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IPM Practices > Occasional
Household Pests
Occasional Household Pests
The use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to solve occasional
household pest problems can result in long-term success and
the reduction of risks associated with pesticides. However,
the key to the success of IPM is using a combination of appropriate
techniques. Evaluating results is essential to determining
whether the problem has been solved or the planned solution
needs adjustment.
Arthropods in the Category of “Occasional Household Pests”
| † Booklice (can cause damage) |
† Silverfish/Firebrats (can cause damage) |
| ‡ Crickets (mild nuisance-harmless) |
‡ Sowbugs/Pillbugs (mild nuisance-harmless) |
| ‡ Earwigs (mild nuisance-harmless) |
± Spiders (nuisance-may bite if bothered) |
| ± Ladybug Beetles (seasonal nuisance) |
‡ Springtails (may occur in large numbers) |
| ‡ Millipedes/Centipedes (mild nuisance-millipedes
are harmless, centipedes may bite) |
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*† ‡ ± Household pests fit generally into
three categories of IPM requirements. While control measures
are often similar, there are important differences. The approach
for each pest group will be designated with one of the symbols
which appear next to the pests listed. If no symbol appears,
the item applies to all occasional household pests.
INSPECTION
The Pest Management Practitioner:
5. performs an inspection on each service visit, especially
in high risk areas such as:
in basements, near drains or areas of excess moisture or leakage;
† in, around, and under bookcases, closet shelves, food
storage areas, or anywhere the animals have been seen;
‡ around outside perimeter of building;
6. ± observes cast skins and inspects around windows
and corners of rooms for adult beetles and spiders;
2 identifies pest species (by adult, larval, or other sign
recognition).
3 identifies structural/environmental factors requiring correction.
CULTURAL PRACTICES RECOMMENDED
Management of these occasional household pests is dependent
on good sanitation and home maintenance. The cultural practices
listed below correct conditions that encourage occasional
household pests. The practitioner must provide written recommendations
to the customer concerning conditions that need correction.
In some cases, the pest management contractor will correct
these conditions for a fee.
The Pest Management Practitioner evaluates, recommends, or
corrects as appropriate:
1. sealing cracks in walls, around windows, doors and siding
are with quality, silicone-based caulk -to keep out moisture,
heat in the summer and cold in the winter, and improve the
pest barrier;
2. replacing or repairing damaged door and window screens;
3. sealing spaces around incoming pipes and wires;
4. ± covering openings in eaves, attic and air vents
with insect screening (20-mesh maximum);
5. whenever possible, placing living individuals outdoors
or otherwise removing them.
This might require a broom and dustpan or vacuum (the bag
contents removed immediately). Dead individuals and other
remnants are removed;
6. † regularly cleaning area around bookshelves;
7 . † locating, removing far from any structures or
destroying spider eggs and nests (spiders and ladybird beetles
are important predators of pests);
8 . keeping perimeter of building clear of leaf litter, wood
piles, other debris, and persistent water sources.
TREATMENT
Treatment includes both chemical and non-chemical options.
However, the use of pesticides is
not permitted on a routine or periodic basis. No pesticide
application should be made unless the presence of a pest is
confirmed and the pest has been identified.
The Pest Management Practitioner:
1. vacuums infested area or otherwise cleans general site
of pest presence;
2. removes nesting sites or egg sacs from on or around structure;
3. removes leaf litter, branches, wood piles, and other debris
from direct contact with outside of structure;
4. develops “clear zone” around structure perimeter;
5. locates other potential sources of entry and advises of
repair options applies spot treatments with low-risk sprays
or dusts;
7. sprays or dusts rugs, closet areas, storage areas, and
all known or suspected feeding and hiding places;
EDUCATION
It is important for pest management practitioners to increase
their knowledge of IPM strategies to solve occasional household
pest problems successfully.
The Pest Management Practitioner:
8. participates in an educational program, addressing the
following topics within a three-year period:
a. pest identification
b. sanitation
c. exclusion (including inspection techniques)
d. harborage removal /denial
e. environmental alteration (i.e. ventilation, temperature
control, etc.)
f. interception (i.e. inspecting purchased or incoming goods,
etc.)
g. trapping & monitoring
h. vacuuming
i. use of heat/cold as control technique
j. use of lighting in pest control
k. other considerations
2. subscribes to one or more professional association, organization,
and/or trade publications reporting on structural pest management
with consistent coverage of IPM related topics;
3. is an active member of a relevant trade or professional
association.
9. provides customer with IPM information;
10. Advanced: has completed correspondence course in pest
management in current year.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Carpenter Ants
Small Ants
Cockroaches
Fabric Pests
Fleas
Flies
Occasional Household
Pests
Rodents
Stinging Insects
Stored
Products Pests
Termites
Glossary
Additional
Resources
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