KANSAS CITY, Mo. – PBI/Gordon Corp. has announced the EPA registration of a new label for Atrazol EC Insecticide. Introduced in 2002, Azatrol is a broad-spectrum botanical product for the control of insects on ornamental shrubs, trees and flowers. The new label also includes turf use directions.
The new label gives more precise use instructions and includes sites not on the previous label, reports Dave Fearis. “We really felt like specific turf recommendations needed to be added to the label,” Fearis says. The old label did not prohibit use of the product on turf, but it did not provide adequate rates and application recommendations for turf use. Recommendations also have been added for drench, injection and chemigation applications. Two additional classes of insects have also been added.
Azatrol has a CAUTION signal word due to its extremely low toxicity to mammals, making it an ideal choice for plant protection around schools and hospitals and in interiorscaped areas. “It’s ideal for combining with other bio-rationales,” says Fearis. It also can be combined with conventional products as a part of an integrated pest management (IPM) program.
Azadirachtin, the active ingredient in Azatrol has been proven to act in multiple ways to control insect pests and mites, including anti-feedant, growth regulation, anti-ovipositioning and repellent action. The growth regulation effect of the product prevents maturation; the ovi-positioning activity prevents the laying of eggs on treated plant material. Due to the complex structure of the azadirachtin molecule and its multiple modes of activity, it is virtually impossible for insect resistance to develop, explains Fearis.
The new label and additional information about Azatrol is available on the PBI/Gordon Web site and can be accessed at azatrol.pbigordon.com.