Envu Biologist Awarded by National Pest Management Association During Annual Women’s Forum
Debbie Koufas honored for contributions made to the pest management industry.
CARY, N.C., June 2, 2025 — Envu is proud to announce that Debbie Koufas, research biologist, has been honored with the prestigious National Pest Management Association’s (NPMA) Impact Award. Koufas was recognized alongside 88 other recipients during the 2025 NPMA’s Women’s Forum in Austin, Texas, which serves as an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of women across the pest management profession.
“Debbie’s decades of knowledge and expertise are directly responsible for shaping forward-looking innovations that help our customers solve their daily challenges,” said Tiffany Fremder, chief marketing officer at Envu. “Most recently, she played a critical role in developing Barricor® Essential Mosquito Control, a new botanical-based formulation that kills mosquitoes but is safe on bees and butterflies. Her work, alongside many others at Envu, gives us the ability to help protect the spaces people live in for a healthier environment.”
When developing Barricor Essential Mosquito Control, Koufas helped to screen and refine countless essential oil- and botanical-based formulations to find the perfect balance of efficacy and environmental responsibility. Her work has directly addressed a growing challenge in the industry: how to provide reliable, professional-grade mosquito control while satisfying the preferences of environmentally conscious consumers. Barricor Essential Mosquito Control delivers a powerful 24-hour mortality rate for Aedes mosquitoes* while maintaining stability, reducing active ingredient loading and ensuring ease of use for pest management professionals (PMPs) — without the frequent remixing that can slow down operations. Importantly, it’s also safe for bees and butterflies, allowing PMPs to offer a differentiated service that aligns with evolving regulations and consumer demands.
In addition to developing new products for the industry, Koufas manages the Envu insecticide testing laboratory at the Clayton research and development site. She assisted in developing an indoor spray testing method using a paint airbrush setup and a fume hood — an innovative approach that allowed Envu to continue vital research year-round. She has been instrumental in transforming research into real-world solutions, ensuring that PMPs have the tools they need to grow their businesses while protecting public health. In addition to developing Barricor Essential Mosquito Control, her work includes:
- Shaping Maxforce Impact® roach gel bait, which is designed for rotational use and free of the big eight allergens, making it ideal for sensitive accounts.
- Playing a key role in validating Suspend® PolyZone® insecticide as an effective mosquito barrier treatment, expanding its utility beyond perimeter pest control.
- Bringing Temprid® Dust to market, an insecticide that uses two modes of action to eliminate pests on contact, providing fast-acting control of hard-to-reach pests like ants, cockroaches and bed bugs.
“Beyond her technical contributions, Koufas is a mentor, leader and advocate for scientific excellence. Her work bridges the gap between scientific discovery and practical, business-ready solutions for pest management professionals. Debbie's legacy is a source of immense pride for our team and a testament to the vital role women play in advancing our industry,” added Fremder.
To learn more about ongoing innovation at Envu, including developments in diverse solutions and broader efforts to advance healthy environments worldwide, visit us.envu.com.
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*24 hours for Aedes and 48 hours for Culex when used as directed.
About Envu
Envu was founded in 2022, a company built on years of environmental science experience, for the sole purpose of advancing healthy environments for everyone, everywhere. Envu offers dedicated services in: Professional Pest Management, Forestry, Ornamentals, Golf, Industrial Vegetation Management, Lawn & Landscape, Mosquito Management, and Range & Pasture. Envu collaborates with customers to design innovative solutions that meet their requirements today and well into the future. The Envu portfolio consists of more than 180 trusted and well-known brands. The company employs over 900 people, operates in 100 countries, and has four global innovation hubs. For additional information, visit www.envu.com.
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Forward-Looking Statements
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