Indianapolis, IN - April 18, 2006

April 22 marks the annual celebration of Earth Day, when citizens of the world are encouraged to reflect on the environment and their role in ensuring its progress at the local and global levels.

April also is the time of year when billions of reproductive subterranean termites “swarm,” taking flight from their colonies in search of new homes. Termites break down dead trees and other wood materials that would otherwise accumulate,¹ and are beneficial to the environment – except when the wood they are devouring is a homeowner’s largest investment – their home.

Each year, termites cause $5 billion in property damage nationwide,² damage that is rarely covered by homeowners’ insurance. Nationally, more than one in three homes has had a termite problem, but many homeowners don’t protect their homes from likely invasions. In fact, 60 percent of homeowners have never had a preventive termite treatment at their current homes.

For many years the only method for controlling termites involved intrusive liquid chemical treatments. A single liquid chemical treatment may require the injection of hundreds of gallons of liquid chemical mixture into the soil in an attempt to create a barrier around a house. However, a small break of just 1/64 of an inch in that barrier can allow termites access.

“We learned through market research that when homeowners consider termite treatment options, they indicate a high level of concern about the use of chemicals in and around their home and the environmental implications. They also list the well-being of children and pets as a top concern,”³ said John Kalthoff, marketing manager for the Sentricon^® Termite Colony Elimination System.

The Sentricon System is the only termite treatment to receive the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award, one of the United States government’s top environmental honors. This award, presented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on behalf of the president, recognizes technical innovation that incorporates the principles of “green” chemistry into chemical design, manufacture and use.

If subterranean termites are attacking a home, many homeowners choose the Sentricon System to protect their homes. Homeowners prefer the Sentricon System over other options, such as liquid chemical treatments and other termite baiting products, and rate it as the most environmentally sound termite treatment.⁴ The Sentricon System uses just grams of active ingredient when and where needed, which is inserted in Sentricon stations placed discreetly around the perimeter of the home. Liquid chemical treatments may require digging and trenching around the foundation of the home, disrupting landscaping in order to apply the liquid chemical.

In addition to the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award, the premier bait used in the Sentricon System was the first termite treatment active ingredient accepted for registration under the EPA’s Reduced Risk Pesticide Initiative, based upon its low impact on human health, low toxicity to non-target organisms (birds, fish and plants), and low potential for groundwater contamination, when compared to other commercially available termite treatment options.

Homeowners can visit www.TermiteRisk.com to learn more about the threat of termites in their area, take a risk assessment quiz to determine if their property is at risk for termite damage, and contact an authorized pest control company who can provide information regarding the proven colony elimination⁵ of the Sentricon System.

Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a top tier agricultural company providing innovative crop protection, seeds and biotechnology solutions to serve the world’s growing population. A wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, global sales for Dow AgroSciences are $3.4 billion.

Research and fact sources:
¹http://insects.tamu.edu/extension/bulletins/b-6080.html
²National Pest Management Association
³Jefferson Davis & Associates 2003. Mean ratings from 456 customers of the Sentricon System regarding component importance when considering termite treatment options; on a 10-point scale (10 being most important), use of chemicals in and around the home ranked 8.94; well-being of children and pets ranked 9.51. Environmental implications identified as critically important include the well-being of children and pets, drilling and trenching, and the use of chemicals in and around the house.
⁴2004 Ipsos-Insight; survey of 3,952 single-family households in select high-termite-pressure markets across the U.S. Homeowners asked to select which brand/brands (from a list of eight leading treatment options) is/are best described by 12 separate statements. Responses indicate the Sentricon System is the most preferred termite control procedure and exhibits the most environmental responsibility.
⁵As shown by 30 independent university studies and 45 published scientific articles.

Always read and follow label directions.

For Editorial Information:

Lisa Frymark
Bader Rutter & Associates
262-938-5467