IPM in NC Schools and Childcare Facilities

EPA Centralizes Healthy Child Care Training and Curriculum Resources

2012-02-23T07:56:00.000-08:00

Child care providers have a lot to do; pest management can be just another thing on an already full plate. To help ease the burden, US EPA launched a resource directory for child care providers. It includes fact sheets, trainings, and assessment tools on asthma, chemical hazards, green cleaning and IPM. Resource directory materials can be used as handouts at meetings, placed in staff lounges, transmitted electronically in newsletters or sent home with students for parents to use.

The directory links to numerous sources including Guidelines for IPM for Pest Management Contracts in Childcare Centers from Penn State University which includes Set Up Your IPM Program in Eight Steps and How Do I Know I'm Receiving IPM Services? Another fact sheet, Pesticides and Their Impact on Children: Key Facts and Talking Points, explains the dangers of pesticide poisoning in young children and gives a brief step-by-step IPM tutorial.

Insect of the Week - Mystery Insect Revealed!

2012-02-13T07:50:00.001-08:00

Remember this mystery insect from last week:

Photo by Alex Wild (www. alexanderwild.com)

The only hint given last week was that this little critter was, in fact, an insect (because it has three pairs of legs). No one had any good guesses - and I have to admit - this was a tough one!

So, now to reveal the mystery - drum roll please..... this little critter is a firefly (or lightning bug) larva! Who knew a firefly larva was so strange looking!

We all know that adult fireflies "light up" - they emit light that we enjoy watching on hot summer nights. For many of us, spotting and catching fireflies is one of our favorite summertime memories.

Fireflies use their lights to talk to each other. Adults emit light mostly to attract mates, but they may also use their light to defend their territory and keep predators away. In some firefly species, only one sex lights up. In most, however, both sexes emit light. Male fireflies flash their abdomens in species-specific patterns, hoping to attract the attention of a female hiding in the grass. An interested female will return the pattern, helping guide the male to her in the darkness. Firefly light patterns will vary in frequency and length, and are species-specific. In addition, the height at which they emit their light while in flight will vary depending on the species. Pretty cool, huh? One other interesting fact about fireflies - they are actually beetles!

Firefly larva (Photo by Jasja Dekker)

So, we all know adult fireflies emit lights, but did you know that firefly larvae also light up? But why do the larvae glow? What purpose does it serve? Light emitting serves a different function in larvae than it does in adults. It appears to be a warning signal to predators since many firefly larvae contain chemicals that are distasteful or toxic.

Firefly larvae live on the ground, under bark, and in other moist places. They eat earthworms, snails and slugs. Larvae may also scavenge on certain small dead animals and other organic material. They have sickle-shaped mandibles with which they can inject a kind of chemical that paralyzes their prey and helps digest it.

Check out this amazing video below to see a firefly larva glowing:

http://www.myspace.com/video/quaoarlo/firefly-larva-of-thailand/24023925

Insect of the Week - What Am I?

2012-02-02T07:04:00.001-08:00

Another mystery creature this week! Take a look at the photo below and take a guess at what type of critter this is. Here's a tidbit that might help narrow things down: insects have just three pair of legs. So, this mystery insect is, in fact, an insect and not a creature closely related to an insect. The answer will be revealed next week!

Photo by Alex Wild, www.alexanderwild.com

New Pyrethroid Label Requirements (for Non-Agricultural Outdoor Pyrethroid Products)

2012-01-31T06:06:00.001-08:00

In an effort to reduce the potential for runoff and drift that can result from applications of pyrethroids, the EPA has revised the “Environmental Hazard Statements” and general “Directions for Use” sections for pyrethroid non-agricultural outdoor products. Pyrethroids include pesticide products such as “Talstar” (bifrenthin), “Tempo” (cyfluthrin), “Suspend” (deltamethrin), and others. The EPA revisions also apply to “combination products” such as: “Temprid SC,” and “Transport WDG and “Transport ME.” The new requirements also apply to consumer end pyrethroid-containing pesticides, such as “Ortho Home Defense Max” (bifenthrin), Bayer Advance Home Pest Control (cyfluthrin), and others.

The new environmental hazard statements are specific for different formulations (i.e., liquid, dust, granular, and ready-to-use products). The general “Directions for Use” included in this labeling initiative are considered to be best management and good stewardship practices.

Let's take a look at some of the new changes:

Requirements for Granular Formulations labeled or intended for outdoor residential uses:

o “Apply this product directly to the lawn or garden area. Water treated area as directed on this label. Do not water to the point of run-off.”

o “Do not make applications during rain.”

Requirements for Liquid, Dust, and Ready-to-Use Formulations products labeled or intended for outdoor residential uses:

o “Do not water the treated area to the point of run-off.”

o “Do not make applications during rain.”

Additional Application Restrictions For General Outdoor Surface and Space Sprays, except for outdoor fogging devices:

o “All outdoor applications must be limited to spot or crack-and-crevice treatments only, except for the following permitted uses:

(1) Treatment to soil or vegetation around structures;

(2) Applications to lawns, turf, and other vegetation;

(3) Applications to building foundations, up to a maximum height of 3 ft.

Other than applications to building foundations, all outdoor applications to impervious surfaces such as sidewalks, driveways, patios, porches and structural surfaces (such as windows, doors, and eaves) are limited to spot and crack-and-crevice applications only.”

Although the label changes do not apply to turf (such as athletic fields), these new label changes will affect the way you conduct pest management using pyrethroids. The one restriction that will probably impact your usual pest management techniques the most is the limitation of structural sprays to impervious surfaces. If you need to do a perimeter treatment, you are still allowed to apply the product up the foundation wall (to a maximum height of 3 feet) and on the soil and vegetation around the building. The major change applies to outdoor applications to impervious surfaces like sidewalks, driveways, windows, doors, and eaves. For example, in an area where a driveway meets a garage door (such as at an athletic or maintenance facility), you are limited to either a spot treatment (an area no larger than 2 square feet) or a crack-and-crevice treatment in that area because both areas (the garage door and the driveway) are considered impervious surfaces.

Most likely, if you're applying an exterior perimeter spray, you're dealing with a pest like ants, millipedes, ladybird beetles, or another equally persistent pest. In those cases, a crack-and-crevice application to those impervious structural surfaces like garage doors, windows, eaves, etc., will provide the most benefit anyway, as those areas are often points of entry for these pests. So, here's the good news: if you follow the new label requirements, you'll be using the product in a more efficient manner and the potential for runoff will be reduced. A win-win situation!

Green Pesticides, Natural Pesticides: What Are They and Do They Work?

2011-12-12T08:01:00.000-08:00

The term "green" has become a big buzz-word in the pest management industry. So what exactly is a green or natural pesticide? Green or natural pesticides are pesticides derived from substances found in nature. These may include pesticides derived from inorganic minerals - like boric acid, limestone, and diatomaceous earth - as well as pesticides derived from botanicals, such as pyrethrum and limonene. Today, more than ever, people are concerned about the impacts traditional, synthetic pesticides may have on the environment. So it's easy to see why people want to use green pesticides. In addition, many of the green or natural pesticides are classified by EPA has Category IV pesticides. Category IV pesticides are exempt from notification. This makes green pesticides attractive for use in school settings.

What you need to know is that while many green "spray" pesticides work on contact, they have little to no effect once they dry. In other words, they don't persist in the environment for very long; that's part of what makes them "environmentally friendly!" So if you're using a natural or green spray pesticide, for best results, you need to spray the bug directly. This is okay if you're dealing with an occasional cricket, ant, or other insect that wonders in. But in some cases, you may need to use a pesticide that persists a little longer.

Some of the naturally derived dusts, such as boric acid and diatomaceous earth, do have a long-lasting effect (if they are not displaced after application). But NEVER use pool grade diatomaceous earth; it is an inhalation hazard and should only be used for swimming pools. To be sure you're using the right product, only use pesticides registered with the EPA. And you should always use caution when applying dusts. Follow the label instructions carefully and always wear gloves and a dust mask. Indoors, dusts should be applied in cracks & crevices and voids, NOT along baseboards or other open places. Many dusts can be applied outdoors as well, but again, follow the label instructions. To avoid drift, never apply dust in windy conditions.

Many of the synthetic pesticides also have longer residual activity. There are certain instances when it's necessary to use a pesticide that will persist in the environment for some time. For example, with pests like cockroaches, which spend most of their time hiding in cracks and crevices, a longer-lasting pesticide will most likely be necessary. After all, how can you spray roaches directly with a green pesticide if you never see them?

Really, it's a delicate balancing act. So, here's my advice when it comes to using pesticides, whether it be green or synthetic (really, it's just using IPM):

First, take steps to eliminate potential food and water sources, limit harborage areas, and pest-proof buildings to keep pests out.
Use insect baits preferentially over other pest management products (when dealing with roaches and ants).
"Green" spray insecticides can be used as contact sprays to apply directly to insects.
"Green" insecticidal dusts can be used in cracks & crevices and voids. Always apply dust in a thin, even manner - don't dump it in piles - insects will actually avoid piles of dust.
If you deem it's necessary to use a conventional, synthetic pesticide, ALWAYS read and follow the label instructions carefully. Try to limit your applications to cracks & crevices and avoid broadcast applications indoors (remember, crack and crevice applications are also exempt from notification). This will limit the potential risk of exposure to students and staff.

In general, green pesticides are less toxic than conventional, synthetic pesticides. But as with ANY pesticide, green pesticides can be toxic if not used properly. Just because the active ingredient is "all natural," it's not okay to use more or in areas not listed on the label. Always read and follow label instructions, regardless of what type of pesticide you choose.

Cooler Weather Will Drive Rodents Indoors

2011-11-17T08:00:00.001-08:00

The National Pest Management Association estimates that rodents invade nearly 21 million homes in the United States each winter. This winter will probably be no exception. Cooler temperatures are in our not-so-distant future. You don't have to share your home with rodents this winter! Following are some simple steps you can take to help prevent these pests from setting up shop in your space.

Store susceptible food items in airtight glass or plastic containers.
Items such as bird seed, grass seed, etc. should also be stored in airtight plastic containers as well.
Dispose of garbage regularly.
Store garbage properly - in trash cans with lids that fit properly and close tightly.
Reduce clutter, both indoors and outdoors, to remove potential harborage areas.
Store items such as clothing, blankets, etc. in plastic sealable containers rather than in cardboard boxes.
Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the foundation of the home and 5 feet off the ground, if possible.
Remove piles of rubbish, trash, boxes or other debris.
If possible, keep dense ground cover or other vegetation at least 12" away from the foundation.
Seal holes and other openings 1/4" in diameter or larger around the exterior of your home, including areas where utility pipes enter the home. Depending on the size of the opening, caulk, copper mesh, screen, or metal sheets can be used to seal openings.
Install or replace missing weather stripping around exterior doors.
Make sure attic and crawlspace vents are screened and that screens are in good repair.

Insect of the Week - What Am I?

2011-11-10T08:53:00.001-08:00

This week's insect is a mystery! Take a look at the amazing images below by Alex Wild (http://www.alexanderwild.com) and see if you can figure out what the mystery insect is (all photos shown are the same type of insect). We'll have the answer in next week's "Insect of the Week" posting. Following the photos are a few hints!

The tube-like insect on the right is the insect in question!

Helpful Hints:

These insects have complete metamorphosis.
They taste, smell, and feel with the hairs that cover their bodies.
These insects vomit on food before eating it, so as to soften the meal up.
This insect may have sponging, lapping, or piercing mouthparts, depending on the species.
They walk on smooth surfaces using sticky soft pads that act like glue.
And here's the giveaway: This insect has only two wings as an adult; the hindwing has been reduced to small knobs, called halteres (see last image above).

Ants: Facts and Fiction, by Eleanor Spicer Rice, NCSU Entomology Dept.

2011-10-31T09:04:00.001-07:00

Think you’re an ant expert? Quiz yourself with these quirky questions about some of our favorite insect friends. The answers may surprise you!

(True/False) Most ants are pests.
(True/False) All ants have nests.
(True/False) There is an Argentine ant colony right now with billions of workers that spans nearly 4,000 miles.
(True/False) Ant workers are both male and female.
(True/False) Smaller ants never grow up to be bigger ants in the colony.
Which of the following is an effective home remedy for killing fire ants? (A) dumping grits on the nest; or (B) dumping a pot of boiling water on the nest

Time to check your super ant knowledge!

Question 1: Most ants are pests.

This is false! In fact, most ants are NOT pests! Of the more than 30,000 ant species in existence worldwide, fewer than 100 of them are pest species. And in North Carolina alone, fewer than a dozen of the over 250 known species are pest species.

What do all of the other ant species do? Ants are a valuable part of our ecosystem. Because they fill so many jobs, from predators and scavengers to plant protectors, they play a central role in maintaining the ecological balance and biodiversity present in our natural world.

Aphaenogaster carolinensis (Photo: Alex Wild, alexanderwild.com).

Some ants, like a group in North Carolina called Aphaenogaster, are responsible for planting seeds in the forest floor. Many seeds have evolved a tasty outer layer that ants love to snack on. After they remove this delicious shell, the ants plant the seeds in the ground. Without Aphaenogaster and ants like them, we would be missing a lot of our forest herbs.

Ants also protect plants from harmful insects and even aerate the soil as they dig out their nests. It has been estimated that ants turn more soil than earthworms!

Question 2: All ants have nests.

This is also false! African driver ants and army ants do not have nests. These restless wanderers travel around without stopping, eating everything in sight. When the driver ants come through villages in Africa, residents pack up all their things and move out, allowing the ants to clean up after them. Check out the video below to see army ants in action!

Question 3: There is an Argentine ant colony right now with billions of workers that spans nearly 4,000 miles.

It’s true! Argentine ants are little brown ants that look a lot like odorous house ants, also known as sugar ants, which are pretty common around here. Unlike odorous house ants, Argentine ants don’t fight each other, which allows them to form tremendous colonies called supercolonies like the one that spans nearly 4,000 miles of the Mediterranean coastline. We have a couple of supercolonies in North Carolina, too! Although they don’t sting, these miniature marauders are ruthless and can wipe out native ant populations when they move in. As we learned from question 1, we need our native ants!

Question 4: Ant workers are both male and female.

False! All ant workers are females. Ant colonies have a female queen and female workers. Colonies only produce males once or twice a year. However, males don’t do any work. Their only purpose is to eat and mate (sound familiar, anyone?). After mating season is over, the female workers take girl power to a whole new level by either kicking the males out into the cold or eating them.

Fire ants range in size from 2-6mm. Nests typically contain workers in a range of sizes
(Photo: Texas A&M Univ.)

Question 5: Smaller ants never grow up to be bigger ants in the colony.

It’s true! Although some colonies have workers of many different sizes, the littlest ones are fully grown. That’s because ants have something called complete metamorphosis. That means they’re like butterflies, flies, and beetles in how they develop from egg to adult. Just how a beetle baby is a grub, an ant baby is a grub-like larva. Ants pupate like butterflies and moths do, too. After they pupate, they emerge as fully grown ants.

Question 6: Which of the following is an effective home remedy for killing fire ants? (A) dumping grits on the nest; or (B) dumping a pot of boiling water on the nest.

The answer is B. A lot of people have tried dumping grits on a fire ant nest, but it just doesn’t work. First of all, as many North Carolinians can attest to, grits aren’t poisonous! Second of all, ants have tiny waists and can’t process grits by themselves.

Even so, some people insist they’ve poured grits on fire ant nests and come back to find the fire ants all gone. This could happen, as fire ants move around frequently and don’t like people tampering with their nests. However, it’s important to note that these fire ants just moved; they were not killed by the grits.

Dumping boiling water over the nest can put a swift end to fire ant mounds. This is because the scalding water boils the ants alive. Adding a little detergent to the water can increase effectiveness, too! The water must be boiling, however. Fire ants are used to flooding and can make rafts out of workers. If the water is not hot enough to kill them, they can just float away.

Using boiling water to treat a fire ant nest does have its limitations. First, you've got to get the boiling water outside to the nest without scalding yourself. Second, the boiling water can actually damage and/or kill any vegetation that's around the treated area. So, while it does work, boiling water is not always the most practical way to treat a fire ant nest.

Insect of the Week - The Antlion

2011-10-27T13:04:00.000-07:00

Antlion larva

(Photo: Alex Wild, http://www.alexanderwild.com)

Antlions are quite fierce and scary looking. One look and you know you're dealing with a voracious predator (see photo above)! The antlion digs a pit in sand or other loose soil and hides beneath the sand at the bottom of the pit. When an ant or another small insect comes by, it falls into the pit where it slips to the bottom and is grabbed and made into a meal by the antlion. If the prey attempts to scramble up the walls of the pit, the antlion throws loose sand from below. This causes the sides of the pit to collapse, bringing the prey down into the bottom of the pit.

Check out this awesome video to see an antlion in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lYAWwMOCXE

Adult antlion
(Photo: Joseph Berger, Bugwood.org)

An antlion is actually the larval form of what will become a beautiful, dainty lacewing. The adult has two pairs of long, narrow, multi-veined wings, and a long, slender abdomen (see photo at right). Adult antlions look very similar to small dragonflies or damselflies, but are easily distinguished from these insects by their prominent, clubbed antennae (dragonflies and damselflies have very short, bristle-like antennae). Also, adult antlions are typically active in the evening, so they are normally not encountered as often. Lacewings are attracted to light so it is not uncommon, however, to see them around porch lights at night.

Antlions are commonly referred to as doodlebugs because they leave lines in the sand that resemble "scribbling" or "doodling" as they meander through the sand searching for the perfect place to make their pit. Check out the video below to see an antlion "doodling."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exzPhd1abnw&feature=fvwrel

Antlion pits (Photo: Whitney Cranshaw, CSU)

You can easily observe antlion behavior in nature. If you ever run across an antlion pit (see photo above), you can use a small blade of grass to brush the sides of the pit. This will usually cause the antlion to flick sand up in the pit. You can also capture an antlion by carefully scooping out the entire pit (using your hand or a cup), being careful to dig deep and wide enough so the antlion isn't crushed. Pour the sand through a strainer until you see the exposed antlion.

The antlion is a great insect to keep and observe in the classroom if you are willing to provide live insects for it to feed on. You can catch ants or other small insects to feed your antlion. You can also purchase wingless fruit flies online - they make a great food source for antlions. You can either collect an antlion as described above or you can buy them online. You'll need a small container with sand to house your antlion in. Provide your antlion live insects twice a day and lightly mist the container with water every other day.

Insect of the Week - The Wheel Bug

2011-10-20T12:24:00.001-07:00

Adult wheel bug

(Photo: Johnny N. Dell, Bugwood.org)

The wheel bug is an assassin in the insect world, literally. The wheel bug belongs in the Family Reduviidae, commonly referred to as assassin bugs, and for good reason! These insects are predators and pierce their prey (soft-bodied insects such as caterpillars, moths, aphids, small beetles etc.) with their beak-like mouthpart and inject a potent saliva. The saliva contains enzymes that quickly subdue the prey and then digest the tissues inside. The wheel bug then sucks this digested liquid from the prey as it shrivels up. What a way to go! Wheel bugs are not aggressive and will try to avoid contact, but can inflict a painful bite if aggravated or handled, so it's best to leave it alone if you run across one.

Wheel bug egg mass and hatched nymphs

(Photo: Johnny N. Dell, Bugwood.org)

The wheel bug is one of the largest assassin bugs in NC; adults measure 1 - 1.25 inches in length. They are very distinct looking, sporting a large, gear-shaped half wheel on their thorax and a large, piercing beak tucked under the head.

In the fall, female wheel bugs lay masses of eggs by gluing them to bark or some other object. Tiny wheel bug nymphs hatch in April and May and begin to feed on aphids and other small insects. As nymphs develop they become larger and thus capable of attacking larger prey. When prey is scarce, wheel bugs feed on other wheel bugs, and female wheel bugs commonly feed on male wheel bugs after mating.

Check out the spectacular video below by Daniel R. Jusino, Rutgers University Entomology Department. It showcases the wheel bug and includes some amazing footage of nymphs hatching, molting, and feeding.

October 1, 2011 Deadline to Implement an IPM Plan is "Making the News"

2011-10-17T17:37:00.000-07:00

It hasn't taken much time for local media to take note of the October 1, 2011 deadline for NC public schools to implement an IPM plan:

http://triangle.news14.com/content/648279/law-protects-students-from-pesticides-at-school

Now is the time to get a plan in place if you haven't already done so. The public will likely hear more and more about school IPM, so don't be surprised if you start to get calls from parents, teachers and/or staff asking if the school system has a plan implemented.

For information on creating and implementing an IPM plan, please visit our website at http://schoolipm.ncsu.edu. There you will find a sample IPM policy, rules and regulations associated with school IPM, a copy of the IPM manual, and many other valuable resources. Also, if you have any questions about school IPM or need assistance with putting a plan in place, please contact Patty Alder at 919-513-3805 or patricia_alder@ncsu.edu

Insect of the Week - The Ladybug

2011-10-14T05:59:00.001-07:00

Adult ladybird beetle
(Photo: Scott Bauer, USDA)

Since we've all heard the life cycle, habits, and problems with ladybugs ad nauseam, I thought it might be fun to write about fun facts about the beetles instead. For those of you that would like more information on the above aspects of these beetles, please see our fact sheet: http://insects.ncsu.edu/Other/goodpest/note107.html

Ladybugs aren't really bugs.

In the entomology world, the term bug refers to insects in the Order Hemiptera. Ladybugs are beetles and belong to the Order Coleoptera. Us entomologists refer to ladybugs as ladybird beetles or lady beetles since they are not really bugs. But I won't mind if you still call them ladybugs. If you want to know what makes an insect a true bug, you can read more here: http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/course/ent425/compendium/hetero~1.html

Where did the name "ladybird" come from?

The most common species of lady beetle in Britain is the seven-spot ladybird beetle. This bright red ladybird has seven spots and is thought to have inspired the name ladybird. Lady, referring to the Virgin Mary (Our Lady), is seen wearing a red cloak in early paintings; the seven spots are symbolic of the seven joys and seven sorrows of Mary.

Lady beetle larva attacking aphids
(Photo: David Cappaert, Mich. State Univ.)

Immature lady beetles look like monsters and are voracious predators.Both the larval and adult forms of predatory ladybird beetle species feed on a wide variety of insects, including aphids, scale insects, and other insect larvae (including other lady beetle larvae). Both the adults and larvae actively hunt for prey in field crops, gardens, and ornamental trees and shrubs.

Do lady beetles get bigger as they get older?

No. Once an adult, it stays the same size for the rest of its life. Insects wear their skeleton on the outside; therefore, they must molt in order to grow. Insects with complete metamorphosis, including the lady beetle, do not molt as adults.

Ladybird beetles ooze blood from their leg joints when alarmed.A lady beetle's blood, referred to as hemolymph, is both toxic and smelly. When a ladybird beetle is startled, the blood seeps from its leg joints, leaving a stink and yellow stains behind. These secretions from the leg joints also taste bad and protect the beetles from being eaten from predators such as birds.

The lowdown on lady beetle spots.

Variations of spot patterns and colors of the
Asian mulit-colored lady beetle
(Photo: Bill Ree, Texas A&M Univ.)

The spots on a ladybird beetle do not tell its age. The sex of a lady beetle cannot be determined by the number of spots either. The spot patterns of the beetles vary widely from species to species. The number of spots and the color among ladybird beetles of the same species can vary greatly as well. The bright colors and spots of lady beetles warn predators that they taste yucky.

Can I keep a lady beetle as a temporary pet?

Sure! Keep your ladybird beetle in a bug box or terrarium-type container. Keep the container and foliage moist by gently misting the interior container with water using a spray bottle. You can feed your lady beetle moistened raisins or other sweet, non-acidic fruits. Or you may want to collect some aphids from ornamental shrubs and place them in the container for the beetle to eat. You can even watch the entire life cycle with a ladybird rearing kit (can be purchased online) where you get to watch the larvae grow and turn into adult ladybird beetles.

Wives tales and superstitions about lady beetles:

The ladybird beetle is supposedly a luck-bringer. I was always told that it was a sign of good fortune if one landed on a person. The beetle must, however, be allowed to fly away on its own and not be brushed off. Supposedly, you can cause the lady beetle to fly away by singing a children's nursery rhyme, which goes like this:

Ladybird, ladybird, fly away home.  

Your house is on fire and your children are gone.

All except one, and that's Little Anne.

For she has crept under the warming pan.

If a ladybird beetle does lands on you and then flies away, then watch it carefully; the way it flies is the direction of your true love.

If a ladybird beetle enters your house, a visitor will come (for folks dealing with large numbers of lady beetles invading their house this fall, this may or may not be good news!).

In northern Germany, it was believed that if the ladybird beetle had less than seven spots, then they would have a large harvest.

Insect of the Week - Carolina Mantid

2011-10-04T09:43:00.000-07:00

Carolina mantid
(Photo: Patty Alder, NCSU)

Mantids are one of the most well-recognized groups of insects. One of the most distinctive features about mantids is their large, grasping front legs, which they use for grabbing and holding prey. Mantids have a very elongated prothorax and a triangular-shaped head, which they can turn in nearly all directions. The mantid is commonly called the praying mantis, which comes from the way it holds the front legs in "prayer-like" stance. They are sometimes mistakenly referred to as the "preying mantis" because they are predatory, feeding on a wide variety of other insects.

There are actually several species of mantids found in NC. The European mantid and the Chinese species were introduced in the northeast about 75 years ago as garden predators in hopes of controlling the native insect pest populations. The Carolina mantid is a native insect.

Carolina mantid egg case
(Photo: Jim Kalisch)

Carolina mantids overwinter as eggs. Females lay eggs in large masses in a frothy material that hardens into a protective shell, called an ootheca. The new mantids hatch in the spring and mature into adults over the summer.

Mantids are beneficial insects; they feed on other insects, some of which we consider pests. However, their overall effectiveness in pest management is small, especially compared to other insect predators, such lady beetles and green lacewings. This is due to their cannibalistic nature which limits the number of mantids in a particular area.

Rearing mantids for classroom projects

A glass jar set-up for rearing mantids
(Picture: Univ. of AZ)

Egg masses can be collected in the fall and brought into the classroom. Mantid egg cases and young mantids can also be purchased online. Because they are in a warm environment, the mantids may actually hatch as early as December once brought indoors. It's a good idea to have several small containers available because when they hatch, large numbers of very tiny mantids will suddenly appear. If they do not have fresh, live food available, they will eat each other until only one or a few mantids are left.

Small flying insects that are attracted to porch lights are a good source of food for the newly emerged mantids. As they get older and larger, they can be fed larger insects, such as crickets, which can be purchased from pet shops. Mantids do need water, which can be provided by gently misting the inside of the container once a week. Or place a small, wet sponge in the container that the mantid can collect water from.

For more information on rearing mantids, see this rearing sheet prepared by The Center for Insect Science Education Outreach, University of Arizona: http://insected.arizona.edu/mantidrear.htm.

Cool Weather Brings Not-So-Cool Pest Problems

2011-10-03T11:56:00.000-07:00

By Mike Waldvogel and Patricia Alder

Fire Ants

Moist soils and warm weather have made conditions suitable for fire ant mounds to pop up in various places. If one of your schools has fire ants in a location that poses an imminent hazard to the students and/or staff, then a mound drench may be the best course of action. If there is concern about children coming into contact with the chemical, you can flatten the mound after it's been treated and the chemical has soaked down below the soil surface. Untreated soil can then be placed on top of the treated area. Your best best, however, is to treat the mound after school hours when children are not around, if possible. If the mounds are in less critical areas, then baiting may be a good option. Apply the bait according to label directions. Sprinkle the recommended amount around each mound (not on top of the mound itself). It is best to apply the bait in early morning or early evening, when most of the colony is closer to the soil surface.

It's also important to remember that your options for treatment are often limited by the target site of application. For that reason, Steve Bambara, recently retired Extension Specialist from NCSU, developed a program that you can use to select fire ant products based on application site and application preference (e.g., liquids vs. baits vs. granular insecticides). The program is accessible online: http://insects.ncsu.edu/fireant-products.

Also, check out our fact sheets about fire ants:

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/O&T/lawn/note145/note145.html

http://insects.ncsu.edu/Urban/ifa.htm

Kudzu Bugs

Kudzu bug (Photo: Phillip Roberts, Univ. of GA.)

This is a relatively new pest that feeds on kudzu (but not enough to wipe it out). Unfortunately, it also favors soybeans and some other legumes where it has actually caused yield losses. Kudzu bugs are 4 - 6 mm long, somewhat oblong in shape, and olive-green colored with brown speckles. So far this year, it's been found in over 55 counties on kudzu and soybeans. The kudzu bug can be a significant nuisance when temperatures drop and days grow shorter. Like another well-known nuisance, the Asian lady beetle, the kudzu bug has the habit of invading structures while it seeks out somewhere to pass the winter. We've already heard of some complaints in Union County where the bugs have invaded homes. This has mostly been rural areas with homes adjacent to soybean fields (and likely some kudzu). If you have schools in rural areas near soybean fields and/or kudzu, then there is a chance that you may see the kudzu bug. Unfortunately, there is no real effective chemical control to stop the invasion. For more information about the kudzu bug, check out this fact sheet: http://insects.ncsu.edu/Urban/kudzubug.htm.

Multi-colored Asian Ladybird Beetles

Multi-colored Asian ladybird beetle

(Photo: Bill Ree, Texas A&M Univ.)

Most of us have probably encountered this insect by now. Adult multi-colored Asian ladybird beetles are convex in shape and about 1/4” long. Specimens from higher elevations are larger than those from the Piedmont and Coastal Plains. There are usually ten black spots on each forewing, but some have fewer spots or faded spots and some have no spots at all.

As temperatures start to drop in the fall, adult beetles begin to search for suitable overwintering sites. They tend to congregate on the sunnier or warmer sides of buildings, or on exposed, light-colored buildings. Of course, this doesn’t mean that buildings with dark-colored siding or brick buildings are immune to the lady beetle assault. On warm winter days, the beetles may become active and move towards light or bright surfaces. They are often found on windows, light fixtures and ceilings.

Ladybird beetles are primarily a nuisance. They do not eat wood or furniture. However, the beetles may stain fabric and painted surfaces if squashed. In addition, there have been concerns that large numbers of beetles may possibly cause air quality problems indoors that could trigger allergies and/or asthmatic reactions.

While it is not 100% effective, preventing the beetles from entering structures is one of the best long-term approaches for dealing with ladybird beetles. Install tight-fitting sweeps on exterior doors and weather stripping around door frames. Openings where utility pipes and wires enter the foundation and siding should be sealed. Make sure that window screens are in good condition. Indoor sprays tend to be ineffective against ladybird beetles. Invading beetles should simply be vacuumed up. The vacuum bag should be sealed up and disposed of. Outdoors, a residual spray insecticide applied around windows, doors, eaves, soffits, attic vents, etc. may provide temporary relief.

For more information on ladybird beetles, click here:

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Other/goodpest/note107.html

Brown marmorated stink bug

Brown marmorated stink bug
(Photo: David R. Lance, USDA)

The brown marmorated stink bug was first detected in North Carolina in the Winston-Salem area in 2009. Adult brown marmorated stink bugs are slightly larger than 1/2” and vary in color from brown to gray. Adults have characteristic brown and white bands on the outer edge of the thorax, and white and brown banding on their antennae.

In the fall, adult brown marmorated stink bugs aggregate on and inside structures in search of an overwintering sites. The bugs can give off a characteristic odor if they are crushed or disturbed.

Just as with ladybird beetles, exclusion goes a long way in preventing brown marmorated stink bug invasions. Make sure exterior doors have tight-fitting sweeps, seal openings where utility pipes and wires enter the foundation, and make sure window screens are in good condition. The use of pesticides indoors for controlling the brown marmorated stink bug is not warranted; invading stink bugs should be removed with a vacuum cleaner. Outdoors, a residual spray applied around windows, doors, soffits, attic vents, and other potential entry points may provide some relief.

For more information on the brown marmorated stink bug, check out our fact sheet:

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/O&T/trees/note148/note148.html

Paper Wasps

Treatment of a paper wasp nest

(Photo: Patty Alder, NCSU)

Adult paper wasps are about ¾” to 1” long and reddish brown to dark brown in color with yellow stripes on the abdomen. Paper wasp colonies are annual; workers die off in the fall and only inseminated queens survive. The surviving queens are often seen hovering around chimneys and rooflines as they search for a suitable place to spend the winter. On warm winter days, the queens may become active.

Wasps that get indoors can be controlled mechanically, by swatting or vacuuming, or with an aerosol insecticide. Openings through which wasps can enter the structure should be caulked or sealed. If a paper was nest poses a hazard, use a Wasp & Hornet spray that will propel the insecticide about 10-15 feet and direct the spray into the nest opening for 5-10 seconds. The best time to treat a nest is at dusk, when most of the wasps are in the nest.

More information about paper wasps can be found here: http://insects.ncsu.edu/Urban/paperwasp.htm.

Snakes

Fall is also the time when our no-legged friends start seeking out shelter. Most of the snakes that people encounter are black rat snakes. Juvenile black rat snakes have distinct color patterns that immediately send people into a frenzy because they believe it's a copperhead. Although black rats can bite, they are more inclined to move away from a fight. As leaves start to drop, it's not unusual for the snakes to go unnoticed in leaf piles, under debris and under logs. Startled snakes will strike and bite. Copperhead bites are not typically fatal, but the bite can land you in the emergency room and potentially an overnight stay in the hospital. Obviously, children, the elderly, and other folks who might have health-related issues are more likely to have the more severe reactions to a bite. So, it's certainly nothing to take lightly, especially in school settings where there are lots of children around. The secret to avoiding encounters with snakes? Limit potential snake hiding places. And keep children away from potential snake harborage areas. Don't allow piles of leaves, sticks, logs, etc. to collect in areas children frequent (e.g., playgrounds, around sidewalks, etc.). Do what you can to keep snakes out of buildings - make sure all exterior doors have door sweeps and make sure doors aren't kept propped open.

Storm-related Pests

2011-08-26T11:07:00.000-07:00

With Hurricane Irene headed to the NC coast, expect the possibility of an increase in pest problems following the storm. For a brief look at some pest problems you may encounter and ways to manage some of these pests after the storm, please click HERE.

Ground-nesting wasp, Scolia dubia - by Mike Waldvogel

2011-08-26T10:44:00.000-07:00

(Photo: Sheryl Pollock, 2011)

Now that cicada killer activity is finally winding down, we've had a few sightings of scoliid wasps, Scolia dubia, hovering over yards. This solitary wasp is bluish-black with bluish-colored wings. The end segments of the abdomen may be more brown in color and hairy. A key feature are two yellowish spots on the abdomen, which may appear more as a yellowish band.

The object of their attention is the grub stage of the green June beetle which spends most of this time of year near the soil surface. Activity will should stop in a few weeks (peak activity should be in about 10-14 days depending on where you are). As with the other ground-nesting solitary bees and wasps, pesticide broadcast sprays are rarely needed or very effective.

For more information on this wasp, see the web page:

http://insects.ncsu.edu//O&T/lawn/note12/note12.html

Kudzu Bug Update

2011-08-22T08:06:00.000-07:00

Kudzu bug (Photo: Phillip Roberts, Univ. of GA)

When cooler weather finally shows up, we usually expect to see boxelder bugs and Asian lady beetles moving indoors. Most of you have probably read about two other pests that exhibit the same behavior.

Those of you in school districts in the northern counties will probably see the infamous brown marmorated stink bug. At the other end of the state, we have the 'kudzu bug' (Megacopta cribraria), which feeds on both kudzu and soybeans. As soybeans mature and dry out, the bugs will likely make their move to nearby areas, including schools.

The following link will show you the latest (August 2011) distribution map for the kudzu bug:

http://insects.ncsu.edu/Urban/pdf/KudzuBug-southeast-August2011.pdf

This doesn't mean you will definitely run into the kudzu bug, but this is a good time to plan ahead. Make sure you and other school staff are aware of the pest. Dr. Dan Suiter at the University of Georgia has a publication about this pest:

http://www.caes.uga.edu/applications/publications/files/pdf/C%20991_1.PDF

If you see either the kudzu bug or the brown marmorated stink bug, please email Mike Waldvogel (mike_waldvogel@ncsu.edu) or Patty Alder (patricia_alder@ncsu.edu).

NEW Bed Bug 2011 Survey by NPMA & Univ KY Executive Summary Released = Bugs Without Borders

2011-08-19T11:00:00.001-07:00

As you may recall, last year NPMA partnered with the University of Kentucky to survey PMP's both in the US and abroad about the incidence of bed bugs. Well, they repeated this survey this year. The Executive Summary was just released (see link below).

Click HERE for The 2011 Bugs Without Borders Survey - Executive Summary

Below is a summary of some of the survey results:

"This report highlights the key findings obtained from more than 400 pest management professionals who participated in this survey. The Resurgence Continues. "

"....in the past year bed bug encounters have become more commonly reported in many other places. For example, PMPs report seeing large increases in the number of bed bug encounters in college dorms, hotels, nursing homes, office buildings, schools and daycare centers, hospitals, public transportation and movie theaters compared to last year. More specifically, many places experienced double-digit growth...."

"More specifically, many places experienced double-digit growth in where professionals reported treating bed bugs year-over-year:

 College dorms (54 percent, up from 35 percent a year ago);
 Hotels/motels (80 percent, up from 67 percent a year ago);
 Nursing homes (46 percent, up from 25 percent);
 Office buildings (38 percent, up from 18 percent);
 Schools and day care centers (36 percent, up from 10 percent);
 Hospitals (31 percent, up from 12 percent);
 Transportation (train/bus/taxi) (18 percent up from nine percent);
 Movie theaters (17 percent, up from five percent)."

"....one-quarter of their bed bug customers (25 percent) attempted to treat these pests prior to calling a pest control professional. ...Consumers who do try to eradicate bed bugs often use methods that are both ineffective and dangerous. The respondents offered a myriad of examples, many including the excessive and improper use of insecticides; the use of unregistered insecticides; the misuse of aerosols, foggers, propane heaters, and open flames; and the application of inappropriate, often flammable chemicals, such as kerosene, alcohol, diesel fuel, bleach, and boric acid."

"When it comes to treating bed bugs, consumers would benefit from more education and help from a professional."

"....bed bugs continue to be the most difficult pest to treat, according to 73 percent of survey respondents."

Thanks to Bob Rosenberg for sharing this with us.

School IPM Workshops Scheduled!

2011-08-08T09:58:00.000-07:00

The deadline for implementing an IPM Plan for all NC Public Schools is October 1, 2011.

In an effort to help school systems that have not yet (or are still in the process) of putting together and implementing an IPM Plan, NCSU is offering several regional workshops for IPM Coordinators and maintenance personnel. We will have 2 CCU’s of P-phase recertification available.

During the workshop, we will distribute IPM kits for school systems to use to conduct their own in-house training and information sessions about School IPM for staff, teachers, parents, and other interested parties. Each IPM kit contains:

A collection of common insect pests
A CD of Powerpoint presentations and scripts for use in IPM training
A DVD on School IPM (produced by Dr. Godfrey Nalyanya before he left NCSU)
A set of identification guides and CD’s donated by Syngenta.

The topics for the workshops will include:

How to use the training materials for promoting IPM in your school
Handling bed bugs found in schools
School IPM, from start to implementation – problems and solutions

The following workshops have been scheduled. These are the last workshops that will be offered before the October 1, 2011 deadline. There is no cost to attend the workshops, however, you must pre-register to attend so we will have enough material to distribute. Please contact Patty Alder at 919.513.3805 or patricia_alder@ncsu.edu to register.

August 23, 2011

1:00pm – 4:00pm

Durham County Extension Center

721 Foster St

Durham, NC 27701

August 29, 2011

1:00pm – 4:00pm

Cumberland County Maintenance Operations Center

810 Gillespie Street

Fayetteville, NC

August 30, 2011

1:00pm – 4:00pm

Transylvania County Extension Center

98 East Morgan St

Brevard, NC 28712

September 1, 2011

9:00am – 12:00pm

Caldwell County Extension Center

120 Hospital Avenue NE

Lenoir, NC 28645

September 1, 2011

9:00am – 12:00pm

Perquimans County Board of Education Building

411 S. Edenton Road Street

Hertford, NC

New Hanover County

Location/Date TBD

RAIN IS A WELCOME TO MANY PESTS, TOO!

2011-08-03T12:07:00.000-07:00

Termites

The recent rains have triggered termite swarms. We have recently seen three distinct swarms in Umstead State Park in Raleigh, NC. Most of the swarming activity that is occurring now takes place outdoors, which is simply a reminder that termites are around us outdoors. It's a good reminder to all of us that if any of your school buildings haven't been inspected for termites in a number of years, this might be a good time to get it done.

For those school systems that conduct their pest control in-house, we recommend that you look carefully for termite shelter ("mud") tubes on exterior foundation walls. For buildings with crawlspaces, check the wood along the top of the foundation (in the interior crawlspace), looking carefully for tubes and/or damage. This often means pulling back insulation in some areas to inspect. Be sure to inspect any “critical areas” for termite evidence. These areas include places where plumbing and other utility conduits penetrate slabs/foundations, cracks in foundations, areas around door and window frames, and areas prone to moisture problems.

If your school system contracts with a pest control company, your other option is to have them inspect the school buildings. There is a lot of confusion about what pest control companies can/cannot tell their customers. If there is no evidence of termite activity, a pest control inspector cannot tell someone that they "need" to have a structure treated. On the other hand, if it's been 10+ years since the structure was last treated, then the company might "suggest" a treatment as a way of protecting a major investment. But ultimately, the decision about whether or not to have a building treated for termites is up to your school system.

In instances where people have termite contracts with pest control companies, some companies have a clause in their contract that allows them to require retreatment of a structure after some interval (usually 5 years). This clause applies whether or not there are signs of termite activity. So, the advice is simple and the same as any other contract you sign - READ IT CAREFULLY.

Click HERE for more information about termites.

Mosquitoes

The rains will also leave behind water sources that can produce mosquitoes. While puddles of water will dry up, the major concern will be for items that may be present on school property: buckets, flower pots with dishes underneath, tarps covering items, and even tree holes. Remember to "Tip and Toss" - tip the item to drain the water and toss the items that aren't needed.

Click HERE for more information about mosquitoes.

Fire Ants

Also, if you live in an area where fire ants are a problem, don't be surprised if you see mounds popping up. We've seen this same situation where dry summer conditions reduce surface activity but significant rainfall often affords the ants the opportunity to form mounds from what was previously very hard-packed soils.

Click HERE for information about fire ants.

IPM DOES Work

2011-06-13T11:59:00.000-07:00

Figure 1. Chris Mills, IPM Coordinator for Union County Schools,
speaking to 1st graders about cockroaches

If you still have doubts that IPM really works, just talk to Chris Mills, IPM Coordinator for Union County Schools (Figure 1). He’s got some pretty solid evidence that IPM does work. Chris was hired by Union County Schools in 2002 and began serving as the school system’s IPM Coordinator in 2006. Since that time, with a lot of support from school administration, Chris has developed a top-notch school IPM program in NC.

Recently, Chris received a call about cockroaches around the dishwasher area at one of his schools. After an initial inspection, he found German cockroaches coming out from the heat booster, from behind nearby wall panels, and packed tight in corners behind the dishwasher tray slide area. In an effort to quickly knock down the roach population, Chris simply vacuumed out the heat booster. Then, he placed multiple glue traps in areas cockroaches were found. He also used cockroach bait in a gel formulation.

One day after the initial trap placement, Chris counted approximately 500 German cockroaches on the glue traps (Figure 2). The following day, the number of roaches trapped decreased substantially to approximately 160 cockroaches (Figure 3). On the third day, Chris followed up with more round of vacuuming and an application of Mother Earth Dust in the heat booster. Two days later, only 2-3 cockroaches were seen.

Figure 2. One day after initial placement of sticky traps.

Figure 3. Day two of trapping.

Using the principles of IPM, Chris was able to successfully control the roaches in about one week’s time. He used physical and mechanical control options (vacuuming and glue traps). Chris chose pesticides (bait gel and Mother Earth dust) that are least toxic and pose the least hazard to individuals. With a little effort, IPM can and really does work! As Chris said, “Maybe this will open up people’s eyes about IPM.” Thank you Chris for sharing this story and for all your hard work in promoting school IPM.

Tips for Effective Ant Baiting

2011-06-02T11:01:00.000-07:00

Baiting for ants has some advantages over other types of insecticides. First, baits can work when the nest cannot be found or it is inaccessible for treating with other chemicals. Second, baits pose less of a risk to children and staff by reducing the risk of possible contact with any toxic chemical. Third, baits can kill the entire colony whereas most insecticides sprayed on a surface kill only the workers that contact it.

Remember, baits are effective only if they are eaten and not all baits are equally attractive to different ant species. Make sure the bait you use is acceptable to the ants. Place a small amount of bait where you see ants foraging and then watch their reaction for a few minutes. If the ants show no interest in the bait, try another bait until you find one that they readily feed on. Once you find a bait that is acceptable to the ants, several other factors determine its effectiveness:

Sanitation - Baits work best when there are no other food sources available to ants. Keep areas clean so ants are not "distracted" from locating and feeding on the bait.
Proper placement - Bait should be placed in known or suspected areas of ant activity. Be sure that bait is placed out of the reach of children and staff. Never place bait directly on countertops where food is prepared or in an area where it will get wet and/or contaminated.
Quantity - Make sure you put out enough bait and that it remains fresh. If the ants carry away all of the bait, then they may leave the area and go elsewhere before enough bait is spread within the colony. Ant species that are capable of producing large colonies, such as the Argentine ant, will most likely require more than one application of bait.
Durability - Baits will eventually become unacceptable if they are exposed to high temperatures, rain, and sunlight. Check baited areas for signs of ant feeding and replace baits that are no longer acceptable to the ants.
Patience is important to successful baiting. Most ant baits are slow-acting. Explain to students and staff that they may continue to see ants for a week or more after baiting. It is important that the ants are able to return to the nest with the bait so it can be fed to other members of the colony. Ask people not to disturb or kill the ants.
Remember, if you determine that chemical control is needed to successfully control the ants, never spray in areas baits have been applied. If the baits are contaminated, the ants will avoid the bait.

Below is an "Ant Baiting Decision Tree" developed by Jules Silverman, NCSU Charles G. Wright Professor of Structural Pest Management. You may use the Baiting Tree as a tool in determining what actions to take in order to successfully bait for ants.

Periodical Cicadas Emerging

2011-05-06T08:49:00.000-07:00

Figure 1. Adult periodical cicada
(Photo: David McKeithan)

We’ve had several calls lately about the emergence of periodical cicadas. These insects, which spend the first 13 or 17 years of their life underground, often emerge suddenly and in large numbers. As a matter of fact, the cicadas are emerging right now at my parents’ house in Waxhaw, NC in such large numbers that, as my mom put it, “it sounds like a UFO is hovering above our house!”

Figure 2. Newly molted periodical cicada
(Photo: David McKeithan)

Cicadas are relatively large insects with transparent wings held roof-like over the body (Fig. 1). Some species of cicadas show up every year, but the periodical cicadas show up in certain areas every 13 or 17 years. After spending all those years living in the soil, from depths of two to twenty-four inches, mature nymphs emerge from about a one-half inch diameter hole in the ground. Nymphs crawl a foot or more up tree trunks or other vertical surfaces where adults emerge leaving their nymphal skins behind. The newly emerged adult is soft and white for some time (Fig. 2) before the exoskeleton hardens and becomes darker (Fig. 3).

Figure 3. Adult periodical cicadas
(Photo: David McKeithan)

Mated females cause damage to the twigs of deciduous trees on which they lay their eggs (Fig. 4). Twigs slit by the female's ovipositor will frequently have leaves that wilt and die. This damage to the twigs may cause some of them to die, but the injury is usually inconsequential. Eggs hatch 6 to 8 weeks, at which time the young larvae burrow into the soil where they will spend the next 13 or 17 years, depending on the species.

Periodical cicada damage to twig
(Photo: Tim Tigner, VA Dept of Forestry)

The use of insecticides in school settings for cicadas is usually not necessary or practical. The damage done to healthy trees is minimal. Trees and shrubs that are vulnerable (i.e, young or newly planted) may be covered with a covered with a mesh cloth to prevent the females from laying eggs.

IPM Coordinator Receives Important Award

2011-04-28T09:50:00.000-07:00

At a recent School IPM Workshop, Chris Mills, IPM Coordinator for Union County Schools, received an award from the National Steering Committee and the Southern Region School IPM workgroup for his participation in the school IPM coalition project, supported by the US EPA’s Pesticide Registration Improvement Renewal Act grant. The award was given to Chris for all the hard work he has done to promote IPM in NC and for implementing a top-notch school IPM program in NC.

Patty Alder from NCSU presents Chris Mills his award.

Thanks Chris for all your hard work!

School IPM Workshops Underway!

2011-04-28T09:40:00.000-07:00

With the October 2011 deadline for implementing IPM in Schools coming up so quickly, we have been traveling across NC to offer 3-hour workshops for IPM Coordinators and maintenance personnel. The primary purpose of the workshops is to distribute IPM kits for the school systems to use to conduct their own in-house training and information sessions about school IPM for staff, teachers, parents, and other interested parties.

Each IPM kit contains:

A collection of common insect pests:

A CD of Powerpoint presentations and scripts for use in training and a DVD on School IPM (produced by Dr. Godfrey Nalyanya before he left NCSU):

A set of identification guides and CDs donated by Syngenta:

The topics for the workshops include instructions on how to use the training materials for promoting IPM in schools, as well as discussion of suggested protocol for bed bugs found in schools. In addition, Chris Mills, IPM Coordinator for Union County Schools, has been sharing his experiences with school IPM, from start to implementation, including problems and solutions he has encountered along the way.

Currently, we've scheduled the workshops listed below. We are working on scheduling workshops for the eastern part of NC and will let you know as soon as those are scheduled.

Wednesday, May 4th, 1:00pm - 4:15pm

Cumberland County Cooperative Extension

301 E Mountain Drive

Fayetteville, NC 28306

http://cumberland.ces.ncsu.edu/

Wednesday, May 11th, 1:00pm - 4:15pm

Caldwell County Cooperative Extension

120 Hospital Avenue NE, Suite 1

Lenoir, NC 28645

http://caldwell.ces.ncsu.edu/

Thursday, May 12th, 1:00pm - 4:15pm

Macon County Cooperative Extension

193 Thomas Heights Road

Franklin, NC 28734

http://macon.ces.ncsu.edu/

Please contact Patty Alder at patricia_alder@ncsu.edu if you plan on attending a workshop so that we will have enough materials to distribute.

Clover Mites

2011-03-22T08:15:00.000-07:00

Clover mite
(Photo: Rayanne Lehman, PA Dept. of Ag)

You may soon begin seeing tiny, bright red insects crawling around on the sunny sides of buildings, windowsills, retaining walls, etc. Most likely, the insects are clover mites. They can become a problem in early spring when they invade structures in large numbers. Clover mites are tiny (1/30-inch long), red to reddish-brown, oval-shaped mites. Clover mites, as do other arachnids, have 8 legs. They hold the front pair of legs straight out in front of the head (see photo at left). Many people actually mistake this pair of legs for antennae.

Clover mites do not bite nor do they burrow under the skin. They are strictly plant feeders. Hosts include grasses, clover, and dandelion, to name a few. Most heavy outbreaks occur in the early spring, especially around heavily fertilized lawns. In heavy infestations, the mites may invade structures and can leave a reddish-brown stain if crushed.

Placing gravel around the structure can

help prevent clover mite invasions.

(Photo: M. Waldvogel, NCSU)

Control. Effective control means preventing entry into buildings in the spring. Exterior cracks around doors and windows or holes in the foundation should be caulked. An 18”-24” grass and weed-free zone around the structure’s perimeter can greatly reduce the number of invading clover mites (see photo at right). Many plants are actually unattractive to clover mites, including geranium, marigold, zinnia, salvia, rose, chrysanthemum petunia, juniper, spruce, yew and barberry. Planting these non-attractive plants in the weed-free zone will help reduce the number of clover mites around the structure. You may also contact your county Cooperative Extension Center for advice on proper fertilization of lawns. For extremely heavy infestations, it may help to treat a 5-10 foot wide area of ground along the foundation, as well as an 18-24 inch wide vertical band of the foundation wall with an appropriately labeled residual liquid insecticide. Keep in mind that you will be applying a broadcast spray in this case, so you must follow proper notification procedures.

The application of insecticides indoor for clover mites is not warranted. There is no specific target site and excessive indoor applications are potentially harmful to children, teachers, and staff. Clover mites are not a true “emergency” and so any spraying indoors would require that you follow the 72 hour notification policy. Simply use a vacuum cleaner to collect any mites found indoors. Care should be taken not to crush the mites. The vacuum bag should be sealed in a disposable plastic bag before throwing it away.

School IPM Workshops Scheduled!

2011-03-07T08:40:00.000-08:00

With the October 2011 deadline for implementing IPM in Schools looming in the fall, we are offering 3-hour workshops for IPM Coordinators and maintenance personnel. We will have at least 2-CCUs of P-phase recertification credits available. The primary purpose of the workshop is to begin distributing the IPM kits for the school systems to use to conduct their own in-service training & information sessions about School IPM for staff, teachers, and parents other other interested parties. The kits contain:

IPM Kit

- A collection of common insect pests
- A CD of Powerpoint presentations & scripts to be used for training
- A DVD on School IPM (produced by Dr. Godfrey Nalyanya before he left NCSU)
- A set of identification guides and CDs donated by Syngenta.

The topics for the workshops will include:
- How to use the training materials for promoting IPM in your schools
- Handling bed bugs infestations
- School IPM for start to implementation - problems and solutions

Currently, we've schedule four workshops. The others will be announced when we have dates and sites.

Date: Thursday, March 10th
Time: 1:00pm - 4:15pm
Location: Mountain Horticultural Crops Research & Extension Center, Mill River, NC (near the Asheville Aiport)
Website: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/fletcher/

Date: Friday, March 11th
Time: 1:00pm - 4:15pm
Location: Forsyth County Cooperative Extension Center, Winston-Salem, NC
Website: http://forsyth.ces.ncsu.edu/

Date: Monday, April 18
Time: 1:00pm - 4:15pm
Time: Pitt County Cooperative Extension
403 Government Circle, Suite 2
Greenville, NC 27834
Date: Thursday, April 21
Time: 9:00am - 12:15pm
Location: 201 Venus Street, Monroe, NC 28112

We are planning other sessions later in the year for Wilmington, Raleigh, Fayetteville and another location to be determined in the northeast.

Please email us to let us know if you are planning to attend one of the sessions so we can have enough materials to distribute.

Patty Alder
Training Coordinator
NCSU Department of Entomology
patricia_alder@ncsu.edu919.513.3805

Newly created resource page for teachers!

2011-02-10T09:00:00.000-08:00

Includes IPM Activities and Resources for Teaching K-6, IPM for Teachers Curriculum, and many other great resources.

http://schoolipm.ifas.ufl.edu/teacherresources.htm

Why School IPM Programs "Fail"

2011-01-05T08:28:00.000-08:00

By Mike Waldvogel

Periodically, we hear comments and complaints from school administrators that “IPM does not work”. Certainly, there are times when controlling a particular pest problem will be “challenging”, particularly in a complex environment like a school where so many people (students, teachers, staff) play an important role and the buildings vary in both age and condition. However, I have never seen IPM “fail” without some underlying explanation that actually points to the solution to this “failure”.

Almost everyone is familiar with the well-worn expression from the movie Cool Hand Luke, "What we've got here is failure to communicate." All too often, the pest control service fails to communicate problems such as sanitation issues and structural problems (such as leaks, cracks, holes, etc.) that create “conditions conducive to pests” or the presence of some obstructions to accessing areas for inspection/treatment. In some cases, they do report it but nothing is done to correct the problem. Of course, communication is a two-way street. Several years ago, a coworker of mine complained about a light being out in his office for over two weeks. He hadn’t reported the problem. He just assumed that “someone from housekeeping” would notice it and report it. Another well-worn expression applies to IPM – “If it ain’t broke, then don’t fix it”. The catch there? You have to know when it’s broke in order to fix it. Your school’s staff is critical to the success of your IPM program. We expect the pest control technician to be thorough in his/her inspection, but many pest problems are not constantly visible and so we rely on the people who are in the building every day to participate in the IPM program by reporting any pests or pest-conducive condition that they see.

Over the summer, I talked to a school system’s Child Nutrition Administrator who thought that IPM did not work. She asked me if I thought that the pest control technician should be checking behind/under the large refrigerators where cockroaches had been spotted before and were still being seeing even after some treatment was supposedly done in the kitchen. The answer is pretty straightforward in that case but often we hesitate to question someone whom we’ve hired supposedly for their expertise in an area where we lack the knowledge and training. However, you need to keep in mind – it’s YOUR contract, YOUR money (actually, the taxpayers’ money), and YOUR right to inquire and then require that the job be done correctly. Given the budget situation today, it’s hard to ask someone to take on more responsibility but it is absolutely critical that someone at the school (or central office) at least make sure that the contract is being fulfilled properly and that problems are being addressed in a timely manner. Pest control technicians are taught to do their jobs as quickly as possible (time IS money in their case because they likely have other accounts to service). However, the quality of pest control service should never be compromised just for the sake of time. This is a good reason that your contract should stipulate that the pest control company perform some routine quality assessment of their own work and to contact you (or your IPM Coordinator) monthly to review any ongoing or unaddressed problems in the school buildings. Here are some points that you would cover:

1. Is the company responding to particular problems in a timely manner?

2. Are there any problems that the technician has reported to their supervisor but the school has failed to address in a timely manner? For example: is food being stored improperly in a classroom? Are there leaking pipes that have gone unrepaired?

3. Is the technician checking the pest sighting logbook and talking to school staff about specific pest problems in the school before beginning any other service to the building?

4. Is the technician inspecting critical areas (particularly in kitchens) and confirming the need for any control measures rather than simply applying a pesticide?

5. Are sticky traps (monitors), rodent traps (if used), and baits being checked and serviced each visit? Sticky traps that have become covered with dirt become ineffective at catching pests. Traps that are covered with pests won’t allow you to evaluate whether a problem is current or stopped months ago.

6. Are the appropriate products being used to address specific pest problems and situations (both indoors and/or outdoors)?

a. Are they mindful of any label restrictions on applying a particular product when food and food preparation equipment may become contaminated or students may be exposed to potentially toxic residues.

b. Is a product being used simply because the label says “Safe” but is not necessarily going to do the job we need in this specific situation?

c. Are they simply spraying a pesticide that only makes the problem go away temporarily and then the pest is back. Would baits be a better choice for a particular pest and situation?

An analogy that I’ve often used in training programs with both pest management professionals, food service managers and with school staff is to think about IPM in terms of like waking up with a headache and taking some medication to make it go away. While the medication may seem to remedy the problem and stop the pain, it does not address the most important question of why you’re repeatedly getting headaches. Applying a pesticide often does the same thing as taking a pain medication – the problem may go away in the short term but if they constantly return then you need to dig deeper into the cause of the problem and that’s what IPM is all about.

As always, if you have any questions or need help, please feel free to contact Patty Alder or myself. You can reach us through the School IPM website: http://schoolipm.ncsu.edu

Mike Waldvogel is Extension Associate Professor in the Entomology Department and serves as director of the NCSU Structural Pest Management Training Facility.

School IPM Videos now available online!

2010-11-29T07:25:00.000-08:00

School IPM videos are now available for download. The videos were developed by Dr. Godfrey Nalyanya and funded by the Southern Region IPM Program. They will be available on CD in January 2011. The videos can be found at: http://schoolipm.ncsu.edu/video

Sugarcane Beetles

2010-11-17T10:10:00.000-08:00

Adult sugarcane beetle (Photo: Cotinis, BugGuide.net)

We recently got a call from a NC school reporting that several buildings were being invaded by small black beetles. The insects, as it turns out, were sugarcane beetles (Euetheola humilis), a type of scarab beetle that can become a problem in the fall as it searches for a suitable place to spend the winter. The beetles are common insects, but their populations are usually so low that they go largely unnoticed. Sugarcane beetles can actually damage caulk or other sealants at expansion joints and other junctures as they attempt to dig into the area.

One thing to keep in mind about sugarcane beetles is that they are occasional pests that are normally present at relatively low levels. The beetles are attracted to light, so using sodium vapor lights in fixtures near buildings and mercury vapor lights for fixtures away from buildings can reduce the number of invading beetles; however, this may not be practical in school settings.

Sugarcane beetles gathering around expansion joint (Photo: Chris Mills, Union Co. Schools)

Insecticides are not very useful in controlling sugarcane beetles. The beetles may be sprayed directly in order to kill them, but the residual may not be sufficient to kill beetles that show up later. Any invading beetles should simply be vacuumed or swept up. In addition, replacing caulk that is damaged or missing should help decrease numbers of invading beetles.

For more information on sugarcane beetles, please see: http://msucares.com/newsletters/pests/bugwise/2009/bw0209.pdf

Suggested Protocol for Bed Bugs Found in NC Schools

2010-11-08T07:16:00.000-08:00

The NCSU School IPM Program has recently developed a suggested protocol for bed bugs found in North Carolina schools. These guidelines have been developed to help NC school systems to become more aware of the problem and to be prepared to deal with situations where a suspected bed bug is found on school premises and/or on an individual (child, staff or visitor) or his/her belongings.

Below is a summary of the suggested protocol for bed bugs found in schools. Please visit http://schoolipm.ncsu.edu and click on “Bed Bug Protocol for Schools” to see the complete protocol, which includes a sample parent notification letter as well as bed bug fact sheets.

In the event that bed bugs (or what is presumed to be bed bugs) are found in a school building, the priority should be to address the situation as quickly as possible while minimizing disruption to the learning environment. Always avoid bringing undue attention to any individuals directly involved. The individual does not need to be removed from the classroom/office unless it facilitates the inspection. If the situation involves a student, inform the parents as soon as possible. The child does not need to be excluded from school.

First, verify that the problem is due to bed bugs. Several insect pests may be confused with bed bugs, such as bat bugs, swallow bugs, and carpet beetle larvae. Reports of bites should be taken seriously, but bites alone are not enough to declare that there is a bed bug infestation. Second, determine the extent of any infestation in the school facility. Third, attempt to determine whether the current finding suggests that the school has an infestation or if the problem is associated with one individual (or group of individuals) who may have accidentally brought the insects to school. Next, take appropriate control measures bearing in mind the safety of all. Finally, educate parents and staff as to precautions they can take to reduce the likelihood of accidentally moving bed bugs between school and their homes.

Bed bug treatments, as with any pest control procedures, should follow the school’s IPM policies as closely as possible. The IPM Coordinator or a designate should contact the school’s pest control service (contracted or in-house). In-house pest control services should be used only if the employees have adequate training and knowledge of bed bug control. Otherwise, the school should contract the services of a licensed pest control company if a bed bug treatment is deemed necessary.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs are Causing a Stink!

2010-10-07T09:23:00.000-07:00

Adult brown marmorated stink bug (Photo: Susan Ellis)

We have been getting a lot of reports of structures being inundated with what is likely the brown marmorated stink bug. This insect is a pest of a wide variety of agricultural and horticultural crops including soybeans, fruits, and ornamentals. During the fall, as things begin to cool down, adult stink bugs begin to search for a place to overwinter. Unfortunately, if school grounds are located near agricultural crops or orchards, or have extensive plantings of ornamental trees, you may begin to see large numbers of this bug trying to invade buildings. Although their presence may be alarming to some, the stink bugs are not harmful. However, they do put off an unpleasant odor (they don’t call them stink bugs for nothing!).

This situation is virtually identical to the problems many of you have seen with boxelder bugs and the Asian lady beetles in that little can be done to stop them. With the upcoming frosts, particularly in western NC, we're likely to see the annual movement of lady bugs indoors by the time you’re reading this. It will progress in the Piedmont and eastern parts of the start likely towards the end of October.

Pesticide applications to the exterior of school buildings won’t have any real impact on the brown marmorated stink bug. In order to be effective, pesticides must be sprayed directly on the bugs or the bugs must land on a treated surface. If you decided the problem warrants an outdoor pesticide application, limit your treatment to exterior windows and doors, or other openings stink bugs are using to enter the building.

Spraying indoors for stink bugs won’t work because they show up in different places. There is no specific target site and excessive indoor applications are potentially harmful to children, teachers, and staff. Stink bugs are not a true “emergency” and so any spraying indoors would require that you follow the 72 hour notification policy. Your best option is to use a vacuum cleaner to collect any invading stink bugs. They will stink up a shop-vac or regular vacuum cleaner fast, so use a “Knee-High” or part of panty hose inside the nozzle to collect the stink bugs and then discard it. If you rely on just a vacuum cleaner bag, be sure to seal the bag inside a trash bag before disposing of it to keep the bugs from escaping.

This problem is relatively new for us but has been occurring north of

our border for some time and we expect it to spread to other counties over timeFor more information on the brown marmorated stink bug, please read NCSU’s publication which can be found at:

http://insects.ncsu.edu/O&T/trees/note148/note148.html

NC School IPM Wiggio Group now active!

2010-09-29T08:34:00.000-07:00

The NCSU School IPM Program has created an online group for NC School IPM. The online group is limited to individuals that have roles and responsibilities in school IPM and we are the only ones that can add members to the group. If you would like to be added to the group, please contact me by email.

By joining this group, you will have the opportunity to receive important updates regarding school IPM (October 2011 is only a year away). You will also have the ability to join subgroups (e.g., Child Nutrition Directors, Maintenance Directors/IPM Coordinators, Superintendents, Pest Management Professionals) and discuss IPM in NC schools among

other members of the subgroups.

If you choose to join the group, you will always have the option to stop receiving emails from the group or to remove yourself from the group altogether.

Call for nominations for Friend of Southern IPM Awards!

2010-09-16T07:42:00.000-07:00

FROM ROSEMARY HALLBERG AT SOUTHERN IPM CENTER:

The Southern Region IPM Center is pleased to release this call for nominations for Friend of Southern IPM Awards. This award program recognizes extraordinary achievement in research, Extension and implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in the Southern Region of the United States.

DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS IS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, AT 5 PM ET.

As in previous years, the winners will be honored at an event of their choosing. For most awards, winners will receive an honorarium of $2,000. Please read the Call for Nomination to review the terms of the honorarium.

There are six categories for awards:

Bright Idea (for new invention, idea or project)

IPM Educator (can be teaching position or extension)

IPM Implementer (someone who practices IPM, on-the-ground implementation)

Pulling Together (Team award)

Future Leader (someone who is in the beginning of an IPM career, or a promising student)

Lifetime Achievement (someone who has had a long career in IPM)

To nominate someone, please fill out the nomination document and write a 2-page letter explaining why the person or group should receive the award. E-mail the document and letter to rhallberg@sripmc.org by 5 PM ET on Monday, November 1, 2010.

Links to the Call for Nominations and Nomination Document, as well as a list of previous award winners, can be found at http://www.sripmc.org/friendsofipm/.

If you have any questions about whether a person or group qualifies for an award, or any other question concerning the award, please e-mail Rosemary Hallberg at rhallberg@sripmc.org, or call at 919-513-8182.

Integrated Pest Management Webcast

2010-09-09T11:59:00.000-07:00

Facility Masters Webcast Series is offering an IPM Webcast on Tuesday, September 21 at 12:00pm EST. The Webcast will focus on the importance of inspection.
Facility Masters Webcast: IPM

Welcome Back to School!

2010-09-08T09:50:00.000-07:00

To commemorate the beginning of a new school-year, PESPWire, the monthly e-bulletin of PESP (Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program) is highlighting IPM in Schools: PESPWire E-Bulletin

NSCU School IPM Program - What's Happening Now

2010-08-27T06:43:00.000-07:00

NCSU’s School IPM Program continues its role of assisting school systems with their IPM needs. Currently, we are working to ensure that all school districts are prepared for October 1st, 2011 – that’s when it becomes mandatory that all NC public schools implement an IPM Program.

On the horizon for School IPM is our planned distribution of IPM Kits to give to school districts. The purpose of the kits is to provide school systems with the ability to conduct in-house training for teachers, maintenance staff, kitchen staff, parents, etc. The kits will include a School IPM DVD, insect specimens, and Powerpoint presentations with scripts.

We’re also putting together an online forum for School IPM with subgroups for Maintenance Directors, IPM Coordinators, Pest Management Professionals, etc. to discuss various problems, solutions, etc. they've run across in dealing with School IPM. And we’ll also use it to send updates and other important information to the various subgroups. We hope to have the online forum up and running within the next month.

Stay tuned for more updates!

WELCOME!

2010-08-26T04:55:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the IPM in NC Schools and Childcare Facilities Blog! The purpose of this blog is to discuss the use of Integrated Pest Management in NC school and childcare facilities. Stay tuned for IPM updates, events, training sessions, success stories, and more!