Combating pest damage in shipping containers!

Today shipping industry has become a dynamic market. From 2000 to 2008 world trade increased by an average 5.4 percent each year. As markets are becoming increasingly globalized, a necessity for shipping bigger volumes of cargo in less time possible is also increasing. Tankers, shipping containers, and bulk carriers are the most important means of transportation of today’s time. About 90 percent of world trade is carried by the international shipping industry! Containers have boosted globalization more than all trade agreements in the past 50 years put together! Earlier the goods to be shipped used to be crammed into the hold of a ship and lose cargo in wooden crates would be loaded and unloaded by vast crews of dockworkers. The process was unwieldy, unreliable and so slow that ships often spent longer docked than they did at sea. Containers changed this in several ways. The price of everything fell, starting with the cost of loading and unloading. However, some notorious pests like insects are proving to be a major threat to the shipping industry. They not only damage the goods being shipped but are also dangerous as these pests carry and spread deadly diseases. Also, the introduction of a foreign pest in any country can be dangerous for the local agricultural produce.

There have been reported incidences of pests contaminating the foodstuff which is carried in the shipping containers. The pests that eat foodstuffs are usually not present in large numbers to be noticed by crews. Few pests left behind while unloading continues to breed and multiply in cargo unless eradicated. The combination of a residual pest population and food debris in un-cleaned cracks and crevices leads to the large numbers of pests that attack and spoil subsequent cargoes. Each year, pests cause losses that vary from 5-10% of the value of the original crops. Few insects even seriously reduce the nutritive value of a large quantity of material. Such pest infestation can also trigger a complex heating process that spreads throughout the pile and causes losses more serious than those resulting from the insects themselves. Also, the foodstuffs with even mild infestation need to be discarded since the food products reaching the consumer should be free of insect material in any case.

Let us look at some incidences pertaining to the damage caused by pest migration to a foreign country through these shipping containers.

A floating threat: Sea containers spread pests and diseases
17 August 2016, Rome

International Plant Protection Convention grapples with challenges of globalized trade. It was an exotic fungus that wiped out billions of American chestnut trees in the early 20th century, dramatically altering the landscape and ecosystem, while today the emerald ash borer – another pest that hitch-hiked along global trade routes to new habitats – threatens to do the same with a valuable tree long used by humans to make tool handles, guitars, and office furniture.

Also as per the Food and Agricultural Organization of UN, the biggest “biological spill” of all was when a fungus-like eukaryotic microorganism called Phytophthora infestans – the name of the genus comes from Greek for “plant destroyer” – sailed from the Americas to Belgium. Within months it arrived in Ireland, it triggered a potato blight that led to famine, death and mass migration. Also a relative of the toxic cane toad that has run rampant in Australia recently disembarked from a container carrying freight to Madagascar, a biodiversity hotspot, and the ability of females to lay up to 40,000 eggs a year has made it a catastrophic threat for local lemurs and birds while also threatening the habitat of a host of animals and plants. In Rome, municipal authorities have been ramping up their annual campaign against the tiger mosquito, an invasive species that has arrived by ship in Albania in the 1970s. Aedes albopictus, famous for its aggressive biting, is now prolific across Italy.

Shipping containers: Importing insect pests, too…
By Faith Campbell, September 22, 2014, USA

Several of the most damaging tree-killing insects came to America as larvae riding in crates, pallets, or other forms of wood packaging material.

These include the Asian long-horned beetle (ALB), emerald ash borer, and red bay ambrosia beetle. All entered the country since trade opened with China in the late 1980s.

So is there a reliable and effective solution for the pest nuisance in the shipping containers?

We have a solution for this problem.

At C Tech Corporation we make use of Mother Nature’s gift of senses to these insects in developing non- toxic & non-hazardous formulation!

Combirepel™paint and additives are the solution. Combirepel™ paint can be directly applied to the containers which need protection from pest infestation. It is easy to apply and does not affect the aesthetics of the application which needs protection.

Combirepel™ polymer additives can be incorporated into the base polymer while manufacturing the containers. It works on the mechanism of repellence by affecting the olfactory senses of the pests. The product is RoHS, RoHS 2 and REACH compliant and FIFRA exempted.

Whitefly damage!

Whiteflies are small Hemipterans that typically feed on the undersides of plant leaves. They comprise the family Aleyrodidae, the only family in the superfamily Aleyrodoidea. They can be as small as 1/12 of an inch, somewhat triangular in shape, and are often found in clusters on the undersides of leaves. They are active during the daytime, so they are easier to spot than some other nocturnal pests. More than 1550 species have been described. Whiteflies develop rapidly in warm weather, and populations can build up quickly in situations where natural enemies are ineffective and when weather and host plants favor outbreaks. Large colonies often develop on the undersides of leaves. The most common pest species such as greenhouse whitefly and sweet potato whitefly have a wide host range that includes many weeds and crops. These species breed all year round in warmer parts of California, moving from one host to another as plants are harvested or dry up. Another species of whitefly with a broad host range is the giant whitefly, Aleurodicus dugesii. It is now found in coastal areas and interior valleys in much of the state on a number of tropical and semi-tropical ornamental species.

Adult whiteflies are moth-like insects with powdery white wings and short antenna. They are easily recognized and often found near the top of plants or on stem ends. Wingless nymphs are flattened, oval and almost scale-like in appearance.  The full life cycle of the whitefly lasts between 15 to 40 days, depending on environmental conditions, particularly the temperature, as eggs will turn into adults more quickly when the temperature is higher. The whitefly usually lays its eggs on the underside of the leaves and the eggs stick to them by means of a pedicel. The larva or nymphs emerge from the eggs and in their first stage of development, they are mobile enough to move along the leaf until they find the right place to insert their stylus and begin to feed off the sap of the phloem, which is rich in sugars. The nymphs then pass through several more stages of development, during which they remain in the same place and continue to feed off the plant until the adult emerges from the last nymph stage. Non-fertilized eggs produce males while the fertilized eggs produce females.

The whitefly feeds on more than 500 species of host plants. Common targets include ornamental plants, houseplants, hibiscus, coleus, fuchsia, sweet potato (edible and ornamental), tomato, grape, citrus and squash-family plants. Whiteflies use their piercing, needle-like mouthparts to suck sap from phloem, the food-conducting tissues in plant stems and leaves. Large populations can cause leaves to turn yellow, appear dry, or fall off plants. Like aphids, whiteflies excrete a sugary liquid called honeydew, so leaves may be sticky or covered with black sooty mold that grows on the honeydew. The honeydew attracts ants, which interfere with the activities of natural enemies that may control whiteflies and other pests.

Feeding by the immature sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, can cause plant distortion, discoloration, or silvering of leaves, and may cause serious losses in some vegetable crops. Some whiteflies transmit viruses to certain vegetable crops. These include the TYLCV (Tomato yellow leaf curl virus), the ToCV (Tomato chlorosis crinivirus) or the TYMV (Tomato Yellow Mosaic Virus). Whiteflies are not normally a problem in fruit trees although their populations can build up in citrus, pomegranate, and avocado. In warm or tropical climates and especially in greenhouses, whiteflies present major problems in crop protection. Worldwide economic losses are estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

Let us look at some news articles pertaining to the damage caused by whiteflies.

Whitefly pest attacks cotton crop in Punjab
July 11, 2016, India
Whitefly pest has again attacked cotton crop, now in the flowering stage, in Punjab, posing a threat to the Kharif crop even as the opposition Congress lambasted the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance for its “failure” in preventing the pest attack. “Whitefly has attacked cotton crop in several fields of about 15 villages of Khuian Sarwar block in Abohar,” an official of Punjab Agriculture Department said on Monday.

Also in the year 2015, about two-thirds of Punjab’s cotton crop was destroyed by whiteflies causing an estimated loss of Rs 4,200 crore. There were reports of at least 15 cotton farmers committing suicide.

The damage and loss caused by these tiny whiteflies are huge! We cannot afford this significant amount of crop damage caused by pests like whiteflies. There is an urgent need for a sustainable solution.

Combirepel™anti-insect additive, a C Tech Corporation product is the best solution for the prevention and control of insect infestations. Termirepel™ masterbatch can be incorporated in agricultural films, mulches, greenhouse films etc. during polymer processing. It can also be incorporated in silage bags and packaging films to protect the crops in the post-harvest stage from pest damage.

Combirepel™ lacquer can be added to paints which can then be applied to fencing, etc. It follows 6 tiered mechanism, which is extremely effective on insects like whiteflies, ants, beetles, grasshopper, termites etc.

Combirepel™ is a nontoxic and nonhazardous anti-insect additive. It is thermally stable and does not degrade on exposure to heat and sunlight. It does not kill or harm the insect but repels them. It does not volatilize and does not degrade the soil. It is RoHS, RoHS2, REACH, ISO, APVMA, NEA compliant and FIFRA exempted.

Emerald Ash Borer!

Agrilus planipennis, commonly known as the emerald ash borer, is a green buprestid or jewel beetle native to northeastern Asia that feeds on ash species. This Asian insect was likely transported in wood crates, pallets and other packing material which was shipped to the United States in the mid-1990s, according to Michigan State University Extension (MSUE). The Emerald Ash Borer is responsible for the destruction of tens of millions of ash trees in 27 states. In its native range, it is typically found at low densities and does not cause significant damage to trees native to the area. Outside its native range, it is an invasive species and is highly destructive to ash trees native to northwest Europe and North America.

EAB populations can quickly rise to damaging levels. Host species include green ash, white ash, black ash, blue ash, and pumpkin ash. After initial infestation, all ash trees are expected to die in an area within 10 years without control measures. Every North American ash species shows susceptibility to EAB as North American species planted in China also shows high mortality due to EAB infestation.

Signs and symptoms are indicators of insect attack. A sign is a physical damage to a tree, such as a gallery, a hole, or a feeding notch in the leaf, resulting from the attack by an insect. A symptom is a tree’s response to insect attack and includes premature yellowing of foliage, dead branches, thinning crowns, or bark cracks. Crown dieback is one common symptom of EAB infestation. Dieback of the upper and outer crown begins after multiple years of Emerald ash borer larval feeding. Trees start to show dead branches throughout the canopy, beginning at the top. Larval feeding disrupts nutrient and water flow to the upper canopy, resulting in leaf loss. Leaves at the top of the tree may be thin and discolored. Let us look at another symptom known as Epicormic Sprouting. When trees are stressed or sick, they try to grow new branches and leaves wherever they still can. Trees may have new growth at the base of the tree and on the trunk, often just below where the larvae are feeding.  Woodpeckers, on the other hand, eat emerald ash borer larvae that are under the bark. This usually happens higher in the tree where the emerald ash borer prefers to attack first. If there are large numbers of larvae under the bark the woodpecker damage can make it look like strips of bark have been pulled off of the tree. This is called “flecking.”

Now let us have a look at the signs of infestation done by an emerald ash borer.

D-shaped emergence holes: As adults emerge from under the bark they create a D-shaped emergence hole that is about 1/8 inch in diameter.

S-shaped larval galleries: As larvae feed under the bark they wind back and forth, creating galleries that are packed with frass (larva poop) and sawdust and follow a serpentine pattern.

Larvae: Larvae are cream-colored, slightly flattened (dorso-ventrally) and have pincher-like appendages (urogomphi) at the end of their abdomen. Larvae are found feeding beneath the bark.

Adults: Adult beetles are metallic green and about the size of one grain of cooked rice (3/8 – 1/2 inch long and 1/16 inch wide). Adults are flat on the back and rounded on their underside.

Here are some recent news articles pertaining to the damage caused by the EAB.

 The public is paying the price of emerald ash borer infestation

April 19, 2017, USA
OSCODA – High winds sweeping through Iosco County this month have toppled trees on top of power lines, causing electrical outages and home damage.

Most of the felled trees are dead or dying ash trees, killed by emerald ash borers (EAB), an invasive insect which was discovered in southeastern Michigan and Windsor, Ontario in June 2002.

“Municipalities and homeowners are paying for the EAB invasion,” said Eric Brandon, Alcona Conservation District Forester for Alcona and Iosco counties.

EAB is so aggressive that ash trees die within two or three years after becoming infected. Damage is caused by the larvae, feeding in S-shaped tunnels on the inside of bark of branches and tree trunks. It is the inner bark, or phloem, which transports nutrients and water.

Emerald ash borer destroying Door Co. trees

April 11, 2017, USA

Thousands of ash trees are dying as the emerald ash borer eats its way up the Door County peninsula. One of the hot spots for the disease is the downtown of the city where chunks of bark lie under the ash trees and woodpeckers are feasting on the emerging tiny insects.

More than 12 million ash trees throughout the county are at risk since the emerald ash borer bugs were found near Fish Creek and in Sturgeon Bay in 2014. Ash trees account for about 13 percent of the country’s estimated 115 million trees, said Bill Ruff, a forester for the state Department of Natural Resources in Door and Kewaunee counties.

There are a variety of treatment options that can serve as a control measure for the EAB, but they are not a cure.

Insecticides with active ingredients such as imidacloprid, benzoate, and dinotefuran are currently used. These insecticides are toxic in nature. They kill the target as well as the non- target species. They are harmful to human health as well.

C Tech Corporation can offer a solution to overcome the damage caused by EAB to our trees.Combirepel™ is an ideal solution for prevention from damages inflicted by EAB. Combirepel™ is a nontoxic and nonhazardous insect aversive.   It is highly effective against insects like EAB, grasshopper, worms etc. It is cost-effective and cost-efficient, inert, stable up to 1400 deg Celsius temperature, long lasting etc.

Combirepel™ is available in the form of polymer masterbatches which can be incorporated in plastic tree guards, fencing of the trees, mulches, etc.

Asian Giant Hornet!

The Asian giant hornet, including the subspecies Japanese giant hornet colloquially known as the yak-killer hornet,  is the world’s largest hornet, native to temperate and tropical Eastern Asia. The Asian giant hornets prefer to live in low mountains and forests, while almost completely avoiding plains and high-altitude climates. Their hierarchy is based on their ability to reproduce and hence is divided as the reproductive queens and sterile soldiers and workers. The Asian Giant Hornets live for about 3-5 months. It takes larvae 14 days to become a full grown adult. Generally, a colony holds 700 Asian Giant Hornets, and the majority of workers are females. The queen lays fertilized female eggs and unfertilized male eggs, and the adult males leave the hive and die after mating. Regardless of sex, the hornet’s head is a light shade of orange and its antennae are brown with a yellow-orange base. Its eyes and ocelli are dark browns to black. V. mandarinia is distinguished from other hornets by its pronounced clypeus and large genie. Its orange mandible contains a black tooth that it uses for digging. Asian Giant Hornets can grow as large as 2 inches long with a wingspan of 76mm. They are approximately five times larger than the average honey bee, and their 6mm long stinger is filled with venom. This venom contains a neurotoxin called mandaratoxin.  A single sting may potentially cause internal organ damage as well as large welts in the skin.

The Asian Giant Hornet can wipe out beehives and colonies within hours. In one day alone, the Asian Giant Hornet can fly up to 100km at 40 km/hallowing it to quickly fly towards their victim. In fact, it takes less than 50 Asian Giant Hornets to take down a colony of tens of thousands of bees. Additionally, a single hornet is able to kill 40 honey bees per minute. Essentially, the hornet uses its mandibles and decapitates their victims. This is leading to declining in the population of honey bees. The poor honey bee is nearly helpless against the Hornets. Furthermore, the Asian Giant Hornet attacks are a growing concern for beekeepers in the Eastern Asian regions and some beekeepers in Europe. Honey bees are a vital component of our ecosystems and with the growing decline in the honey bee population, we would no longer have fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, and much more.

In the recent times, the Asian giant hornet is said to have made its way to Britain where it is threatening the population of the European honey bees as these honey bees don’t stand a chance against the deadly hornets. Considering that the prime victims of these hornet attacks are our most important pollinators i.e. bees, the mayhem that they cause needs to be controlled!

Let us look at some news articles pertaining to the damage caused by these Asian Giant Hornets.

The threat to honeybees as Asian hornet’s arrival on UK mainland confirmed

September 20, 2016, the Guardian, UK

The Asian hornet’s long-feared arrival on the UK mainland has been confirmed, government scientists have said, with ecologists warning of dire consequences for honeybees if the species is not swiftly eliminated.

The Hornets eat honeybees and have become widespread in central and southern France, prompting warnings in recent years that they could arrive in the UK via potted plants from France.

While not considered a threat to humans, the arrival of the Hornets adds to the woes of Britain’s honeybees, which are vital for pollination of many crops but have been suffering declines for decades.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said on Tuesday that it had a confirmed sighting of an Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) in the Tetbury area of Gloucestershire. Officials said efforts were already under way to destroy the invasive species, using cameras and traps to locate nests before attempting to kill them off with pesticides.

Nicola Spence, Defra’s deputy director for plant and bee health, said: “We have been anticipating the arrival of the Asian hornet for some years and have a well-established protocol in place to eradicate them and control any potential spread.

“It is important to remember they pose no greater risk to human health than a bee, though we recognize the damage they can cause to honeybee colonies. That’s why we are taking swift and robust action to identify and destroy any nests.”

Matt Shardlow, the chief executive of the charity Bug life, said: “It’s really bad news. The ecological impact is that it potentially affects our ability to feed ourselves in the future.

“In terms of threats to people, as long as it doesn’t reach ridiculous levels of abundance, which it will struggle to do because there is not enough prey here for it, then it shouldn’t really add risk in terms of a number of people who die from wasp stings.”

C Tech Corporation with the aid of green technology and great vision has designed the productCombirepel™ that can aid in the protection of honey bees from these vicious hornets.Combirepel™ is a non-toxic, non-hazardous insect and pest aversive. Basically designed to combat termites, it works effectively against a multitude of other insects including wasps and hornets.

Our product works on the mechanism of repellency. It temporarily inhibits the mating cycle of the insects. The product impairs the ability of the insects to reproduce, that is the insects will not lay eggs or the laid eggs will be infertile. The product causes feeding disruption in an insect by triggering an unpleasant reaction within the insect which might try to feed on the application. The product temporarily blocks the reproduction system of the insects by hindering the release of the vital hormones for growth.

Combirepel™ works by the mechanism of repellence by virtue of which it does not allow the insect/pest to come near the application and thus it negates the possibility of an infestation. Moreover, it is available in the form of polymer compatible masterbatches as well as in lacquer form to be applied to wood and other furniture. Thus it is easy to apply and safe to use. Also since it is non-toxic it will not cause any harm to the non-target species like bees.

Combirepel™ is thermally stable and does not degrade on exposure to heat and sunlight. It does not kill or harm the insect but repels them. It does not volatilize and does not degrade the soil. It is RoHS, RoHS2, REACH, ISO, APVMA, NEA compliant and FIFRA exempted.

Contact us at  technical.marketing@ctechcorporation.com to keep the pests away.

Also, visit our websites:
http://www.ctechcorporation.com/
http://www.rodrepel.com/
http://www.termirepel.com/
http://www.combirepel.com/

Follow our Facebook pages at:
1] https://www.facebook.com/Combirepel-411710912249274/
2] https://www.facebook.com/Termirepel-104225413091251/
3] https://www.facebook.com/Rodrepel-120734974768048/

Follow us on our Twitter pages at:
1] https://twitter.com/rodrepel
2] https://twitter.com/termirepel
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Black Carpet Beetles!

Beetles are a group of insects that form the order Coleoptera, in the superorder Endopterygota. This is one of the largest order of insects. There are more than a quarter million species of beetles in the world. Some beetles can become destructive pests. Carpet beetle larvae eat natural fibers and feathers. They often damage woolens and other fabrics. Other beetles, like powderpost beetles, feed on hardwoods and bamboo. These pests attack furniture and other items made of wood. Some, like the flour beetles and the grain beetles, attack food products in homes. They also damage food in production facilities and stores. Some beetles damage lawns and landscapes. Immature June beetles, called grubs, attack the roots of grass. The elm leaf beetle damages trees by eating the leaves.

Let us find more about the damages and problems caused by black carpet beetles.

Adult carpet beetles measure 2.8 to 5 mm in length. Their pronota and heads are black, and the head is partially concealed from above. Their wings, known as elytra, are brownish black. In warm environments, eggs hatch into larvae within six to 12 days; colder environments delay hatching times to between 15 and 20 days. Black carpet beetle larvae are longer than many other carpet beetle larvae and are brown and gold in color. A clump of golden hairs is located at the end of their bodies. The black carpet beetle is a common carpet beetle in Pennsylvania.

Black carpet beetle larvae can survive up to 640 days and adults can live for a couple of months. Adults do not cause damage indoors. Immature black carpet beetles, called larvae, cause damage to human clothing, furnishings, and other products. These larvae feed on natural fibers, while adults feed primarily on plant nectar and pollen. Larvae scavenge for food in dark and hidden areas. Infestations occur swiftly and often go unnoticed until the damage is widespread.

Now the question is how do Black Carpet Beetles Get Into the House?

The adults are attracted to flowers, and in the spring of the year, they fly into the house. The larvae wander from the nest into the attic and other parts of the house. At times, birds and other animals die in chimneys and elsewhere in the house and their carcasses become a source of food for the larvae. Very often, the black carpet beetles are brought into the house with old woolens and carpeting. Sometimes the black carpet beetles are introduced into a dwelling in stored products such as dried dog food.

The larvae of carpet beetles feed primarily on animal and plant materials such as fur, dander, silk, wool, and feathers. As a result, they damage clothing, furniture, and other household materials. While larvae prefer organic materials, they consume synthetic fibers with oil, perspiration and food stains. They sometimes feed on grains and spices, as well as nuts, cereals, and other milled products. Larvae may also consume animal hair, dead animals, and insects. Larvae can be found living under floors, behind baseboards, inside air ducts, under heavy furniture, and in other hidden areas. Although carpet beetle larvae move slowly, they infest entire homes and cause considerable damage within weeks. Adult carpet beetles feed on plant-based foods outside and can be found scavenging in gardens, where they cause damage to ornamental flora with light petals. While adult carpet beetles do not cause damage to fiber, they are also considered indoor pests.

The use of conventional fumigants, insecticides is no longer considered to be an effective solution to get rid of the beetle infestation as these insects are becoming increasingly resistant to them. The poisonous pesticides used to carry out fumigation are extremely toxic to the environment as well as for humans.

At C Tech Corporation, we offer a safe and effective solution to deal with these insects. Combirepel™ is a non-toxic, non-hazardous product that primarily repels insects from the application. It is a broad spectrum repellent which works against almost 500 species of pestering bugs thus efficaciously repulse them away from the application. The best feature of this product is that it is environmentally safe and causes no harm to the insect as well as humans and the environment. It is available in masterbatch and lacquer form and as a liquid solution. To keep these insects at bay, this product can be coated in lacquer form or added in mulches or films.

Our product works on the mechanism of repellency. It temporarily inhibits the mating cycle of the insects. The product impairs the ability of the insects to reproduce, that is the insects will not lay eggs or the laid eggs will be infertile. The product causes feeding disruption in an insect by triggering an unpleasant reaction within the insect which might try to feed on the application. The product temporarily blocks the reproduction system of the insects by hindering the release of the vital hormones for growth.

The product available in the form of masterbatch can be incorporated into the base polymer of the polymeric applications like the wires and cables, pipes, household utilities, etc. to keep the pest away from the application.

The product available in the form of liquid concentrate can be mixed in paints and be applied on the interior and exterior of the houses, schools, hospitals, warehouses, offices etc. to keep these areas safe from these pests.

The product available in the form of lacquer form can be used as a direct application. The lacquer can be applied to the already installed applications like the wires and cable, pipes, metal decors, racks and pallets from stores rooms etc.

Combirepel™ is thermally stable and does not degrade on exposure to heat and sunlight. It does not kill or harm the insect but repels them. It does not volatilize and does not degrade the soil. It is RoHS, RoHS2, REACH, APVMA, NEA compliant and FIFRA exempted.

Contact us at  technical.marketing@ctechcorporation.com to keep the pests away.

Also, visit our websites:
http://www.ctechcorporation.com/
http://www.rodrepel.com/
http://www.termirepel.com/
http://www.combirepel.com/

Follow our Facebook pages at:
1] https://www.facebook.com/Combirepel-411710912249274/
2] https://www.facebook.com/Termirepel-104225413091251/
3] https://www.facebook.com/Rodrepel-120734974768048/

Follow us on our Twitter pages at:
1] https://twitter.com/rodrepel
2] https://twitter.com/termirepel
3] https://twitter.com/combirepel

 

 

 

 

 

This town has its own fly!

Flies can be spotted all over the world, both in the outside environment and indoors. The prominent areas where flies are found are in close proximity to humans and animals. They are attracted to different filthy surfaces.

Many different types of flies can be found in homes and buildings where humans are present. Unlike the outdoor locations, indoor fly sustenance is gained through decomposing trash and other food waste. Moist, damp food provide the fly with the nutrition it needs, which is why the decaying organic material is the ideal meal. In homes, the temperature tends to speed up the decomposition process, providing the right environment for a fly’s food to spoil, as well as for the insect to thrive. During the day, flies are most active during the hottest hours, as the rate of decomposition of their food sources speeds up, making the scents more appealing and pungent, and creating an environment ideal for a large fly population. In homes and barns, they can be found near or in ceilings. Wires and beams are typical resting locations for the flies during the nighttime hours.

There are four stages in the life cycle of a fly. They begin as eggs being laid in decaying matter, which hatch to a long, whitish yellow maggot (larvae) stage within 8 to 20 hours. The larvae stage takes between four and thirteen days, but only within the optimal temperature range. The third stage is the pupa. During this time, the insect completes the development stage inside its new casing – this time a dark brown color. In between two and six days, the fly will break free into the adult stage and begin the process again.

One of these flies is the Blandford fly. It belongs to the species of the black fly; a biting insect. The Blandford fly’s English common name derives from a major outbreak of people being bitten around the town of Blandford Forum in Dorset, England, in the 1960s and 1970s. In a four-week period during the spring of 1972, some 600 people were estimated to have visited their doctors in Blandford to be treated for insect bites.

It was then in 1980, the Dorset County Council asked the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, formerly known as the Institute for Freshwater Ecology to come up with a solution to keep away the Blandford flies.

Blandford fly spends its larval stage in the in the weed beds of slow-flowing rivers and when the fly emerges, the female seeks a blood meal before mating.

Blandford fly bites are usually most common during May and June. The Blandford fly tends to bite least in the early morning and late evening. Bites often occur on the legs and are very painful. They can produce a severe, localized reaction around the area of the bite. Its symptoms include swelling, blistering, high-temperature fever, joint pain.

The Blandford flies are been recorded in the following countries – Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Latvia, Germany & Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Southern England, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, European Russia and Western Siberia, Slovenia, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine.

Herefordshire bite allergies blamed on Blandford fly

17th May 2011, BBC News, England

Doctors believe the bites may come from the small black insect, which has caused similar problems in Dorset.

Dr. Paul Harris from Belmont Health Centre in Hereford said each doctor at the practice is seeing around five cases a week.

“We’ve seen some that can be the size of your palm across and very swollen, red and inflamed,” he said.

He believes the flies were attracted to a water feature in his back garden.

Andrew Thomas, from Lugwardine, Herefordshire, and other members of his family, were badly bitten.

Blandford fly: a surge in ‘infected’ insect bites blamed on a new super fly.

29th July 2010, The Telegraph, England

The Blandford fly, a tiny insect normally found in the country, appears to have reproduced in city areas, largely thanks to the growing popularity of garden water features.

Wildlife experts said the tiny insect, can leave bite which often turns infectious and potentially leaving some victims in need of hospital treatment.

They fear the Blandford fly, which measures only about two or three millimeters long, is spreading amid reports of a rise in infected insect bites over the past few weeks.

Experts blamed the recent warm and humid which has made insects, including horseflies, mosquitoes, and midges, more active, particularly in the evening.

The balmy summer evenings have also encouraged people into their gardens where they are more likely to be bitten.

Conventional insecticides have proven to be a failed solution to give effective results. These insecticides are toxic in nature. They kill target as well as non-target species. They are also hazardous to human health. Moreover, species like Blandford flies are not at all affected by the toxic effects of these insecticides.

C Tech Corporation can offer a solution to overcome the damage caused by Blandford flies.Combirepel™ anti-termite, an anti-insect additive is an ideal solution for the prevention and control of flies. It follows 6 pronged strategies which are extremely effective on flies as well as insects like termites, beetles, grasshopper, bugs etc.

Our product works on the mechanism of repellency. It temporarily inhibits the mating cycle of the insects. The product impairs the ability of the insects to reproduce, that is the insects will not lay eggs or the laid eggs will be infertile. The product causes feeding disruption in an insect by triggering an unpleasant reaction within the insect which might try to feed on the application. The product temporarily blocks the reproduction system of the insects by hindering the release of the vital hormones for growth.

The product available in the form of masterbatch can be incorporated into the base polymer of the polymeric applications like the wires and cables, pipes, household utilities, etc. to keep the pest away from the application.

The product available in the form of liquid concentrate can be mixed in paints and be applied on the interior and exterior of the houses, schools, hospitals, warehouses, offices etc. to keep these areas safe from these pests.

The product available in the form of lacquer form can be used as a direct application. The lacquer can be applied to the already installed applications like the wires and cable, pipes, metal decors, racks and pallets from stores rooms etc.

Combirepel™ is thermally stable and does not degrade on exposure to heat and sunlight. It does not kill or harm the insect but repels them. It does not volatilize and does not degrade the soil. It is RoHS, RoHS2, REACH compliant and FIFRA exempted.

Contact us at  technical.marketing@ctechcorporation.com to keep the pests away.

Also, visit our websites:
http://www.ctechcorporation.com/
http://www.rodrepel.com/
http://www.termirepel.com/
http://www.combirepel.com/

Follow our Facebook pages at:
1] https://www.facebook.com/Combirepel-411710912249274/
2] https://www.facebook.com/Termirepel-104225413091251/
3] https://www.facebook.com/Rodrepel-120734974768048/

Follow us on our Twitter pages at:
1] https://twitter.com/rodrepel
2] https://twitter.com/termirepel
3] https://twitter.com/combirepel

Do not kill, just repel: Insects

Insects are found in each and every corner of the world. They are the most common animals on the earth and are also familiar to everyone. 1.5 million Of insect species are being named. Many are yet to be discovered. Their size, shape, color, biology, and life history are so diverse that it makes the study of insects absolutely fascinating.

Insects feed on a seemingly endless array of foods. Many insects are omnivorous, meaning that they can eat a variety of foods including plants, fungi, dead animals, decaying organic matter, and nearly anything they encounter in their environment. Still, others are specialists in their diet, which means they may rely only on one particular plant or even one specific part of one particular plant.

Many insects are predatory or parasitic, either on plants or on other insects or animals, including people. Such insects are important in nature to help keep pest populations (insects or weeds) at a tolerable level. Predatory and parasitic insects are very valuable when they attack other animals or plants that we consider to be pests.

Insects are very important as primary or secondary decomposers. Without insects to help break down and dispose of wastes, dead animals and plants would accumulate in our environment and it would be messy indeed.

Insects are underappreciated for their role in the food web. They are the sole food source for many amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Insects themselves are harvested and eaten by people in some cultures. They are a rich source of protein, vitamins, and minerals, and are prized as delicacies in many third-world countries. In fact, it is difficult to find an insect that is not eaten in one form or another by people. Among the most popular are cicadas, locusts, mantises, grubs, caterpillars, crickets, ants, and wasps.

Honey bees are kept by beekeepers because they produce honey and wax. In some countries, people collect honey from wild bees.

Another insect that produces products for people is the silkworm. The silkworm is not a worm but it is a moth. On a silkworm farm, the caterpillars (silkworms) are fed with leaves of the mulberry tree. When the caterpillar pupates they spin a cocoon made of one long thread of silk. These cocoons are harvested to produce silk.

American salmon fly’s larva is sensitive to water pollution which helps scientist to recognize polluted supplies.

Antlion control ant population and help pollinate flowers while being no threat to humans.

Black and yellow garden spiders are called “guardian of the garden” because they help in controlling pest population in the gardens.

Burying beetle is the consumer of many natural materials including dead mammals; carrion, maggots and rotting fruits.

House centipede can help to keep certain other household pests in checks- such as cockroaches and moths.

On the other hand, insects have also served to accelerate cultural evolution. Silkworms, for example, were certainly the driving force behind the establishment of the trade between Europe and China and were still a factor in 1942 when Christopher Columbus stumbled onto the new world in his quest to find a sea route to the silk and species of the Orient.

The sociological impact of the insects has been keenly felt on the battlefield. Over the course of human history, more soldiers have died from lice and mosquitoes, than bullets and bombs.

In World War I, medics noticed that gunshots wounds infested with blowfly maggots seldom developed bacterial infections. Their observations led to us of maggot therapy (sterile-reared fly larvae for cleaning necrotic tissue from the deep wound), the later discovery of allantoin, a chemical secretion of the larvae that inhibits bacterial growth.

Honeybee rather their products has been used for medical purposes since the medieval times. This practice also called apitherapy is used as a alternative medicine in Europe and other parts of the world. Some proponents of apitherapy use bee stings as at treatment for patients who suffer from arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus erythematosus, Parkinson’s diseases and other auto-immune conditions.

The knowledge of the insect’s structure has also proven useful in non-biological professions. In 1983, engineers at McDonnell Douglas Corp. studied the legs of grasshoppers to help them design shock absorber for a new jet fighter, the Hornet. Dr. Rodney Brooks at MIT’s artificial intelligence laboratory is developing six-legged robots with an electronic control system that is modeled after the distributed nervous system of the insects.

In spite of all their positive attributes, some insects can cause problems. Unfortunately, most people are more aware of the few insects that cause problems than they are of the many beneficial insects. People ignorant of these beneficial facts about insects tend to kill those using different insecticides. This practice should be stopped.

Insects can be repelled rather than killed. This can be done by using C Tech corporationsCombirepel™. It is a non-toxic, non-hazardous, non-carcinogenic and environmentally safe insect repellent. It is engineered using a unique set of complex compounds. Combirepel™ is cost efficient, inert, stable up to 1400 deg C temperature, long lasting etc. Because of these unique properties, it is compatible with various polymers like PP, LDPE, HDPE, and MDPE.

Our product works on the mechanism of repellency. It temporarily inhibits the mating cycle of the insects. The product impairs the ability of the insects to reproduce, that is the insects will not lay eggs or the laid eggs will be infertile. The product causes feeding disruption in an insect by triggering an unpleasant reaction within the insect which might try to feed on the application. The product temporarily blocks the reproduction system of the insects by hindering the release of the vital hormones for growth.

The product available in the form of masterbatch can be incorporated into the base polymer of the polymeric applications like the wires and cables, pipes, household utilities, etc. to keep the pest away from the application.

The product available in the form of liquid concentrate can be mixed in paints and be applied on the interior and exterior of the houses, schools, hospitals, warehouses, offices etc. to keep these areas safe from these pests.

The product available in the form of lacquer form can be used as a direct application. The lacquer can be applied to the already installed applications like the wires and cable, pipes, metal decors, racks and pallets from stores rooms etc.

Since Combirepel™ is designed to keeping the insects away effectively and not kills the insects or any other animal, it doesn’t harm any target or non-target species in any way. It is RoHS, RoHS2, ISO, REACH, APVMA, NEA compliant and FIFRA exempted. We are committed to our environment & we believe that no harm must be caused to animals or to the environment.

Contact us at  technical.marketing@ctechcorporation.com to keep the pests away.

Also, visit our websites:
http://www.ctechcorporation.com/
http://www.rodrepel.com/
http://www.termirepel.com/
http://www.combirepel.com/

Follow our Facebook pages at:
1] https://www.facebook.com/Combirepel-411710912249274/
2] https://www.facebook.com/Termirepel-104225413091251/
3] https://www.facebook.com/Rodrepel-120734974768048/

Follow us on our Twitter pages at:
1] https://twitter.com/rodrepel
2] https://twitter.com/termirepel
3] https://twitter.com/combirepel

Super pest – Diamondback Moth!

Diamondback moth originated in Europe has a global distribution and are found in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, Australia, New Zealand, and the Hawaiian Islands. The species belonging to Plutella genus are small greyish-brown moth sometimes has a cream-colored band that forms a diamond along its back. Hence the name Diamondback Moth.

The moth having a short life cycle of nearly 14 days bears the capability of migrating over long distances. Diamondback moth usually feeds on the leaves of cruciferous crops and plants that produce glucosinolates. They deposit their eggs on host plants with a larval infestation. All the plants are not used for these moths as host plants as the larvae fail to survive. Hence the plants which produce glucosinolates are selected as host plants by this super pest diamondback moth.

Here are some of the evidence of the plants being considered as host plants leading to several damages to crop and crop yield.

UK brussels sprout harvest hit by ‘super-pest’ moths

Wednesday 7 December 2016,  Published in The Guardian

Love them or loathe them, they are a staple part of the Christmas dinner. However, consumers shopping for sprouts this year could have less choice than usual after some British-grown crops were ravaged by “super-pest” months during the summer.

The problem has arisen as a result of an explosion in the numbers of diamondback moths arriving in the UK from Europe, which can cause huge damage to crops such as sprouts, cabbages, and cauliflowers as they are resistant to most insecticides.

Growers reported problems in the Channel Islands but this week some growers in Lincolnshire – which supplies almost two-thirds of all sprouts produced in the country – reported losses of up to 60%.

Bad news for farmers, good news for children: Brussels sprouts crop faces Christmas ruin

By Leon Watson, 30 November 2016, Published in the Telegraph news

For some, it threatens to ruin Christmas; for others, perhaps of younger generations, it is the promise of joyous relief.

Brussels sprouts could be off the menu this year as the crop could be ruined by a plague of immigrant moths invading the UK.

Supplies of the vegetable are already running low after several farmers’ festive crops were decimated by armies of the cabbage-loving diamondback insects.

The moth especially likes to munch on Brassica plants, which include cabbages, cauliflower, and broccoli. And it has become increasingly resistant to available insecticides.

The agriculture industry has been trying to find biological and natural ways to eliminate the diamondback moth especially since the moths have become resistant to pesticides. Common enemies of the moth include the parasitoids or lacewings. Lacewings feed on eggs and young larvae, while the parasitoids only feed on the eggs.

It has been stated that “the insect diamondback moths, notorious among farmers as pests that cause $4 to $5 billion of damage a year worldwide.”

And In the Horticulture Week, it has been stated as “non-native arrival to the US, the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) is the world’s most damaging agricultural pest of brassica crops, costing US farmers over $4 billion yearly in crop losses and control management.”

To stop the infestation originally, pesticides were used to kill the moths but Diamondbacks have developed resistance to many of the common chemicals. For this reason, different biological, cultural, and chemical controls are being developed to reduce the destruction caused by the moths but proven to be ineffective.

Hence need a solution which gives complete protection to crops from these pesky pests.

C Tech Corporation provides you with value-add product called as Combirepel™which is an anti-insect aversive. Combirepel™  is manufactured on the basis of green technology. It is durable at extreme climatic conditions such as changes in temperature, rainfall, pressure etc.

Our product is ROHS, ROHS2, ISO 9001:2000, ISO 14001:1996, APVMA, NEA complaint and FIFRA exempted. Our product will not kill the targeted as well as non-targeted species but only repel the pests which help in maintaining the ecological balance of the earth.

Our product works on the mechanism of repellency. It temporarily inhibits the mating cycle of the insects. The product impairs the ability of the insects to reproduce, that is the insects will not lay eggs or the laid eggs will be infertile. The product causes feeding disruption in an insect by triggering an unpleasant reaction within the insect which might try to feed on the application. The product temporarily blocks the reproduction system of the insects by hindering the release of the vital hormones for growth.

Combirepel™  is available in three basic forms: Masterbatch, liquid concentrate, and lacquer.

Combirepel™  Masterbatch is specially made for polymeric applications and used as additives in their processing time. The polymeric applications like wires and cables, pipes, agricultural films and mulches, greenhouse films, tree guards, irrigation pipes etc can be manufactured using our masterbatch to keep pests from damaging these applications. The crops which are suitable to cover with plastic bags/covers can be applied to our product. The polymeric horticultural equipment can be incorporated into our product for getting best results.

Combirepel™ Liquid concentrate is to be mixed in paints in proper proportion and can be applied to the interior and exterior of the agricultural storage rooms, houses, offices, fences around the farms etc.

Combirepel™  lacquer can be directly applied to the applications such as wooden fences, already installed pipes, wires, cables, etc.

Using our product, you will get protection from the diamondback moth!

Contact us at  technical.marketing@ctechcorporation.com to keep the pests away.

Also, visit our websites:
http://www.ctechcorporation.com/
http://www.rodrepel.com/
http://www.termirepel.com/
http://www.combirepel.com/

Follow our Facebook pages at:
1] https://www.facebook.com/Combirepel-411710912249274/
2] https://www.facebook.com/Termirepel-104225413091251/
3] https://www.facebook.com/Rodrepel-120734974768048/

Follow us on our Twitter pages at:
1] https://twitter.com/rodrepel
2] https://twitter.com/termirepel
3] https://twitter.com/combirepel

Wasps the virulent insects!

One can easily get attracted to the membranous wings of these tiny wasps.

But these attractive insects possess a protective tool i.e. Sting which is so lethal that no one should have imagined its consequences!

Yes the sting is lethal and for proving the statement let’s go through the following evidence:

Wasp Bite Gives Man a Heart Attack

By Cari Nierenberg, Live Science Contributor | September 22, 2017 03:18 pm ET

A sting from a yellow jacket is typically a minor annoyance, but a wasp bite turned into a major medical problem for a 45-year-old British man:

In this man’s case, he was stung by a yellow jacket on his left arm as he got into his van. Minutes later, he began to feel dizzy and itchy all over, and a rash appeared on his body, according to the case report.

The man’s left hand began to feel heavy and achy, and hours later, this pain became more frequent and spread to his left arm, shoulder, and back. He called for an ambulance, and on the ride to the hospital, he suffered a heart attack, the case report said.

Wasp stings responsible for three deaths in Manitoba

By:  Alexandra Paul, Winnipeg Free Press, Posted: 09/7/2017 11:41 AM

The city’s former entomologist is urging Winnipeggers to take precautions after three Manitobans died this summer after being stung by wasps.

The three deaths, including at least one in Winnipeg, were rare, said Taz Stuart, now the entomologist and director of technical operations at Poulin’s Pest Control.

The Chief Medical Examiner’s Office released data Thursday detailing deaths from any kind of bee, hornet or wasp. There have only been a handful of similar reports in the last 15 years.

By knowing the consequences we can think how deadliest it can be if one gets attacked by these yellowjackets!!

Firstly before we see what are the preventive measures to be taken against the sting of these tiny insects let’s get introduced to them.

Wasps with zoological name Vespula germanica are also commonly known as yellowjackets and hornets. Wasps vary tremendously depending on species. Most have two pairs of wings and a cinched waist. They range in colors from black to metallic greens and blues and vary in size from almost microscopic to several centimeters long. Wasps are a successful and diverse group of insects with tens of thousands of described species; wasps have spread to all parts of the world except for the Polar Regions.

They are categorized as social or solitary. Social wasps live in colonies consisting of hundreds or thousands of more-or-less sterile female workers and their much larger mother, the egg-laying queen. The colonies are set up in a nest built by the wasp workers. The nests are constructed from wood fibers collected and then mixed with water. The nests are very strong and long-lasting structures.

Some wasps are predatory, while others are parasitic. Predatory wasps kill and consume other insects as well as other animals which they often feed to their larvae. Parasitic wasps typically lay their eggs in the bodies of living creatures like caterpillars or spiders. The larvae feed on the still-living host. Wasps can assist in the management of other pests, particularly in agriculture as biological control agents. Many wasps also feed on nectar from flowers and therefore function as pollinators. Wasps play a variety of roles in the environments such as pollinators, parasitoids, parasites, predators etc. Wasps are also just important in the environment. Social wasps being predators play a vital ecological role, controlling the numbers of potential pests like greenfly and many caterpillars.

Though wasps are important for the environment they are considered as pests and voracious species. People often get stung in summer when the wasp colonies stop breeding new workers. The workers then go in search of food and then come in contact with humans. If a human gets stung by a wasp, he can suffer pain and may also suffer from life-threatening anaphylactic shock.

Hence to prevent these deadliest stingy wasps get an eco-friendly solution provided by C Tech Corporation.

Combirepel™ is an extremely low toxic, non-hazardous, non-mutagenic and non-carcinogenic anti-insect aversive.

Combirepel™ is developed on green technology and chemistry. It is effective against a broad spectrum of insects such as wasps, whiteflies, termites, beetles etc.

Our product works on the mechanism of repellency. It temporarily inhibits the mating cycle of the insects. The product impairs the ability of the insects to reproduce, that is the insects will not lay eggs or the laid eggs will be infertile. The product causes feeding disruption in an insect by triggering an unpleasant reaction within the insect which might try to feed on the application. The product temporarily blocks the reproduction system of the insects by hindering the release of the vital hormones for growth.

Combirepel™ is available in the form of the masterbatch, liquid concentrate, and lacquer.

Masterbatch can be incorporated into polymers while processing them. Cables, pipes, agricultural films, mulches, irrigation pipes etc. can be manufactured using masterbatch.

The liquid concentrate is to be mixed with paints in a proper ratio and can be applied on the interior and exterior of houses, schools, hospitals, warehouses, etc. to keep the wasps out of these places.

While lacquer is a direct topical application which can be applied directly to the already installed applications like cables, pipes, metal decors, furniture, wooden articles etc. Since the wasps build the nest in the areas like roof spaces, plywood built spaces, eaves, ceilings etc. places we need to repel them from such places.

Hence to repel them we C Tech Corporation suggest you apply our product Combirepel™. Our lacquer form product can be applied on wooden applications to which the wasps are attracted the most.

Combirepel™ is the best protection against the aggressive and voracious wasps.

Contact us at  technical.marketing@ctechcorporation.com to keep the pests away.

Also, visit our websites:
http://www.ctechcorporation.com/
http://www.rodrepel.com/
http://www.termirepel.com/
http://www.combirepel.com/

Follow our Facebook pages at:
1] https://www.facebook.com/Combirepel-411710912249274/
2] https://www.facebook.com/Termirepel-104225413091251/
3] https://www.facebook.com/Rodrepel-120734974768048/

Follow us on our Twitter pages at:
1] https://twitter.com/rodrepel
2] https://twitter.com/termirepel
3] https://twitter.com/combirepel

The leaf cutter ant

You definitely must have read about woodcutters, but have you heard of leaf-cutter ants?!

Yes, leaf cutter ants!

They are known to cut down the leaves of the trees and carry those along to their nest. Interesting, aren’t they?!

Here’s more about them.
There are 47 species of leafcutter ants. Leafcutter ants are fairly large ants and are reddish-brown in color. They have small spines on their backs.
Like all insects, a leafcutter ant’s body comprises three main parts: head, thorax, and abdomen. The head is where the mouth and sensory organs are found, the thorax is where the legs and wings are joined, and the abdomen houses the digestive and reproductive organs.

Leafcutter ants have two long antennae, and five eyes: two big, compound eyes on either side of their heads, and three simple eyes on the tops of their heads.
While it might seem like they’re vegetarians creating a massive salad bar inside their nests, they’re actually collecting those leaves to feed to their fungus gardens. It’s the fungus they grow from the decomposing leaves that’s their food. Yes, they need the leaves, but only in the way that we need fertilizer to grow our crops.

Leafcutter ant’s social structure is extremely complex with multiple chambers and passages. Leafcutter ant’s colonies can be up to 10 million ants strong, and they need space for all those ants plus their fungus gardens, nurseries, trash chambers and other chambers within their nest. Nests can be from 30m2 to 35m2 in the area, and several meters deep, with up to 8,000 chambers and tunnels 70m long, depending on the species. The nest’s chambers are built at depths that provide a suitable temperature for their intended use.

Leafcutter ants are incredible workers, and it’s no wonder they’re considered a major crop pest. They are able to strip a tree of its foliage in less than 24 hours. And studies show that more than 17 percent of leaf production by plants surrounding a leaf-cutter ant colony goes straight into that big, fungus-growing nest. Each ant has a role to play in the colony such as workers and soldiers, and their size and physical appearance reflect what their job is within the colony. But a surprising role is that of a tiny protector. There are ants whose job it is to protect leaves from parasitic flies and wasps. These ants, called minim ants, ride on the leaves and pluck off any parasites that could cause disease or destruction if the parasite made its way into the ant colony.

The ant society actually consists of four main social levels, or ‘castes’: minims, minors, mediae, and majors. Minims, described earlier, mainly work inside the nest, tending to the fungus and ant larvae. Minors protect the foraging columns and also guard the nest. Media carry heavier loads back to the nest. Majors provide additional security when the nest is threatened. Some species of leafcutter ants remove waste material from the nest and take it to special areas; others have chambers within the nest to store waste.

When carrying loads back to the nest, minors are susceptible to attack from phorid flies. These flies are parasitic, and lay eggs on the heads of the ants. To prevent this, minims are known to ride on the larger ant’s back (or on the top of the leaf being carried), to fend off any attacks.

They are known to destruct essential trees by cutting down their leaves. Below is the evidence of the same:

Biggest colony of leafcutter ants in Britain has self-destructed – after they chewed through an electric power cable in their tank

By Sophie Jane Evans – Daily Mail Published: 22 May 2014

Britain’s biggest colony of leafcutter ants has self-destructed after chewing through a power cable in its tank.
More than a million of the tropical insects – who can carry 20 times their weight in their jaws – had been living at Butterfly World near St Albans, Hertfordshire.
They were dominated by a giant queen ant, the size of a small mouse, who was protected by an inner circle of soldier ants.
But in recent weeks, some of the ants had started nibbling on a power lead in their glass cabinet, which was linked to a water tank regulating their temperature.

C Tech Corporation has a solution to leaf-cutter ant’s menace.
We, at C Tech Corporation, a viable solution. The solution is named as Combirepel™. We are the sole manufacturers of the productCombirepel™.

Our company believes in the principles of sustainability and eco-balance. We do not want to imbalance the cycle of life; thereforeCombirepel™ can be easily described as insect aversive, used also against all types of insects and which works on the mechanism of repellency. It means that it does not kill the target insects but only repels them, thus balancing the ecology and helping in maintaining the goal of sustainability.

The product available in the form of masterbatch can be incorporated into the polymeric applications like the agricultural films and mulches, tree guards, and other horticultural equipment.

The liquid concentrate can be mixed in paints in a pre-determined ratio and can be applied on the concrete fences around trees.

The product available in the form of lacquer can be applied to the trunks of the trees. The lacquer can be used on already installed polymeric tree guards.

Combirepel™ is thermally stable and does not degrade on exposure to heat and sunlight. It does not kill or harm the insect but repels them. It does not volatilize and does not degrade the soil. It is RoHS, RoHS2, ISO, REACH, APVMA, NEA compliant and FIFRA exempted.

Contact us at  technical.marketing@ctechcorporation.com to keep the pests away.

Also, visit our websites:
http://www.ctechcorporation.com/
http://www.rodrepel.com/
http://www.termirepel.com/
http://www.combirepel.com/

Follow our Facebook pages at:
1] https://www.facebook.com/Combirepel-411710912249274/
2] https://www.facebook.com/Termirepel-104225413091251/
3] https://www.facebook.com/Rodrepel-120734974768048/

Follow us on our Twitter pages at:
1] https://twitter.com/rodrepel
2] https://twitter.com/termirepel
3] https://twitter.com/combirepel