Pest Management Professionals using Best Management Practices

GARY KUNSELMANSENIOR VECTOR CONTROL BIOLOGIST

ALAMEDA COUNTY VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT

Pest Management Professional

• Aka PCO (Pest Control Operator), • “Bug man”

• Licensed by the Structural Pest Control Board (Department of Consumer Affairs)• Branch I: Structural fumigation• Branch II: General Pest (Rodents, cockroaches, Bed bugs etc)• Branch III: Wood Destroying organisms (Termite etc.)

• Pesticide applications and compliance with the Structural Pest Control Act regulated by County Department of Agriculture.

Categories of Licenses

• Applicator Certificate

• Individuals are not trained to identify pests. Apply pesticides only.

• Field Representative License (Branch 1,2,3)

• Individuals are qualified to secure structural pest control work, identify infestations or infections, make inspections, apply pesticides, submit bids for or otherwise contract, on behalf of a registered company

• Pest Control Operator’s License

• Individuals (businesses) are permitted with a Pest Control Business License to operate a Pest Control business in the State of California.

• Applicators and Field Representatives cannot perform pest control on their own. They must perform their work under the License of an Pest Control Operator.

Pest Management Professional (PMP)

• A PMP starts as a Field Representative (FR) working under a licensed Pest Control Company for a minimum of two or three years practicing the specific pest control category (Branch I, II, III).

• After two years the Field Representative can apply to the State Pest Control Board (SPCB) to take the Pest Control Operators exam.

• SPCB will verify the Field Representative has completed the necessary qualifications.

• The Field Representative will be required to take a Pre-OP exam.• The Pre-Op exam includes a three day – 20 hour preparation course.

• Successful completion of the Pre-Op exam allows the individual to take the Pest Control Operators Exam.

• Completion of the Pest Control Operators Exam allows the individual to start a pest control business for only the categories completed.

Why are Bed bugs such a problem to deal with?

1. Cost

2.Control requires 100% elimination3. All parties involved must adequately perform their duties

4. Limited pest control tools and pesticides

5. Difficult situations (e.g. low-income multi-unit residences)

MANAGEMENT

Pest Management

Professional(PMP)

TENANT(S)

BED BUGS

All three groups must do their part to hope for any control of bedbugs!!

Regulatory or advising agency

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES An Integrated Pest Management program which

involves all parties!!

Bed Bug IPM

• Pest Control Companies

• Standards of Procedures for their personnel to follow with Bed Bug Operations.

• Guidelines for the Homeowners/Renters

• Guidelines for the Landlords and Property Administrators

Guidelines and Responsibilities

• Renter or Homeowner

• Responsible for preparing the infested rooms for treatment.• Removing all clutter

• Sealing up clothing and personal belongings in bags for heat treatments by laundering.

• Thorough vacuuming and cleaning of all surfaces and cracks and crevices in the infested rooms.

• Removing all pets and fish until completion of treatments.

• Encase all mattresses with approved bed bug encasement bags after treatments are completed and as directed by the PCO.

BMP basics

PMP should provide well-documented inspection and assessment report

• Proper identification of pest• Level of infestation• Structural and environmental conditions conducive to bed bugs

Recommend treatment options based on inspection and assessment

• Structural modifications• Treatment options• Tenant/Homeowner preparation check list and possibly outreach/education• Post treatment options

• Important to hire a knowledgeable pest control company.

• Do they provide a well prepared and thorough pre-treatment preparation list for management & tenants

• Are they prepared to communicate with management and tenants

• Do they provide other services to the resident ( Prep room, treat personal items , encasements, etc)

• Do they use professional equipment and proper pesticides

• Follow regulation requirements for PCOs

• Follow pesticide label

• Pre pesticide application notification

• Submit Service Slip (states what pesticide(s) used)

NO!!!!

NO!!!!

NO!!!!NO!!!!

Base board jock

Happy customer

• Does the company offer post application monitoring

• Follow up visual inspections• Place active monitors• Place passive monitors• Use canine detection

Verifi detector active monitor

Passive monitors

• Does the firm offer various treatment options

Types of treatments/methods

• Fumigation (Vikane)

•Heat – whole house or separate unit

•Pesticide applications (Most commonly used by PMPs)

•Non-chemical or least toxic products• Vacuum, , Steam, freezing• EPA exempt products e.g. essential oils

•Combination of the above

Fumigation is a method of using a lethal gas to exterminate pests within an enclosed space.

VikaneSulfuryl fluoride SO2F2

Methyl Bromide CH3Br

Phosphine gas(Aluminum & Magnesium phosphide)

• Pros:

• Effective with a large widespread infestation.

• Effective for cluttered rooms.

• Less tenant preparations.

Con:

• Expensive

• No residual effect

• Must vacate building for 3+ days

• Pros:

• Effective with a large widespread infestation.

• Effective for cluttered rooms.

• Less tenant preparations.

Con:

Expensive

No residual effect

Heat (whole house or room)

Non pesticide

• VACUUM

• STEAM

• Freezing (CO2)

• Encasements

Commonly used pesticides

1. EPA exempt or least toxic

Diatomaceous earth CedarCide – Cedar oil + silica

Commonly used pesticides

2. Pyrethroids

• Permethrin• Beta-Cyfluthrin (Tempo Ultra SC )   • Deltamethrin (Suspend SC )• Lambda-Cyhalothrin: (Demand CS, Cyonara 9.7, Cyzmic CS) • Sumithrin - Bedlam

Dual pesticidesUse more than one active ingredient.

Most commonly used by PMPs

STERI-FAB® - d-Phenothrin and isopropyl alcohol (can use on mattress)

TEMPRID SC - Beta-Cyfluthrin + Imidacloprid (neonicotinoid)

TRANSPORT GHP®– Bifenthrin + Acetamiprid (neonicotinoid)

VARIOUS DUST FORMULATIONS

Pyrroles (Pro-insecticide means that it is metabolized into an active insecticide after entering the host)

PHANTOM® - Chlorfenapyr- Slow acting, retreat only after 28 days

DUSTS (desiccant) • Diatomaceous Earth• Silica• Limestone• Silica/DE + pesticide• Pesticide only• Boric Acid - NO

DRIONE

DELTAMETHRIN

INSECT GROWTH REGULATORS• Pyriproxifen• Hydroprene

Capturing the ABC’s of profession bed bug management a summary of survey responses

WIPMC Bed Bug Work Group

Best Management Practices Summary (BMPs must be used to achieve control)

1. Know biology and behavior of the target pest

2. Know what treatment options needed for specific situation

3. Know difficulties of specific situation and formulate plan with that in mind

4. Recommend structural, environmental, behavioral modifications to reduce Bed bug habitat

5. Choose appropriate pesticide (toxic, non-toxic, if any) and treat right places (treat bed bug harborages and potential harborages)

6. Ensure tenant and management are informed and know their responsibility