Resistant insect strains can be effectively targeted using products with a physical mode of action, rather than chemical.
In 2025, Ensystex’s Diathor Flowable entered the Australian pest control market, offering a revolutionary solution for the elimination of cockroaches and bed bugs. Diathor Flowable Long-term Insect Killer challenges the traditional pest control methods of baiting, spraying and fogging. It offers a groundbreaking approach that ensures lasting results.
Diathor Flowable is a ready to use dust treatment that uses a specially designed delivery system, ensuring ease of application while maximising effectiveness. This system is optimised to provide consistent and reliable results, enhancing the overall performance. In fact, it has a proven 100% kill rate.1,2
Its mode of action limits the possibility of resistance developing as it has a physical rather than a chemical/ metabolic action. It works by both abrasion and desiccation, leaves no chemical residue and has extremely low mammalian toxicity. In fact, the active is not even listed by the International Resistance Action Committee.
Importantly for pest managers, Diathor Flowable offers long-term residual performance without triggering avoidance or resistance. This guarantees elimination, regardless of resistance profiles. Being non-repellent, Diathor Flowable also displays viral transfer through cockroach and bed bug aggregates, to kill insects that are not directly treated.3
Ensystex’s regional director, Steve Broadbent, explained that the product’s highly sophisticated formulation was designed to ensure optimal performance.
“Three different amorphous silicates were chosen for their specific physical properties to achieve the desired premium abrasive and desiccant functionality,” explained Mr Broadbent. “The first component, our exclusive silicon dioxide, is ground to a precise micron size using a fluidised jet mill. Separately, two highly potent amorphous silica gels are blended in an airtight ribbon mixer, compacted, and then integrated through a high-speed centrifugal atomiser equipped with air injectors.
“The final step involves blending the above two composite mixtures in a shear mixer, followed by melding them in the high-speed centrifugal atomiser. This conclusive stage ensures class-leading performance.
“When treating for bed bugs, a thorough application of Diathor Flowable is all that is required to ensure complete success. We have treated some of the most extreme infestations seen in Australia successfully just using Diathor Flowable. For cockroaches, the perfect complement to Diathor Flowable is Attrathor Targeted Insecticide, a liquid bait for use in wet areas or where a dust is not suitable.”
The Diathor range also includes Diathor Bed Bug Killer Aerosol for treatment of mattresses or when a liquid product is required, or a quick fix.
1 The Efficacy of Diathor Flowable against the Common Bed Bug, Cimex lectularius. Dr SL Doggett & K Dang. Department of Medical Entomology, NSW Health Pathology – ICMPR. 2022.
2 Laboratory Insecticide Efficacy Trials of Lethal Harborages for Control of the Common Bed Bug, Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae). Jutamas Kerdsawang 1, Kai Dang 2, Theeraphap Chareonviriyaphap 1, and Stephen L. Doggett. Insects 2023, 14, 814.
3 Singh N, Wang C, Wang D, Cooper R, Zha C. Comparative Efficacy of Selected Dust Insecticides for Controlling Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae). J Econ Entomol. 2016;109(4):1819-1826. doi:10.1093/jee/tow129.
