Two leading pest control companies have joined forces in a bid to create pesticide free technologies.

UK based Exosect has signed a joint product development agreement with Biological Control Products from South Africa to develop its powder technologies Entostat and Entomag for the delivery of BCP’s bio-control agents, such as Green Muscle.

John Chandler, md of Exosect said: “This is an exciting development as we seek additional uses for our unique delivery systems, in this case with an emphasis on non-pesticidal insect control.

“These applications are equally valid for organic growers and others who want to reduce their dependency on insecticides.”

BCP md, Dr Diane Neethling, added: “In Africa we have particularly large scale problems with swarms of insect pests, the most prominent of which is the locust.

“The combination of the natural locusticidal effects of our Green Muscle biological agent with the cross contaminating effect of the Exosect electrostatic wax powder carrier system will lead to an advance technique for controlling locust populations.”

The two companies are now seeking partners for large-scale field demonstrations.