Bayer launches fire ant prevention campaign

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Bayer Environmental Science, a division of Bayer CropScience LP, has launched 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."

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 company said.

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.

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 two bags of TopChoice, receive one bag of TopChoice free
•    Option 2: Buy four bags of TopChoice + Fertilizer, receive one 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.”