Abstract: A pesticidal composition comprises, as the sole pesticidally active component, a storage-stable aerated gel composition comprising 30 to 97% by weight of water, 0.2 to 5% by weight of a gelling agent selected from xanthan gum, sodium alginate and neutralized carboxyvinyl polymer and 2 to 5% by weight of fine particulate, hydrophobic silicone-treated silica having a surface area of from 80 to 300 m2/g. The composition is in the form of fine particles of an aqueous gel containing the water and gelling agent, the surfaces of which fine particles are coated with a coating of the finely particulate hydrophobic silica. The composition is useful in a method of controlling pests, particularly insects and acarids.

Abstract: A storage-stable aerated gel composition comprising 30 to 97% by weight of water, 0.2 to 5% by weight of a gelling agent selected from xanthan gum, sodium alginate and neutralized carboxyvinyl polymer and 2 to 5% by weight of a fine particulate hydrophobic silicone-treated silica having a surface area of from 80 to 300 m2/g. The composition is in the form of fine particles of an aqueous gel containing the water and the gelling agent, the surface of which particles are coated with a coating of the finely divided particulate hydrophobic silica. The gel composition is prepared by mixing, under high shear conditions, the water and the fine particulate silica, and then adding to the resulting mixture, the gelling agent and mixing under high shear conditions.