Web Cameras Capture Daily Escapades of Live Termites and Ants
Two sites unearth the lives of America’s most problematic pests.
Research Triangle Park, NC, April 28, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Hollywood blockbusters like “A Bug’s Life” and “Bee Movie” have tapped into the public’s fascination with the insect world. Cartoon versions cannot tell the whole story, though. Now consumers can follow live termite and ant colonies at the Termite Institute™ (TermiteInstitute.com) and the Ant Institute™ (AntInstitute.com), the web’s premier destinations for learning about these common household pests.
On both websites, powerful web cameras will capture close snapshots of termites and ants 24 hours a day, seven days a week, honing in on what it would be like if these pests invaded a typical home. A joint endeavor of the Institutes and the University of Florida in Gainesville, the video cameras will offer Institute visitors a highly visual, interactive, and entertaining reason to bookmark the websites, and come back often.
"Our entomology team has been working diligently to give Institute visitors a unique online experience, unlike anything currently available on the web,“ said Philip G. Koehler, Ph.D., urban entomologist at the University of Florida. "Our students will closely monitor the termite and ant habitats, and publish a behind the scenes blog of all activity for website visitors to follow.“
The Termite and Ant Institutes, developed by the experts at BASF, manufacturer of Termidor® termiticide/insecticide and Phantom® termiticide-insecticide, are reviewed by a prestigious board of experts including Steven David, senior instructor from the Graduate REALTOR Institute, the American Society of Home Inspectors, and Dr. Harold J. Harlan, expert entomologist. The Institutes serve as round-the-clock resources built on the philosophy that an informed consumer is likely to make smart choices about the best ways to protect their home from termites or ants.
Dr. Bob Davis, chief entomologist for the Termite Institute, and Bob Hickman, chief entomologist for the Ant Institute, are proud to debut additional interactive enhancements designed to capture visitors’ preferences and imaginations. Both Institutes now feature robust multimedia galleries of videos, photos and audio; an informative podcast that captures the hottest new features from both Institutes; a news tool on the home page that refreshes to feature the latest termite and ant news; a poll feature allowing visitors to weigh in on the most timely pest-related topics; and a keyword search function that directs visitors to where they want to go in seconds.
Since 2006, both Institutes have garnered tens of thousands of visitors, detailing everything from termite and ant solutions, prevalence across the country, where to find a pest professional, and the most frequently asked questions about both pests.
“Our Ask an Expert sections have logged hundreds of questions from consumers, illustrating the fact that homeowners are concerned about pests and looking for guidance online. Now more than ever before, we are raising the bar with new enhancements for visitors to enjoy,” said Dr. Davis.
With sales of €3,137 million in 2007, BASF’s Crop Protection division is a leader in crop protection and a strong partner to the farming industry providing well-established and innovative fungicides, insecticides and herbicides. Farmers use these products and services to improve crop yields and crop quality. Other uses include public health, structural/urban pest control, turf and ornamental plants, vegetation management, and forestry. BASF aims to turn knowledge rapidly into market success. The vision of BASF’s Crop Protection division is to be the world’s leading innovator, optimizing agricultural production, improving nutrition, and thus enhancing the quality of life for a growing world population. Further information can be found on the web at www.agro.basf.com.
BASF - The Chemical Company. We don't make a lot of the products you buy. We make a lot of the products you buy better.®
BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 15,000 employees in North America, and had sales of approximately $16.4 billion in 2007. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from oil and gas to chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals. As a reliable partner, BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges, such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF has more than 95,000 employees and posted sales of almost €58 billion in 2007. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
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On both websites, powerful web cameras will capture close snapshots of termites and ants 24 hours a day, seven days a week, honing in on what it would be like if these pests invaded a typical home. A joint endeavor of the Institutes and the University of Florida in Gainesville, the video cameras will offer Institute visitors a highly visual, interactive, and entertaining reason to bookmark the websites, and come back often.
"Our entomology team has been working diligently to give Institute visitors a unique online experience, unlike anything currently available on the web,“ said Philip G. Koehler, Ph.D., urban entomologist at the University of Florida. "Our students will closely monitor the termite and ant habitats, and publish a behind the scenes blog of all activity for website visitors to follow.“
The Termite and Ant Institutes, developed by the experts at BASF, manufacturer of Termidor® termiticide/insecticide and Phantom® termiticide-insecticide, are reviewed by a prestigious board of experts including Steven David, senior instructor from the Graduate REALTOR Institute, the American Society of Home Inspectors, and Dr. Harold J. Harlan, expert entomologist. The Institutes serve as round-the-clock resources built on the philosophy that an informed consumer is likely to make smart choices about the best ways to protect their home from termites or ants.
Dr. Bob Davis, chief entomologist for the Termite Institute, and Bob Hickman, chief entomologist for the Ant Institute, are proud to debut additional interactive enhancements designed to capture visitors’ preferences and imaginations. Both Institutes now feature robust multimedia galleries of videos, photos and audio; an informative podcast that captures the hottest new features from both Institutes; a news tool on the home page that refreshes to feature the latest termite and ant news; a poll feature allowing visitors to weigh in on the most timely pest-related topics; and a keyword search function that directs visitors to where they want to go in seconds.
Since 2006, both Institutes have garnered tens of thousands of visitors, detailing everything from termite and ant solutions, prevalence across the country, where to find a pest professional, and the most frequently asked questions about both pests.
“Our Ask an Expert sections have logged hundreds of questions from consumers, illustrating the fact that homeowners are concerned about pests and looking for guidance online. Now more than ever before, we are raising the bar with new enhancements for visitors to enjoy,” said Dr. Davis.
With sales of €3,137 million in 2007, BASF’s Crop Protection division is a leader in crop protection and a strong partner to the farming industry providing well-established and innovative fungicides, insecticides and herbicides. Farmers use these products and services to improve crop yields and crop quality. Other uses include public health, structural/urban pest control, turf and ornamental plants, vegetation management, and forestry. BASF aims to turn knowledge rapidly into market success. The vision of BASF’s Crop Protection division is to be the world’s leading innovator, optimizing agricultural production, improving nutrition, and thus enhancing the quality of life for a growing world population. Further information can be found on the web at www.agro.basf.com.
BASF - The Chemical Company. We don't make a lot of the products you buy. We make a lot of the products you buy better.®
BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 15,000 employees in North America, and had sales of approximately $16.4 billion in 2007. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from oil and gas to chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals. As a reliable partner, BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges, such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF has more than 95,000 employees and posted sales of almost €58 billion in 2007. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
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Contact
BASF
Abby Rizen
610-941-0395
www.termiteinstitute.com
Abby Rizen
610-941-0395
www.termiteinstitute.com
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