What was new in the exhibition at Parasitec?

Having attended two other exhibitions this autumn where there was little new to see, it is encouraging to be able to report on a selection of novel products soon to reach a distributor near you.

So what caught our eye at Parasitec? Here’s a quick review of items we spotted – no doubt there were more.

Humane rodent trap
Coming from a ‘land down under’ it was good to come face-to-face with the goodnature rat and mouse trap spotted on the Ensystex stand. Developed in New Zealand, it was good to see plans are a-foot to introduce this trap to Europe as it has already featured in an article in Pest magazine concerning trapping.

Rodents are lured to the trap with a non-toxic attractant, then once the detector is sprung a gas canister cartridge fires a bolt which instantly and humanely kills the rodent. A further novel tweak are goodnature detector kits (basically a small card containing a non-toxic lure) which can initially be placed to initially detect the potential pest and then identify it by the gnaw marks made – as these may be from a non-target rodent.

For use with insect gel baits
From nearby Australia, MakeSafe Dotz are also available in Europe. These are small (25mm) circular ‘dots’ onto which a dose of insecticide gel bait can be applied. By placing the bait on the ‘dot’ it lets the customer know where the gel has been placed, so preventing it from being cleaned-away. And the pest controller is shown how much bait to apply and then how much has been taken.

The dots incorporate a microscopic suction cap technology, meaning they do not feel sticky at all, yet still adhere to the treatment surface. When baiting is finished, they can be removed without leaving any mark. These are available from MakeSafe.

Versatile protective net
Seen on the Edialux stand, and only available at present in France and Germany, was Cypernet. Whilst nets which protect people and produce from insects – especially from malarial mosquitoes are not new, Frederic Verwilghen explained how this product was manufactured in a new way using extruded polyethylene. As it can be worked at lower temperatures it allows a range of active substances, such as cypermethrin, to be inserted into the polyethylene filaments.

Unlike other dipped nets, this process creates a very strong, long-lasting, slow release mesh that will remain active for several years. UV stabilised, it presents both a physical and chemical barrier to insect pests. It can be produced with a range of different actives and has many possible uses. As well as mosquito nets, it is already being used in a variety of ways to protect stored produce, as well as other uses creative pest controllers will come up with.

Chunky bars for rodents
On the rodenticide front, Lodi-Group had their range of products on display, including the recently introduced, and soon to arrive in the UK, Jade Cluster Grain. Green in colour and containing bromadiolone, this chunky, non-crumbly block is made-up of a mixture of crushed and whole grains, formulated without paraffin making it, as Lodi claims, extremely palatable to both rats and mice.

All aglow
For tracking rodents, and also seen on the Plastdiversity stand at PestWorld, was Rotrack UV. This is a non-toxic bait that contains micro-encapsulated dye, that once consumed and digested by the rodent, will appear bright orange under UV light. Made with a combination of food grade ingredients, the unique star shape means they are both light and easy to use, as well as ideal for the rodents to eat, says the manufacturer.

NARA modifications
Finally, and not on display on a stand, but Daniel Schrá¶er of Futura had with him a selection of products which are sure to soon become available internationally.

The first, in Daniel’s right hand, is NARA Liquid, as recently seen at PestTech in the UK. These gel balls contain 99% water with an aroma attractant and can be placed within a bait station, so making it more attractive to rodents.

Seen in his left hand are refinements to two of the NARA products already on sale internationally. The larger of the two items is NARA Bloc. Responding to pest controllers’ requests, this is now to be made slightly smaller, meaning less is wasted after initial gnaw marks are detected and the smaller, flexible bloc means it fits easily into all bait stations. The popular NARA lure now comes in one size, interchangeable for both rats (larger end) and mice.

All the way from NZ, Stu Barr of Goodnature