WALNUT CREEK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 1, 2005--Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ:CENT), through its Wellmark International subsidiary, offers a host of highly effective, environmentally safe mosquito control products to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases including West Nile virus.

The City of San Francisco's Department of the Environment is utilizing Altosid(R), a product produced and marketed by Wellmark International, to help stem the outbreak of the deadly West Nile virus. City law requires the use of non-toxic products whenever possible. As part of San Francisco's mosquito abatement program, pellets of Altosid(R) are being applied to catch basins and other instances of standing water throughout the city. The City of San Francisco is also using an environmentally friendly way to apply Altosid(R) in its 16,000 catch basins by hiring bicyclists to do the job.

"We are proud to help protect communities from the threat of mosquitoes and mosquito-borne viruses," said Glenn Novotny, President and CEO of Central Garden & Pet . "Our mosquito control applications safely, cost-effectively and with unsurpassed efficacy prevent mosquitoes from becoming a serious health menace to people and pets. Through technological innovation, our easy-to-use applications break the mosquito's cycle of life without harming the environment."

    Mosquito control applications offered by the Company include:

    --  Altosid(R) to insect control professionals, including
        municipalities and mosquito-abatement districts who are
        expected to provide long-term, cost-effective and
        environmentally responsible results and;

    --  PreStrike(TM), including the Mosquito Torpedo(TM), to
        consumers looking to protect humans, animals, and the
        environment from the nuisance and disease mosquitoes bring.

The technology behind Altosid(R) and PreStrike(TM) is the insect growth regulator methoprene, which interferes with normal mosquito development without upsetting the food chain, impacting fish and other non-target species. Methoprene prevents mosquito larvae from maturing into breeding, biting adults.

"We take the issue of mosquito-borne diseases seriously," concluded Mr. Novotny. "Our products aim to help federal, state and local governments apply mosquito control applications to protect citizens and enable homeowners to treat ornamental pools, birdbaths and water retention areas against deadly diseases such as West Nile virus. We hope people take the appropriate steps to educate themselves to reduce their potential exposure to this and other mosquito-borne diseases."

Additional information concerning West Nile virus and methoprene may be accessed by following these links:

Centers for Disease Control on the spread of West Nile virus: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm

EPA comments on methoprene and environmental concerns: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/larvicides4mosquitos.htm

Wellmark International has a long history of effective preventive mosquito control, with more than 25 years of experience fighting mosquitoes with larvicides. Wellmark's pioneering insect growth regulator (IGR) technology prevents mosquitoes from fully maturing. Unlike adulticide treatments -- quick-fix methods that only kill adult mosquitoes -- a larvicide targets mosquitoes in the early stages of their development, before they become breeding, biting, disease-transmitting adults. Find out more about what Wellmark is doing to protect people, pets, and the environment against West Nile virus at www.wellmarkinternational.com.

Central Garden & Pet Company is a leading innovator, marketer and producer of quality branded products for the pet and lawn and garden supplies markets. Our pet products include pet bird and small animal food, aquarium products, flea, tick, mosquito and other pest control products, edible bones, cages, carriers, pet books, and other dog, cat, reptile and small animal products. These products are sold under a number of brand names, including Kaytee, Super Pet, All-Glass Aquarium, Oceanic, Kent Marine, Energy Savers Unlimited, Zodiac, Pre-Strike, Altosid, Nylabone, TFH, Four Paws and Interpet. Our lawn and garden products include grass seed, wild bird food, weed and insect control products, decorative outdoor patio products and ant control products. These products are sold under a number of brand names, including Pennington, Norcal Pottery, New England Pottery, GKI/Bethlehem Lighting, Lilly Miller, Matthews Four Seasons, Cedar Works, AMDRO, Grant's, Sevin and Over'n Out. For additional information on Central Garden & Pet , including access to the Company's SEC filings, please visit the Company's website at http://www.centralgardenandpet.com/.

    CONTACT: Central Garden & Pet

             Paul Warburg, 925-948-3686

    SOURCE: Central Garden & Pet Company