"We want to let groundskeepers know that there is a better way to eradicate and prevent fire ant infestations."

Bayer Launches TopChoice Fire Ant Prevention Campaign

Just in time for fire ant season, Bayer Environmental Science, a division of Bayer CropScience LP, announces the launch of its TopChoice® Fire Ant Prevention Campaign to support lawn care and pest management professionals in educating homeowners and groundskeepers about the importance of fire ant prevention.


“At Bayer, we believe that the best way to treat fire ant bites is to prevent fire ants in the first place,” said Cynthia Gigandet, TopChoice product marketing manager at Bayer Environmental Science. “We want to let homeowners and groundskeepers know that there is a better way to eradicate and prevent fire ant infestations. Through our Fire Ant Prevention Campaign, we are giving professionals the tools they need to keep green spaces healthy, while simultaneously growing their fire ant business.”


Healthy Homes


Lawn care and pest management professionals can request a free TopChoice Fire Ant Kit to help spread the word to customers about fire ant control with TopChoice. The toolkit, available at www.backedbybayer.com/topchoice, features promotional door hangers and $15 customer rebate cards, as well as more ideas to help increase treatment sales.


The promotional materials will drive homeowners to www.nofireants.com, which provides information on fire ant control, including how TopChoice works; a schools and parks savings program; a parent tool kit and a homeowner rebate program.


 


Healthy Schools


Bayer Environmental Science also kicks off its TopChoice “Protect Against Fire Ants” program for groundskeepers.


The program is offered to both private and public pre-schools/nursery schools, elementary and secondary school districts, colleges and universities, nursing homes and city, state and national parks and recreation departments for use on their grounds, in Alabama, Arkansas, California (Coachella Valley Only)*, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia   Groundkeepers can choose among the following options based on their fire ant control and turf care needs:

Option 1: Buy 2 bags of TopChoice, receive 1 bag of TopChoice free
Option 2: Buy 4 bags of TopChoice + Fertilizer, receive 1 bag of TopChoice free

The promotion is available through December 31, 2012.


“Bayer realizes that these groundskeepers have zero-tolerance zones when it comes to fire ants, and management programs are critical in protecting our pets and children,” said Gigandet. “We are committed to helping keep recreational areas fire ant free, ensuring healthy green spaces where our children and pets are safe from fire ant stings.”


About TopChoice


TopChoice is a low-dose, non-bait granular insecticide that requires just one annual application by a licensed professional. It provides unsurpassed control of fire ants for up to one year, virtually eliminating existing mounds and preventing new mounds from forming.


TopChoice is also available on fertilizer. TopChoice + Fertilizer reduces fire ant mounds up to twice as fast as TopChoice alone and still controls fire ants for up to one full year.


About Fire Ants


Fire ants, which currently infest more than 325 million acres across the southern U.S., pose a serious and growing public health threat – injuring more than 20 million people each year with their stings. A full-blown colony of fire ants can number up to 500,000 members. Just one colony can have multiple queens capable of laying 1,500 eggs each, per day.


When disturbed, hundreds, sometimes thousands of ants, will attack an intruder, inflicting painful stings that, in the most severe cases, can be life threatening. Studies show that 10 to 15 percent of those stung by fire ants experience severe localized allergic reactions, with one to two percent experiencing dangerous systemic reactions that, in rare cases, result in death.


Fire ants are predominately found in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.


For more information on TopChoice, visit www.backedbybayer.com/TopChoice, your local Bayer authorized distributor, your local Bayer field sales representative or call Bayer customer service at 1-800-331-2867. Always read and follow label instructions.