Q: Why is use of PCT Surefire Buffalo restricted?
A: The active ingredient Bromoxynil was reclassified in February 2025, from a Schedule 6 (‘Poison’)to a Schedule 7 poison (‘Dangerous Poison’) if the product contains more than 1% Bomoxynil. TheAPVMA cites ‘adverse effects in humans including death’ as a factor, but also states that Bromoxynilis a safe and effective herbicide ingredient if used according to new label instructions. A validChemCert is required to purchase it and stores have to keep it in secure storage.
Q: What is different about PCTs fast moving Multi Turf?
A: The new triple active herbicide from PCT called Surefire Multi Turf is a safe option for mostcommon lawn grass types, particularly in view of the restrictions in sale of the popular SurefireBuffalo and the risk of damage to Buffalo/Sir Walter and Kikuyu lawns from PGR Group 4 herbicides.One of the active ingredients Diflufenican, has residual and pre-emergent activity, which gives goodmanagement of weed germination from seed banks in the soil. The other two actives are growthregulators, MCPA and Clopyralid.
Q: My elm trees have boring beetles in it. Is there any way of controlling them?
A: Ornamental trees like elms, poplars and Eucalypts are attacked by several insects. The elm leafbeetle can defoliate an elm tree in a week while the Elm stem borer larvae feed in galleries underbark of several species, damaging trunks and spreading harmful fungi. Using Spectrum 200insecticide will take care of these pests – follow label instructions and spray on leaves and also applyon the soil around the drip lines of trees. The active ingredient Imidacloprid is absorbed throughboth leaves and roots and is systemic, meaning that it is distributed throughout the plant, to partsthat are being attacked.
Q: What’s a safe product to control insects like flies, ants and roaches indoors?
A: There are a few products in the PCT range that are permitted for indoor use, including foodprocessing and prep areas, offices. schools, storerooms, hospitals etc. Surefire Insectigone and Blitzare effective to control a range of indoor pests, from ground-based pests like ants, cockroaches,bugs and beetles to flying insects like houseflies, fleas and mosquitoes. Even carpets and absorbentsurfaces can be treated with Insectigone and Blitz to get rid of carpet beetles and pests like ticks andmites that may originate from pets.
Q: What can do to protect my fruit trees from Fruit Flies?
A: Surefire Trepidex is one of the few insecticides which has label inclusion for the control of fruitflies such as the Queensland Fruit Fly. The active ingredient Trichlorfon is effective to protect fruittrees such as Apples, Pears, Nectarines, Citrus, Guava, Strawberries, Blueberries from fruit flydamage.
Q: I have a chook pen but have a problem with flies and maggots in the litter. Anything to manage this?
A: Surefire Trepidex will control flies and maggots in the litter and the surrounding area. It can alsobe used around cattle pens, dairies, stables and piggeries. Just mix with water and spray – checklabel for specific mixing rates.
Q: My dog has chewed on rat bait. What should I do?
A: The safest action is to take the dog to a vet, immediately. It’s hard to know how much bait wasconsumed or whether the active ingredient has been absorbed. Rat bait ingredients stop blood fromclotting, therefore the risk of bleeding, either internally or from external wounds is always a factor.While rarely fatal, only a vet will be able to make an assessment of harm.
Q: Leaves on my rose bush have neatly cut patterns on them. What’s causing this and what can Ispray to control this?
A: This type of almost precise cutting is not the work of a nasty leaf eating caterpillar or beetle pest.It is the work of the Leaf-cutter Bee, a solitary hairy bee, about the size of the common honey bee.The Leaf-cutter Bee does not eat the leaf – instead, it rolls up the cut portions like a cigar, fills it withpollen and food for the larva and uses this as a nest for its young. It may be annoying but isconsidered a ‘beneficial insect’ as it is a ‘super pollinator’. Damage is rarely extensive and usuallyoccurs only in late spring to early summer. If severe, a net can be used to protect plants, but use ofinsecticides to kill them may be considered ecocide!
Q: I have this product with what appears to have a use by date of 25/11/22, question is would it be still effective at this stage?
A: PCT products have a shelf life of 2 years from the date of manufacture. Thereafter, efficacy cannotbe guaranteed without retesting. You may consider taking it back to the store of purchase, somestores may replace the product. Issues such as this are becoming increasing common, especially withon-line sales, where price offsets may attract users looking for a bargain.
Q: How do I control Winter Grass in a lawn?
A: Selective herbicides that can differentiate between different grasses in a lawn is a tough problem.However, we do have a product called Surefire Propyzamide to control summer and winter grass,rye grass, blue grass, barnyard grass and bent grass in Couch and Buffalo turf/lawns.