Michael SwoyerStopPests in Housing
HUD-USDA Interagency Agreement | USDA NIFA Special 2012-04039
"The Essentials of Pests and IPM: What You Need to Know"
What is a Pest?
• Ants• Fleas• Bats• Birds• Raccoons• Cats• Weeds
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A pest is a living thing in a place where we don’t want it!
Pests may include: mammals, insects, rodents, bacteria, and plants. Pests spread diseases to people, animals and plants, destroy property, and are a nuisance.
• Cockroaches• Mice• Head Lice• Bed bugs• Spiders• Wasps• Deer
Problems Caused by Pests
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• People don’t like them in their spaces
• Damage Property• Health Problems
Rodent-gnawed wire – a cause of fires
Damage by clothes mothMouse crushed in printer
Health Problems Caused by Pests• Bites• Spread Bacterial &
Viral Diseases • Contaminate Food• Trigger Asthma
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Lyme Disease “Bullseye”
“Waterbug,”American Cockroach
Bed BugGerman Cockroaches
• Pests have been shown to cause and trigger asthma
• #1 cause of Asthma? Dust mites-a pest that cannot be controlled by any pesticide
• African American children are diagnosed, hospitalized, and die from asthma 2 x more often white children
• Latino children are diagnosed, hospitalized, and die from asthma 3 xmore often white children
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Problems Caused by Pests
What is a Pesticide?
A chemical that is designed to kill a pest
• Insecticide – kills insects• Rodenticide – kills rodents• Fungicide – kills fungi• Herbicide – kills plants
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Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus)
German Cockroaches
Problems with Pesticides
• Pesticides are made to harm living things
• People often do not understand how to use them safely or appropriately
• Exposures to pesticides can have short- and/or long-term negative health effects
• Routine use indoors leads to residues on surfaces and in the air
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Home destroyed by Fogger explosion:“Live cockroaches were observed crawling through the debris…”
San Diego, 1992
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• Children are not little adults• Eat/drink/breathe more, pound per pound than adults
• “Live Low” and put everything in their mouths!
• Have a lifetime of exposures to chemicals (starting from before birth)
Pesticides are More Risky for Children
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How are Children Exposed?
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By what goes into their mouths (oral)
By what they touch (dermal)
By what they breathe (respiratory)
Even before they are born (pre-natal)
Windows of Susceptibility
RED/dark is highly sensitive period, YELLOW/light for less sensitive period. From: Selevan,et al, Environmental Health Perspectives, Volume 108, Supplement 3, June 2000
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Proper Storage?
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OR
At child’s level, under the sink, or in an unlocked cabinet?
What is IPM?
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Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an approach to controlling pests in safer, more effective, and longer-lasting ways. When you use IPM, you
1. Understand a pest's identity and habits 2. Use non-toxic, preventative measures first3. Use several different tactics for better results4. If needed, choose least-risky chemicals
In other words: “Doing the mostest with the leastest that’s the safest and the cheapest”Integrated-The variety of methods including sanitation, repair, exclusion, removal of food, pesticides, etc.Pest-Anything living that exists where you don’t want it to beManagement-Covers a lot of things like: “What’s a tolerable level of pests?” “What is this pest?” “How much do I want to spend to get rid of it?” etc. But what it really boils down to is this: “What are the
smartest actions can I take that will help me control this pest?”
Why use IPM?
• It works– The Boston Housing Authority noted a 75%
reduction in pest calls after starting an IPM program
• It is sustainable– Pests can develop resistance, become bait shy or
even change behaviors if only one method is used
• It doesn’t poison the environment or you
Anything is possible with a little cooperation…
IPM is a team activity!
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Courtesy of Marc Lame
Principles of IPM
• Set Action ThresholdsSeeing a single pest isn’t always a problem
• Monitor and Identify PestsNot all insects are harmful Control measures can be very different for similar species
• PreventionAs a 1st line of defense the structure should be made as pest-unfriendly as possibleSealing up cracks and crevices where pests can hide and reproduceEstablishing a “no-pest strip” around the structure (an open barrier where the pest must cross in order to gain entry)Sanitation and opening up areas for easy cleaning and monitoring
• ControlIf, after all this, pest control is still required, the method utilizing the least risk is usedWork from the specific to, at last resort, the general
Comparison of Traditional Pest Control vs. IPM
Single Solution Extermination Non-target overflows
(damage to environment)
Chemical Usage Exclusively
General
Integrated
Management
Specifically targeted to a pest with minimum overflows
Non chemical 1st
Specific
“Carrying Capacity” is the amount of pests supported by the available food, water and
shelter in an environment
Population
Time
Moving the carrying capacity from here to here means less pests will be able to live in your home
Why do People accept the presence of Pests?
• Cultural• Generational• Unaware of a better way• Different priorities• Unaware of detriment to health• Others?
How do we do Integrated Pest Management?
Prevent!• Keep Pests Out• Remove Pests Food & Water• Remove Pests ShelterKeep Watch!• Monitor for PestsEliminate!• Treat Existing Pest Problems
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Routine Monthly Spraying is NOT Part of IPM
Water
Food
Conducive Conditions
for Pests
Nest
Choose Safe Pest Control
• Red: Sprays, Foggers & Aerosols that kill insects on contact; Rodent sprays
• Yellow: Natural predators, tamper-proof baits, gels, boric acid
• Green: Cleaning/sanitizing, vacuuming, sweeping, reducing clutter, building maintenance, barriers, traps
• Enclosed baits • Gels • Pellets & granules for insects Hazardous to children –
may mistake for food item
YELLOW formulations:
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1. Keep Pests Out
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Doors & Windows
Deliveries
Check screens for holes and repair .
Fill all holes, cracks and crevices.
Cracks and Holes
An open door is an invitation…to a pest problem.
Check for gaps at the bottom of doors and install door sweeps.
Many pests are hitchhikers.
2. Remove Pests’ Food & Water
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Problems…
Yuck!
Solutions…
3. Remove Pest HarborageClutter
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Clutter provides lots of hiding spots AND
covers up evidence of a growing problem.
Before After
4. Monitor for Pests
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Report sighting in the pest sighting logDon’t move monitor traps
Roaches and poop.
Sticky-trap Monitor
5. Eliminate Existing Pests
• Take appropriate action for pest problems•For each pest there are a number of actions that can be taken. •Action should be the most effective and the least-risky to children.•The next slide shows how to combine these actions using the “IPM Pyramid of Tactics”
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IPM Pyramid of Tactics for Roaches
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Pesticide Risk: The ChemicalsUSE NOTTraps and Baits Sprays and Foggers
Less RiskyMore Risky
For mice: Snap traps and Multiple-catch traps
For roaches: Bait stations and Gels; Boric acid
Aviso
Veneno del Peligro
Highly hazardous
DANGER POISON
DANGERPeligro
WARNING
CAUTIONPrecaución
Severe Eye or SkinDamage
Slightly hazardous
Moderately hazardous
Understanding ‘Signal Words’
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Source: PSU Pesticide Education Program
Illegal and Unmarked Pesticides
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o Pesticides that look like candyo Chinese Insecticide chalk o “Tres Pasitos”o Tempo
Mothballs Chinese chalk Tres Pasitos
Dangers with Pesticides – Children’s HealthAcute Exposure -
Poisoning:• Asthma Attacks• Flu-like Symptoms• Vomiting• Dizziness• Unconsciousness
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Long-Term Exposure to Pesticides
Chronic Exposure:• Asthma• Cancer• Neurological damage• Immune system
damage• Permanent chemical
sensitivity• Endocrine disruption
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Cancer
Develop-mental
Others?
Behavioral
Allergies Brain Damage
Infertility
Asthma
Birth Defects
IPM for Key Pests
Let’s try to use an IPM approach on some common pests:•Ants•Cockroaches•Mice & RatsWe’re also going to discuss Bed bugs
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#1 = Know your Pest!
• What do they want?• Where do they live?• What is their life cycle?• How did they get in?• How can I prevent
them?• What if I need to use a
chemical:– Most effective?– Most safe?– Label directions?
Phot
o; E
A K
asam
eyer
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Ants!
• What do they want?• Where do they live?• What is their life cycle?
• How did they get in?
• How can I prevent them?
- Food usually (or water)- Nest in the ground outside- Queen makes “workers” who
look for food for the colony and make trails!
- Come in through holes in wall, cracks under windows
Clean up, seal food Seal holes with caulkWipe up their trails with soap
and water1/2014PA IPM Program 36
Ants!• What if I need to use
a chemical –– most effective?– most safe?– label directions?
BEST Enclosed baits Ants will carry back to nest
and kill colony Follow all label directionsMORE RISKY/Less effective x Sprays
- Does not solve problem- Risk of exposure by
touching, breathing, drinkingBEST!!
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Cockroaches!
• What do they want?• Where do they live?• What is their life cycle?
• How did they get in?
• How can I prevent them?
- Food and warmth- Like to live with you!- Egg cases, nymphs and adults
- Move in through cracks and crevices, then stay
Proper food and trash storage Seal cracks and crevices1/2014PA IPM Program 38
Signs of Cockroaches
• “Nests” can be identified by the presence of frass near cracks and crevices
• Place glue trap monitors near suspected infestation areas
Cockroaches!• What if I need to use a
chemical –– most effective?– most safe?– label directions?
BEST Enclosed baits, Gels, Boric acid Sticky traps to monitor Follow all label directions
MORE RISKY/Less effectivex Sprays, foggers and “bombs”
- Does not solve problem- Risk of exposure by
touching, breathing, drinking
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Mice!
• What do they want?• Where do they live?• What is their life cycle?
• How did they get in?
• How can I prevent them?
- Food, nesting material
- In your house, if possible!- Live 1-2 yr and can have 5-8
young every 3 wks!
- Come in through openings into building
Store food & trash properly Seal outside routes of entry,
install door sweeps1/2014 41
Mice
• Need a hole the size of a dime to enter
• Leave rice-sized droppings• Are curious and will respond to traps
immediately after putting them out• Do not grow up to be rats
Inches
Rats
• What do they want?• Where do they live?• What is their life cycle?
• How did they get in?
• How can I prevent them?
• Food, water• Mostly outdoors• Live 1-3 years, producing up to 5
litters a year
• Any hole bigger than their head
• Remove sources of food, water & shelter, seal openings to the outside
Rats
• Need a hole the size of a quarter to enter
• Leave jellybean sized droppings• Are very smart, cautious, and afraid of new
things• Unlike mice, do require water to drink
Inches
Mice and Rats!• What if I need to use a
chemical –– most effective?– most safe?– label directions?
BEST = Non-chemical Snap traps
- Kill instantly- Set snap side against walls,
away from children
X Not recommended indoorsx Rodent poisons
– Mice and rats die behind walls, stink and attract flies
– Dangerous to children, dogs
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Points to Remember
Prevention and monitoring are essential steps to eliminating pest problems!If you do use a pesticide:
– READ THE LABEL FIRST– The label is the LAW– Only a licensed pest control
operator can apply a pesticide in a facility or a home-based childcare center
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Bed Bugs
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Also known as…chintzes or chinchesmahogany flatsred coatscrimson ramblerswall licethe bug that nobody knows
Outline
• What they are• What they eat • Where they live• How to think like a
bed bug• Prevention and control
49Adult bed bug feeding on a human
What is a bed bug?
• A blood-sucking insect• Flat• Range in size from a
sesame seed to a apple seed
• Light brown to mahogany red depending when they last fed
Why they're back
• Change in pesticide availability• Change in pesticide use patterns• More travel/ mobility of people• More infested locations• Pesticide resistance• Lack of preparedness of society in general
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Bed bugs are health hazards
Bed bugs do not transmit disease, but they are a pest of significant public health importance
• Cause secondary infections after people scratch their bed bug bites
• Result in stress, loss of work, loss of productivity, loss of sleep, and financial burden
• Are unwelcome in our homes and workplaces
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Bed bug life cycle
Fed Unfed
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Bed bug crawling into a screw hole to hide
Bed bug behavior
• Most active at night• Hide in cracks and
crevices, often in groups
• Cannot fly, jump, or burrow into skin…they crawl
• Hitchhike on coats, bags, furniture, wheelchairs…
Spider Beetle 54
Mosquito Bites
Can be confused with…
• Ticks• Cockroach nymphs• Other kinds of bug bites• Allergic reactions to chemicals
Tick
Bat BugCockroach Nymph
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Signs of bed bugs
• Bites• Fecal spots• Shed skins• Dead bed bugs• Live bed bugs
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Where bed bugs live
• In the building• In any crack or crevice where a credit card edge
could fit• In anything near where people rest
Mattress piping Switch plates
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What’s on the other side of the wall?
How do bed bugs spread?
• Actively crawl along wires, pipes, and under doors• Passively on anything coming from an infested unit
(furniture, backpacks, laundry…)
Areas at-risk for introduction and infestation
• Introduction is likely where people – frequently travel– set down personal belongings– sit or lay down for long periods of time
• Infestation is likely where bed bugs can– Crawl (upholstered furniture or bedding)– Feed on a person for 5 minutes without being
detected– Hide in cracks or folds
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Monitoring
• Trap and kill bed bugs• Determine how bad the infestation is• Two types
– Passive– Active
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Passive, moat-style interceptor
Prevent introduction and spread: residents
• Keep coats, backpacks, purses, and bags off beds, recliners, and sofas at home and while out
• Inspect used furniture carefully before bringing it home—avoid it if possible
• Look for signs when sleeping away from home
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Advice for staff, health aides, and contractors
• In units: – Avoid sitting or placing items on potentially
infested surfaces – Keep personal items in sealed containers– Wear a protective layer when moving infested
items
• When transporting patients:– Consider dressing patient in a Tyvek suit– Line car seats with plastic (bags) and vacuum
thoroughly afterwards 61
Advice for staff, health aides, and contractors
• In units: – Observe tell-tale signs of pest problems
• Over the counter pesticides• Signs of pests
• In the main office/community areas:– Replace fabric-covered furniture that has many
crevices with plastic or metal items– Have residents set their belongings in plastic
totes during meetings62
Advice for staff, health aides, and contractors
• Be prepared to Educate:– One on one– Peer to peer– Group meetings
• Materials are available at:– www.stoppests.org– http://healthyhousingsolutions.com/training-
course/integrated-pest-management-in-multifamily-housing/
– http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD 63
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A review of what you should do
• Educate everyone about what they can do to prevent bed bugs
• Prepare before bed bugs are reported by minimizing clutter and installing encasements and monitors
• Respond rapidly with a professional before the infestation grows and spreads
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Questions?
Michael SwoyerStopPests in Housing
HUD-USDA Interagency Agreement | USDA NIFA Special 2012-04039
Promoting Integrated Pest Management in Affordable
Housing
Making Homes Healthy
• IPM is part of a nationwide Healthy Homes movement to reduce housing-based health hazards
• A healthy home is:– Dry– Clean– Ventilated– Safe– Contaminant-free– Maintained– Pest-free
Cockroach infestation in a smoke detector
We offer FREE IPM training and consultation
• We work with conventional public housing and Project-Based Section 8 sites across the U.S.
• Trainers consult with housing sites and deliver a one-day training course
• See our curriculum and resources at www.stoppests.org
What is IPM? Pest problem solving
1. Inspect2. Identify3. Establish thresholds4. Take control measures5. Evaluate effectiveness
Sticky traps used to monitor for cockroaches and interceptors used to monitor for bed bugs are an essential
part of an IPM program and make inspection easier
Priority pests
• Cockroaches cause asthma in infants, trigger asthma attacks, and contaminate food
• Rodents such as mice and rats carry diseases, bite, destroy property, may cause fires, and may trigger asthma attacks
• Bed Bugs and their bites are a nuisance and are expensive to eliminate
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Training agenda
Morning• Overview and Introductions• Cockroaches• IPM and Pesticide Use• Indoor Demonstrations• Working Lunch• Video
AfternoonRoles and Responsibilities PanelRodentsOutdoor DemonstrationsBed BugsIPM Exam and Course Evaluation
The IPM team
Janitorial/Custodial Services
Property ManagerIn charge of the IPM team
Resident Support Services
Maintenance Crew
ResidentLandscaping
Services
Pest Management Professional (PMP)
IPM in public housing background
Information based on• National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH) training
materials• Researchers/ trainers• The National Pest Management Association (NPMA)• PIH 2011-22: Promotion of Integrated Pest
Management (IPM)
Contact StopPests in Housing to find out more
• Visit www.StopPests.org and click on “Request Training”
• E-mail [email protected]• Call (607) 254-8990