Magazine: Fighting pests at the highest level

Insecticide and insect repellent sales grew only a little in 2015 if compared with the previous year. The market is rather complex, it can be categorised according to insect types (flying and crawling insects) or product use type (electronic or aerosol products, traps, etc). We buy most of our insecticide and insect repellent products in hypermarkets and drugstores, but at the same time discount stores are also becoming more important in selling these products. Consumer habits don’t really change when it comes to buying insecticides and insect repellents. If a product works well, consumers don’t like to switch to another one – even more so because there are no big differences in price. The market is seasonal as the number of insects (e.g. mosquitoes) depends on the weather, on the temperature and on how much rain falls.

Despite the fact that last year these conditions weren’t good for the proliferation of pests, Bábolna Bio – the market leader in the aerosol and trap categories – realised record sales in insect and rodent control products. The main focus of the company’s innovation activity is on manufacturing products which are simple and safe to use. For instance all products in the BioStop® range are free from pesticides and put no unnecessary burden on the environment. Gergely Bajomi, sales manager of Bábolna Bio Kft. told our magazine that this year they would put a new rodent control product on the market: a world patent that is going to be unlike any product marketed in the last 20 years.

In the summer season electronic products and products applied to the skin are the most popular. Henkel’s VAPE brand is the strongest in these segments and according to Anna Bellér, brand manager of Henkel Magyarország Kft., 2016 will be a turning point for VAPE – the first season as a Henkel product line, with one or two new products put on the market. VAPE products offer protection basically against all kinds of insects, also taking care of the special needs of children and consumers with sensitive skin. Last year’s new products, Vape Derm & Dress ‘invisible’ aerosol products applied to skin and clothes were very successful.

Traditional aerosol products (mainly in 300ml and 400ml size) still constitute the biggest segment. This segment keeps expanding as it offers an ‘instant’ solution against pests. This year Bábolna Bio launches a new insecticide aerosol product called PROTECT® Barrier, which can be used both inside and outside on the edges of doors and windows and on the sides of terraces and balconies.

This year Caola’s Rovatoxx brand (insecticide powder and fly and mosquito repellent aerosol – 200ml and 400ml) comes out with the 200ml Rovatoxx Bee Repellent aerosol product. Adél Farkas, marketing coordinator of Caola Zrt. informed our magazine that they are present in the insect repellent market with their Biorep brand. In addition to this Biorep mosquito and tick repellent aerosol products are now available in pharmacies, by this reaching a new group of consumers. These products are easy to use and they offer long-lasting protection even to those consumers who have sensitive skin. Citrus-scented Biorep’s picaridin content ensures that it doesn’t stick and leaves no trace on the user’s clothes; it is available in 150ml and 100ml versions.