ECOTROL®'s Deadly Bite Proves to Growers That It's No Snake Oil

Efficacy of patented, environmentally friendly insecticide/miticide exceeds expectations of Wilbur Ellis pest control advisers in California

FRANKLIN, TN (Sept. 12, 2005) — Fred Valov, a Wilbur Ellis pest control adviser (PCA) covering southern Tulare and Kern counties in CA, likens the success of using ECOTROL insecticide/miticide on mites to hitting a home run when you’re hoping at best to hit a single. With 24 years’ experience as a PCA, Valov says he’s seen a lot of “snake oil” promoted, but this is the first time he’s been genuinely astonished by the efficacy of a non-conventional miticide. ECOTROL, developed by EcoSMART Technologies, is based on a unique blend of patented plant essential oils that attack the octopamine neuroreceptors found only in certain invertebrates such as insects and mites.

During the 2005 growing season, Valov treated a total of 345 acres with ECOTROL, but his introduction to the product was serendipitous. Having never used ECOTROL, he cautiously recommended it to the owners of Murray Family Farms in Arvin, CA, as the best product with zero days to harvest. “We needed something that was fast acting, had a zero re-entry interval and no pre- and post-harvest intervals because we were treating a mite infestation on a five-acre plot of mixed fruit trees that were ready to pick,” said Valov. At the same time, he treated five-acre plots on either side of the ECOTROL treatment with conventional — and more expensive — miticides.

“The ECOTROL results were incredible,” Valov continued, noting that while there was little discernible difference between the three plots to start with, after 13 days there was a marked increase in the resurgence of beneficial insects and predatory mites, and a real abundance of them compared with the conventionally treated plots.

So impressed was Valov that when he was called in to advise on a severe mite infestation at Tesch Farms in Mettler Ranch, CA, he didn’t hesitate to recommend ECOTROL. “The mites were so bad, there was extreme webbing and leaf defoliation in the fruit trees. To my surprise, not only did ECOTROL knock down the mites, but after two and a half weeks the pest mortality was still continuing and the beneficials were becoming established,” he explained. “My recommendation would be to apply ECOTROL by ground to get adequate coverage and to spray by air when ground rigs can’t be used.”

ECOTROL offers broad-spectrum control against a range of pests, including but not limited to mites, aphids, whiteflies and thrips. It can be applied by ground or air to agricultural crops including vegetables and cole, herbs and spices, citrus, pome and stone fruits, nuts, berries, fruits and grapes. It is an ideal product for effective integrated pest management and resistance management programs, and has extensive university and grower field-testing.

“ECOTROL’s success doesn’t come as a surprise,” said Ramon Georgis, Ph.D., vice president of EcoSmart’s agricultural division. “Years of formulation development and field efficacy research with universities and growers have enabled us to introduce a product to the conventional and organic market that is reliable, cost-effective, predictable and safe to the environment,” he said.

Unlike other oil-based products that have to cover the entire body of mites and insects to produce acceptable control, ECOTROL’s advanced formulation and unique mode of action is far more reliable. Contact with just a few droplets of the active ingredient achieves control.

“The bottom line is simple,” Valov noted. “If a product doesn’t work, it’s no good. We’re pretty gun-shy when it comes to the ‘latest’ new product, but ECOTROL has proved to me, my growers and other PCAs at Wilbur Ellis that it works really well. Not only that, it’s price-efficient, it’s environmentally friendly, it’s organic, and it’s easy to use. I’m actually excited to see what else I can use it on!” he added.

Valov plans to use ECOTROL extensively in 2006 to control insects and mites. Growers and PCAs who would like to learn more about his success and recommendations can contact Fred Valov directly at Wilbur Ellis by calling (661) 849-2675. EcoSMART Crop Protection™ products offer environmentally sound solutions for the agricultural market. For product information, contact EcoSMART Technologies at (800) 723-3391.


About EcoSmart Technologies
EcoSMART Technologies is a world leader in proprietary pesticide products derived from natural plant oils. The active ingredients in EcoSMART’s products are unique, synergistic blends of essential oils, many of which are classified GRAS (generally recognized as safe) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and approved as direct food additives. EcoSMART Technologies is the first company to economically enable a realistic shift from synthetic to botanical pesticides in the residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural markets. For more information, visit www.ecosmart.com or call (877) 667-0006.



ECOTROL Fast Facts

• ECOTROL is a concentrated blend of plant essential oils that attacks the octopamine neuroreceptors found only in certain invertebrates such as insects and mites. Octopamine is a neurotransmitter that regulates movement, heart rate, behavior and metabolism. ECOTROL blocks these neuroreceptors that lead to toxicity, knockdown and death.
• Fast acting, broad spectrum, contact insecticide/miticide registered in most states for use in various crops including vegetables, nuts, stones, pomes, berries, grapes, citrus, corn and soybeans.
• Cost-effective. In university and growers’ field tests, ECOTROL provided equivalent results to standard chemical pesticides such as Acramite®, AgriMek®, Applaud® and Provado®.
• Effective against larvae and nymphs, with activity against adults and eggs of certain pest species.
• Zero restricted entry level — can enter field as soon as spray has dried.
• Zero pre-harvest interval.
• Zero post-harvest interval.
• Extensive university and grower field testing.
• Ideal for use against pests that are resistant to pyrethroids and organophosphates.
• OMRI listed and USDA National Organic Program compliant.
• Minimum-risk pesticide.

For more information contact:
Sarah Eykyn
The Fresh Ideas Group
(205) 344-6443
sarah@freshideasgroup.com