One of the biggest reasons that I home seal is to pass along education information – Knowledge is Power. This site is full of great information and can be used for all types of circumstances.
The Spring 2014 PESPWire is here!
PESPWire is a quarterly electronic newsletter featuring news and information of interest to PestWise members, partners and pesticide community stakeholders. This PESPWire issue covers a variety of topics, from IPM for Pigeons to EPA Supports IPM in Arizona.
I would personally like to thank two of our clients – Precious Treasures Childcare and Liberty Wildlife for their contribution to this informative article concerning Integrated Pest Management or IPM. I would also like to thank the EPA for this article and their work with IPM.
Emergency bee calls are up in the Valley, honeybees have no idea what is a good place and where is the bad place. This call was right about 2 electronic doors and every time the door opened some bees flew in. A unique situation because they had this super big lobby area and there were bees everywhere inside and they weren’t happy. Here are a few facts to remember about swarm bees:
- Typically when they swarm they ingest lots of honey, usually they are more docile.
- They are not defending an actual hive yet, so again a little more docile – doesn’t mean that they can’t get agitated.
- Usually as warm lands and sends out scouts, once they find a suitable home they will usually leave.
- Bees at a water fountain are just there for water, lone bees will not attack unless you mess with them.
- If you are stung seek medical attention, especially if allergic. Call 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
- Use caution as you are dealing with possibly dangerous insects.
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I want to thank the EPA, Arizona Pest Management Center, Maricopa Agricultural Center and Metro Tech High School for all the information and work they have done in Integrated Pest Management or IPM.
It just makes sense!
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I have been doing IPM since purchasing ProBest Pest Management in 2005 and this event sparked a thought concerning the old ways of pest control. How many remember when the Bug Guy aka Pest Management Professional sprayed inside baseboards, remember the buildup of wettable powder pesticide. I always thought this wasn’t good, pets and babies play on carpets and floors. The brochure of events brought this home with the following:
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a sensible, environmentally-friendly, and effective way to solve pest problems. Pests are managed by the most economical means and always with the least possible risk to people, property, and the environment.
Why IPM?
- Common sense – uses simple methods to keep the school clean and maintained to prevent pests. Understand the pests and make them unwelcome.
- More effective – uses multiple methods focusing on remedying the reasons why pests are there in the first place. Provides long-term solutions to many pest problems.
- Lowers risk – reduces potential exposure to pests and pesticides.
- Cost effective – pesticides are used only when needed. Many IPM tactics have long-term benefits.
How to do IPM?
- Identify pests: not all creatures are pests. Proper identification helps you decide what to do about them.
- Keep records: records give information about past pest problems, so you know when and where to look for them and what to do.
- Keep pest away: maintain cleanness and deny food, water and shelter.
- Non-chemical methods: managed pests by setting barriers, trapping, physical removal (by hand, vacuuming) or changing physical conditions (e.g. moisture, aeration) to make an area unfavorable for pests.
- Use pesticides as the last resort: use least hazardous pesticides or application methods (self-contained baits, gels used as crack-and-crevice treatments, and exempt from U.S. EPA registration-25B). Use only if pests continue to be present and other methods are insufficient to manage the infestation. Regularly scheduled pesticide sprays are usually not necessary.
I recently attended the EPA Big Check event at the Metro Tech High School in Phoenix to witness the grant of $250,000 to the University of Arizona. I recently home sealing “IPM – the way of the future, why don’t schools get this?“and again want to emphasize the benefits of IPM: This facility works this program to its fullest potential – Integrated pest management works inside & outside school buildings.
- IPM reduces pest problems – this was very evident at Metro Tech as they support this to the highest degree.
- IPM encourages the use of safer pesticides when needed.
- IPM enhances the campus landscape and reduces plant and tree losses.
- IPM creates a healthier campus for improved academic achievement & reduced absenteeism.
- IPM can reduce athletic field injuries & pest-related asthma symptoms.
- IPM is cost-effective.
This information was published as a program handout to the attendee’s and I thought would be valuable in spreading the news of IPM
We are very fortunate to live in the USA, 3.6 billion people live in areas where the risk of vector-borne diseases are very high. The World Health Organization is promoting this slogan – “small bite, big threat,” Can you think of diseases known to be caused by insects?
- Mosquitoes
- Ticks
- Fleas
- Sand Flies
- Blackflies
- Water snails
www.EndMalariaNow.org is an organization that continues to save people around the world. 250 million people are affected by Malaria each year, every 60 seconds a child dies from malaria.
Soapbox time again, I just don’t understand why schools are so reluctant to jump on this. I stopped spraying inside homes years ago, it just isn’t good on the occupants of the home unless there is a real good reason. I have preached about this over the years, but the EPA recently awarded more than $500,000 “to schools to help reduce children’s exposure to pesticides“. It is my opinion that every school should adopt this, period. It is in the best interest of every child and teacher, the use of IPM is simplistic in the game – just use other methods to control pest unless it is impossible and then use pesticides. Go here to read about ideas on IPM from the National Pest Management Association.
The three grants will be awarded to:
The Texas A&M Agrilife Extension to develop a central, internet-based hub for materials and phone apps that will give school districts the information and tools they need to adopt an IPM program.
The University of Arizona to develop and carry out a pilot training and certification program for school staff (custodians, kitchen staff, and school administrators) in eight states and four tribes, working with five other universities and stakeholders.
The Michigan State University to help 5 percent of Michigan and Indiana schools adopt IPM through hands-on education, training and coalition building, including web-based trainings and a website. About 135,000 children may be protected.
I love this story “Cats recruited to solve rodent problem at LAPD farm“, it really focuses on using all those tools available before we use pesticides. To refresh your memory “Whats all the fuss about pest control and IPM” – one of my favorite sites is “What is IPM”
So what is IPM?
IPM is an abbreviation for Integrated Pest Management.
Integrated Pest Management is a process involving common sense and sound solutions for treating and controlling pests. These solutions incorporate three basic steps: 1) inspection, 2) identification and 3) treatment. Treatment options vary from sealing cracks and removing food and water sources to pesticide treatments when necessary.
Customer cat by Candi
Local cat Muffin by Bonny