The Green Train is Leaving the Station: Is Your Pest Management Program On Board?

By Zia Siddiqi, Ph. D., B.C.E., Director of Quality Systems, Orkin Inc.
 

Everyone’s “going green” – including many aspects of the sanitation and facility maintenance industries. As your facility explores environmentally friendly options, pest management is one program to consider greening. Thanks to new technologies, the pest management industry has a better understanding of pests and their habits than ever before, including methods for managing pests with minimal harm to people, products or the environment. 

Environmentally friendly pest management techniques will be most effective when incorporated as part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. Unlike traditional pest management efforts, IPM emphasizes the use of non-chemical treatment methods as a first line of defense. If treatment of a pest infestation requires chemical options, IPM programs use them in the lowest volatile dose to combat specific pests in targeted locations.

 

Getting on Board

Work with your pest management professional to review your IPM program and consider incorporating the following green pest management techniques into your facility’s efforts. 

• Lighting – Since certain types of lighting can attract flying pests to your facility, revising your facility’s lighting actually can help deter pests. Flying insects are attracted to fluorescent lights, so move fluorescent lights to areas far away from the building – such as parking lots. Replace fluorescent and mercury vapour lights near the building with sodium vapour lights, which provide the same level of illumination, but are less attractive to flying insects.
• Fly lights – Fly lights employ ultraviolet light to draw flies into a non-toxic sticky trap. Mount fly lights inside entrances and make sure to mount them so the light is not visible from the outside. When properly positioned, fly lights can help catch flying pests before they enter sensitive areas. This tool also can help monitor the number and type of flying pests entering your facility, information which will aid in any needed treatment.
• Organic Cleaners – Organic cleaners use naturally occurring bacteria and enzymes to break down grease and grime build-up that can attract insects. Use an organic cleaner in kitchen drains to remove the organic debris that can serve as a breeding ground for small drain flies. Organic cleaners also will be effective when used in waste disposal areas and to clean dumpsters.
• Sticky traps – Sticky traps, or glue boards, can help catch crawling insects when placed in areas of high pest activity. Position sticky traps under equipment and in corners where insects are likely to crawl. Often called “pest report cards,” sticky traps can also help monitor for insect activity.
• Pheromone traps – Pheromone traps use synthetic versions of insect pheromones, the chemicals secreted by insects to find mates, to lure insects into a sticky trap. When using pheromone traps, accurate identification of the targeted pest is critical. Currently, pheromone traps are available for managing a variety of pests, mainly stored-product pest like Indian mean moths.
• Repellents – As their name suggests, repellents “repel” insects to areas easier to manage them. Repellents made with pyrethrum flowers, and mixed with desiccants like silica gels can dry out an insect’s exoskeleton. Apply repellents in cracks and crevices around the exterior of your facility to target cockroaches and other crawling pests. Caulk the openings after treatment to prevent pests from gaining access again.
• Insect growth regulators (IGRs) – Insect growth regulators use synthetic versions of insect hormones to prevent insects from reaching sexual maturity. This method can significantly reduce the insect population in your building by inhibiting breeding. Like pheromone traps, IGRs also require accurate identification of a pest for the most effective use.
• Non-volatile baits – If chemical treatments are needed, non-volatile baits are an environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional sprays. Available in gel and puck formulations, non-volatile baits do not become airborne, enabling a more targeted application. Use bait gels in cracks and crevices, and bait pucks, which house the baits in a protective case, along walls or in other areas that attract pests.

 

Calling on the Conductor

To ensure the success of your green pest management program, work with a professional to select the best techniques for your facility. The effectiveness of many of the techniques depends on correct identification of the type of pest present. All reputable pest management providers will be well-trained in pest biology and behaviour and able to select the appropriate options.

 

Staying on Track

When used in conjunction with an ongoing IPM program, green pest management is the ticket to helping keep pests out of your facility while staying responsible to the environment. Keep chugging away with your green efforts – once you’re on board, going green can be easy.

 

Dr. Zia Siddiqi is Director of Quality Systems for Orkin Inc. A Board Certified Entomologist with more than 30 years experience in the industry, Dr. Siddiqi is an acknowledged leader in the field pest management. For more information, e-mail or visit www.orkincanada.ca.