Abstract: A free-flowing, substantially dry-to-the-touch, particulate composition comprises (A) finely particulate hydrophobic silicone-treated silica having a surface area of from 80 to 300 m2/g, (B) trimethylglycine, and (C) water, wherein the content of component (A) is greater than 2% and less than 8% by weight based on the total weight of components (A), (B) and (C) and wherein the content of component (B) is greater than 30% and less than 65% by weight based on the total weight of components (A), (B) and (C), said composition being in the form of particles of an aqueous solution of component (B) the surfaces of which particles are coated with a coating of component (A). The particulate composition is useful as a moisturising component in skin-care or cosmetic formulations.

Abstract: Control of Rodents A particulate mixture for use in the control of rodents which comprises a mixture of a plurality of bait particles and a plurality of non-bait particles, wherein each bait particle comprises matter edible by a rodent and a rodenticide and wherein each non-bait particle comprises matter edible by a rodent and has a flavour different from the flavour of a bait particle and wherein the non-bait particles are distinguished from the bait particles by at least one physical characteristic selected from size, shape, surface texture and internal texture. A non-bait particulate food for rodents as use in the control of rodents, when presented in admixture with bait particles to rodents, to encourage consumption of the bait particles. Such non-bait particulate food comprises dry extruded pellets of cereal meal and dried powdered crustacean.

Abstract: A particulate composition comprises from 40 to 80% by weight of a water-soluble saccharide, from 1.5 to 10% by weight of a finely particulate amorphous hydrophobic silica having a surface area in the range of from 80 to 300 m2/g and water. The composition is in the form of fine particles of an aqueous solution of the water-soluble saccharide, the surfaces of which fine particles of aqueous solution are coated with a coating of the finely particulate amorphous hydrophic silica. The composition, which may additionally contain one or more biocidally-active materials, can be applied through conventional dust applicator equipment for the treatment of pests.

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 particulate composition comprises from 40 to 80% by weight of a water-soluble saccharide, from 1.5 to 10% by weight of a finely particulate amorphous hydrophobic silica having a surface area in the range of from 80 to 300 m2/g and water. The composition is in the form of fine particles of an aqueous solution of the water-soluble saccharide, the surfaces of which fine particles of aqueous solution are coated with a coating of the finely particulate amorphous hydrophic silica.

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.