CSI: Fuse Cockroach Gel Bait

IMAGE: CSI

Control Solutions Inc. (CSI), a leader in innovative pest management solutions, introduces Fuse Cockroach Gel Bait, the latest addition to CSI’s Bait Solutions line. This proprietary, combination gel bait is truly a killer combination with two active ingredients, abamectin and fipronil.

Fuse Cockroach Gel Bait is highly attractive and palatable to cockroaches and retains moisture with limited dripping in high heat climates, like commercial kitchens. This bait matrix has undergone rigorous scientific testing at major university and third-party laboratories.

The all-in-one combination of fipronil and abamectin active ingredients in Fuse Cockroach Gel Bait combats bait-averse cockroaches and can provide excellent control against even the most difficult infestations. It is designed to work on heavy infestations, cockroach cleanouts, and for long-term maintenance with extended control.

This bait is also a good resistance management tool for pest management professionals (PMPs) looking for a new and effective gel bait option. Research has shown there is little resistance to abamectin in cockroach populations (Lee et. al, 2022), so you get the added benefit of resistance management with the powerful action of fipronil.

You can focus your Fuse Cockroach Gel Bait applications in areas of presumed and current cockroach activity. Common hotspots include cracks and crevices around pipes, faucets, inside cabinets, and behind and underneath appliances. Apply the gel bait in small round spots or in a thin bead (line). For easy application underneath items and appliances, a bead of bait can be placed on a piece of wax paper and slid underneath hard-to-reach areas. The amount of bait applied can be adjusted depending on the level of infestation and the goal for the service (cockroach cleanouts or maintenance).

Fuse Cockroach Gel Bait is highly effective against both small and large cockroaches, as well as stored product pests. This bait starts killing cockroaches and reducing populations within the first day of application and provides continued control up to six months. It also kills cockroaches by both ingestion and contact, so you can kill the cockroaches you see — and the ones you don’t.

About Control Solutions Inc.

Control Solutions Inc. (CSI) is an American manufacturer dedicated to developing innovative, effective and sustainable solutions for pest management professionals. With a long-standing tradition of delivering proven solutions, CSI continues to expand its ever-growing portfolio of innovative products — providing the performance and value its customers rely on in the pest control industry.

CSI-Pest.com

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Sacramento CA

PMP case study: Mealworm cases that weren’t stored product pests

Mealworms are the larvae of yellow mealworm beetles (Tenebrio molitor), a darkling beetle species. They are generally categorized as stored product pests. However, a PMP must always be prepared for the unconventional. Here are two situations where I encountered these insects far outside their expected habitat.

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Key takeaways

• Look to the exterior: For an inexplicable indoor pest problem, you must always go to the exterior to inspect for invading perimeter pests.
• The power of questioning: Never stop asking questions until you start getting answers that make sense and reveal an unconventional root cause, such as infested fill dirt.
• Be prepared for behavior: Do not jump to the conclusion that a pest problem is what you came to treat; it just might be a behavioral “people problem.”

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From left are the adult, pupal and larval stages of Tenebrio molitor.
IMAGE: GettyImages / Tomasz Klejdysz

Case study 1: Perimeter invasion from infested soil

After finishing a training session with a local pest management firm on Long Island, N.Y., I was informed by a supervisor about a residential account having a persistent problem with mealworms crawling in the basement, first and second floors and attic. The lady of the house was ready to sell just to get away from the mealworms.

The investigation and root cause

The house was newly built in a new development of private homes and no other homes in the area had this issue. An exterior inspection revealed hundreds of mealworms crawling around the back perimeter and up the exterior wall. Poking around in the soil, I found hundreds more very active mealworms.

After asking a few more questions, the answer became clear: to level the land at this specific site, the builder had hauled in truckloads of soil. Wherever the soil was taken from, it was heavily infested with mealworms.

The two-month solution

Our multi-faceted control strategy focused on elimination and prevention:

1. Chemical control: We applied a perimeter residual around the structure and as far out as the label allowed.
2. Exterior trapping: We placed polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes—4 feet long, 3 inches in diameter and open on both ends—along the back and sides adjacent to the house. We then placed long paper glue boards inside each PVC pipe.
3. Exclusion: We pest-proofed all the exterior doors and windows leading into the basement.
4. Interior cleanout: Indoors, the initial mealworms were vacuumed and we placed glue boards in each room.

For the next two weeks, the glue boards kept catching mealworms and were replaced as needed. It took about two months until no more mealworms appeared inside the structure.

Case study 2: When the pest problem is people

I was called in because mealworms were appearing in a child’s bedding and his mother was very upset.

The immediate concern was to find the source. However, the solution in this case was not biological, but behavioral: The child was seeking attention. He would buy live mealworms from a pet shop, dump them on his bed and then call his mother for help. In his closet, we found the containers of the mealworms he had purchased.

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In summary

These two cases highlight three essential lessons for every PMP:

1. Always go to the exterior to inspect for invading perimeter pests, even if the problem is reported indoors.
2. Ask questions until you start getting answers that make sense and reveal the true source.
3. Do not jump to conclusions. Be prepared for unusual circumstances or the possibility that the “pest problem” is actually a “people problem.” And last but not least, never turn down an interesting job even if you are tired at the end of the day—the unique cases teach the most.

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/pmp-case-study-mealworm-cases-that-werent-stored-product-pests/
Sacramento CA

Atticus: Battle-Tested Chemistry

IMAGE: ATTICUS

Established in 2014, Atticus is a demand-driven manufacturer of battle-tested chemistries with a clear purpose: to Enhance Daily Life. Through its Professional Pest Management & Vector Control portfolio, Atticus delivers trusted active ingredients for consistent, reliable performance across diverse environments.

Key, trademarked products include Tirade Ultra SC (beta-cyfluthrin 11.8 percent), Adjourn SC (deltamethrin 4.75 percent), and Turonyx Ultra FX (beta-cyfluthrin 10.5 percent and imidacloprid 21 percent).

With these products and more, Atticus empowers pest management professionals with dependable, cost-effective tools to safeguard public health, property, and peace of mind.

AtticusLLC.com

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/atticus-battle-tested-chemistry/
Sacramento CA

Rodent control insights from 9 industry leaders

Successful rodent management is essential not only to structural integrity but also to human health and safety, given that commensal rodents have the ability to spread more than 35 diseases and cause damage to our structures and resources. To remain successful amid evolving regulatory pressures and increasingly resilient pests, PMPs must move beyond routine treatment and embrace a holistic, adaptive strategy.

Experts from across the industry contributed their essential tips and insights on everything from advanced identification and inspection to behavioral control and exclusion techniques.

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Key takeaways

• Look up and out: Avoid complacency by closely inspecting often-overlooked access points like fascia, gutter lines, dormers and roof/gable vents.
• Decipher field signs: Targeted inspections rely on correctly interpreting the texture and color of rub marks and sebum trails to determine if activity is current (greasy) or old (dry).
• Control behavior: Use non-chemical tactics, such as all-natural repellents, to influence where rodents stay and guide them away from high-traffic customer areas.
• Invest in quality IPM: There is no “standard rodent case” or silver bullet; success requires a full integrated pest management (IPM) strategy adapted to the unique situation, including proper species identification and customer education.

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Dr. Joe Argentine

BASF

1. Know your non-commensal rodents

“Rodent control usually focuses on the three main commensal species. However, other rodent species can also be a serious problem. For instance, there are several species of cotton rats, with the hispid cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus) being the most common in America, ranging from Arizona to Florida and Nebraska to Mexico.

Weighing up to 8 ounces, cotton rats can be distinguished from Rattus species by their grizzled fur and a shorter, ringed tail. Their preferred habitat is dense grassland with some shrub overstory. For this reason, it is important to keep grass and weeds mowed around all buildings, including outer buildings such as sheds.

Cotton rats can carry hantavirus, so in areas potentially contaminated with the virus, it is vital to keep these rats away from buildings. If hantavirus is possibly present, proper personal protective equipment (PPE) — including gloves, respirators and eye protection — is critical when cleaning up infested areas.”

Andrew Fisher, BCE, PHE

Neogen

2. Interpreting sebum rails and rub marks

“Understanding rodent behavior is key to effective control and one of the most revealing aspects lies in the physical traces they leave behind. Rodents frequently travel along the same pathways, depositing distinct field signs.

Among the most reliable indicators are rub marks and sebum trails. These markings form when the oils and dirt from rodent fur repeatedly contact surfaces during movement. On light-colored substrates, they appear as dark, greasy smears; on darker materials, they may present as a subtle sheen visible under angled light.

The thickness, darkness and freshness of rub marks can indicate whether the activity is current or old. Fresh trails often feel greasy to the touch, whereas older ones are dry and faded. Correctly interpreting these signs helps direct trap placement and exclusion work to the most active zones, increasing control efficacy.”

Jon Paulsen

Liphatech

3. Inspecting the overlooked access points

“Even experienced PMPs familiar with Norway (Rattus norvegicus) and roof rats (R. rattus) can become complacent and overlook critical components of rodent access. For instance, fascia, gutter lines and dormers should be closely inspected whenever possible. Vent openings are too often overlooked.

It’s also a good idea to inspect the ridgeline, roof and gable vents for gnaw marks or sebum stains and check whether interior screening is intact. Sometimes, unsecured edges act as a flap to allow rodent entry without a visible hole. Soffit vents also can be problematic in homes when aerial cables or vegetation provide a means of access.”

Andrej Blanc

PelGar

4. Building your exclusion arsenal

“With the added pressure on rodenticide regulations, PMPs need to have a well-rounded rodent control program. In your rodent toolbox, you should have all the required basic exclusion tools at your disposal, including:

• Stainless steel fabric
• Door seals
• Expandable foams labeled for the pest control industry
• Copper mesh
• Hardware cloth
• Barrier paste compounds for small cracks, joints and seams

Understand how rodents enter each specific account and what they are searching for (food vs. shelter) to optimize how and where to exclude and treat. By having an effective exclusion program, you can increase the effectiveness of your baiting, trapping and monitoring efforts.”

Anna Iversen, BCE

Pelsis

5. Leveraging video and non-chemical tools

“As an industry, it’s easy to feel uneasy about shrinking rodenticide options. But it’s worth remembering the many tools we still have for rodent management beyond rodenticides. From mechanical traps and monitoring blocks to repellents and exclusion methods, new alternatives continue to emerge.

One underused option, borrowed from wildlife management, is the use of trail cameras or other video tools. Such devices let us step into the rodent’s environment, revealing travel routes, food preferences and behaviors we might otherwise miss. With that inside knowledge, we can strategize accordingly, improving results without relying solely on chemical options.”

Gregg Schumaker

Wildlife Control Supplies

6. Precision baiting and trap activation

“Rodent control success depends on precise trap placement and advanced baiting strategies.

• Concentrate efforts in high-activity zones such as wall voids, corners, utility chases and warm mechanical spaces where rodents naturally travel and nest.
• Implement pre-baiting and bait rotation to overcome neophobia and maintain lure effectiveness.
• Avoid peanut butter, as it can cause allergies, lacks a professional appearance and is frequently avoided by conditioned rodents.
• To improve trigger efficiency, apply bait to a cotton string and tie it to the trap’s mechanism. This forces the rodent to exert pressure, ensuring consistent activation.”

Susan Masciarelli

Web-Cote Industries

7. Blending glue traps with the environment

“Blend, don’t stand out. When placing glue traps, one simple but effective strategy is to match the trap color as closely as possible to the surface it’s on. Even though mice are color-blind, they can still perceive differences in brightness and contrast.

Anything that looks noticeably different from the surrounding floor or wall can trigger avoidance behavior. By blending the trap with the existing floor color — whether that’s concrete gray, tan, or another tone — you reduce visual cues that signal “something’s changed,” so the rodent continues on its normal route right across it.”

Greg Pettis, CE

Nature-Cide

8. “Herding into the kill zone” strategy

“A new tactic is emerging in the battle against rampant rodents: the “Herding into the Kill Zone” strategy. This approach focuses on shutting down mice and rats in critical areas such as residential living spaces and commercial production zones.

By leveraging repellents — a fast-growing protocol in modern pest control — we can influence where rodents stay and where they go, ultimately guiding them to their demise. The strategy uses all-natural repellents to keep rodents out of sight from customers, while directing them into controlled zones where trapping or baiting tools are in place.”

Isabelle Lucero

J.T. Eaton

9. Three pillars of successful IPM

“Successful rodent management is essential to human health and safety, so here are three things to keep in mind:

1. Don’t rely on “usually.” There is no standard rodent case; each situation is unique. Just as a roof rat can sometimes live in underground tunnels, a Norway rat also can live in trees or in attics. This also means there is no silver bullet for every situation.
2. Use an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy. A good rodent control program incorporates IPM decision-making, beginning with inspection and species identification, followed by treatment using a combination of multiple methods for rodent management that are determined based on each unique situation. Finish by educating the customer.
3. Know the regulations for your area. As certain states begin enforcing new regulations on rodenticides and even glue traps, it is important that you keep up with these changes so you do not incur hefty fines.”

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Click here for more cockroach research like this!

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Sacramento CA

How to effectively integrate Bell Laboratories iQ products

Patrick Lynch, ACE, dives into Bell Laboratories’ iQ products and how the company plans to continue smooth integration into several segments.

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Sacramento CA

NCSU study links cockroach infestations to airborne endotoxins

New research from North Carolina State University (NCSU) links residential cockroach infestations to high levels of indoor contaminants. The findings, set to be published in the January 2026 issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: Global, highlight that targeted pest control can significantly improve environmental health.

Key Takeaways

• Direct Correlation: The size of a cockroach infestation directly correlates with the concentration of endotoxins in both settled and airborne dust.
• Kitchens are Hotspots: Endotoxin levels were found to be significantly higher in kitchens than in bedrooms.
• Elimination is Essential: Small decreases in cockroach populations are not enough to lower allergen levels; removing the source entirely is paramount.

The link between infestation and air quality

Conducted in multi-unit apartment complexes in Raleigh, N.C., the research found that the size of an infestation directly correlated with the concentration of endotoxins in settled and airborne dust.

Many of these endotoxins — bacterial components released when bacteria die — were associated with the fecal matter of German cockroaches (Blattella germanica).

Researchers discovered that endotoxin levels were significantly higher in kitchens than in bedrooms. This aligns with the observation that cockroaches are most active where food is abundant. Furthermore, the study noted a physiological difference in contamination contribution: because they eat more, female cockroaches excreted about twice the amount of endotoxins as males.

Targeted treatment proven effective

To measure the impact of professional intervention, infested homes were divided into two groups: those that received pest management treatments and those that did not.

Samples were taken over a six-month period, and the results were conclusive. The homes that received treatment were mostly cockroach-, allergen-, and endotoxin-free.

Expert insight: Why total Control Matters

“This paper shows that the cockroach is the most important depositor of endotoxin in infested homes,” said Dr. Coby Schal, the NCSU Blanton J. Whitmire Distinguished Professor of Entomology and study co-author.

Dr. Schal noted that because these contaminants can be airborne, removing the source is paramount. Crucially, the study found that small decreases in cockroach numbers were not enough to lower allergen levels — total reduction is necessary.

The next step for researchers involves examining whether the co-exposure to both allergens and endotoxins makes asthma worse. For more on this study, visit JACI-global.org.

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/ncsu-cockroach-endotoxin-study-air-quality/
Sacramento CA

VM Products: MagnaFly Mini

IMAGE: VM Products

New from the VM Products Innovation Lab, the trademarked MagnaFly Mini delivers professional fly management in a compact, low-profile design for discreet placement in sensitive environments. Integrated entry ramps optimize fly access and retention efficiency. The unit installs quickly during or after business hours using the included mounting foam, suitable for multiple surface types. Designed for use with a pressurized fly bait spray, it’s ideal for deployment in food service, hospitality, commercial facilities and office spaces. Avoid applying to surfaces susceptible to adhesive damage.

About VM Products

Since 2003, VM Products has been a driving force in the pest management industry. Its team’s dedication extends beyond developing solution-oriented products; they are committed to offering innovative solutions backed by excellent customer service. By actively listening to their customers, the team consistently responds with a focus on exceeding expectations.

In addition to MagnaFly Mini, VM Products offers a wide range of professional pest control solutions, including:

• Flexible private labeling for all company sizes
• MosquitoCon Water Holding Receptacle
• MBS1 Mouse Bait Station
• MBS+ 2 Block – Mouse Bait Station
• EZ Block Bromadiolone All Weather Bait Block
• EZ Kat Multi-catch Station
• EZ Klean Rodent Bait Station
• EZ Secured Rodent Bait Station
• EZ Snap Mouse & EZ Snap Rat
• EZ Conceal Insect Station
• FBS1 Fly Bait Station
• IBS Insect Bait Station

VMProducts.com

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Sacramento CA