To control activity of a variety of insect species, bakeries and snack manufacturers may turn to methoprene, an insect growth regulator (IGR). Methoprene does not target pests using direct toxicity; instead, the biochemical pesticide interferes with an insect’s life cycle, according to Doug VanGundy, director of specialty products development, Central Life Sciences, Schaumburg, IL.

Central Life Sciences offers Diacon IGR products, in which methoprene is the active ingredient. So, if a facility has a moth problem, Mr. VanGundy explained, it can treat the area with Diacon and larvae would not develop into adults, stopping reproduction before an infestation occurs.

Diacon is generally used in baking facilities to target stored-product pests such as red flour grain beetles, saw-toothed grain beetles, Indian meal moths, etc. Because methoprene has such low toxicity, food processors do not need to concern themselves with its residues, Mr. VanGundy said. Diacon can be used in fogging applications in bakeries to treat equipment that gets built up with flour dust, where stored-product pests could become in issue, he added.

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