Bell Laboratories, Inc. puts its expertise in rodent control to work before its rodenticides ever reach global markets. To maintain maximum control over the quality of its baits, Bell performs all critical processes in-house, including synthesizing the active ingredients and formulating baits. All biological and chemical tests are performed according to Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) in Bell's modern 8,300 sq. ft. chemistry and biological laboratories.
Rodenticides That Work Where It Counts
The test of a rodenticide is its ability to control rodents under a wide range of conditions. Not only must the active ingredient be powerful, but the inert ingredients must appeal to a rodent's sense of taste and desire to gnaw.
Bell Laboratories' rodenticides undergo countless laboratory tests, often achieving rodent acceptance rates - well above U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements.
Such results ensure that Bell Laboratories' baits produce outstanding levels of rodent control and acceptance in the field - where it counts. Only when Bell's technical active ingredients and baits have successfully measured up to company standards will they carry the Bell Laboratories' name.
Development of Active Ingredients
At Bell Laboratories, the making of a rodenticide begins in the chemistry lab with the development of the active ingredient. Bell Laboratories synthesizes the anticoagulant and acute active ingredients used in its baits - bromadiolone, bromethalin, brodifacoum, and diphacinone.
An exacting process, the development of a pure active ingredient requires extensive research and development on the toxicant, as well as the intermediates that make up the toxicant.
In manufacturing active ingredients, Bell chemists conduct many stringent impurity analyses to determine the range and characteristics of any impurities in the active ingredient. Eliminating impurities which can cause taste aversions or unwanted side effects is paramount to a bait's effectiveness. Using sophisticated laboratory equipment, Bell's chemists can detect impurities in trace amounts and eliminate them.
Once formulated, the active ingredient is subject to a series of tests on its physical and chemical properties, including melting point, corrosive characteristics and pH. Much of the data gathered from the chemical analysis and testing is later used when baits and toxicants are registered with the appropriate regulatory agencies in the United States and abroad.
From the process developed in the chemistry lab, the manufacturing of the active ingredient is advanced to Bell's technical manufacturing area. Because the synthesis of active ingredients is so critical to a bait's effectiveness, Bell scientists perform this function in-house.