Moth to moth

By Huw Thomas

Martin Brown explains how innovative pheromone research is breathing new life into pest management

“Exosex SPTab represents a first step in intelligent and informed pesticide reduction management.”
-Martin Brown, Managing Director, Exosect

The launch of an environmentally-friendly, zero residue moth control system by Exosect is being welcomed by the food production industry as a key step in pesticide reduction management in stored product foods.

Exosect, established as an innovative provider of Intelligent Pest Management (IPM) solutions, has developed a sustainable, organic compliant, non-chemical solution, Exosex SPTab, which launched initially in the UK in February 2010.

The company has also developed its own Residue Reduction Charter to heighten the focus on chemical reduction in food processing and storage.

As the focus for food production moves increasingly from the farm to the factory, Exosect's new product marks a response to the increasing demand from retailers and consumers for safe, high quality stored product foods with reduced pesticide residues.

Martin Brown, Managing Director at Exosect, explains: "Pesticides in food factories have traditionally taken the form of fumigation or spray processes, which can produce residue levels that have already become unacceptable in some EU countries.

"We believe that there will soon be increasing consumer pressure to add to the regulatory pressure on retailers, suppliers and manufacturers to use residue-free pest management solutions and demonstrate active reduction in pesticide use."

Legislation is, however, not the only driver for change. Food manufacturers currently rely predominantly on moth control processes requiring factory shutdown and lost production.

The Exosex SPTab is completely unobtrusive and avoids the need for plant shutdown. In addition there is no adverse impact on monitoring trap data collection. The product is placed inside a bespoke dispenser, located at five metre intervals throughout a manufacturing facility. Exosex SPTab is easy to deploy, requires no special application equipment and can remain active for any required length of time.

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.

"Insightful retailers and manufacturers will not simply succumb to change but will lead in the challenge of pesticide reduction management," says Brown. "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 a first step in intelligent and informed pesticide reduction management."

Exosex SPTab is a small tablet consisting of Exosect's unique Entostat powder, which is combined 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.

A male carrying Entostat powder will form a mobile pheromone dispenser, producing 'false' pheromone trails, which attract additional males. Contact between the males ensures that the Entostat powder and the confusion effect is automatically passed on. The result is a state of auto confusion amongst the male moth population leading to effective mating disruption and population control.

"The SPTab product is unique in that it is derived from a natural sustainable plant source. Organically approved products are ever increasing their appeal and this combines with the extensive range of other product benefits - such as enabling facilities to function as usual during treatment - to provide an unbeatable solution. We are already experiencing very high levels of interest in the new product," adds Brown.

The product was made available in the UK in January 2010. Exosect is also preparing a European rollout, with plans to launch the product in Germany, France, Holland and Italy in Spring 2010.

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.