Friday, May 24, 2013
Cockroaches Quickly Lose Sweet Tooth To Survive
http://www.wral.com/cockroaches-quickly-lose-sweet-tooth-to-survive/12478379/
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Paper Wasps Showing Up
Paper wasps (Polistes sp.) are long-legged, reddish brown to black insects with slender spindle-shaped abdomens. They may have differing degrees of yellowish or brown striping. Paper wasps can become a problem in the fall as the inseminated queens invade homes in search of overwintering sites. But paper wasps can also become a problem in the spring. As temperatures begin to climb, queens that spent the winter in structures become active and fly about. If they have been resting in an attic, wall void or crawlspace, the wasps may be attracted to light coming through a gap in the baseboard or a wall fixture, or around an AC vent and emerge inside the building. Since there are no nests or young to defend, the only real danger of being stung is from accidentally stepping on or pressing against one.
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Figure 1. Use an aerosol insecticide
to destroy a paper wasp nest
(Photo: Patty Alder)
|
Control. Queens that are found indoors may simply be swatted or vacuumed. If a queen does manage to get outdoors and start a nest, a broom may be all that is needed to knock it down. If a wasp nest has had some time to grow and is considered to be a hazard, they are most easily destroyed in the evening with an aerosol insecticide that is labeled for "hornets or wasps" (see Figure 1). This type of treatment may be considered an emergency (especially if the nest is located in place likely to be encountered) which means application to the nest can be made as long as notification occurs within 72 hours of application.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Ground Nesting Bees, by Mike Waldvogel
You may start getting complaints from folks at some of your schools where people see either small mounds of soil in the ground or report "swarms" of bees showing up. People often panic because they think these are swarms that pose a health risk to the children. However, they are most likely the solitary bees, such as the "colletids" and "andrenids," that often emerge at this time of year.
The bees begin foraging for food and seeking out new nesting sites. This activity will continue for about the next two months depending on the area of the state and the species of bees. They dig vertical tunnels in the soil on which they make small side chambers where they provision pollen for their offspring. These bees are "solitary," which means there is not a true colony. A lot of the "swarming" that you see are males and females attempting to pair up and mate. The bees frequently make small mounds in the soil, often where the soil is loose and vegetation may be sparse. It is not uncommon to see clusters of these nests but each mound is made by an individual queen which does the work without the help of workers as occurs in a honey bee nest.
Although the damage can be unsightly with large numbers of mounds in the ground, it is mostly a cosmetic issue. The bigger problem is usually that people walking by panic because they assume that these are swarms of honey bees (or a similar bee) that will likely attack them if they venture too close to "the nest." Turf-nesting bees can sting but rarely do so, since they are not "social" and there is no nest that a large number of worker bees are trying to protect. There is no "mass attack" as might occasionally occur with a close encounter of the yellowjacket kind (and it's still early in the year for us to see any yellowjacket colonies out there).
These bees are beneficial and should be left alone if possible. If one of your schools wants something done, you can apply almost anything that you typically use outdoors for perimeter treatments (be sure to follow proper notification procedures). One problem is that the bees often try to dig into the sand in play areas at schools. Of course, parents and teachers are concerned about stinging incidents particularly if a child (or teacher) is hypersensitive to bee stings. In those instances, I still strongly discourage any chemical treatment, particularly in sandy play areas where kids come into direct contact with the soil (and which they might get in their mouths as well). However, facility managers have to weigh the safety of children (and staff) and the misinterpretation by the public of ignoring the problem as meaning they lack concern about the children.
If the bees try to nest in a sandbox, a simple solution is to cover it during the day, but it will take a few weeks for you to deter most of the bees that show up over time. While the tarping approach isn't
always successful, wider areas can be saturated with plain or soapy water which will bring the bees out. Since soap will work as an insecticide to some extent, it may kill some of the bees in the process but I still consider this preferable over the use of conventional insecticides IF people are unwilling to simply ignore the problem. The water-logged soils will hopefully deter the bees but again we're looking at activity that can take place over a few weeks.
Information, including pictures, of these bees and the "damage" that they cause can be found at:
The bees begin foraging for food and seeking out new nesting sites. This activity will continue for about the next two months depending on the area of the state and the species of bees. They dig vertical tunnels in the soil on which they make small side chambers where they provision pollen for their offspring. These bees are "solitary," which means there is not a true colony. A lot of the "swarming" that you see are males and females attempting to pair up and mate. The bees frequently make small mounds in the soil, often where the soil is loose and vegetation may be sparse. It is not uncommon to see clusters of these nests but each mound is made by an individual queen which does the work without the help of workers as occurs in a honey bee nest.
Although the damage can be unsightly with large numbers of mounds in the ground, it is mostly a cosmetic issue. The bigger problem is usually that people walking by panic because they assume that these are swarms of honey bees (or a similar bee) that will likely attack them if they venture too close to "the nest." Turf-nesting bees can sting but rarely do so, since they are not "social" and there is no nest that a large number of worker bees are trying to protect. There is no "mass attack" as might occasionally occur with a close encounter of the yellowjacket kind (and it's still early in the year for us to see any yellowjacket colonies out there).
These bees are beneficial and should be left alone if possible. If one of your schools wants something done, you can apply almost anything that you typically use outdoors for perimeter treatments (be sure to follow proper notification procedures). One problem is that the bees often try to dig into the sand in play areas at schools. Of course, parents and teachers are concerned about stinging incidents particularly if a child (or teacher) is hypersensitive to bee stings. In those instances, I still strongly discourage any chemical treatment, particularly in sandy play areas where kids come into direct contact with the soil (and which they might get in their mouths as well). However, facility managers have to weigh the safety of children (and staff) and the misinterpretation by the public of ignoring the problem as meaning they lack concern about the children.
If the bees try to nest in a sandbox, a simple solution is to cover it during the day, but it will take a few weeks for you to deter most of the bees that show up over time. While the tarping approach isn't
always successful, wider areas can be saturated with plain or soapy water which will bring the bees out. Since soap will work as an insecticide to some extent, it may kill some of the bees in the process but I still consider this preferable over the use of conventional insecticides IF people are unwilling to simply ignore the problem. The water-logged soils will hopefully deter the bees but again we're looking at activity that can take place over a few weeks.
Information, including pictures, of these bees and the "damage" that they cause can be found at:
Monday, February 25, 2013
Structural Pest Workshops - Week of March 4th
The NC Pest Management Association is offering structural pest workshops during the week of March 4th. One CCU in P-Phase and one CCU in W-Phase will be offered. The cost for the workshop is $5 for NCPMA members and $25 for non-members. The workshop schedule can be found by visiting the NCPMA website: http://www.ncpestmanagement.org/. Click on the link for "Spring Workshops".
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Making Sense of the Notification Requirements for School IPM
We get a lot of questions from maintenance directors, school IPM coordinators, and other school personnel regarding proper notification procedures for school IPM. Following is a set of “Frequently Asked Questions,” which can also be found on our website (http://schoolipm.ncsu.edu), which may help clear up any uncertainties.
When did the notification requirement become effective?
All public schools were required to begin the notification process effective October 1, 2006.
Who must be notified?
Schools are required to notify the parents/guardians of school children, as well as the teachers and other staff in their school system.
Who is responsible for notifying the parents, guardians, and staff at a particular school (or facility) about pesticide applications?
The school principal (or site director) or the principal’s/director’s designee is responsible for the notification process. Some school districts may designate the maintenance director or IPM coordinator to handle the notifications.
How often must parents/guardians and school staff be notified?
All parents, guardians, and staff must receive notification once a year (annually) for all scheduled pesticide applications. Most schools send this notification out at the beginning of each school year. Part of the annual notification should include a section informing parents, teachers, and staff of their right to receive 72-hour advance notice of any unscheduled pesticide applications using a non-exempt pesticide or non-exempt method of application.
Must every parent, guardian, and school staff be notified of pesticide applications at every site in the school system?
At a minimum, parents and guardians must be notified about school buildings, grounds, and sites where their children attend. They may also request notification for any other site(s) of concern to them. Similarly, staff members must be notified for the facility (or facilities) where they work and for any other sites of concern to them.
When did the notification requirement become effective?
All public schools were required to begin the notification process effective October 1, 2006.
Who must be notified?
Schools are required to notify the parents/guardians of school children, as well as the teachers and other staff in their school system.
Who is responsible for notifying the parents, guardians, and staff at a particular school (or facility) about pesticide applications?
The school principal (or site director) or the principal’s/director’s designee is responsible for the notification process. Some school districts may designate the maintenance director or IPM coordinator to handle the notifications.
How often must parents/guardians and school staff be notified?
All parents, guardians, and staff must receive notification once a year (annually) for all scheduled pesticide applications. Most schools send this notification out at the beginning of each school year. Part of the annual notification should include a section informing parents, teachers, and staff of their right to receive 72-hour advance notice of any unscheduled pesticide applications using a non-exempt pesticide or non-exempt method of application.
Must every parent, guardian, and school staff be notified of pesticide applications at every site in the school system?
At a minimum, parents and guardians must be notified about school buildings, grounds, and sites where their children attend. They may also request notification for any other site(s) of concern to them. Similarly, staff members must be notified for the facility (or facilities) where they work and for any other sites of concern to them.
Are schools required to post notices in areas of a school/building when it is scheduled to be treated?
No. At this time, the School Children’s Health Act does not require that schools post notices in areas of school property that may be treated during routine pest control services.
What pesticides, formulations, or application methods are exempted from notification?
Self-contained baits (such as cockroach bait stations snf ant bait stations), disinfectants, biological cleansers, and pesticides applied to cracks and crevices (i.e., not to exposed surfaces). In addition, all formulations and application methods for products classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as Toxicity Category IV pesticides (i.e., pesticides that do not require “Caution” signal word on the product label) are exempted from notification.
Does the notification requirement apply when we use products purchased at local retail stores?
Yes. Notification is required for all non-exempt products (and non-exempt application methods), regardless of whether you use professional products or those available to the general public at retail stores.
Are we required to notify parents and staff about herbicide treatments to football fields or other areas of school?
Yes, herbicide treatments (both granular and liquid formulations) on school grounds are subject to the notification requirements.
Where does the principal or principal’s designee obtain the information for pesticide use notification purposes?
No. At this time, the School Children’s Health Act does not require that schools post notices in areas of school property that may be treated during routine pest control services.
What pesticides, formulations, or application methods are exempted from notification?
Self-contained baits (such as cockroach bait stations snf ant bait stations), disinfectants, biological cleansers, and pesticides applied to cracks and crevices (i.e., not to exposed surfaces). In addition, all formulations and application methods for products classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as Toxicity Category IV pesticides (i.e., pesticides that do not require “Caution” signal word on the product label) are exempted from notification.
Does the notification requirement apply when we use products purchased at local retail stores?
Yes. Notification is required for all non-exempt products (and non-exempt application methods), regardless of whether you use professional products or those available to the general public at retail stores.
Are we required to notify parents and staff about herbicide treatments to football fields or other areas of school?
Yes, herbicide treatments (both granular and liquid formulations) on school grounds are subject to the notification requirements.
Where does the principal or principal’s designee obtain the information for pesticide use notification purposes?
The superintendent is required to designate an IPM coordinator for the entire school district. Principals can get pesticide use information from the school district’s IPM coordinators. If your school district does not yet have a designated IPM coordinator, contact the facilities or maintenance director for pesticide use information.
Where can I find sample notification letters or forms?
Sample notification forms are available at the NCSU School IPM website resource page.
Four sample forms are available: Sample Annual Notification form, Sample Request for Notification form, Sample Emergency Notification form, and Sample Non-exempted Pesticide Application form.
Where can I find sample notification letters or forms?
Sample notification forms are available at the NCSU School IPM website resource page.
Four sample forms are available: Sample Annual Notification form, Sample Request for Notification form, Sample Emergency Notification form, and Sample Non-exempted Pesticide Application form.
How does the principal determine who wants the 72-hour advance notification?
The annual notice (Sample Annual Notification form) should be accompanied by instructions for requesting 72-hour advance notification (Request for Advance Pesticide Use Notification form) for non-exempt pesticide applications. The principal (or designee) can then prepare a registry of names and contact information of parents, guardians, and staff requesting the advance notification for future use. Some school districts may find it easier to notify every parent, guardian, and staff member about a non-exempt unscheduled pesticide application any time that one occurs at their school/facility. The advantage of this approach is that it eliminates the need to keep track of who has requested advance notification. This is a matter that your school board may wish to address in formulating its IPM policy.
Note: If no one requests notification of unscheduled pesticide applications, then the school is not obligated to send out notices other than the annual notice.
Is there a specific method of notifying parents, guardians, and staff about pesticide applications?
There is no required method for notifying parents, guardians, and staff about pesticide applications. Annual notifications can be distributed along with other routine information that is distributed at the beginning of the school year. The 72-hour advance notice may pose more of a challenge. In many cases, school districts already have an effective means of notifying parents, teachers and staff about time-sensitive issues. Here are some examples of methods through which schools can notify parents, guardians and staff:
If a pesticide treatment is deemed necessary, then schools should work with the parents, guardians, and staff to provide alternate arrangements such as allowing the student or employee to remain home or work elsewhere around the timeframe when the treatment is made. Or the school may try to postpone the treatment to a date when the building will be closed for an extended period of time (for example, a weekend or holiday). Note: Except for true emergencies, rarely is there a need for a non-exempt treatment to take place during school hours. In many cases, an exempt product/application method can be done as a temporary measure. Regardless of the situation, most pesticide labels require (or at least recommend) that the room/area be unoccupied during and immediately after the treatment.
Is notification required for a members of a visiting school attending a sporting or other event or for private athletics organizations (such as youth football or little league baseball groups) using the school’s facilities?
No. Because these groups are not sponsored by the local school, the school is not obligated to notify them of the pesticide applications but can do so as a courtesy or general policy.
Do the notification requirements also apply to staff at non-school administrative sites?
Yes. The School Children’s Health Act covers all school district property. As such staff at all school district sites, whether they work in a school or an administrative building must be notified accordingly when pesticides will be applied in their workplace.
Should parents, guardians and staff be notified in summer when students are not at the school site?
Parents and guardians do not need to be notified in summer, unless the students are using the buildings, fields or facilities for normal academic instruction (summer school or year-round instruction), or for school-sponsored or organized extracurricular activities. However, staff working year-round in the schools or locations must be notified.
We hope this set of “Frequently Asked Questions” helps clarify the procedures for notification in schools. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Patty Alder at patricia_alder@ncsu.edu.
The annual notice (Sample Annual Notification form) should be accompanied by instructions for requesting 72-hour advance notification (Request for Advance Pesticide Use Notification form) for non-exempt pesticide applications. The principal (or designee) can then prepare a registry of names and contact information of parents, guardians, and staff requesting the advance notification for future use. Some school districts may find it easier to notify every parent, guardian, and staff member about a non-exempt unscheduled pesticide application any time that one occurs at their school/facility. The advantage of this approach is that it eliminates the need to keep track of who has requested advance notification. This is a matter that your school board may wish to address in formulating its IPM policy.
Note: If no one requests notification of unscheduled pesticide applications, then the school is not obligated to send out notices other than the annual notice.
Is there a specific method of notifying parents, guardians, and staff about pesticide applications?
There is no required method for notifying parents, guardians, and staff about pesticide applications. Annual notifications can be distributed along with other routine information that is distributed at the beginning of the school year. The 72-hour advance notice may pose more of a challenge. In many cases, school districts already have an effective means of notifying parents, teachers and staff about time-sensitive issues. Here are some examples of methods through which schools can notify parents, guardians and staff:
- Voice-mail: Many schools now use voicemail notification systems to leave messages for parents and staff
- Email/text messages to parents and guardians
- Bulletin boards: Written notices posted on school bulletin boards (for annual notification rather than as the primary means for unscheduled/emergency applications)
- Individual notices (primarily for staff) through inter-office mail, e-mails, and in-house PA/TV announcements
- Websites: Pesticide use information can be posted on school websites, although there is no guarantee that users will check the site in a timely manner for specific pesticide applications. The sample notification forms, list of pesticides, MSDS & labels, and other relevant information can also be posted on the website for easy access.
- Student-Parent Handbook: Pesticide notification information can be included in school documents (this could be used for annual notification)
- Employee Handbooks: Pesticide notification information can be included in school documents
If a pesticide treatment is deemed necessary, then schools should work with the parents, guardians, and staff to provide alternate arrangements such as allowing the student or employee to remain home or work elsewhere around the timeframe when the treatment is made. Or the school may try to postpone the treatment to a date when the building will be closed for an extended period of time (for example, a weekend or holiday). Note: Except for true emergencies, rarely is there a need for a non-exempt treatment to take place during school hours. In many cases, an exempt product/application method can be done as a temporary measure. Regardless of the situation, most pesticide labels require (or at least recommend) that the room/area be unoccupied during and immediately after the treatment.
Is notification required for a members of a visiting school attending a sporting or other event or for private athletics organizations (such as youth football or little league baseball groups) using the school’s facilities?
No. Because these groups are not sponsored by the local school, the school is not obligated to notify them of the pesticide applications but can do so as a courtesy or general policy.
Do the notification requirements also apply to staff at non-school administrative sites?
Yes. The School Children’s Health Act covers all school district property. As such staff at all school district sites, whether they work in a school or an administrative building must be notified accordingly when pesticides will be applied in their workplace.
Should parents, guardians and staff be notified in summer when students are not at the school site?
Parents and guardians do not need to be notified in summer, unless the students are using the buildings, fields or facilities for normal academic instruction (summer school or year-round instruction), or for school-sponsored or organized extracurricular activities. However, staff working year-round in the schools or locations must be notified.
We hope this set of “Frequently Asked Questions” helps clarify the procedures for notification in schools. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Patty Alder at patricia_alder@ncsu.edu.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Kudzu Bugs
We've had two reports (Scotland
County and Union County) that kudzu bugs are moving out of soybean fields and
congregating on structures, including schools and school buses. This move out
of host plants was anticipated but perhaps not this soon. As to why it's
happening now is pure speculation, but favorable weather, particularly early
this year, likely contributed to this early exodus as the adult bugs head into
reproductive diapause.
The kudzu bug's fall movement indoors
is very similar to what we've experienced since the 1990’s with the Asian lady
beetle. The major difference between the two insects is that the Asian lady
beetle is actually beneficial as a biological control agent, chomping down on
aphids and other plant-feeding insects. By contrast, the kudzu bug's primary
food source (aside from kudzu) happens to be field crops, such as soybeans,
where they can significantly impact yield. So, this pest packs a double-whammy
for North Carolinians.
The kudzu bugs’ fondness of soybeans
is one reason why we could see significant numbers of them invading schools and
other buildings, even in rural areas. In more urban areas, there are plenty of
other hosts such as wisteria and privet. The insects are quite mobile; they are
capable of catching rides on wind currents, automobiles, trucks, trains and
planes. This helps explain why this pest has managed to spread in from north-central
Georgia and through most of South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia (plus
west into Mississippi) in just about 3 years time.
At this point, we still do not have
anything new to report in terms of recommendations as to how you might address
this problem. Kudzu bugs are attracted to light-colored surfaces but that
certainly doesn't mean that brick buildings or those with dark-colored siding
will escape the bug invasion. While people are going to want shortcuts and easy
solutions, there simply aren't any. The emphasis still has to be on exclusion
because chemical control is still only partially effective and relies primarily
on directly targeting the insects that are aggregating on surfaces. Preventive
sprays are not recommended - because they simply won't be durable enough to
last the weeks during which these insects will be actively seeking
overwintering sites.
If the problem is severe and you decide that pesticides are
warranted, focus your applications around window frames and doorframes. If you
use a pyrethroid for your treatment, don’t forget about the new label
restrictions. The new label restrictions specify that other than applications to
building foundations (which may be treated up to a maximum height of 3 feet),
all outdoor applications to impervious surfaces (i.e., windows, doors, siding,
sidewalks, patios, etc.) are limited to spot and crack-and-crevice
applications only. Remember, a crack-and-crevice treatment is defined as
the application of small amounts of insecticide to cracks and crevices
in which insects hide or through which they may enter a building. Because crack-and-crevice
applications are considered exempt, notification would not be required. A spot
treatment is defined as pesticide application to limited areas (an area not
exceeding 2 square feet) on which insects are likely to occur. Spot treatments
are not considered exempt – so be sure to follow proper notification guidelines
if you decide that spot treatments are needed. Under the new pyrethroid
labeling, you are allowed to treat the underside of eaves, or the soffit, but
again, because this would not be considered a crack-and-crevice treatment,
notification would be required.
If large numbers of kudzu bugs make
it indoors, simply vacuum them up. The use of pesticides indoors is not
warranted and will be largely ineffective in this case.
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