StarrdustPRO from Sundew Solutions stands apart in the field of insecticide dusts due its product development, which specifically honed in on the needs of Australian pest managers.
First launched at the Agserv Pestech shows in 2015, StarrdustPRO insecticide dust has become one of Australia’s leading dust products. It has earned its reputation not just because of what’s inside the bucket but also because of the story behind it. Back in 2010, Sundew Solutions initiated a nationwide consultation with pest professionals, uncovering a common sentiment: the dust products available on the market were practically identical – right down to the packaging, formulation, and challenges.
Understanding the problem
“The development of StarrdustPRO came from listening,” said David Priddy, CEO of Sundew Solutions. We didn’t want to make just another copy; we wanted to build something from scratch that addressed real issues pest managers were facing.”
Concerns ranged from potential insecticide resistance to the mess of dust over-application, and the frustratingly difficult packaging. Some pest managers even admitted to using kitchen utensils to decant dust – an understandable, yet illegal workaround due to a lack of purpose-built tools.
“Pest managers told us their dusts were hard to apply, messy, and outdated. They were frustrated with generic approaches. We knew we had to go back to the drawing board,” said Mr Priddy.
An innovative solution
From the beginning, Sundew was clear that every single component of StarrdustPRO would be custom-designed for performance and practicality.
Rather than choosing a standard talc base, Sundew chemists tested every available grade – including the leading competitive products – using hand puffers and power blowers. The result? A pharmaceutical-grade talc was selected for its superior flow, even coverage, and lower visibility in sensitive areas like roof voids.
Then came the actives. It is useful to know that the active ingredients of many synthetic pyrethroids consist of a mixture of various optical isomers, typically called ‘cis’, and ‘trans’. Cis isomers are the more effective form of the insecticide – they deliver faster knockdown and are more stable and so provide longer residual performance. So a formulation with a cis:trans ratio of 40:60 is more potent than a cis:trans ratio of 25:75.
While most products used 10 g/kg permethrin at a 25:75 cis:trans ratio, Sundew opted for a double strength 20 g/kg permethrin at a 40:60 cis:trans ratio. With a recommended application rate of half that of existing products, StarrdustPRO offers more effective knockdown with half the visible dust applied per square metre.
StarrdustPRO is now the only insecticide dust in Australia using the more refined 40:60 cis:trans permethrin, a deliberate choice by Sundew to deliver superior results. While many companies opt for the cheaper and less refined 25:75 ratio to cut costs, Sundew invested in the higher quality 40:60 because of its enhanced insecticidal efficacy and performance in the field. This premium-grade permethrin, though significantly more expensive to produce, translates directly into better knockdown, longer residual action, and overall improved results to give customers the performance they expect.
Dual-active performance
Complementing the adulticide, Sundew added triflumuron (40 g/kg), an insect growth regulator that breaks insect life cycles and remains effective for up to 12 months.
“It’s a dual-active, dual-mode-ofaction formulation. Permethrin takes care of the adults, while triflumuron cleans up what hatches later,” explained Mr Priddy. “It’s a true resistance breaker.”
In addition to the performance, Sundew sought to expand value by screening the product against a wide array of pests. As a result, four unique label claims were added – millipedes, woodlice, clothes moths, and darkling beetles – giving pest managers broader application scope. These label inclusions were made possible through extensive in-house field efficacy trials, driven by Sundew’s commitment to giving pest managers what they actually need.
“Our team have been long time supporters of the StarrdustPRO product,” said Brad Mitchell, general manager of Drop Dead Pest Control in Sydney (main picture, above). “The proven effectiveness of the product has given the team confidence in even the most stubborn of sites. It never fails to perform. It’s one of our ‘go-to’ products for most general pest issues, helping in the hardest to reach areas like wall cavities, subfloors, roof voids, cracks and crevices.”
The tool for the job
Aside from the performance of the product, one of the most inventive elements of StarrdustPRO isn’t inside the bucket, but comes with it: the StarrdustPRO Scunnel, Australia’s first legal decanting tool for insecticide dusts.
“The prototype was originally made from a Worcestershire sauce bottle,” laughed Mr Priddy. “But it worked. From there, we had engineers draft designs, create 3D-printed models, and then test the prototypes with pesties in the field until we landed on the final concept.”
The resulting Scunnel, included free in every 10 kg bucket, is both a scoop and a funnel, making it easy and compliant to fill puffers and blowers in the field.
Functional packaging, locally made
Pest managers also flagged frustration with traditional packaging, particularly round buckets with tight lids that were hard to open. Sundew’s solution was a square bucket with a flip-top lid for easy access. Though more expensive to manufacture, the design reflects the company’s dedication to practicality, safety, and user experience.
Sundew also made a bold commitment during the development of StarrdustPRO: to source and manufacture as much of the product locally as possible. “This wasn’t just about building a better dust. It was about supporting local jobs, families, and industries,” said Mr Priddy. “Our buckets are made here, the talc is mined here, our labels are printed here, the Scunnels are injection-moulded here, and it’s all formulated by a family-owned Australian company.”
At a time when many products are manufactured overseas, StarrdustPRO stands apart as a home-grown solution backed by quality, innovation, and community values.
Different from the competition
“The success of StarrdustPRO is a result of years of listening, testing, innovating, and perfecting. From its unique dual-active formulation to its user-focused design and packaging, everything about this product was developed with the pest manager in mind,” said Mr Priddy. “We believe pest managers deserve better – better tools, better chemistry, and better support. That’s what StarrdustPRO represents.”
With over a decade of use and an ever-growing loyal base of pest managers, StarrdustPRO continues to be the benchmark for excellence in dust insecticides and is proudly Australian, through and through.
