Biflex Mikron is the latest product release from FMC Australasia, which introduces the active ingredient acetamiprid to the market.
FMC Australasia has announced the launch of Biflex Mikron, a revolution for sprayable concentrates for professional pest control. Biflex Mikron introduces two new innovations to the Australian professional pest control industry. Firstly, a new formulation known as a microemulsion (ME) and secondly a new active ingredient, acetamiprid.
Sprayable concentrate formulations for professional pest managers are mainly suspension concentrates (SC), emulsion concentrates (EC), capsule suspensions (CS), or water dispensable granules (WDG). These formulations can take a long time to mix, be hard to measure, and create cloudy solutions that can settle out and leave residues in the tank (Figure 1).
The microemulsion (ME) formulation of Biflex Mikron is altogether different. The liquid concentrate mixes clear, sprays clear and dries clear on treated surfaces, including on glass.
The active ingredient particles in a microemulsion are 200 times smaller than suspension concentrate particles, meaning there is no residue that can build up in sprayer tanks or filters. There is no need to worry about blocked nozzles or issues when spraying.
Microemulsion technology is unique because it is an engineered formulation that combines surface active chemistry with small particle technology. Dale Hudson, head of commercial for FMC Specialty Solutions, believes FMC’s R&D team have created a unique product in Biflex Mikron.
“This is something new for the professional pest control industry that will make technicians’ jobs easier and provide better results for their customers,” explained Mr Hudson. “As we all know, spray residues are a big reason for callbacks, which make a significant impact on profits. Having a clear solution that sprays clear avoids this problem.”
Microemulsion technology also benefits pest managers by delivering fast knockdown on a range of surfaces. The tiny active ingredient particles completely cover treated surfaces, thereby increasing the potential for insect contact. Furthermore, microemulsion particles are so small that they rapidly penetrate the insect cuticle upon contact to facilitate insect exposure to the active ingredient.
Biflex Mikron’s other advancement for the professional pest control industry is acetamiprid. This active ingredient is from the neonicotinoid family, Group 4A. Acetamiprid is non-repellent and fast acting on difficult pests such as cockroaches, ants, and spiders. When acetamiprid is combined with the trusted performance of bifenthrin, pest managers get the added benefit of residual control with the fast knockdown.
The two active ingredients from two different families – bifenthrin, a synthetic pyrethroid (Group 3A) and acetamiprid, a neonicotinoid (Group 4A) – complement each other in the way they attack the insect’s nervous system. Mr Hudson said, “You know how good bifenthrin is when you have used Biflex Aqua and Biflex Ultra for years with great results. But Biflex Mikron is the next level; when acetamiprid is combined with bifenthrin in a ME formulation, you get a faster knockdown and longer residual performance.”
Pest managers looking for a broad-spectrum insecticide that can be used in a variety of situations, indoors and outdoors on different surfaces, will find Biflex Mikron available from their local distributor.
