Saving the Mills Country Club

MANILA, Philippines - The recently opened Mills Country Club, with first-rate club amenities in place and the new facilities operating, is now the convergence point in Canlubang, Laguna.

Thanks to Ceptiva — from global chemical company BASF — and the company’s authorized applicator, Entom Pest Control and General Services Corp., The Mills is now termite-free. Bordered by nature surroundings set amid the Tagaytay Ridge and Mount Makiling, the expansive property is prone to such infestations, as proven by a recent episode within the clubhouse complex.

Bryan Hemedez, The Mills facility officer, said that during the soft launch of the clubhouse, the management discovered a termite infestation inside the female locker room. The lockers, made of soft wood material, are situated next to the shower area and are subjected to a constantly moist environment. This combination of factors eventually attracted the termites that live underground, lured by the soft wood material. It was only a matter of time before they established a trail where they freely traveled to and from their nest to feed their entire colony with the wood from the lockers.

Gilbert Umali, assistant sales and marketing manager of Entom, Alma Melendres, sales and marketing manager of Entom, with Bryan Hemedez, The Mills facility officer, and Aileen Fernandez, general manager of Upgreen Corporation.

 “There was nothing left of the wooden back portion of the locker area so we had to do something or else they could have reached other areas of the whole locker room and even the entire clubhouse,” Hemedez related.

After being referred by The Mills estate manager Virgilio Lorenzo, the Entom team was commissioned to solve the termite problem. Entom has previously provided The Mills with general pest control services for common household pests. Having provided excellent services, the management decided to entrust Entom in dealing with a much more dangerous pest species.

Launched only in March this year, Ceptiva is quickly gaining a reputation for delivering fast and effective results among a growing number of clients around the country. As the first termiticide in powder form, it offers real, long-term control with fast initial kill, without the foul smell and adverse effects to humans and the environment. It contains 0.5 percent Fipronil, which is the latest global breakthrough in complete termite colony elimination because of its low toxicity usage.

 Despite this, Ceptiva totally kills and not just repels termites, as proven by comprehensive research and trials both locally and abroad.

This was proven at The Mills just two weeks after the application of Ceptiva last June 1. The termite colony was totally eliminated all the way to its nest, courtesy of Ceptiva’s “transfer effect.”

Alma Melendres, sales and marketing manager of Entom, explained the transfer effect: “When Ceptiva powder is applied on termites, the affected termites transfer Ceptiva to other termites through contact, grooming behavior, and exchange of food. This means that the product’s efficacy will not be confined to treated areas but also to the surrounding environment of the termites’ colony, virtually eliminating them from the household or other structures.”

He added that Ceptiva is now the preferred brand among clients because of its efficiency and fast action, compared to the baiting system which takes at least two months before showing results. The baiting system also targets only one type of termite species, while Ceptiva can eliminate all types of termite species which are prevalent in the Philippines.

Renovations were immediately implemented inside the female locker room as soon as no traces of termites were found. To protect the entire property, a liquid termiticide was applied as preventive treatment around the perimeter of the clubhouse. And to date, there has been no resumption of termite activity, as ensured by the Entom team, which inspects the site quarterly after the existing termite colony was already eliminated for post-service maintenance.

This type of professionalism does not remain unnoticed among the clients. Aileen Fernandez, general manager of Upgreen Corporation, which is the exclusive distributor of Ceptiva, said: “Only the Ceptiva Certified Applicators (CAA) are allowed by BASF to apply Ceptiva. They undergo extensive training with BASF to ensure quality client service and efficient handling of products.”

To know more about Upgreen Corp. and its wide range of products, call 850-0276, 659-3198.