First zero residue moth control solution launched

Organic Exosect solution heralds first steps in pesticide reduction for stored food products.

Retailers, regulators, certification bodies and their NGOs are increasingly putting pressure on the food production industry to integrate measures that minimise the presence of pesticide residues in stored food products.

“Fundamentally, our product helps manufacturers to drastically reduce or eliminate insecticide sprays. This reduces the down-time in production associated with fumigation and spray regimes and improves product image by reducing the need for residual pesticides.”
-Martin Brown, Managing Director, Exosect

The understandable conviction that pesticide residues should not be present at levels that present an unacceptable risk to humans has already led to legislative changes and mounting pressure to adapt current practice. In September 2008, a legislative framework was entered into force to protect consumers, and maximum pesticide residue levels were revised for the food production sector.

Legislation is, however, not the only driver for change in this sector. Stored product manufacturers currently rely on pesticide use for the control of moth infestations, but the process can require plant shutdown and production loss, as well as producing residue levels which have increasingly become unacceptable in some EU countries.

The launch of a new solution is therefore being widely welcomed as a step towards residue reduction management and efficiency in UK food production. Exosect, a leading provider of Intelligent Pest Management solutions, has developed a pioneering, environmentally-friendly moth control system, Exosex SPTab.

The system offers a sustainable, organic solution which avoids the need for site closures or production disruption and ultimately offers retailers and consumers safe, high quality food with zero pesticide residues.

Martin Brown, Managing Director at Exosect, explains, "Pesticides in stored product factories have traditionally taken the form of fumigation or space sprays. However, we believe that there is already consumer as well as regulatory pressure on retailers, suppliers and manufacturers to provide residue free solutions.

"Insightful manufacturers will not simply succumb to change but will lead in the challenge of residue reduction management. By focusing on a move towards zero residue, the industry could revolutionise the way in which it manages the protection of products into the future. Exosex SPTab represents the first step in intelligent and informed pesticide management."

Exosex SPTab is a small tablet consisting of Exosect's unique Entostat^TM powder and uses pheromones as the method of pest control. It is formulated with minute quantities of the female sex pheromone common to all five of the major moth pests in food processing: Plodia interpunctella, Ephestia elutella, Ephestia kuehniella, Ephestia figulilella and Cadra cautella. The product was recently registered through the Health and Safety Executive.

Martin continued: "At Exosect we've combined the use of pheromones with our unique technology to provide a means of protection from stored product pests that reduces the need for spraying. Facilities can function as usual during treatment, it's unobtrusive and effective and, most importantly, doesn't impact monitoring trap data collection at all. We're delighted to have launched in the UK market at the end of January and looking forward to taking the product to other EU markets in the Spring."

The Exosex SPTab tablet works by attracting male moths to the Entostat^TM powder and female pheromone. As the male moths pick up Entostat^TM powder their pheromone receptors become overloaded with pheromone and they are unable to locate females. A male carrying Entostat^TM powder will also form a mobile pheromone dispenser, producing 'false' pheromone trails, which attract additional males. Contact between the males ensures that the Entostat^TM powder and the confusion effect is automatically passed on. The result is a state of Auto Confusion amongst the male moth population leading to mating disruption and significant reduction in population.

The tablet is placed inside a bespoke dispenser, located at 5 metre intervals throughout a manufacturing facility. A long-term solution, Exosex SPTab is easy to deploy, does not require specialist application and can remain active for as long as the pest is problematic. To ensure that optimum performance is achieved from the outset, Exosect will work alongside expert Pest Control Operators to provide set up, training and technical support, as and when required.

"The SPTab product is unique in that it is derived from a natural, sustainable source. Organic products are ever increasing their appeal and this combines with the extensive range of other product benefits to provide an unbeatable solution. We are already experiencing very high levels of interest in the new product," added Martin. "Fundamentally, our product helps manufacturers to drastically reduce or eliminate insecticide sprays. This reduces the down-time in production associated with fumigation and spray regimes and improves product image by reducing the need for residual pesticides."

The fact that existing monitoring traps can still be located by the moths, enabling firms to continue to collect reliable and accurate data for pest control, hygiene management and data auditing processes, is proving to be a strong USP for Exosex SPTab.

A privately funded company, Exosect Ltd was spun out of Southampton University in 2001 with a focused research and development function. Exosect's Entostat^TM powder was developed by two professors at the University and is derived from a natural carnauba wax, which is harvested from palm trees.

Through very slight movement, the Entostat^TM powder develops an electrostatic charge, which is similarly developed by insects as they fly or walk. When placed in contact with insects, the powder adheres to them and can easily be passed on to other insects through direct contact.

Exosect is focused on the development of Intelligent Pest Management solutions. Its innovative and cost-effective products help growers, food manufacturers and processors to actively reduce their use of pesticides. These products are used globally in a wide range of sectors including crop protection (agriculture, horticulture and stored products), apiculture, amenity and public health. Exosect was a SOFHT (Society of Food Hygiene and Technology) award winner in 2008.

To find out more information about Exosect and Exosex SPTab, please visit http://www.exosect.com. The Exosex SPTab product is available in the UK from distributors including: Barretine, Paragon (RIWA) and SX Environmental (Essex Environmental Supplies Ltd.)

Biography

Martin Brown is Managing Director of Exosect and has over 25 years of experience in agrochemical sales, marketing and business operations roles with ICI, Astra Zeneca and Syngenta covering UK, Africa, Middle East, Turkey, Pakistan and Eastern Europe. Before joining Exosect, Martin worked in a senior management role within a major international agricultural distribution company expanding and developing their distribution and retail operations in Eastern Europe.