PEST MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL
Learning
Objectives
After
completion of the study of Pest Management and Control, the trainee should be
able to:
understand why certain arthropods and vertebrates are considered pests
relate the sequence of activities involved in a pest control situation, and
recognize the components of Integrated Pest Management.
Pests are not pests because of what they are (bedbug, yellow Jacket), but because of what they do (suck
blood, sting).
According to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA),
a pest can be any insect, rodent, fungus, or weed as well as other organisms.
Most simply defined in The
Dictionary of Pest Control, a pest is "An unwanted
organism”.
Urban pests can be generally characterized as organisms (excluding
parasitic microorganisms) which have human health or aesthetic implications, or
which damage wooden support structures of buildings. These pests can be
contrasted from agricultural pests that cause direct economic damage to
products. For instance, while roaches or rodents may cause an economic hardship,
when restaurants or food packing plants are closed by the legal action, the
action is taken for reasons of human health. Likewise, carpet beetles in woolens
or museum tapestries degrade clothing or works of art, but the reduction of
value of the pieces is primarily for aesthetic reasons not due to consumption of
woven wool.
Defined by the way they behave in an environment, or ecosystem, pests occur as a group, or population of
individuals of a particular kind (e.g., German cockroaches). Different
populations that exist together are called a community. One
community may be fleas, pets, and people. A community together with its physical
and biological supporting factors makes up the ecosystem (e.g., German cockroaches, fleas, people, pets, harborage
[areas with food, water, and shelter]). The technician does not look at the pest
infestation alone but must consider all elements in the
ecosystem
to design the best control and management methods.
There
are many variations and combinations of methods used to control pests, but the
sequence of these methods follows a pattern: inspection, habitat alteration,
pesticide application, and follow‑up:
Pests
do not infest uniformly; they focus on specific areas. These sites must be
located. Training and experience in conducting inspections are important for
successful location of infested areas.
Since
infested areas provide harborage for
pests (one of the elements along with food and water needed by pests to thrive),
changing or eliminating some of these favorable elements will make survival less
successful. Such changes commonly include increased sanitation, moisture
reduction, and the elimination of clutter.
While successful habitat alteration can reduce or eliminate populations, it will often be less than complete and pesticide application may be necessary. The key to pest control is the successful combination of these methods.
Simple
styles of pest control do not include more than the minimum follow up, such as
legally mandated record keeping.
Follow up practices, such as detailed record keeping, supervisor
oversight, and a quality control program, can make the difference between the
success or failure of moderate to complicated pest control problems.
CHAPTER 2
In the urban setting, current industrial or structural pest control
activities can be characterized in four styles: prevention, reaction,
extermination, and integrated pest management.
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make expected appearances |
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apply pesticides (usually a spray) |
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talk with the tenant or manager, and |
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record
information required by law. |
While
the inspection can indicate where pests occur, with this style, pesticides are
usually applied
regardless of whether pests are observed or not. Those who practice this style are satisfied that pests will be killed as they contact the pesticide residue.
Advantages
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Contracts can be fulfilled routinely. |
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Work can be set up easily. |
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The technician can proceed as rapidly as possible. |
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Occupants are satisfied if pests do not appear. |
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It
is the most economical short-term style. |
Disadvantages
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Time alone governs the schedule. |
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Inspections are brief. |
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Boredom from repetition affects the technician. |
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Pesticides are used regardless of whether or not there is an infestation. |
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There is no evaluation. |
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Records are brief. |
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No long-term solutions. |
Discussion
The least technical expertise is needed for preventive pest control and the brevity of the activity and interaction gives clients the incorrect idea that controlling pests is elementary. This style can be more efficient with a quality control program.
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In reactive pest control, a technician responds to special, unscheduled calls and |
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talks with clients makes an inspection |
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identifies infested sites |
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applies pesticides to pests or sites1 |
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records necessary information
required
by
law |
Advantages
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Response is relatively quick. |
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The
occupant is satisfied by the fast response and immediate pest suppression. |
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The
interaction with technicians is positive. |
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Minor
recommendations by the technician to clients are often accepted because they
were requested by the client. [Such recommendations make pest control more
effective.] |
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Situations
are more interesting for technicians, and boredom is reduced.
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Disadvantages
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Complete extermination is often |
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Clients are quick to anger if the problem recurs. |
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Without a detailed inspection, failure is likely. |
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A maximum amount of pesticides |
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High
pesticide and labor costs are sustained.
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Unexpected results are quickly noticed and questioned. |
Discussion
A higher
level of technical expertise as well as better ability to interact with clients
is needed than for
preventive
pest control. A quality
control program will reinforce technician recommendations.
A high level of technical
expertise is needed as well as superior ability of the pest control supervisor
to get client cooperation.
Pest Elimination or Pest Extermination
A
senior technician, usually a
supervisor,
responds to an appointment, and
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interacts
with clients |
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makes an intensive inspection |
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recommends methods to reduce pest food, water and harborage, such as sanitation, maintenance improvements, habitat alteration, etc. |
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applies pesticides in a variety of formulations each time |
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follows-up
inspections, and |
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records
information on past inspection and recommendations as well as information
required by law. |
Advantages
|
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The pest control supervisor interacts directly with clients. |
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Longer-lasting control results from changes made by the client. |
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Thorough pesticide application occurs. |
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There
is a high level of interest by technicians'. |
Disadvantages
Discussion
A pest management program is requested by the client; a pest management or pest control supervisor makes a thorough inspection; and a detailed plan and schedule are provided that include:
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the designation of zones of probable infestation and sites of pest infestation within the zones. |
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recommendations
for sanitation,
maintenance improvements, habitat alteration, reduction of moisture, work
procedure changes, safe practices, methods of application, etc. |
Finally,
pest management components are considered and integrated into the
pest management plan (see below).
Advantages
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Long-term
pest control procedures are used. |
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Client management is involved. |
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Costs
are reduced over time. |
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A
reduction of pesticide use (e.g. elimination of preventive spraying) is
attained. |
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A low-toxicity pesticide response is possible. |
Disadvantages
•
Not every company or agency has
the expertise to provide pest management programs.
•
There is a labor-intensive start-up period.
| Costs are higher than "low bid". |
Discussion
Integrated
pest management was first used in protecting
agricultural crops; in recent years, it has
proven
effective in urban areas.
INTEGRATED
PEST MANAGEMENT
COMPONENTS
Pest management
components are considered and
integrated into an overall pest management plan.
Inspection, continuous sampling, and use of survey devices that will result in accurate recorded pest counts are emphasized. Monitoring goes on in identified zones of potential infestation and is intensified in infested target sites. Non-target areas are not monitored.
Record
books or logs are placed in central areas or management units. Records contain
monitoring
counts;
sanitation, maintenance and personnel practice problems; pesticide use,
formulations, and amounts.
Records
should be accessible to pest management technicians and client supervisors.
Education,
Training, and Communication
Communication is an ongoing
activity. To be effective, pest
management must be desired by the
client.
Pests should be reduced to a
level acceptable to
the client. To achieve these goals, the pest technician
interacts
actively with the client. Ongoing informal training or instructive communication
between the
technician
and the client group's designated liaison is important. Formal training is
provided by pest
management
supervisors, technical representatives, or consultants.
Designated liaisons are client onsite supervisory personnel with whom
pest management technicians
will
review the record, problems, and control program each monitoring or treatment
interval. Liaisons explain the pest management program to clients such as
tenants or workers. Liaisons coordinate client efforts needed for the success of
the program.
All practical measures to
suppress the pest
population to a tolerable level should be considered:
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cultural
controls (e.g., regular cleaning schedule, garbage elimination, changes in
worker procedures) |
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physical
modifications and maintenance
changes (e.g., screening, caulking, etc.) |
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Pest management is site specific.
The number of
pests
that can be seen in each target site is determined.
0
Setting
thresholds, eliminates preventive spraying,
curtails excessive pesticide application, and encourages
good inspection.
Evaluation,
Quality Control, and Reporting
No gains in pest management are made without evaluation. Interviews,
surveys, and record examinations are made at scheduled times. Evaluations are
conducted by personnel other than the pest management technician. Formal written
and verbal reports are made at scheduled intervals by technical representatives
or pest management supervisors to client management.
Some
insects become resistant to a pesticide, and the most complete application
cannot achieve acceptable control. Of the urban pests, the house fly and the
German cockroach lead in resistance to pesticides.
How
Pests Become Resistant to Pesticides.
Most
pesticides are put together by combining chemical elements. Large pest
populations have some individuals whose internal systems can reduce the
pesticide to harmless elements. When the
pesticide is applied, these pests live. They produce some
offspring that can also reduce the pesticide. With each generation, more and
more offspring inherit the ability. If applicators continue to apply that
pesticide, more and more will be able to render the pesticide ineffective. Once
present, genes for resistance will always be carried by some members of the
population.
First, eliminate reasons for failure to suppress a pest population. If
questions like these can be answered positively, the population might be a
candidate for resistance testing:
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Are clients doing their job by improving sanitation, reducing clutter, etc.? |
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Have
inspections been complete? |
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Have pests been correctly
identified? |
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Has
habitat alteration been complete? |
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Have pesticides been applied accurately? |
Use of a multi-component approach such as integrated pest management prevents resistance that occurs when a single pesticide is consistently applied. When pesticides alone are used in a routine way for pest control, the pest population rebuilds between treatments. With repeated applications after population recovery, the more susceptible individuals are killed and those that are less susceptible become the parents of the next generation. Alternating pesticides with different modes of action (e.g., organophosphates and Pyrethroids) can also be helpful.
Pests are unwanted organisms -- unwanted because their activities run counter to those of the people living in the same ecosystem. This ecosystem is made up of a number of animal populations -- two of which are pests and humans. Together, these populations are called a community. The community along with biological (pest food, hosts, prey plants, etc * ) and physical (hiding places, temperature, humidity) supporting factors are the components of an ecosystem -- a basic, self sustaining natural unit. Pest control takes place within this unit; to be effective it acts on the parts of the ecosystem.
Pest control styles are set up to prevent, react to, eliminate, or manage pests. Each style has advantages and disadvantages; the most complete style is pest management which involves the coordination of many elements depends on the nature of the infested site.
Since pests are not evenly distributed in an ecosystem, an inspection is needed to locate them. To manage pests, the supporting factors of their population need to be identified and altered. When alteration alone is not sufficient, pesticides can be used to reduce the pest population to a tolerable level [this level may be zero].
Finally, an evaluation or follow-up assessment makes the control effort last longer and tells the pest control technician how well the job was done.
STUDY QUESTIONS FOR MANAGEMENT & CONTROL
CHAPTER ONE
PEST MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL
1
Define a pest in simple terms.
2.
Pest populations are part of an ecosystem. What following elements are included
in an ecosystem?
A. Populations and a community.
B. A community and biological and physical supports.
C. Populations and biological and physical supports.
D. Populations, a community, and biological and physical supports.
3. In infested apartments, pest infestations are evenly distributed.
A. True.
B. False.
4. In a simple sequence of methods, which of the following is the first method or activity a pest control technician should do?
A. Pesticide application.
B. Habitat alteration.
C. Inspection.
D. Follow up.
5. Which of the following are not integrated pest management components, goals
or activities:
A. Monitoring.
B. Pesticide application.
C. Preventive spraying.
D. Record-keeping.
E. Total pest elimination.
6.
The pest management style of pest control, more than the other styles,
emphasizes:
A. Safe pesticide application.
B. The reduction of pests to a tolerable number.
C. Inspection.
D. Client communication.