California Expands IPM for Schools

The Californica Healthy Schools Act (HSA) law gives parents the right to know what pesticides are being applied at public K-12 schools and licensed day care centers. This law is similar in Washington and other states. The changes to the California HSA, however, expand the scope of intormation for parents and looks to educate school staff on least-toxic pest control methods. "Less pesidicde use mean students and staff have a reduced risk of possible exposure to pesticides, says Senior Environmental Scientist Laurie Brajkovich, of the Department of Pesticide REgulation's School IPM program. This change takes effect January 2015 and affects 10,00 schools and more than 14,500 day care centers. --- As conscientious pest management professionals--PCOEAG members in particular--these changes underscore both the real need to employ solid IPM practices, as well as, public perception around pest control and pesticides. Obviously, integrated pest management makes sense to us. And we have to find the best level of economic and other thresholds where we do employ one pesticide or another. Selecting least toxic products is also important in our practices, and for reasons of public relations as well. ASKING FOR DIALOGUE: To what extent do these efforts help the public get to know about integrated pest management and to waht extent might they cause harm? The possible concern here is the fact that pesticide registration over the past 20 years has seen a dramatic drop in moderate to highly toxic products, yet the level of concern seems to assume that we are yet utilizing DDT or Chlordane. in other words it could go to the point where it's creating more fear than necessary when practices have changed so dramatically. At the same time we can't screen through hundreds of children at a school for the few that might be allergic to a product, even a least-toxic product. FURTHER DIALOGUE: While we as PCOEAG members do need to emphasize the good that IPM will bring, how do we also balance facts around toxicity of pesticides and facts about the "toxicity" (direct toxicity or bites, stings, and spread of disease) of the pests? So, the efforts in California are great, but without also continuing to maintain a balanced flow of information will facts, such as that presence of cockroaches can inflame asthma in chidren, be lost? Pests also pose very real hazards and the public needs to know this as well.

Citrus Oil, Mint Oils and other least toxic alternatives...

Those of us who want to use the least toxic product to effect good solid pest control want to know what "safe" products are available, whether they are effective, how clients tend to receive them, and so on. This article is an introduction to a couple natural oils out there. I invite whatever feedback you can provide--on these or other, similar products. Citrus oil has been around for a while. Here are a couple uses it is put to... FLEAS - I've use it as d-limonene (or linalool), an extract of citrus peels, as a flea spray where it is quite acceptable to homeowners, rated pretty safe, and kills adult all stages of fleas it contacts. The emphasis must be on "contact" as it has no meaningful residual. When applying for fleas we'd usually add an insect growth regulator to abate those fleas not contacted by the citrus oil. One thing I noticed it what, although low in toxicity, it could irritate my throat from breathing it...flea treatments are a large area and it vaporizes rapidly...so, although the label didn't require it at the time, I wore a respirator. TERMITES - But there are reportedly other uses for citrus oils such as termite control, however, once again, it is used to kill termite that it contacts directly in the wood, so it is usually used for dry-wood termites. From what I've been able to determine since the d-limonene can soak into and spread both across and along the grain it might be helpful for some wood boring beetles too. CITRUS OIL INQUIRY - What I'd like feedback on from our members is what experience do you have using a citrus oil product? What pests is it affective on? Have you had any other effects, such as staining? And how well is it received by clients? MINT OIL - There are reportedly various products and uses for mist oils as well. Of course, they can be over promoted to the public who so want to avoid what they perceive as toxic synthetic chemicals, but how well are they tested for efficacy? And, are there any unanticipated handling hazards? I've hears mint oil mentioned for bed bugs, but here I am at a loss as to experience. If anyone has found use for mint oils in their pest management practice, or even tried it and learned something... and you're willing to share it, please do. One last word...since spiders aren't readily affected by traditional residual insecticides but, rather, most likely have to have contact with the application to effect control, would citrus oil or mint oil work well for them?

PMPs Sometimes Maligned?

Nearly forty years in the pest control industry has shown me some interesting traits of our culture. Obviously, there can be an unpleasant association people make between what we deal with around pest management and ourselves. After all, we deal with creepy little bugs and filthy rats and mice. We crawl into dusty attics and grimy crawl spaces beneath homes. And, it is assumed, we "live around" and "spray" TOXIC chemicals. Who would willingly commit themselves to such work? Realistically, our work is no more or less dirty than the plumber who also has to crawl into those dark spaces. And the medical profession--doctors and nurses--have to change bed pans and deal with unpleasant aspects of the human anatomy...and sometimes even contagious diseases. But, having starting in this industry nearly four decades ago, I can testify that there have been characters who were sometimes slovenly dressed or sometimes morally compromised and did little to elevate our profession. Nevertheless, even when those of us determine to be professional in our practices--entomological knowledge, knowledge of IPM and least toxic pesticides, sincere in our care of our clients--we may still occasionally be maligned by a prejudice about "exterminators." Even if this happens only once in a while we know as PMPs that we're not automatically considered one of the traditional "professions." So it is important that we carry ourselves in the most professional manor and even go the extra mile to properly earn their trust and respect. One of the most powerful ways we can develop as Pest Management Professionals is to develop Least-Toxic/ Integrated Pest Management approaches. This is why we participate in PCOEAG, the Pest Control Operators Environmental Achievement Group. It is our goal to develop as a unique group of dedicated pest management professionals. And as we demonstrate our commitment to "green pest control," we can proudly show the PCOEAG badge on our websites, bringing attention to the fact that we are devoted to providing safer and more conscientious pest management.

Submitted by Kurt Treftz Cascade Pest Control, Redmond, WA

LEED Certified "Green" Buildings - Problematic for IPM Practices

PCT has a current article about LEED system designed to foster “green” buildings. Al Green, an entomologist and national IPM coordinator for the U.S. General Services Administration’s Public Building Service notes improvements in the system, however, he also cites some problems with the program as it stands. Some of the issues of the LEED guidelines actually foster pest problems and make solid IPM tougher, not easier. Al Greene says that some of the language has, thankfully, changed from earlier “chemophobic” position that end up hampering IPM practices when needed. However, still “none of the principle elements of sustainable construction have very much applicability to what is required for significant pest prevention.”

One of the situations the author demonstrates is that new buildings automatically have fewer pest issues on average anyhow, regardless of being in the LEED system, and won’t show many pests until the building starts to age. This creates a deceptive result when various aspects of waste handling and building practices are not addressed to truly help reduce pests. Al Green cites examples of plantings on roofs and even ponds that, while aesthetically attractive, are also attractive to pests. Also low-slopped roofs offer opportunity for standing water and inaccessible spaces beneath—not to mention how hard it is to repair a roof that has a layer of soil and plantings on top of it. Also, raised floors designed for computer cables and air conditioning systems readily harbor rodents—a step backward, not forward. Other issues cited within LEED certified buildings were huge millipede infestations, inadequate door sweeps to close out pests, raccoon infestations, house sparrows entering when doors were left propped open. More information can be found within the complete PCT article. For PCOEAG members: what have you encountered with LEED certified buildings? Do you advertise availability to assist with LEED buildings? Don Leland http://www.pctonline.com/Digital/201410/html5/index.html?page=84

Pest Control Company Selected for Green Pest Control Practices

Orange Planet, a pest control company in California was selected for their green practices to treat Lewis Stadium in the San Jose area. What's wonderful about this is that it was picked up by ABC affiliate, WBAY television. This is but one example of how and why taking the conscientious approach to pest management is worth the effort.

TM Planet Orange Pest Control

New PCOEAG ....coming November 2014

PCOEAG - the Pest Control Operators Environmental Awareness Group is a collective of pest control companies that share a vision of providing safer, environmentally friendly pest management to the public. --- PCOEAG was first launched right on the heels of the "Great Recession" which was just so much bad timing. Everyone had to "duck and cover" until the worse was over economically. But now it is undergoing a major transformation. --- First of all the doors are open to all pest management professionals who agree to the PCOEAG principles of IPM and/or "green" pest management practices at no cost. BASIC PCOEAG MEMBERSHIP IS FREE. --- Cascade Pest Control, an early pioneer in green pest control, sponsors PCOEAG and it has been decided to insure that every reputable pest control company that truly wants to contribute to pest management with sound environmental practices can join without cost. And each member can proudly display the PCOEAG membership badge. https://www.pcoeag.org

PCOEAG is a wonderful idea who's time came long ago however no one bothered to encourage PCO's separate from other memberships, free of charge at least on some basic level. It's like Email--when it first came out (think AOL) it cost to have an Email account. Now it doesn't. Having said all that, we launched PCOEAG around 2010 when everyone was scrambling to stay afloat in the Real Estate Bubble BUST--the Great Recession. So it's time again to re-launch PCOEAG and make it even easier for PCOs (PMPs) to participate and feel rewarded for their "green"/IPM efforts.

We encourage Pest Management Professionals who genuinely care about their practices in relation to both the naturals environment and the health and safety of people where we provide pest management to join PCOEAG at your earliest convenience. We hope we've made is simple, straightforward and rewarding to participate in this manner. Don Leland