SBIR-STTR Award

The goal of this USDA NIFA SBIR Phase I project is to develop Apex-FLB (Fly Liquid Bait) an inexpensive and highly effective liquid bait matrix to attract and kill stable flies (Stomoxyscalcitrans) in livestock production systems while remaining safe for non-target organisms. The stable fly is one of the most damaging pests afflicting livestock animals in the USA and around the world. The USA as the largest producer of beef (>12 million tons/yr.) and cow milk (>99 million tons/yr.) in the world suffers an estimated annual loss of $402 million in dairy and $2.01 billion in the beef industries in the absence of an effective stable fly control solution. In addition exotic zoo animals wild animals and humans also suffer from stable fly bites extending the scope of the problem and the market opportunity for an effective stable fly control solution. Current methods employed for stable fly management are limited primarily focused on sanitation insecticide treatment and trap deployment. The development of resistance against commonly used chemical insecticides environmental concerns and failure of vacuum fly traps in controlling stable flies has created an urgent need for novel effective and environmentally safe stable fly control technologies. Apex Bait Technologies Inc. will develop a novel blood substitute liquid bait (Apex-FLB) with unique attractants phagostimulants and a chemical insecticide that will ensure the attraction and direct consumption of toxicants by stable flies causing complete mortality and avoiding resistance development. The objective of this Phase I project is to formulate and optimize the efficiency of the liquid bait in semi-field and field trials. In Phase I research we will gather extensive data on the effectiveness of Apex-FLB formulation in stable fly control under diverse environments. The development of Apex-FLB attract and kill liquid baitmatrix will build on recent breakthroughs achieved by Apex Bait Technologies in the development of a blood substitute liquid bait matrix and on decade-long experience in the development and commercialization of bait matrices for urban and veterinary pests.

The overall goal of this USDA NIFA SBIR Phase II project is to innovate optimize and commercialize Apex-FLB (Fly Liquid Bait) developed under Phase I research. Apex-FLB is an inexpensive and highly effective liquid bait that attracts and kills stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) in livestock production systems while remaining safe for non-target organisms. The stable fly is one of the most damaging pests afflicting livestock animals in the United States and around the world. The U.S. is the largest producer of beef (>12 million tons/yr.) and cow milk (>99 million tons/yr.) in the world and therefore suffers an estimated annual loss of $2.01 billion in the beef industries and $402 million in the dairy industry. In addition swine equine poultry industries exotic zoo animals and humans also suffer from stable fly bites extending the scope of the problem and the market opportunity for an effective stable fly control solution .Current methods employed for stable fly management are limited and primarily focused on sanitation insecticide treatment and trap deployment. Chemical insecticide application is the most used stable fly control method in livestock industries followed by trap deployments. An estimated 10-12 million pounds of pesticides were used in livestock for pest control at a expense of $60 million(based on a 1994 study) without accounting for the cost of environmental damages. However the development of resistance against commonly used chemical insecticides along with environmental concerns and the failure of vacuum fly traps in controlling stable flies has created an urgent need for novel effective and environmentally safe stable fly control technologies. Apex Bait Technologies Inc. has developed a novel blood substitute fly liquid bait (Apex-FLB) with unique attractants phagostimulants and a chemical insecticide that ensures the attraction and direct consumption of toxicants by stable flies causing complete mortality and avoids resistance development. Our prototype Apex-FLB has demonstrated lab and field effectiveness by causing more than 90% stable fly mortality within two days. The objectives of this Phase II project are to innovate and optimize the prototype Apex-FLB developed in Phase I research for cost-effectiveness environmental stability efficacy and efficiency. In Phase II research we anticipate achieving the most economical version of Apex-FLB that will have a shelf life of more than 2 years and a field life of approximately 30 days. We expect the commercial version of Apex-FLB to effectively control stable flies under diverse environments. The commercialization of Apex-FLB will provide livestock producers with a superior stable fly control tool compared to existing fly treatments. This will lead to efficient livestock production and protection with minimal environmental impact which is one of the main goals of the SBIR. Overall the development and commercialization of Apex-FLB will build on Apex Bait Technologies' decades-long experience in developing and commercializing baits for urban and veterinary pests.