Episode 189: The Spy Who Loved Bugs: Global Pest Control, Mad Science & the Future of Insecticides

Bug Bux Podcast · May 29, 2025 · 53m

In this wildly entertaining and surprisingly heartfelt episode of the Bug Bucks Podcast, Eric and Jake sit down with the “mad scientist of Syngenta” herself, Lisa Eppler. From studying parasitic wasps in Germany to field-testing herbicides for the Swiss EPA (no, she’s not actually a spy… or is she?), Lisa takes us through her unique journey into the world of pest control.

She dishes on:

What it's like to freeze cockroaches (for science)

Why under applying product can create insecticide-resistant superbugs

How a new active ingredient—Plenazoline Technology—could shake up the industry

And how…