RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, July 8, 2008 – A new research field study by the University of Kentucky indicates that BASF’s Phantom® termiticide-insecticide is effective in controlling bed bugs, confirming results from earlier 2007 University of Kentucky laboratory trials. Although Phantom’s unique mode of action is relatively slow acting on adult bed bugs, recent observations in 2008 laboratory trials revealed that nymphs hatching from Phantom treated eggs are killed within 72 hours. This includes nymphs from both pyrethroid resistant and susceptible bed bug strains. The new results were presented in May at the National Conference on Urban Entomology in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In the previous 2007 lab trials, research graduate student, Alvero Romero, and Professor Kenneth Haynes, tested Phantom on field-collected and laboratory strains of bed bugs. The majority of the field-collected strains were proven to be resistant to pyrethroids, some more than 1000-fold resistant. The results of these 2007 lab trials were presented at the 2007 Pest World convention, indicating that Phantom is lethal to both pyrethroid resistant and susceptible bed bug strains.

With interest peaked by results from the 2007 lab trials, a field trial with Phantom as the main control agent and sole liquid insecticide was initiated by Dr. Michael F. Potter, Extension Professor at the University of Kentucky. The trial was conducted within 15 bed bug-infested apartment units in Cincinnati, Ohio, the same region where some of the highest levels of pyrethroid resistance occurred in the field-collected strains from the lab trials.
At 20 weeks post-treatment, live bed bugs could no longer be found in 12 of the 15 apartments in the field trial. In the three apartments that continued to have bed bugs, treatment was hampered by excessive clutter, lack of preparation and poor tenant cooperation. Currently, there is no industry standard or guaranteed timeframe in which infestations can be eliminated. Results from this field study indicate that Phantom provides excellent control.

“With bed bug populations on the rise and pyrethroid resistance continuing to increase, Phantom will become an integral part of controlling this insect,” said Michael F. Potter. “It was encouraging to see that bed bugs can be reduced to low, often non-detectable levels under the challenging conditions of this study.”

“We are extremely excited about this new research, as bed bugs are an increasingly common problem in the pest management industry, and professionals have been outspoken about the need for effective products,” said Michael Littell, Product Manager for BASF. “Phantom’s unique mode of action and residual properties make it a valuable tool for pest professionals, and these lab and field studies show that Phantom needs to be an integral component of a successful bed bug treatment program.”

Additional Phantom testing is planned for 2008 to expand the knowledge base of Phantom’s impact on bed bug populations and its role in integrated bed bug management. In 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved a label amendment that extended Phantom’s use to control bed bugs.

More information about this University of Kentucky study can be found at http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef636.asp. Learn more about bed bug control using Phantom at the upcoming PCT Bed Bug Seminars: July 29, 2008 in San Francisco, California; August 5, 2008 in Washington, D.C.; and August 12, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia, or visit www.bedbugseminars.com.

With sales of €3,137 million in 2007, BASF’s Crop Protection division is a leader in crop protection and a strong partner to the farming industry providing well-established and innovative fungicides, insecticides and herbicides. Farmers use these products and services to improve crop yields and crop quality. Other uses include public health, structural/urban pest control, turf and ornamental plants, vegetation management, and forestry. BASF aims to turn knowledge rapidly into market success. The vision of BASF’s Crop Protection division is to be the world’s leading innovator, optimizing agricultural production, improving nutrition, and thus enhancing the quality of life for a growing world population. Further information can be found on the web at www.agro.basf.com.

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BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 15,000 employees in North America, and had sales of approximately $16.4 billion in 2007. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.

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