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Get rid of Termites and Ants using safe non-chemical methodsA recent report for the state of California gave a wonderful overview of pest control processes and alternatives using Integrated Pest Management. I'll lightlight the key points here, but if you want to read all the details, go to:[PDF] Pest Control Operator IPM Program Evaluation
In the San Francisco Bay Area alone, 85 tons of diazinon was used in 2000, with 23 tons reported for structural pest control use. With over 60 urban water bodies in California impaired due to diazinon and chlorpyrifos, clearly the public and the pest management industry need to be involved in better methods of managing pests if water quality improvements are to be achieved. We believe that the adoption of IPM practices is key to lessening our dependence on the pesticides that are of most risk to the environment and human health and safety. Unfortunately, both the public and many pest management professionals lack a clear understanding of the principles of IPM. In a national survey of pest control operators, about
Pesticides Used in Structural Pest ControlAccording to the latest published data from DPR in the Pesticide Use Report (PUR) for the year 2000, 5,164,843 pounds of pesticide active ingredients were applied for structural pest control in California (DPR 2000).
Pesticides Applied to LandscapesAccording to the PUR, 1,395,421 pounds of pesticide active ingredients were used on landscapes in California in 2000.
Common Pests and IPM alternative treatmentsArgentine AntRecommend sanitation and cultural practices.Clean up after eating and preparation. Store food in sealed containers. Confine food to eating and preparation areas. (Keep food out of classrooms, offices, bedrooms, etc.) Eliminate leaking water pipes and faucets (indoors and outdoors). Limit food storage and eating to defined areas. Rinse recyclables before storing. Empty or seal garbage daily before nightfall. Keep indoor and outdoor garbage containers clean; use plastic liners to facilitate this. Keep food and pet food in ant/roach/rodent-proof containers. Keep sink clear of dirty dishes and run dishwasher regularly. Pest proofing Seal entry points. Install weather-stripping around doors and windows. Physical controls Vacuum up ant trails. Treat cracks and crevices or wall voids with boric acid or desiccating dusts. Cultural controls Remove plants harboring honeydew-producing insects from around the perimeter of structures (or control honeydew-producing insects on these plants). Use aromatic cedar mulch in landscaping near structures to discourage ants. Reduced-risk chemical controls Use self-contained baits with the following active ingredients: Boric acid, borax, borate Hydramethylnon Fipronil Sulfluramid Wipe up ant trails using a citrus oil cleaner. TermitesPreventive Controls:Inject soil with a registered termiticide (chlorpyrifos and other chemicals can be used) prior to laying the foundation Eliminate direct contact between soil and wood. Store wood piles as far from structure as practical. Remove all cellulose debris from under structure. Use termite baiting with monthly monitoring. Reduced-Risk Practices: Prevention for Drywood and Subterranean Termites Monitor structure periodically to detect termite presence or conditions that can lead to infestation. Reduce moisture level of wood in structure by: Eliminate direct contact between soil and wood. Replace damaged wood with borate treated wood. Replace wood with aluminum, concrete, or vinyl in areas most vulnerable to moisture. Remove stumps and other wood debris from under and around the structure. Store wood piles as far from structure as practical. Plant trees and shrubs away from buildings to insure proper air circulation and reduce moisture retention in building. Screen vents. Maintain buildings in good repair. Physical controls Fumigate with heat. This is usually as a spot treatment because whole house treatments are expensive. Spot treat with Electricity, Microwaves, Liquid Nitrogen Treat wall voids with desiccating dusts such as silica gel. Least hazardous chemical controls Borate-based wood treatments Subterranean Termites: Physical controls Use pre-construction barriers such as stainless steel mesh and sand. Treat wall voids with desiccating dust such as silica aerogel. Reduced-risk chemical controls Borate based wood treatments Termite baits with the following active ingredients: (Note: to be effective, termite bait stations must be closely monitored), Diflubenzuron, Hexaflumuron, Sulfluramid RESOURCES: List of Licensed Pesticide Operators: Pest Control License Database Search California Pesticide Product Data: Pesticide Product Information System
California Department of Pesticide Regulation: Lots of helful links:
pesticide Database SEARCH
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