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_outlineBenefits, 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 in fresh fruit. The chemistry behind ethyl formate and its hydrolysis in moisture-rich commodities enables low residue concerns, leading to an EPA exemption from food tolerances—a key win for global trade and consumer safety.
The conversation also touches on the operational advantages ethyl formate offers, such as portable application and alignment with regulatory demands for minimal residues. Both speakers caution that, despite its regulatory and consumer-friendly attributes, ethyl formate must be handled with strict safety procedures due to its flammable nature and potential risks. The episode concludes with a reminder to fumigators about the critical importance of monitoring concentrations and respecting all safety protocols as ethyl formate enters wider use in the industry.
Key Segments
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[00:00:00] Welcome to All Things Fumigation
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[00:05:16] Ethyl Formate: Revived Fumigant
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[00:09:03] Boiling Points of Fumigants
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[00:13:55] Ethyl Formate Fumigant Safety
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[00:16:12] Interview: Spencer Waslse, PHD
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[00:19:38] Pest Control in California Agriculture
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[00:23:35] Fresh Fruit Fumigation Innovation
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[00:26:33] Respiratory Penetration of Ethyl Formate
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[00:30:31] Warm Fumigation for Fresh Fruit
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[00:31:56] Efficient Pest Control for Mites
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[00:34:57] Ethyl Formate Fumigation Challenges
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[00:40:18] Monitoring Ethyl Formate Fumigation
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[00:43:18] Feedback & Fumigation Guidelines