Intro to Ethyl Formate: The New Kid in the Toolbox Part 2
All Things Fumigation
Episode 6 of All Things Fumigation brings together host John B. Mueller and guest Kade McConville, executive director of the Intreso Group, for a more in depth look into eFUME®, the latest ethyl formate-based fumigant. Kade McConville recounts the seven-year journey through US registration for eFUME®, emphasizing the investment of time and resources required for modern regulatory approval. The conversation highlights ethyl formate’s favorable safety profile, including its GRAS status and lack of concerning residues, and details the specialized application equipment designed to handle...
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Intro to Ethyl Formate: The New Kid in the Toolbox
All Things Fumigation
Benefits, Challenges, and the Path Forward Episode 5 of ATF introduces listeners to ethyl formate, branded as Efume, the first new postharvest fumigant in the United States in nearly seven decades. John B. Mueller lays the groundwork by explaining ethyl formate’s origins, its chemical properties, and its approval process, emphasizing its unique status compared to conventional fumigants. Spencer Walsh, an expert in postharvest fumigation, provides historical context and discusses how ethyl formate stands out for its incredible efficacy against mites and other surface pests, especially...
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Mastering Fumigation Preparation
All Things Fumigation
This episode of All Things Fumigation focuses on the preparation phase of the fumigation process, building upon previous discussions about overall planning. John B. Mueller draws inspiration from Michael Jordan’s perspective on success coming from preparation, tying this mindset to the world of fumigation. John walks listeners through the transition from macro-level planning to the granular details of preparation, emphasizing that these practices are not just good management but legal requirements governed by the pesticide label and state law. A central focus is the Fumigation Management...
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Fumigation Safety & Training
All Things Fumigation
Episode 3 of All Things Fumigation, hosted by John B. Mueller, centers on the principle that victory in pest control is determined before the actual fumigation process begins. Drawing inspiration from Sun Tzu’s "Art of War," John underscores the importance of thorough planning and preparation in outsmarting pests. He details the key steps in fumigation planning, with a major focus on understanding environmental conditions such as facility and commodity temperatures, which directly affect fumigant concentration and exposure time. John highlights the difference in efficacy between various...
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Foundational Fumigation
All Things Fumigation
Fumigation Market, an objective market overview The second episode of "All Things Fumigation" dives deep into the world of post-harvest fumigation, led by host John B. Mueller and moderator Kalah Schmitz. They begin by mapping out the major segments of the fumigation industry, such as structural, soil, post-harvest, and the emerging antimicrobial market. With a focus on post-harvest, John explains the types of commodities involved, from bulk grains like wheat and rice to specialty crops like tree nuts and spices. The conversation also distinguishes the event-driven, industrial nature of...
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Introduction to The Fumigation Company
All Things Fumigation
The Truth About Fumigation In this pilot episode of All Things Fumigation, host John B. Mueller teams up with longtime industry ally and guest moderator Kalah Schmitz. Together, they lay the groundwork for bold, real-talk about fumigation in today’s high-stakes structural and commodity fumigation landscape. With a combined six decades of field and leadership experience, John and Kalah break down what fumigation is, what it isn’t, and what led John to launch The Fumigation Company. They swap stories from the field about the myths and mechanics of this commonly misunderstood practice,...
info_outlineThe Truth About Fumigation
In this pilot episode of All Things Fumigation, host John B. Mueller teams up with longtime industry ally and guest moderator Kalah Schmitz. Together, they lay the groundwork for bold, real-talk about fumigation in today’s high-stakes structural and commodity fumigation landscape.
With a combined six decades of field and leadership experience, John and Kalah break down what fumigation is, what it isn’t, and what led John to launch The Fumigation Company. They swap stories from the field about the myths and mechanics of this commonly misunderstood practice, from the outdated thinking that still lingers in parts of the fumigation industry to misunderstood labels, regulatory myths, and field missteps. Kalah, former leader of the Food Protection Alliance, steers the conversation with humor and insight, bringing clarity around pest fumigation versus fogging, EPA regulation, optimizing performance, and more.
If you’re in grain, food safety, pest management, or just wondering how the “big hammer” of pest control really works, this episode kicks off the series with no-nonsense conversation, practical takeaways, and a fresh take on what good fumigation really looks like.
Key Segments
- [02:50] John’s Journey in Fumigation
- [07:49] Who Needs Fumigation?
- [10:40] Fumigation Safety
- [12:07] Compliance, Labels, and the EPA
- [13:31] Industry Innovations
- [15:36] What Are Fumigants?
- [19:28] Low to No Residual Toxicity
- [21:37] The History of Fumigation Science
- [24:50] Why Fumigation Is Still Relevant
- [29:06] The “Science Cowboy” Philosophy