Firm Enlists Nematodes, Dogs’ Friend, Fleas’ Enemy

SAN JOSE —  For those poor scratching flea sufferers who want to attack their tormentors without risking toxic self-annihilation, a small California biotechnology company says it has the answer: nematodes.

The worm-like microscopic nematodes have proven to be an effective weapon against cockroaches. They enter the roach’s body and release a deadly bacteria, feast on the pest, reproduce and move on to a new host.

The critters also are used by farmers to control crop-destroying pests.

Biosys of Palo Alto says its newest pest-fighting product, BioFlea, does the same thing. Nematodes in BioFlea attack the fleas on lawns or other open areas while the pest is still in the larvae stage, the company says.

Independent experts say the nematodes work best in humid areas, such as the Gulf Coast, because they need moisture to survive. That could limit their usefulness in California.

In field tests, the nematodes have provided flea control “equal to or greater than the chemical standards,” said Ramon Georgis, vice president of field development for the company. Because they feed on the fleas, when the pests disappear, so do the nematodes.

“The ability to come up with an environmentally friendly product you can spray literally when your kids are out playing around . . . is a big deal,” said Bruce Fielding Jr., senior vice president and chief financial officer for Biosys.

The company will market its product two ways: to commercial pest control companies and through direct marketing. The consumer product will be sold via a toll-free number for $19.95 for enough to treat a 2,400-square-foot yard once.

The company is bringing its BioFlea product to market too late in the flea season to get it distributed into pet stores, Fielding said.

Nematodes, because they are not harmful to humans or animals, require no testing by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the company said. They can therefore be marketed directly to consumers without awaiting government approval.

Despite the company’s enthusiasm, the new product does have limitations.