Distance®/Esteem®

distance esteemAdvantages:

  • Low toxicity IGR
  • Duration of control
  • Labeled for pasture and rangeland (Esteem only)

Disadvantages:

  • Slow to work, 6-8 weeks, but may be faster than other IGRs
  • Requires low-volume spreader

Active Ingredient: 0.5% pyriproxyfen (an insect growth regulator, IGR)

Similar Products: other slow-acting products (Extinguish®, etc.)

Application Rate, Broadcast: 1.5 pounds per acre

Speed of Control: Slow, 2 – 6 months, depending on season of application

Duration of Control: 3 – 12 months after maximum control; varies with reinvasion pressure; one application per year is usually sufficient

Approximate product cost: $10 – $12 per pound (in 25 lb bags and 2.5 lb containers)

Best used for:  Application to large areas where slow control is acceptable and cost is a factor.

Best season for application: Spring or summer. Fall applications will likely take until the following spring to reach maximum suppression.

Sources: Commercial pest control suppliers (Distance®), Farm Chemical suppliers (Esteem®)

Toxicity: Extremely low

Agricultural Uses: Esteem® is labeled for pasture where animals used for food or feed graze and hay fields.  Esteem ®may also be used in some vegetable and orchard crops.  Refer to label for specifics.

Mixing with other products: None labeled, but test results indicate that Distance®/Esteem® can be mixed 50:50 with Amdro and applied at 1.5 lbs/acre total for faster control.

General Comments: Distance® and Esteem® are very reliable products that are offer the longer duration of control of an IGR product. Of the IGR products, pyriproxyfen is somewhat faster due to inhibition of larval development. Test results indicate that this product can be applied in skipped swaths for a 50% savings in material and labor with little reduction in effectiveness.

Manufacturer: Valent USA

Web site:

DISCLAIMER

This site is intended to cover only broadcast-applied fire ant control products and slow acting fipronil containing granular products. Literally dozens of products are available as individual mound treatments. Contact your local Extension Agent or return to https://fireant.tamu.edu for more information on individual mound treatments.

Because of the constantly changing availability of fire ant insecticides, it is virtually impossible to include every product on the market. Mention of a product on this site does not imply an endorsement by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, the Southern Region IPM Center or any cooperating state. Lack of mention does not imply that the product is not an effective fire ant control product.

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