Gentrol IGRHydroprene Insect Growth Regulators
An insect growth regulator is by definition a juvenile hormone mimic, a material that inhibits the growth or maturity of certain insect pests. An insect growth regulator (IGR) is an important pest management tool because it helps to reduce, eliminate or prevent infestations of targeted pests without the use of conventional contact insecticides, thus reducing or eliminating the need for pesticides in homes, hospitals, restaurants, warehouse or any area where certain pests are not welcome. Hydroprene is an IGR that was first introduced to the pest control industry under the brand name Gencor IGR. Gencor was used to help prevent or control populations of indoor roaches, most commonly used against German cockroaches. Although the name has changed from Gencor to Gentrol, the active ingredient is still Hydroprene. The label for this product has been broadened to include not only roaches (cockroaches) but also many pantry pests, also known as stored product pests. The only stored product pest that does not react well to Hydroprene is the Cigarette Beetle. This particular beetle is affected by Methoprene, another IGR that is widely used in indoor flea control programs. The Methoprene products used by professional pest control operators are sold under the brand name of Precor. When cockroaches are exposed to Gentrol (any form or type) people usually
report seeing crippled, deformed or otherwise odd
looking roaches. These deformities are to be expected. Young
roaches (also called cockroach nymphs) have an exoskeleton or outer shell.
(Mammals have an internal skeleton or bone structure.) As roaches in their
nymphal stage grow, their exoskeleton or outer shell becomes too small to
contain the insect. As they reach the limits of their exoskeleton a new,
flexible exoskeleton forms beneath the old one and the old "shell"
splits open to allow the nymphs to molt. This transition denotes what is
called a different instar or stage of development. The Effects of Gentrol (Hydroprene) on CockroachesThe cockroaches effected by Gentrol look deformed or crippled because they cannot form new exoskeletons and have a difficult time trying to shed themselves of their older, harder and undersized existing exoskeleton. You can often see adult cockroaches whose wings are misshapen or seem to be curling up. These roaches have been exposed to Gentrol and will not survive but for a short period of time. Gentrol is commonly referred to as an insect growth inhibitor, insect growth regulator or IGR. Another term that can be used is "juvenile hormone mimic" because the IGR does just that: it contains a mimic of the targeted pest's juvenile hormone. Once a roach nymph is exposed to Gentrol, it is literally over loaded with a hormone that keeps the insect from maturing or growing up. If the roach (or other targeted pest) cannot mature, it cannot reproduce. Only adult roaches are capable of mating and producing offspring. Another effect of an IGR on cockroaches is an increased appetite. Pest professionals have found that by using an IGR in the same area where roach baits are in use, the roaches will consume more bait than in areas where baits are used without using an IGR. There are three different Gentrol products used by professionals and
homeowners: Gentrol
Concentrate is primarily used in cockroach pest control but is also being
used as an extra tool in the control of drug store
beetles, confused flour beetles, sawtooth
grain beetles and other pantry pests.
One ounce of concentrate per gallon is all that is needed for most jobs.
Gentrol can be used alone and can also be tank mixed with insecticides such
as Cynoff, Demon, Suspend,
Demand and others. Gentrol Point
Source devices resemble bait stations used for roach or ant control but they
do not contain any material that a roach has to locate and eat. The active
ingredient (Hydroprene) is released when the designated spot on the device is
pinched or slightly crushed. The IGR which is released is odorless and
harmless to people and pets. (The active ingredient is not harmful to
mammals, when used as directed but there is a possible choking hazard with the
plastic device.) Gentrol Aerosol is a
crack and crevice product designed to be sprayed into out of the way areas where
cockroaches and stored product pests are known to hide or travel. Another
application of Gentrol Aerosol is for control of drain
flies or other small flies such as Phorid
Flies and Moth Flies that breed in drains.
This Hydroprene product can be sprayed down drains where the larvae of small
flies are feeding. Fly eggs and fly larvae (maggots) exposed to Gentrol
cannot fully develop into mature flies, thus breaking the life cycle of the
population in treated areas. Use Gentrol products to help control, prevent or eliminate drain flies, moth flies, phorid flies, fruit flies, cockroaches (including German Cockroaches) and stored product pests. Disclaimer Hydroprene Cockroaches German Roach Oriental Roach Restaurant Pest Control Flies Pantry Pests Pest Control Supplies Gentrol |