Migratory assisting agents are used to improve antimicrobial efficacy of antimicrobial masterbatches, the polymer compounds these antimicrobial masterbatches are let down into, and the articles made therefrom. The migratory assisting agents function by carrying the antimicrobial agents while the migratory assisting agent transfers or “migrates” to the surface of a polymer compound or article formed from the polymer compound. As a result, antimicrobial agents are brought to the surface where there is exposure to bacterial contamination.