11

Troublesome Troublesome PestsPests

In School In School BuildingsBuildings

IPM in Schools ProgramIPM in Schools Program Contact: Jean Ciborowski, 651-297-3217Contact: Jean Ciborowski, 651-297-3217

Minnesota Department of Minnesota Department of AgricultureAgriculture

Funding provided by the MN Future Resources Fund as recommended

by the Legislative Commission on

Minnesota Resources

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Structural or Indoor Pests in Structural or Indoor Pests in Minnesota Schools Minnesota Schools

AntsAnts FliesFlies Mice/RatsMice/Rats WaspsWasps HeadliceHeadlice SilverfishSilverfish

SpidersSpiders CockroachesCockroaches Other: Other:

– centipedes, centipedes, crickets, boxelder crickets, boxelder bugs, aphids, bugs, aphids, millepedes, bats, millepedes, bats, fruit flies, shrewsfruit flies, shrews

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Sanitation – any pest, all Sanitation – any pest, all pestspests

Sweep and mop floorsSweep and mop floors Drain all sinks and remove any food debrisDrain all sinks and remove any food debris Vacuum and/or mop classrooms dailyVacuum and/or mop classrooms daily Periodically, clean food prep areas thoroughlyPeriodically, clean food prep areas thoroughly

– drains, vents, deep fat fryers and hard-to-reach drains, vents, deep fat fryers and hard-to-reach areasareas

Remove all food garbage from building dailyRemove all food garbage from building daily Rinse recycling materialsRinse recycling materials Seal garbage in bags before placingSeal garbage in bags before placing in dumpsterin dumpster

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Outdoor Waste ManagementOutdoor Waste Management No garbage on groundNo garbage on ground Place dumpsters upwind of outside doors, kitchen Place dumpsters upwind of outside doors, kitchen

or cafeteria especiallyor cafeteria especially Remove wastes from site weeklyRemove wastes from site weekly

– Twice/week during warmer weather (insects breed faster)Twice/week during warmer weather (insects breed faster) Close lidsClose lids Clean containers regularlyClean containers regularly

– High pressure water or brush and soapy water. High pressure water or brush and soapy water. – Borax and water to eliminate odorsBorax and water to eliminate odors– Hose or scrub out dumpsters with drains Hose or scrub out dumpsters with drains – Flies can develop in soil soaked with dumpster rinse Flies can develop in soil soaked with dumpster rinse

waterwater

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If Chemical Treatment Is If Chemical Treatment Is NeededNeeded

Follow EPA approved label Follow EPA approved label directionsdirections

Use Personal Protective Use Personal Protective Equipment as noted on labelEquipment as noted on label

Maintain a file of labels and Maintain a file of labels and MSDS (material data safety MSDS (material data safety sheets)sheets)

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AntsAnts In food areas, contaminate food; other areas, In food areas, contaminate food; other areas,

nuisancenuisance– If not migrating into building, not detrimentalIf not migrating into building, not detrimental– If high numbers foraging into building, locate and treat If high numbers foraging into building, locate and treat

outdoor nests outdoor nests Differ in habits and food preferencesDiffer in habits and food preferences

– May build nest in soil, rotting wood, concealed May build nest in soil, rotting wood, concealed areas outdoor or in buildingsareas outdoor or in buildings

– Feed on starches, meats, fats or sweetsFeed on starches, meats, fats or sweets Honeydew from houseplant pestsHoneydew from houseplant pests

– Baits tempt workers into returning to nest with Baits tempt workers into returning to nest with poisonous foodpoisonous food

Identify type to determine biology and Identify type to determine biology and most effective methodmost effective method of managementof management

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Ants in Minnesota schoolsAnts in Minnesota schools

CornfieldCornfield– lt to dk brown, workers ~ 1/10 “ long; very abundant outdoorslt to dk brown, workers ~ 1/10 “ long; very abundant outdoors

Field AntsField Ants– Black, brown, red, or combo, workers ~ 1/8 to 1/4’” longBlack, brown, red, or combo, workers ~ 1/8 to 1/4’” long

Pavement AntsPavement Ants – Reddish-brown to black; workers ~ 1/8 inch long Reddish-brown to black; workers ~ 1/8 inch long

Thief AntsThief Ants– yellow to light brown;yellow to light brown;– workers ~1/20 “ long tend to curl up when die workers ~1/20 “ long tend to curl up when die – ID important; confused for Pharaoh antsID important; confused for Pharaoh ants

Pharaoh antsPharaoh ants– light yellow to redlight yellow to red– ~ 1/16 “ long~ 1/16 “ long– thorax on workers darker coloredthorax on workers darker colored

Photo by Jim Kalisch. UNL Entomology

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Pharaoh Pharaoh AntsAnts

Do not survive outdoors. Do not survive outdoors. – Nest in small spaces often near dark, warm Nest in small spaces often near dark, warm

sites near moisture source; very difficult to sites near moisture source; very difficult to find. find.

– Produce new nests by budding. When colony Produce new nests by budding. When colony too large or under stress, moves to new site too large or under stress, moves to new site

Photo by Jim Kalisch. UNL Entomology

Can nest in any heated building; most commonly found in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and apartments. Persistent numbers of very small ants in winter likely Pharaoh

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Managing pharaoh Managing pharaoh ants usually ants usually

requires requires experienced pest experienced pest control companycontrol company

Insecticides and household cleaning products Insecticides and household cleaning products can cause budding, create new colonies. can cause budding, create new colonies. – Use of baits preferred, but homeowner products Use of baits preferred, but homeowner products

may not be effective may not be effective – Professionals have experience and more effective Professionals have experience and more effective

productsproducts

Photo by Jim Kalisch. UNL Entomology

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Ways to Reduce Ant Ways to Reduce Ant ProblemsProblems

Weather strip around doors and Weather strip around doors and windowswindows

Always carry caulk on inspections Always carry caulk on inspections – Use mildew resistant caulk in moist areasUse mildew resistant caulk in moist areas

– Begin caulking at access point of current Begin caulking at access point of current ant trailant trail

Vacuum ant trailsVacuum ant trails– Vacuum up a tbsp corn starch to kill ants in bagVacuum up a tbsp corn starch to kill ants in bag

Spray with detergent and water Spray with detergent and water

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Techniques for Baiting AntsTechniques for Baiting Ants May require professional to identify species and May require professional to identify species and

habitshabits Differ in food preference for baitingDiffer in food preference for baiting

– Sweet, protein or oily attractantsSweet, protein or oily attractants– Food preferences may changeFood preferences may change

Differ in nesting and foraging habitsDiffer in nesting and foraging habits– Affects bait acceptance and management Affects bait acceptance and management

techniquestechniques In dry areas, may prefer more moist baits In dry areas, may prefer more moist baits Bait along foraging trails, but do not disturb trails between Bait along foraging trails, but do not disturb trails between

nest and baitnest and bait

Place baits out of sight and REACH of children

If competition present, non-target ant If competition present, non-target ant may prevent target ant from feedingmay prevent target ant from feedingRemove “bait stations” when not Remove “bait stations” when not needed or will attract cockroachesneeded or will attract cockroaches

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Common Small FliesCommon Small Flies Moth fly (drain fly)Moth fly (drain fly)

– 1/12” long, dark-colored; long black hairs on wings 1/12” long, dark-colored; long black hairs on wings and body, fuzzy moth-like appearanceand body, fuzzy moth-like appearance

Fruit FliesFruit Flies– 1/16 to 1/8” long, red eyes, tan body, striped 1/16 to 1/8” long, red eyes, tan body, striped

abdomenabdomen Humpbacked flyHumpbacked fly

– Also called phorid flies: 1/8” long with humpbacked Also called phorid flies: 1/8” long with humpbacked body; often found running along counters or wallsbody; often found running along counters or walls

Fungus gnatsFungus gnats– 1/8” long with slender body and long legs1/8” long with slender body and long legs

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FliesFlies May contaminate food in prep or May contaminate food in prep or

serving areasserving areas– In others areas, nuisance, but large numbersIn others areas, nuisance, but large numbers indicate sanitation problemindicate sanitation problem

Eggs laid inEggs laid in food waste, kitchen drains, decomposing organic food waste, kitchen drains, decomposing organic

matter, ripe fruit and vegetables, fermenting matter, ripe fruit and vegetables, fermenting water from refrigerators, humidifiers, spoiled water from refrigerators, humidifiers, spoiled animal food, damp sour mops or rags and other animal food, damp sour mops or rags and other locations, including areas adjacent to building locations, including areas adjacent to building

Identify flies to determine breeding Identify flies to determine breeding sites and effective control sites and effective control measures measures

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Where can flies can be Where can flies can be found?found?

drainsdrains moist, decaying organic mattermoist, decaying organic matter food residues in trashfood residues in trash around kitchen equipmentaround kitchen equipment bottom of pet cages or potting soilbottom of pet cages or potting soil slimy layer in floor drains and sinksslimy layer in floor drains and sinks near sump pumps and broken sewage linesnear sump pumps and broken sewage lines in soil of over-watered houseplants, or high in soil of over-watered houseplants, or high

organic soilorganic soil

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Reduce Fly Reduce Fly PopulationsPopulations Eat or refrigerate fresh foodsEat or refrigerate fresh foods no ripe (overripe) produce left out no ripe (overripe) produce left out Separate food waste from other Separate food waste from other

garbage, drain, store in sealed garbage, drain, store in sealed plastic bags before disposingplastic bags before disposing

Flush sink and floor drains regularly Flush sink and floor drains regularly Rinse materials before recyclingRinse materials before recycling Keep mops clean and dryKeep mops clean and dry

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Mice/RatsMice/Rats Norway ratNorway rat

– Large, robust, blunt muzzle, small eyes, Large, robust, blunt muzzle, small eyes, short rounded ears; 7-18 oz, adults up to short rounded ears; 7-18 oz, adults up to 11” 11”

House mouseHouse mouse– Smaller, more slender than Norway, eyes Smaller, more slender than Norway, eyes

small, ears prominent, muzzle pointed; 1 oz small, ears prominent, muzzle pointed; 1 oz or less, 3” long or less, 3” long

Deer mouseDeer mouse—seasonal problem in fall and —seasonal problem in fall and winter; ~ size as house mouse, but bicolored, winter; ~ size as house mouse, but bicolored, white bellies and feet, large eyeswhite bellies and feet, large eyes

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Mouse Mouse cluesclues

Sounds at night of squeaks, Sounds at night of squeaks, scrambling or gnawingscrambling or gnawing

Droppings Droppings – Similar to large cockroaches and bats Similar to large cockroaches and bats

UrineUrine– pillars of grease, urine and dirt visible pillars of grease, urine and dirt visible

under blacklightunder blacklight Grease marks of dirt and oil from Grease marks of dirt and oil from

fur fur Runways, not easily detectableRunways, not easily detectable Tracks footprints or tail marksTracks footprints or tail marks

– use nontoxic dust to help locate (talc)use nontoxic dust to help locate (talc) Gnawing damageGnawing damage SightingsSightings Nest sitesNest sites Mouse odorsMouse odors

2020

Rodent Rodent cultural cultural

practicespractices

Good SanitationGood Sanitation– Eliminate food, water and Eliminate food, water and

sheltershelter ExcludeExclude

– Identify and seal all entry Identify and seal all entry pointspoints Never prop open doors or Never prop open doors or

windowswindows– Trim shrubs grass and Trim shrubs grass and

vines and maintain a 12-vines and maintain a 12-18” gravel border adjacent 18” gravel border adjacent to building foundationsto building foundations

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Mouse Trap TipsMouse Trap Tips Rarely go more than 30 ft from nest,Rarely go more than 30 ft from nest, usually only 10 ftusually only 10 ft Place snap traps in 3-D sphere about 10 ft Place snap traps in 3-D sphere about 10 ft

in diameter around mouse signs in diameter around mouse signs – Good climbers; live above or below food sources, Good climbers; live above or below food sources,

ceilings or crawl spacesceilings or crawl spaces– Best trapping sites where mice spend time Best trapping sites where mice spend time

Note droppings along walls, behind objects, Note droppings along walls, behind objects, dark cornersdark corners

– Good mouse baits -- peanut butter, bacon, cerealGood mouse baits -- peanut butter, bacon, cereal cotton ball for nest material cotton ball for nest material – May require professional assistance to deal with May require professional assistance to deal with

high mouse populationshigh mouse populations

A pair of A pair of mice can mice can produce produce 50 50 offspring offspring in one in one yearyear

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B ees and WaspsB ees and Wasps CharacteristicsCharacteristics

– Bees: fuzzy, robust Bees: fuzzy, robust – Wasps: Smooth skinned and shinyWasps: Smooth skinned and shiny

Identify to learn biology and habits Identify to learn biology and habits – Wasp and bumble bee colonies live only 1 Wasp and bumble bee colonies live only 1

seasonseason Old queen and workers die in fall, new queens survive Old queen and workers die in fall, new queens survive

in protected sitesin protected sites Build new nest in spring; old nest not reusedBuild new nest in spring; old nest not reused

– Honey bee colonies perennial in same nest Honey bee colonies perennial in same nest locationlocation

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Sting ReactionsSting Reactions

Mild allergic: hives or rash, swelling in area away from sting, headache, minor respiratory/stomach upset, treat with antihistamine

Severe: Anaphylactic shock, fainting, immediate difficulty breathing, swelling or blockage in throat

Local: burning itching, redness, tenderness or massive swelling and itch. Ice or topical ointment, remove stinger

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Caution! Wasps and BeesCaution! Wasps and Bees Will attack if Will attack if

physically physically threatened and to threatened and to protect their nestsprotect their nests

Wear protective Wear protective clothing bee veil clothing bee veil and bee suitand bee suit

USE CAUTION!USE CAUTION!

Photos by Jim Kalisch. UNL Entomology

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Wasp NestsWasp Nests

If nest not a threat, wait for If nest not a threat, wait for freeze freeze – Capture and release or swat Capture and release or swat

individualsindividuals May nest in ground, tree May nest in ground, tree

and shrubs, under and shrubs, under horizontal surfaces such as horizontal surfaces such as eaves, in buildings in wall eaves, in buildings in wall spacesspaces

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Treating Nests Treating Nests Exposed nestsExposed nests: apply “Wasp and : apply “Wasp and

Hornet” ready-to-use aerosol to entrance Hornet” ready-to-use aerosol to entrance of nest. Repeat if live wasps foundof nest. Repeat if live wasps found

Ground nests and hidden nestsGround nests and hidden nests may require applications of insecticide by may require applications of insecticide by professional pest control technicianprofessional pest control technician– If nest entrance in wall void sealed before If nest entrance in wall void sealed before

insects dead, insects will be forced indoorsinsects dead, insects will be forced indoors– Professional can vacuum nest if in area where Professional can vacuum nest if in area where

insecticides can not be used insecticides can not be used – Do not pour gasoline or fuel oil in ground nestDo not pour gasoline or fuel oil in ground nest

contaminates environment, use soapy watercontaminates environment, use soapy water plug entrance hole with dirt after insects killedplug entrance hole with dirt after insects killed

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CockroachesCockroaches Zero tolerance anywhereZero tolerance anywhere Can carry pathogens and cause Can carry pathogens and cause

problems such as salmonella and problems such as salmonella and asthmaasthma

Prefer to be in warm, moist areas Prefer to be in warm, moist areas near food and waternear food and water

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Cockroach SpeciesCockroach SpeciesGermanGerman Adults live 6 months, each female

produces 28 nymphs from an egg case, produces 4-8 egg cases, new generation every four weeks

Small, adults less than ¾” long, gold with two dark streaks behind the head. Requires moisture, usually found in kitchen or bath

American Can live two years, egg case 1-2

weeks, 20 to 80 egg cases with 15-20 nymphs

Glue egg case to hidden, moist surface

Larger and heavier, 1 ½ to 1 ¾ ‘ long, reddish brown to black

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Defeating Defeating CockroachesCockroaches Watch damp areas or available water Watch damp areas or available water

(Condensation under refrigerator) (Condensation under refrigerator) Store all food in sealed containers; Store all food in sealed containers;

remove garbage daily remove garbage daily Remove boxes, newspapers, other clutterRemove boxes, newspapers, other clutter Rinse and invert cups, glasses and soda Rinse and invert cups, glasses and soda Vacuum cockroaches and egg casesVacuum cockroaches and egg cases

– HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter to HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter to reduce airborne cockroach debrisreduce airborne cockroach debris

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Non toxic cockroach trap-Non toxic cockroach trap- Empty jar with rounded inner lipEmpty jar with rounded inner lip

– pickle, mayonnaise etc. pickle, mayonnaise etc. Coat inner lip with vaselineCoat inner lip with vaseline Bait with quarter slice bread Bait with quarter slice bread

soaked in beer or dog food,soaked in beer or dog food,apples, cookies, etc. apples, cookies, etc.

Wrap outside of jar in paper towel Wrap outside of jar in paper towel Kill trapped insects with dish washing Kill trapped insects with dish washing

detergent and hot waterdetergent and hot water

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Methods of Professional Methods of Professional Cockroach ManagementCockroach Management

Traps Traps Gel and dust baits Gel and dust baits Insect growth regulatorsInsect growth regulators

– Disrupt normal development of immatures Disrupt normal development of immatures – Very low in toxicity for people and animalsVery low in toxicity for people and animals– Slow working Slow working

Desiccating dustsDesiccating dusts

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HeadliceHeadlice

Do not treat furniture, bedding, floor Do not treat furniture, bedding, floor or walls inside school with insecticide or walls inside school with insecticide

Cannot survive without human host for more than Cannot survive without human host for more than two daystwo days

Bedding and clothing should be washed and dried Bedding and clothing should be washed and dried at high temperature (150at high temperature (150oo or higher) or higher)

Place pillow or other non-washable items in freezer Place pillow or other non-washable items in freezer for several daysfor several days

3333

S pidersS piders Beneficial insect; tolerate if possibleBeneficial insect; tolerate if possible To reduce numbers, remove hiding placesTo reduce numbers, remove hiding places

– Create vegetation-free zone around building Create vegetation-free zone around building – Knock down webs with broom or hard spray of waterKnock down webs with broom or hard spray of water

Remove and destroy egg sacks or spiders when foundRemove and destroy egg sacks or spiders when found– Caulk or seal cracks Caulk or seal cracks – Be sure screens ft tightlyBe sure screens ft tightly– Change outside lights to avoid attracting other Change outside lights to avoid attracting other

insects as preyinsects as prey yellow lights less attractive than mercury or sodium vaporyellow lights less attractive than mercury or sodium vapor

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Boxelder bugsBoxelder bugs Most abundant during hot, dry summersMost abundant during hot, dry summers Live just a few days indoors and do not reproduce Live just a few days indoors and do not reproduce May enter buildings on mild,May enter buildings on mild, sunny, winter days,sunny, winter days, Prevent byPrevent by

– VacuumVacuum– Caulk Caulk – Soap mixture; ½ cups laundry detergent ot Soap mixture; ½ cups laundry detergent ot

one gallon water in hand sprayer or squirt one gallon water in hand sprayer or squirt bottle. Check for staining on building materials bottle. Check for staining on building materials No residual, must hit targetNo residual, must hit target

Photo by Jeff Hahn, University of Minnesota

3535

SilverfishSilverfish Prefer cool, moist, dark places, 70-80Prefer cool, moist, dark places, 70-80ooF, F,

high r.h. high r.h. – basements, trapped in bathtubs, sinksbasements, trapped in bathtubs, sinks

Quick movement, active at night; hide during dayQuick movement, active at night; hide during day Feed on paper, grains and starchy foods, Feed on paper, grains and starchy foods, Change environment if possibleChange environment if possible

– Correct moisture problems, dry out damp Correct moisture problems, dry out damp areas, improve lightingareas, improve lighting

– Remove stored food, books, paperRemove stored food, books, paper– Caulk cracks and crevicesCaulk cracks and crevices