Semios, a supplier of precision pest management tools based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, has received approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for three pheromone products for disruption of codling moth and oriental fruit moth using aerosol dispensers. Pheromones confuse male insects so they are unable to locate females and mate.

The new formula performs well in lower temperatures and emits a drier mist that disperses quickly across an orchard, according to a press release from the company. The aerosol dispenser is part of a network of controllers and sensors that gives growers remote access to conditions in the field at any time.

Semios in-field sensors, which are hung in the trees, monitor the number of pests along with wind and temperature conditions to optimize pheromone deployment. For example, puffs might be metered every 15 minutes for 12 hours a day during the evening and night during the growing season. The remote monitoring and aerosol trigger release are designed to allow growers to deploy the right amount of pheromone only when needed, making it more effective and less costly.

Semios also offers pheromones approved for use in organic production.

For more information, go to www.semios.com.