Dusts can often be overlooked in a pest control regimen because sprays seem to give immediate results. A closer look at recent research studies point to insecticide dusts as a bed bug solution with residual results.
Romero, Potter, and Haynes of the University of Kentucky conducted a research project using four different bed bug populations to test the effects of various ‘dusts’ on those populations. Two of the populations were extremely pyrethroid resistant, one was moderately resistant, and one population had has no previous exposure to insecticides. Five different dusts were used on all bed bug populations and results were recorded concerning mortality and the length of time associated with each. The dusts that were utilized for the study two pyrethroid based dusts and three desiccant dusts. The desiccant dusts work by either abrasive qualities similar to sand paper. They are able to remove the protective waxy coating of an insect as it crawls over the particles. The other way that it works is by ‘absorbing’ the thin lipid layer on insects. Delta Dust and Tempo were used as the pyrethroid based dusts, and Drione, Mother Earth D, and NIC 325 were used as the desiccant dusts.
Results:
The study found that in 24 hours, Tempo dust killed 100 percent of the bed bugs from all four of the populations. Drione took 72 hours to work, but also resulted in killing 100 percent of the bed bugs from all four populations. Delta dust resulted in up to two weeks to kill 100 percent of the bed bugs from all of the resistant strains. MotherEarth D took four days to kill over 90 percent of the bed bugs, and ten days to kill all strains at 100 percent. NIC 325 showed the lowest success, with only 50 percent of bed bugs killed after 13 days of exposure.
The Results:
The most promising result of the study indicate that pyrethroid resistance may be overcome with the use of dusts. This characteristic may be the weak link in bed bug pyrethroid resistance that can tip the scale towards regained control over the bed bug epidemic. There is not a definite explanation for why this combination is effective, but it is definitely a theory that is worth exploring.
What This Means to YOU:
To the Do It Yourself pest controller, it means that dusts should be investigated as an addition to any home bed bug management protocol. Dusts can be used around base boards in cracks and crevices, in the backs of nightstands and numerous other places that bed bugs choose to hide. Diatomaceous earth has an extremely low toxicity to humans and animals, and can be reapplied regularly without due concern to your families health, as a treatment and a preventative method. Either way, this research study definitely shows that dusts can play a vital role in home pest management.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
How to Control Pest Allergens
Allergies, asthma, and their symptoms can be an unrelenting problem for many Americans. Often times the allergens exist within our home environment, making symptoms even more difficult to control. In this article, we will discuss common pests that act as allergens, and ways to minimize them in your home.
23 to 60 percent of children with asthma are shown to have increased symptoms when exposed to cockroach saliva, feces and cockroach bodies. In one study, 35 percent of inner city children were allergic to dust mites. Proteins in rodent urine can become airborne and exacerbate allergy symptoms. Rodent droppings can cause reactions as well. There is actually a syndrome called ‘sick building syndrome’, due to the reactions caused by high levels of the aforementioned allergens. With the amount of time that we spend inside of our home, it is ever more important that we make sure to remove as many of these possible allergens as we can.
The best way to remove these pest allergens is to use an IPM, or integrated pest management, protocol. All that means is that we want to address all the factors that are allowing these pests to flourish in our environment, and not just rely on chemical means.
Questions you should ask yourself to create your own personal IPM protocol:
1) Environmental:
a. Are you inadvertently attracting pests into your home with readily available food sources?
b. Is your landscaping well managed and not touching your home?
c. Does your home have adequate ventilation and moisture control?
d. Are you trash bins placed away from the home and sealed?
2) Sanitation:
a. Do you have excessive clutter, creating safe areas for pests to hide?
b. Have you sealed all entry points: vents, cracks around doors and window, places that wiring enters the home? You can use expandable sealant foams, copper mesh, and silicone gels are good ways to seal all of those up.
c. Do you keep food sealed, cabinets and counters clean?
d. Do you take your trash out regularly? (no over night stays)
3) Non-chemical treatments:
a. Sticky traps and snap traps can be placed in areas that are out of reach for children and pets.
b. Regularly vacuum corners, baseboards, furniture, drapes, etc. to remove possible pests/eggs/droppings. Be sure to immediately empty the canister contents into a bag that can be sealed and place it in the trash bin.
c. Use repellants to keep the pests from staying inside your home even if they make it into your home.
d. Use heat/steam to kill mites, pests, and sanitize your fabric or upholstered items.
e. Ultrasound, predators, parasites, and lighting are other non chemical options available.
4) Chemical means of control: This includes Insecticides, rodenticides, baits, and insect growth regulators. Only use these means according to labeled directions.
23 to 60 percent of children with asthma are shown to have increased symptoms when exposed to cockroach saliva, feces and cockroach bodies. In one study, 35 percent of inner city children were allergic to dust mites. Proteins in rodent urine can become airborne and exacerbate allergy symptoms. Rodent droppings can cause reactions as well. There is actually a syndrome called ‘sick building syndrome’, due to the reactions caused by high levels of the aforementioned allergens. With the amount of time that we spend inside of our home, it is ever more important that we make sure to remove as many of these possible allergens as we can.
The best way to remove these pest allergens is to use an IPM, or integrated pest management, protocol. All that means is that we want to address all the factors that are allowing these pests to flourish in our environment, and not just rely on chemical means.
Questions you should ask yourself to create your own personal IPM protocol:
1) Environmental:
a. Are you inadvertently attracting pests into your home with readily available food sources?
b. Is your landscaping well managed and not touching your home?
c. Does your home have adequate ventilation and moisture control?
d. Are you trash bins placed away from the home and sealed?
2) Sanitation:
a. Do you have excessive clutter, creating safe areas for pests to hide?
b. Have you sealed all entry points: vents, cracks around doors and window, places that wiring enters the home? You can use expandable sealant foams, copper mesh, and silicone gels are good ways to seal all of those up.
c. Do you keep food sealed, cabinets and counters clean?
d. Do you take your trash out regularly? (no over night stays)
3) Non-chemical treatments:
a. Sticky traps and snap traps can be placed in areas that are out of reach for children and pets.
b. Regularly vacuum corners, baseboards, furniture, drapes, etc. to remove possible pests/eggs/droppings. Be sure to immediately empty the canister contents into a bag that can be sealed and place it in the trash bin.
c. Use repellants to keep the pests from staying inside your home even if they make it into your home.
d. Use heat/steam to kill mites, pests, and sanitize your fabric or upholstered items.
e. Ultrasound, predators, parasites, and lighting are other non chemical options available.
4) Chemical means of control: This includes Insecticides, rodenticides, baits, and insect growth regulators. Only use these means according to labeled directions.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
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