites called “false workers” do all the work for the colony.

Drywood: Drywood termites obtain water from the wood in which they live and have no contact with the soil, or with any other source of moisture. Drywood termites form colonies of up to 2,500 members.

Subterranean: Subterranean termite colonies can have up to 2 million members! Their colonies are divided into three groups: workers, soldiers, and reproductives. Subterranean termites are generally ground-dwelling or require contact with the soil or some constant source of moisture and are the main threat posed to timber in the built environment.

Formosan: Formosan termite colonies can be up to 300 feet long and there can be tens of thousands of termites in a single colony. Formosan termite colonies are divided into three groups: workers, soldiers, and reproductives. They are the largest and most destructive kind of termite.

Termites are among the most successful groups of insects on Earth, colonizing most landmasses except for Antarctica. Their colonies range in size from a few hundred individuals to enormous societies with several million individuals. Like ants and some bees, termites divide labor among castes consisting of sterile male and female “workers” and “soldiers”. Worker termites are wingless, soft-bodied, and light caramel in color. They comprise the largest contingent in most colonies and are the individuals most frequently seen when infested wood is examined. Workers are reproductively undeveloped. They are responsible for the care of eggs and immature; foraging for food; feeding and hygiene of nestmates, including the queen; and construction and maintenance of shelter tubes, galleries, and/or other colonial structures. Workers can also be involved in the protection of the colony but are not as fierce as the soldiers.

Soldiers can vary greatly in morphology but, generally, have larger, amber or brownish heads and larger mandibles than workers. They guard the colony and defend it against predators.

All colonies have fertile males called “kings” and one or more fertile female called “queens”. Termite queens have the longest lifespan of any insect in the world, with some queens reportedly living up to 30 to 50 years. Colonies are described as superorganisms because the termites form part of a self-regulating entity: the colony itself.

Termites are often called the “silent destroyer” because they secretly hide and thrive in houses or yards without any immediate signs of damage. All termites consume cellulose-based plant materials. Unfortunately, all homes, regardless of their construction type, can provide cellulose food for termite infestation.

Termites are detritivores or detritus feeders. They feed on dead plants and trees. Termites get nutrients from cellulose, an organic fiber found in wood and plant matter. Wood makes up the majority of the pest’s diet, although termites also eat other materials such as paper, plastic, and drywall. Most species prefer dead wood, but some termites feed on living trees. Each type of termite has its own dietary preferences. Subterranean termites prefer softwoods but may invade most species of wood. Dampwood termites generally stay close to the ground but will choose moist, decaying wood anywhere it is found. Drywood termites are often found in attics and require little moisture in the wood they eat.

A termite’s mouth is capable of tearing pieces of woody material. This ability is what causes concern in human dwellings. While termite workers only measure approximately 1 cm to a few millimeters in length, their feeding habits are capable of causing costly damage to property. House foundations, furniture, shelves and even books are all possible feeding sites for termites. Termites can single-handedly ruin and destroy a house’s very foundation and character in just a few short years.

The following list indicates common signs of a subterranean termite infestation.

• The presence of mud-like material that lines the galleries in an irregular pattern. Termites may excavate the wood so that only a very thin layer of wood is left on the surface of the cavity and the outside. Then this layer is broken; termites will further cover the holes with mud like material, used to make the tubes. This is a mixture of soil, feces, and saliva.
• Swarmers: The appearance of a swarm also known as “flying ants”, especially near light sources is a common indication of infestation. This also indicates a nest may be near. A “swarm” is a group of adult male and female reproductives that leave their nest to establish a new colony. Swarming occurs when a colony reaches a certain size.
• Mud Tunnels: Subterranean termites maintain their headquarters in the ground and build “mud tubes”, that connects the nest (moisture) to the food source (wood).The tunnels may contain broken mud particles with fecal materials. Mud tubes or shelter tubes are proof of termite infestation, but their absence does not necessarily mean that a structure is free of termites. The insects may reach sills and other wood members through cracks or voids in the foundation wall, under the outside stucco, or from earth-filled porches, steps, terraces, or patios.
• Piles of wings: The shed wings of swarmers indicate termites have entered their next phase of development.
• Damaged wood: Wood may appear crushed at structural bearing points. Termite damaged wood resonates with a dull thud (hollow sound) when tapped with a hammer.

Some interesting facts about termites

• Each year, termites cause more than $5 billion in property damage.
• The total weight of all of the termites in the world is more than the weight of all the humans in the world.
• Termite colonies eat non-stop, 24 hours a day, seven days a week!

Now let us also look at the significant role that termites play in our ecosystem. They recycle nutrients, in particular, nitrogen which is essential for healthy plant growth. When termite mounds erode, the soil particles rich in nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium are washed into the soil from the mounds to become available for plant growth. Their excavations alter the structure of trees and provide spaces which have become a necessary part of the habitat of many vertebrate species including bats, birds, reptiles and arboreal mammals. Therefore the use of toxic pesticides and insecticides is not an ideal solution to prevent and control this damage caused by termites.

C Tech Corporation can offer a solution to overcome the damage caused by termites. Termirepel™ – an anti-termite additive is an ideal solution for the prevention and control of termites. The product does not kill the target species causing damage but only repels it. It follows 6 prolonged strategy which is extremely effective on termites as well as insects like ants, beetles, grasshopper, bugs etc.

Termirepel™ is non-toxic and nonhazardous anti termite and anti-insect polymer additive. It is thermally stable and does not degrade on exposure to heat and sunlight. It does not volatilize and does not degrade in the soil. It is RoHS, RoHS2, REACH, APVMA, NEA compliant and FIFRA exempted.

The Rasberry crazy ant or tawny crazy ant, Nylanderia fulva, is an ant originating from South America. This species is called “crazy ant” because of its quick, erratic movements. It is also called the “Rasberry crazy ant” in Texas after the exterminator Tom Rasberry, who noticed that the ants were increasing in numbers in 2002.

The ant is about 0.125 inches long, thus smaller than the red imported fire ant. It is covered with reddish-brown hair. The colonies live under stones or piles; they have no centralized nests, beds, or mounds. The ants appear to prefer the warmth and moisture of the coast. The simplest way to describe tawny crazy ant behavior is disorganized, chaotic foraging by worker ants, and colonies with queens who possess enormously abundant reproductive potential.

The Texas A&M University research extension service quotes the annual rate of spread by ground migration as about 240 and 360 m per year in neighborhoods and industrial areas, respectively, and 207 m/year in rural landscapes, hence spreading more slowly than fire ants. Other sources quote 800 m per year. Being carried by people, animals, and vehicles (in trash for example), the observed rate is much higher: the spread from five Texas counties in 2002 to 20 in 2007 yields an accelerated rate of 8 km (5.0 mi) per year, at which rate it would take about 70 years for them to reach New Orleans. However, in 2011, tawny crazy ants were reported in Mississippi, in August 2012 in Port Allen Louisiana, and in 2013 in Georgia.

Tawny crazy ants are omnivores. They consume just about any sweet or protein substances. Sweets commonly eaten are honeydew (excretions produced by aphids and other insects), sweet portions of plants, over-ripe fruits, and honey from beehives. Protein sources include small insects and small mammals that are overcome by the numerous workers that attack. The workers are most active and plentiful in the early spring, while foraging is limited in the winter months. Colonies produce millions of workers by mid-summer and continue to thrive throughout the fall. Crazy ants build nests under almost any object or inside any void that remains moist.

One of the more fascinating aspects of tawny crazy ant behavior is their habit of infesting electronic equipment in large numbers. Infestations in electrical equipment can cause short circuits, sometimes because the ants chew through insulation. Overheating, corrosion, and mechanical failures also result from accumulations of dead ants and nest detritus in electrical devices. If an ant is electrocuted, it can release an alarm pheromone in dying, which causes other ants to rush over and search for attackers. If a large enough number of ants collects, it may short out systems.

It is unclear why colonies of Nylanderia fulva, like many species of ants, are attracted to electrical equipment. They may sense the magnetic fields that surround wires conducting electric current, or they prefer the warmth produced by resistance to the currents in the wires. Some argue they simply are searching for food or an attractive place to nest.

Let us look at some current news articles pertaining to the damages caused by these crazy ants:

Exterminator says ‘Rasberry Crazy Ants’ coming to SC
July 27, 2016, South Carolina, USA

Exterminators are issuing a warning for homeowners about a type of ant we haven’t seen in the Carolinas but could be here before we know it.

Swarming by the millions, this isn’t something you’ll want to find in your house.

“And these will be the dominant ant, they will wipe out everything in its path,” said Brandon Johnson of ipest inc. “And the threat they pose to us is they can virtually live in anything, anywhere.”

Johnson says they’re called Rasberry Crazy Ants. They were founded by an exterminator in Texas back in 2002, but as their numbers have grown, they’ve continued to expand their territory. Cases have been seen in Georgia in recent years and Johnson says South Carolina is next.

“What we need to worry about is the electrical panels being shorted out by these massive numbers,” Johnson said. “We don’t know why, but they are attracted to electricity fields.”

Johnson says nothing you can buy in a store will stop them from getting into your home and multiplying. While they don’t sting or bite, he says they’ll get into your food, they could be a fire hazard with your electrical equipment and besides, do you really want all those ants running around everywhere?

Another incident pertaining to the destruction of electronics by these ants was reported recently in Texas, USA.

Ant invaders making Texans crazy
December 20, 2016, Texas, USA

There’s a hitchhiker traveling across Texas, and if it hasn’t yet crawled into your computer, plugged up the electrical pump on your well or just chewed through your serenity, standby.

Seven Texas counties have reported crazy ants this fall, adding to the 28 reported last year, and Robert Puckett, a Texas A&M entomology professor, thinks there are probably others that don’t yet realize they’re infested.

“They’re a beast,” said Puckett, who is part of the team at A&M’s Center for Urban and Structural Entomology. “I always tell people we’re going to take care of it, but they’re going to be trouble for a long time.”

Crazy ants — also called the Rasberry crazy ant or tawny crazy ants — like enclosed spaces, have hundreds of queens in a colony and can shut down productions lines by short-circuiting electronics. They can even drive out fire ants, surviving the competition’s stings by detoxifying its venom.

Do we have an effective solution for this crazy ant menace? Yes, we do!

C Tech Corporation offers a non-toxic and non-hazardous product, Termirepel™ to protect the electrical application and cables from these ravenous insects.

It is an environmentally safe product that works by repelling the insects without causing any harm to the target or non-target species. Termirepel™ is available in three forms, solid masterbatch, liquid concentrate and lacquer form.  Termirepel™ masterbatch can be safely incorporated into the PVC insulation of wires and cables while manufacturing or coated on surfaces to keep crazy ants away from the application. Termirepel™ can also be incorporated in agricultural films and mulches for the protection of trees and bushes against these creatures.

The mountain pine beetle Dendroctonus ponderosae is a species of bark beetle native to the forests of western North America from Mexico to central British Columbia. It has a hard black exoskeleton and measures approximately 5 mm, about the size of a grain of rice.

The first mountain pine beetle outbreak started in British Columbia in the early 1990s. The insect has since killed about 50% of the total volume of commercial lodgepole pine in the province. Not just limiting itself to lodgepole pine any longer, the beetle is also reproducing in jack pine.

The mountain pine beetle has a one-year life cycle in most of its range but may take more or less time to complete its development, depending on local temperatures. Adult beetles usually disperse in July or August, depending on the region, to colonize new host trees. Females attack first and release semiochemicals called aggregation pheromones that attract more females and males to the tree. Female beetles lay eggs along the sides of vertical galleries that they excavate in the inner bark of the tree. Newly hatched larvae mine away from the egg galleries. Insects usually overwinter as larvae, completing their development the following spring and pupating in June or July.

During gallery construction, fungal symbionts carried by beetles in specialized pockets in one of the mouthparts are introduced to the trees. The fungi colonize the inner bark and sapwood, interrupting tree function and defence in addition to changing the moisture and chemistry of tree tissues in which insects are developing. The fungi sporulate in pupal chambers and new adults feed on the spores before emerging and dispersing to a new host tree.

Trees defend themselves against mountain pine beetle attack with toxic resin. Low or endemic beetle populations cannot overcome the defences of healthy trees and attack suppressed weak or dying trees. Suppressed and weak trees are usually poor-quality hosts for the beetles because they may already have been attacked by competing insects and the thin inner bark layer is a poor habitat.

As populations increase, the mountain pine beetle is able to overwhelm the defence of larger and healthier trees through a rapid, coordinated group or mass attack. Large trees provide better habitat and produce more beetles. This results in positive feedback and rapid population growth. Tree defence may be important in regulating low or endemic populations, but they become inconsequential when beetle populations are high.

Now to identify a pine beetle infestation one must look for the following signs:

Pitch Tubes: Popcorn-shaped globs of sap called pitch tubes will be found in the trunk where the beetle begins tunneling. These indicate the tree has tried to “pitch out” the beetle. A red or brown color in the pitch tube indicates a successful attack by the beetle. The color comes from boring dust on the pitch.  A white color indicates an unsuccessful attack – the tree was able to get rid of the beetle before it began boring.  A tree with only a few white tubes has a chance of survival.  If there are several colored tubes present, the tree should be removed.

Heavy Woodpecker Damage: Evidence of woodpeckers feeding on the trunk may indicate mountain pine beetle infestation in a tree. Signs include patches of bark missing where the woodpecker was feeding and bark flakes on the ground below the tree. Woodpeckers also like to feed on the its beetle.

Foliage Color Change: The foliage of trees that have been fatally infested will change color from green to yellow to red.  This color change starts the following spring after the previous summer’s mountain pine beetle flight.  A tree with red needles is beyond the point of saving.

Boring Dust: Pine beetles produce a boring dust as they successfully enter into the host tree. You may notice this sawdust-like material in bark crevices or on the ground around the base of the tree. If boring dust is present around the entire base of the tree, the tree is beyond the point of saving.

Presence of Live Beetles: One can identify mountain pine beetles throughout their lifecycle by peeling the bark off an infested tree; one can find eggs, larva, pupae and/or adult beetles underneath.

Blue Stain: Pine beetles introduce a fungus as they bore into the tree that stains the sapwood a blue or grey color.

Let us look at some of the recent news pertaining to the damage caused by mountain pine beetles

Mountain Pine Beetles Still Beating the Cold in K-Country
18 December 2016, Canada

It’s supposed to be a long, cold and nasty winter this year if you believe the Farmer’s Almanac.  That’s just what Alberta Forestry officials are hoping.

The battle against Mountain Pine Beetle has been a long one.  Our mild winters over the past few years have allowed the Mountain Pine Beetle population in the province to rise and become harder to manage.

Mountain Pine Beetle is a species of Bark Beetles that unlike the rest of their creepy-crawly family, target healthy trees in our forests and have damaging effects on overall forest health.

California: Why tiny insects are tearing up Sierra forests
December 14 2016, California, USA

Western pine beetles, native inhabitants of Sierra Nevada forests, typically go unnoticed. The grain-of-rice-sized insects live a quiet life, spent mostly beneath the bark of weak, diseased or injured trees.

But the beetles of late have been causing uproar. They have been decimating ponderosa pine trees throughout the central and southern Sierra, turning entire hillsides red — the color the pines turn just before they die. Last month, the U.S. Forest Service reported that there are over 100 million dead trees in the Sierra — more than double the amount in 2015, when the dying trees prompted Gov. Jerry Brown to declare a state of emergency.

We need an immediate solution for this problem of mountain pine beetle infestation. Do we have any effective and long lasting solution? Yes, we do.

Termirepel ™, an anti-insect additive, a C Tech Corporation product is an ideal solution for the prevention and control of pine beetle infestation.

Termirepel™ is non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, non-hazardous and environment-friendly insect repellent. Termirepel™ works against 500 species of insects.

Termirepel™ is available in form of solid masterbatches, liquid form, and lacquer. The product does not kill the target species; it just repels them. It follows 6 tiered mechanism, which is extremely effective on insects like pine beetles, aphids, ants, termites etc. It does not volatilize and does not degrade the soil. It is RoHS, RoHS2, REACH, ISO, APVMA, NEA compliant and FIFRA exempted. The liquid concentrate and the lacquer can be coated on the fencing, tree guards etc. Also, Termirepel™ masterbatch can be incorporated in agricultural films, mulches, etc. during polymer processing.

Bed bugs are flat, reddish-brown, oval insects. They are wingless. A few decades ago, bedbugs were somewhat of a novelty in developed countries. But since the early 2000s, infestations have become more common in places like the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Bedbugs feed on the blood of humans by inserting a sharp proboscis, or beak, into the victim’s skin. The critters become engorged with blood in about 10 minutes, which fills them up for days. The insects are most active at night, though they are not exclusively nocturnal. Bedbugs are attracted to warmth, moisture and the carbon dioxide released from warm-blooded animals, according to Purdue University. On sleeping human hosts, bedbugs often bite exposed areas of the body, such as the face, neck, arms, and hands.

Adult bedbugs are brown in color, although their bodies redden after feeding. Full-grown bedbugs move relatively slowly and measure between 4 to 5 mm. Homeowners sometimes have the misconception that bed bugs are too small to see with the naked eye. The nymphs may be small and difficult to see, but the adults are detectable with the naked eye and may be found in the cracks and crevices they use to hide. Newly hatched nymphs are approximately the size of the head of a pin and are white or tan until they feed. They often are described as being about the size and shape of an apple seed. Also, bedbugs reproduce by a gruesome strategy appropriately named “traumatic insemination,” in which the male stabs the female’s abdomen and injects sperm into the wound. During their life cycle, females can lay more than 200 eggs, which hatch and go through five immature “nymph” stages before reaching their adult form, molting after each phase.

Bedbugs lurk in cracks and crevices and they’ve been living on human blood for centuries. They can crawl more than 100 feet in a night but typically creep to within 8 feet of the spot its human hosts sleep. Although they do not transmit disease or pose any serious medical risk, the stubborn parasites can leave itchy and unsightly bites. There have also been some strange cases linked to bedbug infestations. Researchers reported in the Canadian Medical Association Journal in 2009 that they treated a 60-year-old man for anemia caused by blood loss from bedbugs. Another study published in 1991 in the Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology found that people with asthma might be more susceptible to allergic reactions from bedbug bites. A bedbug infestation can take a psychological toll on those affected: People whose homes have been infested with bedbugs may have trouble sleeping for fear of being bitten in the night. Also, there is social, public health and economic consequences; office buildings and schools often have to close if they are dealing with a bedbug infestation.

Bed bugs are found in cracks and crevices, including mattress seams, sheets, furniture, behind baseboards, electrical outlet plates, and picture frames. They are often found sneaking in hotels where they can travel from room to room, in visitors’ luggage or other personal belongings like briefcases, handbags, etc.

Let us look at some current updates pertaining to bedbug nuisance:

Bed bugs a growing concern in Muskogee
By David Norris, December 2016, abcTulsa, USA

If you feel itchy at the mere thought of bed bugs, you’re not alone.

And if you think your house is safe, C.B. Abel of Vanish Pest Control in Muskogee says you could be wrong.

“I’ve seen houses that were extremely clean, that had maids who came out twice a week and cleaned the house,” said Abel. “And they had an infestation of bed bugs.”

He says over the years bed bugs have become more resistant to chemicals.

“Three years ago, we’d get six calls a month, six calls every three months for bed bugs, and now, we’re getting six calls a week,” said Abel.

He says the problem gets even worse during winter months when people spend more time indoors.

“Which makes them feed more, which makes them lay more eggs, which makes them populate more,” said Abel.

Bed bug infestation hits a public housing building in Green Bay
By Aisha Morales, December 12, 2016, USA

A bed bug infestation is causing some headaches for residents of Mason Manor, a public housing building in Green Bay. The housing authority says it is doing all it can to clean it up, but what bed bug experts want you to know is, this can happen to anyone.

“While bed bugs are known to carry 45 different human pathogens, they don’t actually give disease,” said bedbug inspector Jon Sandberg, who owns K9 Solutions.

Sandberg says he’s been to Mason Manor where 20 units have been infested with bedbugs. The Green Bay Housing Authority says it’s doing all it can to get the situation under control.

So how do we get rid of them? Regular pest control is considered to be one of the solutions. However, the use of toxic insecticides is now proving to be futile in getting rid of these nasty little creatures. A 2013 study in the journal Nature Scientific Reports suggested that bedbugs have evolved ways to resist insecticides.

So is there any other effective solution for this problem?

Yes, there is!

Termirepel™, an anti-insect additive, a C Tech Corporation product is an ideal solution for the prevention and control of bedbug infestation. It follows 6 pronged strategy which is extremely effective in preventing the damage caused by bedbugs as well as insects like ants, beetles, grasshopper, termites, etc.

Termirepel™ is an extremely low toxic and low hazard insect aversive repellent. It 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, REACH, APVMA, NEA, EU BPR compliant and FIFRA exempted. The product in the form of liquid concentrate can be blended in any paint or organic solvent and can be applied to the various surfaces vulnerable to damages caused by bedbugs like the walls, ceiling, etc. Termirepel™ lacquer can also be used as a coating for furniture for protection. The masterbatch of Termirepel™ can be incorporated into wires and cables which are used in domestic wiring.

Aphids belong to the family of Aphididae. They are a group of sap-sucking, soft-bodied insects and are about the size of a pinhead. Aphids are most passionate, prolific and damaging. They are one of the serious plant pests and they hinder plant growth, transmit plant diseases, and lead to the deformation of leaves, flowers, buds, roots, and sap. There are about 6000 aphid species found in North America alone. Rosy apple aphid is one of several aphid species that can occur on apple trees and is generally the most damaging.
Rosy apple aphid is a tiny soft-bodied sap-sucking insect that feeds on apple foliages and fruits during spring and early summer. They are one of the major agricultural pests when it comes to apple. Even small numbers of aphids can cause significant damage to these fruits. The body of aphid has a waxy coating and usually a slight purplish or rosy tint. Rosy apple aphids lay oval-shaped eggs in bark crevices and around the buds of shoots of apple trees in autumn. When first laid the eggs are bright yellow that gradually changes to greenish yellow and finally within two weeks to shiny jet black. These eggs hatch in spring as the leaves begin to emerge from the buds.

Colonies of pinkish grey aphids develop on the underside of the foliage. Affected leaves at the shoot tips become curled and yellowish. Heavily infested shoots show curbed growth with distorted leaves which start to turn brown during the summer season. Also, the prolonged sucking of sap destroys the normal growth of fruits. While sucking up sap, the aphids secrete chemicals into the foliage with the help of its saliva, which causes the distorted growth and also develops a sooty mold on fruits and leaves. Systemic effect of malignant saliva also leads to reduced growth of roots, photosynthesis, and other woody tissues. Damage can be most severe on young trees where shoots are affected badly leading to permanent damage to the plant. The fruits attacked by aphids often remain small in size with a pinched appearance around the eye end which is formed in the growing season.

Rosy apple aphids are capable of attacking all apple varieties; therefore it is essential for apple growers to monitor their trees carefully for rosy apple aphids. A few colonies are potent of rapidly infesting the entire tree. Rosy apple infestations often go unnoticed until the leaf curl damage is observed. As control becomes extremely difficult in the later stages, aphids are best controlled at the pink stage of bud development, before the serious leaf curl has occurred. It is reported that these noxious insects can cause 50% of fruit injury in severe cases and are most difficult to control.

To tackle this problem of aphids various methods have been tried and tested, the conventional toxic chemicals, pesticides are no longer effective in protecting the attack of these vile pests and also pollute the soil, groundwater reserves and harm the beneficial species like bees, earthworms etc. The use of pyrethrins as a pesticide destroys the aphid predators and parasites leading to the surplus gathering of aphids. Also, there are reported incidences of insects becoming resistant to many toxic pesticides. Unlike these chemicals, CTech Corporation’s product Termirepel™ is the best solution to deal with the problem of these pests. Termirepel™ is non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, non-hazardous and environment-friendly insect repellent. Termirepel™ works against 500 species of insects. Termirepel™ is available in form of solid masterbatches, liquid form, and lacquer. The product does not kill the target species; it just repels them.

It follows 6 tiered mechanism, which is extremely effective on insects like aphids, ants, beetles, grasshopper, termites etc. It does not volatilize and does not degrade the soil. It is RoHS, RoHS2, REACH, APVMA, NEA compliant and FIFRA exempted. Termirepel™ masterbatch can be incorporated in agricultural films, mulches, etc. during polymer processing which would provide protection from the pesky aphids. The liquid concentrate and the lacquer can be coated on the fencing, tree guards etc.

“The ants go marching one by one…” goes the famous nursery rhyme describing the brilliant teamwork and management skills possessed by ants. Although small, these bugs are a remarkable example of working together. Each tiny ant labors diligently in constructing its colony. Even a single ant makes a huge and significant difference. The leaf-cutter ants are one such type.

Leafcutter ants, a non-generic name, are any of 47 species of leaf-chewing ants belonging to the two genera Atta and Acromyrmex. Leaf Cutter Ants originate mainly in the USA. They are found in eastern and south central Texas. They also can be found in parts of western Louisiana and are considered an agricultural pest.

Leaf cutter ants have mainly three body parts-the head, thorax, and abdomen, with jointed legs, antennae and an exoskeleton, similar to the hardness of an adult human’s fingernails. Their exterior colors range from orange, brown, red or black typically depending on geographical area. Their sharp mandibles allow the ants to cut pieces of leaves from plants and trees. Leafcutter ants live in huge colonies on the forest floor. They vary in size and appearance depending on their role within the colony. These physical differences are so large that it is hard to believe that ants in the same colony are actually the same species. Some ants are large; some are small; some have wings, and some have big mandibles! Their colonies are very complex, and every ant has a specialized role to play within the colony. Another very interesting fact about the leaf cutter ants is that they live in colonies that can contain over eight million insects!  Most of the ants in a colony are workers, but they often have different jobs depending on their body size. The smallest ants, called minims, grow the fungus food and watch over eggs the queen ant has laid. The very largest worker ants, called majors, go out to collect bits of plants and defend the colony from intruders.

Over the years, leaf cutter ants have gained the nickname of “fungus farmers” from the scientists who have closely studied them. This is due to the fact that the ants do not actually eat the leaves they gather into their nest; they ‘farm’ with them and grow mushroom-type fungus to feed on. These ants tuck the bits of leaves into their tunnels and wait for the fungus to grow. Then they harvest and eat it. Leafcutter ants can carry more than 50 times their body weight and cut and process fresh vegetation like leaves, flowers, and grasses to serve as the nutritional substrate for their fungal cultivars.

In some parts of their range, leafcutter ants can be a serious agricultural pest, defoliating crops and damaging roads and farmland with their nest-making activities. For example, some Atta species are capable of defoliating an entire citrus tree in less than 24 hours. One researcher in South America estimated that a large leaf cutting ant colony harvested approximately 13,000 pounds of leaves over a 6-year period. This same colony excavated 802 cubic feet of soil weighing over 44 tons. Considerable damage to a plant can occur in a few hours. Small- to medium-sized trees can be stripped in one night.

During the growing season, ants primarily feed on herbaceous plants and deciduous trees and shrubs. During the dormant season when these plants do not have live foliage, leaf cutter ants damage most species of southern pine trees. The ants prefer loblolly and shortleaf pine trees, though they will also damage slash and longleaf pine trees. The ants are particularly destructive to agricultural operations that grow pine seedlings for the lumber industry.

Let us have a look at the following news article:

Leaf Cutter Ants Chew up Photographer’s Camera Gear

June 8, 2016

“It’s not just the big guys you have to be worried about when setting up a camera trap in the jungle, you should probably look out for ants too” explains Naturalist Phil Torres

Torres is a biologist, conservationist, naturalist, and photographer, and he was in the Amazon rainforest with photographer Jeff Cremer of Rainforest Expeditions when they tried to set up a simple camera trap using a Canon 7D, an off-camera flash, and an IR sensor.

Everything was neatly bagged up to keep it out of the rain, and the gear was tested and in good condition. But when they arrived the next morning, they found all the bags and coverings gone, Jeff’s tripods and cables chewed up, and all of his gear waterlogged beyond saving.

The culprit? The tiny leaf cutter ants!

It turned out Cremer and Torres had set up the trap just a few feet away from the ants’ nest. Overnight, the ants came and cut the bags to pieces, chewed into the gorilla pods and cables, and left whatever gear was still working exposed to the elements so the rain could finish the job. In all, the ants caused about $2,800 worth of damage.

Looking for a sustainable solution?

We at C Tech Corporation have a solution to avoid the damages caused by these pesky ants. Termirepel™ anti-insect additive, a C Tech Corporation product is the best solution for the prevention and control of insect infestations.

It follows 6 tiered mechanism, which is extremely effective on insects like ants, termites, beetles etc. Termirepel™ masterbatch can be incorporated in agricultural films, mulches, greenhouse films etc. during polymer processing. The incorporation of our masterbatches into the films would keep the leaf-cutter ants away from the crops which need to be protected.  Also, Termirepel™ liquid concentrate can be added to paints which can then be applied to fencing, etc. for protection. Termirepel™ is a nontoxic and nonhazardous anti-insect additive.

It 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, REACH, APVMA, NEA compliant and FIFRA exempted.

Whiteflies, also known as Aleyrodidae, are soft-bodied, winged insects closely related to aphids and mealy bugs. These pests are omnipresent and they are so tiny that they are usually camouflaged. They can be as small as 1/12 of an inch, somewhat triangular in shape, and are often found in clusters on the undersides of leaves.

Whiteflies tend to suck on ornamentals and warm-weather vegetable plants, including tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, and okra. They also like sweet potatoes and plants from the cabbage family. They suck plant juices and produce a sticky substance known as honeydew which can cause fungal diseases in leaves! This, in turn, leads to weakening of plants and also in some cases the plants may not be able to carry out photosynthesis. Leaves turn pale yellow and there is deterioration in the plant quality. In addition to this ants get attracted to the honeydew causing further damage.

Whiteflies are capable of overwintering and reproducing throughout the year in warmer climates. Many times the whiteflies lay eggs on the undersides of leaves. This is the beginning of a new generation! When the eggs hatch, the larvae look like teeny white ovals without legs; they don’t move but they immediately start sucking the plant juice. This is why gardeners miss the whiteflies until it’s too late. Adult females can produce up to 400 eggs, which can hatch in between one week and a month.

In the year 2015, about two-thirds of Punjab’s cotton crop was destroyed by whiteflies causing an estimated loss of Rs 4,200 crore. There were reports of at least 15 cotton farmers committing suicide. Punjab had nearly 12 lakh acres of cotton and almost all of it was BT cotton. Over the years the whitefly attacks and the population had been controlled by extensive use of chemical pesticides. The farmers had sprayed pesticide for about 10-12 times in a period of two months. Each spray had a cost of about Rs 3,300 per acre. But the whitefly was unaffected. On investigation, it was concluded that the whiteflies had developed a resistance to the commonly used pesticides.

Let us look at some other recent news where these pesky pests have been found guilty of destroying valuable produce.

Whitefly populations explode on Georgia fall vegetables

 By Kyle Dawson, November 5, 2016, University of Georgia, USA

Whitefly populations in South Georgia have exploded over the past several weeks, troubling vegetable producers during the fall growing season. University of Georgia horticulturist Tim Coolong said growers must be up to date on spray programs, though combating whitefly populations of this magnitude will still be difficult. In some cases, it might be impossible to stop whiteflies before they spread viruses.

The damage and loss caused by these tiny whiteflies are huge! We cannot afford this significant amount of crop damage caused by pests like whiteflies. There is an urgent need for a sustainable solution.

Termirepel™ anti-insect additive, a C Tech Corporation product is the best solution for the prevention and control of insect infestations. Termirepel™ masterbatch can be incorporated in agricultural films, mulches, greenhouse films etc. during polymer processing. It can also be incorporated in silage bags and packaging films to protect the crops in the post-harvest stage from pest damage.

Termirepel™ lacquer can be added to paints which can then be applied to fencing, etc. It follows 6 tiered mechanism, which is extremely effective on insects like whiteflies, ants, beetles, grasshopper, termites etc. Termirepel™ is a nontoxic and nonhazardous anti-insect additive. It 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, REACH, APVMA, NEA compliant and FIFRA exempted.

 

Hey! are you coming to the party? Oh yes definitely I have visited that place before, it’s awesome and a great spot the whole place will be available for us to party, eat, have fun and chill. I am excited to reach the venue, meet you there at night Bye!

This is the conversation between mites and the party is held at poor farmer’s farm.

A mite is teeny-weeny and itty-bitty yet catastrophic. Mites, along with ticks, are small arthropods belonging to the class Arachnida. In soil ecosystems, mites are favored by high organic matter content and by moist conditions, wherein they actively engage in the fragmentation and mixing of organic matter.

Mites are among the most diverse and successful group of all the invertebrate groups. They have exploited an incredible array of habitats, and because of their small size (most are microscopic), they go largely unnoticed. Mites occupy a wide range of ecological niches.

Termite colonies eat nonstop, 24 hours a day, seven days a week! This results in up to $ 2 billion damage in every year.

Most mites are difficult to see clearly without magnification. However, their movement across a surface can sometimes be detected. Some species of plant-feeding mites produce webbing and silk like the spider mites. They also can cause discoloration of leaves and eventually leaf drop. Other mites like the clover mite can easily be seen due to their bright red colouration.

Spider mites are less than 1 millimeter (0.04 in) in size and vary in color. They lay small, spherical, initially transparent eggs and many species spin silk webbing to help protect the colony from predators, they get the “spider” part of their common name from this webbing.

Hot, dry conditions are often associated with population build-up of spider mites. Under optimal conditions (approximately 80 °F or 27 °C), the two-spotted spider mite can hatch in as little as 3 days, and become sexually mature in as little as 5 days. One female can lay up to 20 eggs per day and can live for 2 to 4 weeks, laying hundreds of eggs. This accelerated reproductive rate allows spider mite populations to adapt quickly to resist pesticides, so chemical control methods can become somewhat ineffectual when the same pesticide is used over a prolonged period.

Thus the quick reproductive cycle of spider mites accelerates the number of mites attacking the field, farm, crops.

Spider mites generally live on the undersides of leaves of the plants, where they may spin protective silk webs, and can cause damage by puncturing the plant cells to feed. Spider mites are known to feed on several hundred species of plants. They attack a wide range of plants, including peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, beans, corn, strawberries, etc.This leads to a vast amount of damage to the crops, farmer, nation, and economy.

So getting rid of spider mites is of top priority in an infestation. In the world of horticulture there are mites and then there are spider mites, or what we can call the two-spotted mite.

Warm, dry temperatures make the perfect climate for the spider mites reproductive cycle, which leaves plants susceptible not only to drought but also to the mite’s tenacious appetite.

The natural method of protection from mites like the application of Neem oil, insecticidal oil, may provide control when combined with a suitable surfactant and diluted with water but a continuous repeated application is required therefore it is not that resistant to mites.

Acaricides, Insecticides, Miticides are applied to crops to control spider mites.  The disadvantage associated with this includes toxicity, and the resistance to all the mite species even the useful ones are resisted.

Pesticides don’t work on the mites as they have adapted to them. Using a pesticide will only kill off the beneficial bugs that eat spider mites, which will only make the spider mite infestation worse.

Spider mite damage can not only make a plant look unsightly, it can even kill the plant.

It is important to use such a product which would not damage the crop yet keep way the insects and mites. A product which is non-hazardous, non- carcinogenic, non-toxic.

ARE SUCH PRODUCTS AVAILABLE??

GOOD NEWS IS, YES THEY ARE AVAILABLE!!

Termirepel™ anti-insect additive a C Tech Corporation product is an ideal solution for the prevention of attack of termites and other insects.

It is made from a combination of green practices and best of chemistry to give an environmentally safe product. It is being used worldwide for a myriad of applications.

Termirepel™ does not kill but only keeps away the insect by making use of sensory mechanisms. Aggressive species are further deterred from attacking by advanced mechanisms like aversion, feeding deterrents, mating disruption, reproduction cycle inhibition, growth impairment and chemo sterilization thus modifying their response towards the Termirepel™ containing products resulting in them staying away from the application.

The active life of Termirepel™ ranges from 5-40 years and it is on an average
found to be effective for 15 years. Since Termirepel™ is designed to averse effectively and not kill the insects, it doesn’t harm the target as well as the non-target species in any way. It is RoHS, RoHS2, REACH compliant and FIFRA exempted.

We believe in repelling and not destroying.

The house fly, Musca domestica Linnaeus, is a well-known cosmopolitan pest of both farm and home. This species is always found in association with humans or the activities of humans. It is the most common species found on hog and poultry farms, horse stables and ranches. Not only are house flies a nuisance, but they can also transport disease-causing organisms. Excessive fly populations are not only an irritant to farm workers but, when there are nearby human habitations, a public health problem could occur.

This common fly originated on the steppes of central Asia, but now occurs on all inhabited continents, in all climates from tropical to temperate, and in a variety of environments ranging from rural to urban. It is commonly associated with animal feces, but has adapted well to feeding on garbage, so it is abundant almost anywhere people live.

The house fly has a complete metamorphosis with distinct egg, larval or maggot, pupal and adult stages. The house fly overwinters in either the larval or pupal stage under manure piles or in other protected locations. Warm summer conditions are generally optimum for the development of the house fly, and it can complete its life cycle in as little as seven to ten days. However, under suboptimal conditions the life cycle may require up to two months. As many as 10 to 12 generations may occur annually in temperate regions, while more than 20 generations may occur in subtropical and tropical regions.

Flies commonly develop in large numbers in poultry manure under caged hens, and this is a serious problem requiring control. Although this fly species does not bite, the control of Musca domestica is vital to human health and comfort in many areas of the world. The most important damage related with this insect is the annoyance and the indirect damage produced by the potential transmission of pathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes) associated with this fly. Pathogenic organisms are picked up by flies from garbage, sewage and other sources of filth, and then transferred on their mouthparts, through their vomitus, feces and contaminated external body parts to human and animal food.

Of particular concern is the movement of flies from animal or human feces to food that will be eaten uncooked by humans. Also, when consumed by flies, some pathogens can be harbored in the mouthparts or alimentary canal for several days, and then be transmitted when flies defecate or regurgitate. In situations where plumbing is lacking, such as open latrines, serious health problems can develop, especially if there are outdoor food markets, hospitals, or slaughter houses nearby. Among the pathogens commonly transmitted by house flies are Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Escherichia, Enterococcus, Chlamydia, and many other species that cause illness. These flies are most commonly linked to outbreaks of diarrhea and shigellosis, but also are implicated in transmission of food poisoning, typhoid fever, dysentery, tuberculosis, anthrax, ophthalmia, and parasitic worms.

The threshold density for determining when to control flies depends on the area where the control measures will be taken. In general, at homes the threshold is very low and control actions are taken with few flies. The complaint threshold density of the house fly at waste management sites may be 150 individuals per flypaper per 30 minutes.

Tolerance of flies depends greatly on circumstances. In sensitive environments such as food preparation and packing facilities, restaurants, and hospitals, even small numbers of flies cannot be tolerated. In the context of livestock or poultry production, however, some flies are inevitable. Serious problems occur when cities or suburban development occur near poultry production facilities, as residents usually will not tolerate the large numbers of flies emanating from such facilities.

Let us look at the below news that shows house fly menace:

Housefly menace makes life miserable for Karnal villagers
Tribune News Service, Karnal, June 16, 2016, India

Residents of Rasoolpur Kalan village, around 7 km from here, are facing a hard time because of swarms of houseflies. Villagers said they were worried as the houseflies could lead to an outbreak of an epidemic. They said the unhygienic conditions in poultry farms situated near the village were responsible for the nuisance.

Sarpanch of Rasoolpur Kalan village Rameshwar Dass said despite approaching the authorities several times, no action had been initiated so far against the poultry farm owners. The sarpanch said flies breed in the waste from the poultry farms, making the lives of the residents miserable.

“I have been running from pillar to post since taking charge as sarpanch to eradicate this menace. I have approached the CM window, Deputy Commissioner, Sub-Divisional Magistrate and even the Pollution Control Board, Yamunanagar, but the authorities have taken no action so far,” he maintained.

Dass said the villagers would protest at the Chief Minister’s camp office on Friday in support of their demand. He alleged that the owners of the poultry farms were reaping profit and not taking steps to ensure cleanliness of their farms.

The sarpanch said swarms of houseflies could be seen in the village as a result of which the livestock were also badly affected. He alleged that the housefly menace was the reason for low milk production in the village.

A villager, Bittu, said they had given a representation to the authorities seeking action against the poultry farms that were allegedly dumping waste of the farms in an unscientific way, thereby, causing air pollution in the area.

To prevent and control house fly menace the use of pesticides and insecticides is not beneficial because the effect of them stays only for certain period of time. The toxic chemicals present in them cause harm to beneficial insects and microorganisms. The evaporated toxic fumes from them are hazardous to human health. They can also degrade the quality of product they are applied to.

Termirepel™- anti insect additive a C Tech Corporation product is an ideal solution for the prevention and control of house fly menace. The masterbatch of Termirepel™ can be incorporated in various polymeric applications which are used. While Termirepel™ solution and lacquer can be coated to fence, wooden objects, furniture, walls, ceilings etc. It follows 6 pronged strategy which is extremely effective on house flies as well as insects like ants, beetles, grasshopper, termites etc.

Termirepel™ is a non toxic and non hazardous anti insect additive. It 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, REACH compliant and FIFRA exempted.

The emerald ash borer (EAB) is a metallic green beetle that bores into ash treesfeeding on tissues beneath the bark, ultimately killing the tree. The emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis, is a very destructive insect pest of ash trees (Fraxinus spp.), the only known hosts of this borer in North America. This exotic borer is a native of Asia with its natural range including China, Japan, Mongolia, Korea, the Russian Far East and Taiwan.

EABs generally have a one-year life cycle although that can be extended to two years in a vigorously growing host. After feeding on leaves, adults mate and females lay eggs on the bark or into small cracks. Eggs hatch in 7 to 10 days. The whitish larvae, called flatheaded borers, tunnel under the bark creating a winding, S-shaped galleries in the phloem and outer sapwood. These tunnels girdle the trunk and branches, interrupting the flow of water and nutrients. The larvae feed until fall and then overwinter as prepupal larvae.

EAB populations can quickly rise to damaging levels. After initial infestation, all ash trees are expected to die in an area within 10 years without control measures. Every North American ash species shows susceptibility to EAB as North American species planted in China also shows high mortality due to EAB infestation.

Host species include green ash, white ash, black ash, blue ash, and pumpkin ash. Tens of millions of ash trees have been lost to this pest, which usually kills ash trees within 3-4 years of infestation.

Green ash and the black ash trees are preferred by EAB. White ash is also killed rapidly, but usually only after all green and black ash trees are eliminated. Blue ash displays some resistance to the emerald ash borer by forming callus tissue around EAB galleries but is eventually killed. Many of the specialized predators and parasitoids that suppressed EAB populations in Asia are not present in North America. Predators and parasitoids native to North America do not sufficiently suppress EAB, so populations continue to grow. EAB populations can spread 20 km (12 mi) a year. However, it primarily spreads to longer distances by transport of firewood and other wood products that contain ash bark, which allows EAB to reach new areas and create satellite populations outside of the main infestation.

EAB threatens the entire North American Fraxinus genus. It has killed at least tens of millions of ash trees so far and threatens to kill most of the 8.7 billion ash trees throughout North America. Emerald ash borer kills young trees several years before reaching their seeding age of 10 years. The loss of ash from an ecosystem can result in increased numbers of invasive plants, changes in soil nutrients, and effects on species that feed on ash.

Ash wood is greatly valued for its strength and elasticity and is often used for baseball bats, bows, tool handles, and other products that require durability, strength, and resilience. Green ash is planted widely as a landscape tree in urban areas and is a valuable native component of wetland areas. Ash foliage and seeds are fed upon by numerous animals as well as butterfly and moth caterpillars. And these valuable ash trees have a huge threat from EAB.

Damage and efforts to control the spread of EAB have affected businesses that sell ash trees or wood products, property owners, and local or state governments. Quarantines can limit the transport of ash trees and products, but economic impacts are especially high for urban and residential areas due to treatment or removal costs and decreased land value from dying trees. Costs for managing these trees can fall upon homeowners or local municipalities. For municipalities, removing large numbers of dead or infested trees at once is costly.

Let us look below news articles that show EABs are threatening our trees:

• Emerald ash borer found in Longmont
  Jacy Marmaduke, Coloradoan, June 9, 2016, US

The news of a relatively nearby infestation is significant for Fort Collins because nearly one in five of 40,000 city-owned trees are ash. The beetle, which is native to Asia, has killed more than 50 million ash trees in the United States since appearing in the Detroit area in 2002. It’s predicted to kill 9 billion ash trees by 2019.

• Emerald Ash Borer invades metro neighborhoods, causes millions in damages
  By Nicole Diantonio, June 6, 2016, US

SHAWNEE, Kan. — A beetle infestation in the metro area is causing millions of dollars in damages and thousands of Ash trees are being cut down because of the Emerald Ash Borer. Experts are now saying the problem has spread a lot faster than anticipated to every major county and city in the metro. Now, there are many Ash trees in the neighborhood near McCory Street in Shawnee that is either dead or dying.

With nearly 4 million Ash Trees in the metro area, the infestation is costing the community millions of dollars in damages. In February, Lawrence, Kan., received nearly $240,000 to fight the beetles during the next decade.

Below is figure that shows distribution of EAB throughout North America:

Insecticides with active ingredients such as imidacloprid, emamectin benzoate, and dinotefuran are currently used. These insecticides are toxic in nature. They kill target as well as the non- target species. They are harmful to human health.

C Tech Corporation can offer a solution to overcome the damage caused by EAB to our trees. Termirepel™ is an ideal solution for prevention from damages inflicted by EAB. Termirepel™ is a nontoxic and nonhazardous insect aversive.  Although it is non-hazardous anti termite aversive, it is effective against insects like EAB, grasshopper, worms etc. It is cost effective and cost efficient, inert, stable up to 1400 deg Celsius temperature, long lasting etc.

Termirepel™ is manufactured with a unique set of complex compounds. It is available in the form of polymer masterbatches which can be incorporated in plastic tree guards, fencing of trees, etc.

 

Tent caterpillars are moderately sized caterpillars, or moth larvae, belonging to the genus Malacosoma in the family Lasiocampidae.

The larvae of several moth and butterfly species are collectively referred to as tent caterpillars. These tent caterpillars multiply rapidly and can defoliate a large number of deciduous trees and shrubs in a short time. They are often seen on roadside trees and in neglected orchards. Besides defoliation, the larvae produce large unsightly webs, or tents, in the crotches of tree branches. These webs are used to protect the caterpillars from predators.

Tent caterpillars can be classified into different types as follows:

Eastern Tent Caterpillar: The eastern tent caterpillar is a native insect that was first reported in 1646. Eastern tent caterpillars prefer wild cherry, apple, and crabapple. They also feed on ash, birch, black gum, maple, oak, poplar, cherry, peach ,and plum etc. The caterpillar grows up to two inches long. They are black with a white stripe down the back. On either side of the stripe are blue spots and reddish or yellowish stripes.

Female moths lay egg masses of 100 to 300 eggs around a twig in mid-summer. The egg mass is very dark. The eggs overwinter and hatch the following spring. When the larvae (caterpillars) hatch, they are small. They immediately climb up the tree to a crotch of branches and build a silk tent. Eastern Tent Caterpillars use the tent for protection. They leave the tent during the day to feed and return to it at night. As the caterpillars eat and grow larger, the tent grows larger also. It can get to be about two feet long.

Western Tent Caterpillar: Western Tent caterpillars are troublesome in the northern and western portions of the United States and adjoining Canada. These hairy caterpillars are yellowish-brown in color and have a row of blue spots on their backs, with orange spots interspersed in between. Adult moths (1-1/2 inches long) are orange-brown in color with two narrow yellow lines on the wings. Willow, poplar, cottonwood, birch, apple, plum, cherry, roses and oak are favorite host plants of these pests. Hosts for these caterpillars include a wide range of tree and shrub species. In the central and the southern Rocky Mountains, quaking aspen is the preferred host. Other reported tree hosts include alder, cottonwood, crabapple, fruit trees, oak, poplar, and willow. Chokecherry is a host throughout its range. Other shrub hosts include bitterbrush, Ceanothus spp., mountain mahogany, nine-bark, serviceberry, sumac, wild currant, and wild rose.

Forest Tent Caterpillar:  The forest tent caterpillar is quite similar to the eastern tent caterpillar.  Despite its name, this pest does not spin a true tent; instead, it forms a silken mat on the surface of branches where they congregate. Larvae have a series of keyhole-shaped white spots running down their back instead of a solid line. Adults are light yellow to tan colored moths with two dark bands on their forewings. Host plants include wild cherry, aspen, maple, oak, and hawthorn.

The damage caused by the tent caterpillars is tremendous. The tent caterpillar feed on tree’s new foliage and they defoliate the trees if present in large numbers. Defoliation stunts the growth and vigor of trees. Because tent caterpillars feed in large groups, they can quickly destroy large sections of a tree’s canopy.

Larvae of a single tent caterpillar colony can strip the leaves from a small tree if allowed to develop and is more of a threat in nurseries or newly planted orchards. On larger trees they are only a serious problem if there are several colonies on the same tree. While fruits are not directly attacked, fruits on branches that have had leaves consumed will not develop normally. Moreover, heavy feeding during one year may reduce tree growth.

• Tent Caterpillars Are Taking Over the Town In Livingston

By Kaitlin McCulley, April 01, 2016, abc13.com, Livingston, UK

Tent caterpillars are taking over the town in Livingston.

Their acrobatics may be fun to watch from a distance, but these creepy crawlers are getting up close and personal.

Amanda Fowler and her daughter Savannah want the circus act to hit the road.

“The webs go from the trees and connect to the house and they swarm the porches and you literally can’t step out your front door without having six or seven of them on you,” Fowler said.

Another type of damage that tent caterpillars cause is damage to electrical equipment, insulation etc.  leading to power blackouts.

Let us have a look at some news articles pertaining to this type of damage:

• Tent caterpillar swarms causing power outages near Houston
  ByCarol Christian, July 30, 2015, Chron, Texas, USA

Tent caterpillars are so abundant in East Texas that some residents have been left in the dark. Sam Houston Electric Cooperative said that the colorful caterpillars have been hatching by the millions and covering homes, trees, and electrical equipment. Line technicians report that the caterpillars can engulf transformers, resulting in blown fuses.”The caterpillars can completely cover a piece of electrical equipment,” said Sam Houston Electric Cooperative line technician Virgil Cain. “They can actually disrupt the insulating ability of the equipment and cause a power outage.”

There are few conventional solutions available to combat this plague of tent caterpillars. Damage can be reduced by removing and destroying tents and caterpillars as soon as they are noticed, but this technique is not very effective and cannot provide a sure shot solution. Conventional insecticides which are toxic in nature are also proving to be ineffective and also have a significant share in environmental degradation.

C Tech Corporation offers a non-toxic and non-hazardous product, Termirepel™ to protect the trees and electrical equipment from these ravenous insects. It is an environmentally safe product that works by repelling the insects without causing any harm to the target or non-target species. Termirepel™ is available in solid masterbatches, liquid concentrate, and lacquer form.  Termirepel™ can also be incorporated in agricultural films and mulches for the protection of crops against these creatures. Also, the electrical equipment can be protected by incorporating our solid masterbatches while manufacturing them.

Gone are the days when we used paper or foil packaging to protect the goods. Plastic packaging took over the paper packaging and solved many problems like mechanical damage, damage due to moisture, weight, smell, texture, etc. Plastic packaging reduced the usage of paper products and contributed to the gradual decrease in cutting of trees and conserved the environment. Plastic films now have myriad applications in all sector like agriculture, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, construction, automotives, aerospace, etc. According to the Global Industry Analyst, Inc, the global market for plastic films is projected to reach 68.4 million tons translating to USD 117.6 billion by 2020, driven by growing demand from packaging as well as non packaging applications.

However, these plastic films which are used in storing the materials or goods in storage units or warehouses have a huge threat from insects. These vile creatures damage the packaging of the material and can sometimes further damage the material itself, resulting into huge monetary loss.

Packaging pests are classified into two categories, penetrators and invaders. Invaders are insects that typically have weakly developed mouthparts at both the larval and adult stages. The invaders account for more than 75% of the infestations. Invaders commonly enter packages through openings resulting from mechanical damage, defective seals, or holes made by other insects penetrating the package. The newly hatched larvae of invaders typically cause the most damage because they are able to fit through holes as small as 0.1 mm wide. Most infestations are the result of invasion through seams and closures, and rarely through penetrations. These refuges provide a safe place to lay eggs and also give the newly hatched larvae an ideal location to invade the packages.

Insects classified as penetrators are those that can chew holes directly into packaging materials. Penetrators are most dangerous at the larval stage, though some beetle species can also be dangerous as adults. Insects such as the lesser grain borer, the cigarette beetle, the warehouse beetle, the rice weevil, the cadelle, and the larvae of the rice moth, are known to be good package penetrators and are capable of boring through one or more layers of flexible packaging materials. The larvae of the Indian meal moth, under some conditions are also good penetrators and may be the most serious pests of packaged foods. The warehouse beetle, classified as a penetrator, is more specialized in the food products it infests. It can create an additional problem to the consumer because the cast skins of the larvae can cause allergic reactions. The drugstore beetle is a strong penetrator and infests a wide variety of foods.

Aside from stored-product insects, which do not feed, most stored-product insect adults and larvae feed in order to sustain themselves. When faced with consumer food packages both invaders and penetrators will take advantage of any sort of opening in a packaging material in order to gain entry. These openings may form as a result of the chewing of penetrators, as rips, tears, or as punctures resulting from normal wear and tear throughout the handling process. Openings in packaging may also be made deliberately by the manufacturer in the form of “vents” which allow pressure equalization. This way, the manufacturer can avoid the bursting or shrinking of food packages during shipment over changing altitudes and temperatures. In most cases, insect pests enter packages through existing openings that are created from poor seals, openings made by other insects, or mechanical damage. Most infestations are the result of invasion through seams and closures, and rarely through penetrations.

Throughout the years many solutions like the use of pesticides and insecticides are proven to be ineffective. They are toxic in nature and kill the target species as well as non target species. It apparently decreases the quality of the product. Moreover, the chemicals used in insecticides are harmful to human health. There is a need of non toxic, environmental friendly solution.

C Tech Corporation can offer a solution to overcome this problem. Termirepel™– anti termite and anti insect polymer additive is an ideal solution to repel insects like termites, ants, grasshopper, beetles, bugs etc. Termirepel™ masterbatch can be incorporated in plastic packaging films and sheets.

Termirepel™ follows 6 pronged strategy which is extremely effective on insects as well as rodents. It 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 in the soil. It is RoHS, RoHS2, REACH compliant and FIFRA exempted.