New treatment knocks out flour pests

Chemical treatment to replace banned methyl bromide is finally approved for millers

A new fumigant to replace the soon-to-be banned methyl bromide in flour mills has been launched by Dow AgroSciences.

ProFume, or sulphuryl fluoride, is designed to be used as part of an integrated pest control system that allows treatment to be adapted to the level of infestation and individual business requirements.

"If, for example, shut-down time is critical this can be taken into account when calculating the precise dose required to eliminate the pests," said UK product manager Chris Pye.

Recently approved by the Pesticides Safety Directorate, ProFume can be used as a stand alone treatment to target all the major stored product pests, including red flour beetle and Indian meal moth. The product has already been cleared for use in the USA, Italy, and Switzerland.

Mark Braithwaite of fumigation company Igrox, said: "It's a very positive development and one that must come as a great relief to the milling industry."

Contact: Dow AgroSciences, Tel: 0700 3901345