Insecticide Safari received SLN label against EAB in New York

Safari® 20 SG Insecticide (active ingredient: dinotefuran) has received a Special Local Need (SLN) label in New York for use against a highly devastating, invasive insect currently attacking ash trees throughout the Midwest and Northeast U.S.: the emerald ash borer (EAB). Safari 20 SG is a highly-systemic neonicotinoid that is also labeled in New York for control of greenhouse pests and as a basal trunk spray for control of hemlock woolly adelgid in outdoor landscapes.

Under the SLN label, Safari 20 SG may be applied as a low-pressure basal trunk spray to ash trees growing in ornamentals landscapes and forested areas in New York.

"We are in the beginning stages with EAB in New York. Less than 1 percent of New York’s forests are infested with EAB at this time. It is therefore very important to educate people on how to manage EAB and limit its impact. Pesticides are definitely an option to consider in certain situations. It’s important to have access to Safari [20 SG] because it gives people another option to control EAB. With the basal trunk spray application, you can treat a lot of trees very quickly. Safari [20 SG] is a valuable option because it’s unique and you can treat far more trees in the same amount of time as you can with trunk-injected products. Safari [20 SG] is a valuable complement to the pesticides currently available in New York.” said Mark C. Whitmore, a forest entomologist from Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University.

"When used as a basal trunk spray, Safari 20 SG provides tree care specialists and lawn care operators with a convenient and cost-effective alternative to trunk-injected products. The Safari 20 SG basal trunk spray is non-invasive and allows applicators to treat ash trees more efficiently than with trunk injection, saving valuable time and limiting labor costs. Due to its unique chemical properties, Safari 20 SG is taken up more quickly by ash trees compared to less systemic products and also reaches higher concentrations. These properties mean that Safari 20 SG can be applied later in the season compared to less systemic products, which is also important when treating trees that are already infested and showing signs of stress. University research has demonstrated that Safari 20 SG can protect ash trees from EAB, and the Coalition for Urban Ash Tree Conservation endorses the use of insecticides as part of an integrated approach to EAB management.” said Dr. Joe Chamberlin, regional field development manager from Valent Professional Products.