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MONTVALE, N.J. – In a recent survey conducted by Bayer Environmental Science of its TopChoice-certified lawn care and pest professionals, respondents provided positive feedback on the company’s fire ant product and its effect on their business.
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One of the most impressive statistics reflects on the growing market for fire ant treatments. Seventy-six percent of respondents reported that the number of commercial and residential customers treated for fire ants in 2004 was an increase compared to previous years. “With a growing market for fire ant treatments, lawn care and pest professionals have a prime opportunity to increase revenues for this segment of their business,” commented Bryan Gooch, business manager, insecticides for Bayer Environmental Science.
| CAPTAIN TOPCHOICE VOWS TO PROTECT HUMANS & EDUCATE ABOUT DANGER OF FIRE ANTS | |
MONTVALE, N.J. – Wearing his fire ant-proof body armor, Captain TopChoice made his first public appearance at the March 24 Yankees spring training baseball game in Tampa, Fla. Although initially surprised by the superhero’s presence, fans at the game warmed to the masked crusader’s effort to protect humans from fire ants and educate them about the danger of these evil insects.
Captain TopChoice revealed to curious fans and onlookers that he once worked in the fight against fire ants as a scientist at Bayer Environmental Science. “We knew him as Dutch Davis, a mild-mannered entomologist on our research staff,” commented Bryan Gooch, business manager, insecticides, Bayer Environmental Science. “He approached us several months ago and revealed his secret identity as Captain TopChoice. Of course, we were very skeptical about his claim. But he demonstrated his superpowers for us, and now we’re thrilled to have him on our team.” An official from Bayer’s human resources department said that Davis worked independently at a location in Mobile, Ala. Mobile is widely known as the point of entry into the United States for the red imported fire ant. According to a source in Bayer’s development office, the research by Davis played an integral role in developing the Domino Effect delivery method present in the company’s revolutionary fire ant technology – TopChoice. “The idea dawned on me while monitoring the behavioral interaction of fire ant colonies from my glass-enclosed observatory,” acknowledged the superhero. Captain TopChoice operates from an impenetrable underground lair. A freak accident involving fire ants altered the atomic structure of Davis’ DNA as a young boy. Davis found himself equipped with superhuman abilities in the mold of Spiderman and The Green Lantern. His x-ray vision allows him to see how far and deep fire ant mounds reach. Channeling his powers through a special laser on his wrist, he creates a force field around areas treated with TopChoice to kill existing fire ant mounds and prevent new colonies from forming. His power laser also protects treated areas from reinfestation after drastic weather conditions like hurricanes and heavy rains. Although powerful and long lasting, his laser must be recharged after one full year. Captain TopChoice stated that it was time for him to take a more visible role in the fight against fire ants. The superhero will serve as spokesperson for TopChoice, the company’s preventative fire ant product. “After helping Bayer bring TopChoice to market a few years ago, I knew that my time was nearing. As the product spokesperson for TopChoice, I now have a means of educating humans about the danger of fire ants. And I’ll be representing a product that will let families finally take back their lawns from the army of evil red fire ants that have spread their venom of terror across the southern states of this great country.” Captain TopChoice will also be attending Bayer-sponsored minor league baseball games on the following dates: |
Moreover, 80 percent of respondents indicated that TopChoice represented a new revenue stream for their business. TopChoice differs from other professional-strength fire ant products because it can be applied any time of year, and is said to provides yearlong control with one application. The ability to apply the product as a preventative measure also resonated with business-minded respondents. Seventy-five percent agreed that they can increase revenue with fall applications of TopChoice.
Improved customer satisfaction was also a significant benefit when using TopChoice. The marjority of respondents, 88 percent, experienced higher ratings from customers for fire ants treatments due to the efficacy of TopChoice.
Prior to becoming a certified TopChoice professional, fewer than half of LCOs used a broadcast method or a combination of broadcast and bait. After certification, almost 80 percent of respondents reported most often using a broadcast method or a combination of broadcast and bait.
“These survey results serve as a testimonial to professionals that have yet to incorporate TopChoice into their business,” Gooch expressed. “It also reinforces the decision of customers that have already committed to supporting TopChoice.”
Survey results were based on feedback from written questionnaires completed by 72 TopChoice-certified respondents located across the South. Respondents were asked to answer a variety of questions in regards to their use of TopChoice and their fire ant business.
Results of the survey come at a time of year when fire ant season is hitting full stride. Although present throughout the year, fire ants actively forage for food in the months between April and October. Over 40 million people live in the region known as the “Fire Ant 13:” Arkansas, Alabama, California, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas (and Puerto Rico).
TopChoice takes advantage of the natural behavior of ants. Within the first four to six weeks of a TopChoice application, ants unknowingly come in contact with the product and bring it back to contaminate and eliminate the rest of the mound in what is known as the “Domino Effect.” The product binds to the soil to prevent new colonies from forming. TopChoice is a product of a division of Bayer Environmental Science, a leading manufacturer of pest control technology. TopChoice is a registered trademark of Bayer AG.
This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in our public reports filed with the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.
For more information on TopChoice, visit www.nofireants.com
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