Ever since humans have lived in a shelter, they have been harassed and attacked by troublesome insect and mite pests. Today, Americans spend over $3 billion each year for pest control operator service alone, and $400 million for individual do-it-yourself applications, plus another $520 million to keep pets pest-free, according to the National Pest Control Association. Humans no longer have to tolerate beetles in their wall-to-wall carpeting, storage closets or any part of the home. They consider the presence of pests in their home a matter of social concern as well as a health hazard.
Household pest control is important throughout the year. There are cockroaches that are obnoxious, odorous, and leave trails of fecal droppings on foods and house furnishings. Termites move into the house from the ground and attack wood, books and papers. Ants can contaminate food, damage fabrics and cause homeowners annoyance.
Clothes moths and carpet beetles often destroy woolen clothing, furs, rugs and furniture. Fleas attack pets and humans. House dust mites and cockroaches produce allergies. Flies and mosquitoes are a nuisance in the home as well as outdoors.
When the homeowner knows the identity of the pest, knows the extent of the infestation, has the pesticide to control the pest, and is confident of his or her ability to treat the infested area, a pest control firm need not be contacted. But, whenever one of the above criteria is in doubt, a pest control operator should be consulted.
Deal only with a licensed pest control firm having an established place of business and a good professional reputation. Many reputable firms belong to a city, state and/or national pest control association. When in doubt, ask for references; get two or three competitive estimates before signing a contract.
Pesticides are labeled for specific pests, making proper and accurate identification essential. Pest control firms can identify many pests, as can The Ohio State University Extension personnel.
When in doubt, collect several specimens in a watertight vial. Add isopropyl or 70% alcohol, and enclose in a crush proof box. Take the specimen to your local county office of The Ohio State University Extension or mail to: Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic, 110 Kottman Hall, 2021 Coffey Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1087. Telephone: (614)292-5006, Fax: (614)292-7162, Internet E-Mail: PPDC@postoffice.ag.ohio-state.edu.
Describe in detail the area where you found the pest, such as stored food products, fabric, wood and newspapers stored in the basement. Give details on the number of insects found and how frequently they appear. Include your name, address and zip code for return correspondence.
The Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic charges a nominal fee for specimen identification. Contact your County Extension Agent or the Clinic for current charges, or the Clinic will bill you with the reply.
Not all pests need to be controlled with chemical pesticides. Flyswatters, vacuum cleaners, screens, traps, lures and other methods are effective in eliminating insects. Whenever possible, we have listed "Non-chemical Control" in the section Control Measures for Household and Structural Pests.
For crawling insects (indoors) such as cockroaches and ants, use a spray aerosol* or a dust to provide a chemical barrier on the surface over which the insects must crawl. Never spray up into the air. Pesticides are most effective when placed in areas where pests spend the most time such as cracks and crevices. An effort should be made to apply pesticides into these areas as opposed to application onto exposed surfaces. A clean paint brush may be used to apply pesticides in certain locations.
Insecticide liquid sprays prepared for crawling insects are available and convenient to use. Just follow the label directions.
Some available "Ready-to-Use" liquid sprays are 0.5% chlorpyrifos (Dursban), 0.5% diazinon, 1% propoxur (Baygon) and 3% resmethrin (Vectrin).
Dusts leave visible deposits and are recommended for household use on a limited basis, especially in wall voids. Depending on the situation, make the dust application in the basement, behind baseboards, behind appliances (not in the motor area of refrigerators) and in inaccessible places where pests hide. Never use dusts where children and pets may be exposed to them.
Some available dusts are 1% bendiocarb (Ficam D), boric acid 33 to 99%, 5% carbaryl (Sevin), and 83.6 to 90% diatomaceous earth (Answer, Organic Plus). Sevin is for outside use only.
For flying insects (flies, mosquitoes, etc.), use an aerosol or space spray manufactured and labeled for this purpose.* The insects are either paralyzed or killed by this direct mist-spray contact. However, as this method does not provide residual action, it may be necessary to repeat the application.
Unless specified on the label, avoid spraying plants, rubber, asphalt or linoleum. Use only as directed.
Some available aerosol space sprays contain synergized pyrethrins or resmethrin.
The fly swatter is still practical for an occasional insect.
To control crawling insects (outdoors) such as clover mites, boxelder bugs and crickets, use a wettable powder or emulsifiable concentrate liquid diluted in water and apply as a spray, or use a dust formulation to kill the pests. Oil solution sprays, which are applied undiluted, may injure or kill flowers, shrubs and grass. Avoid the use of dust as a pesticide barrier if children and pets will be exposed to it.
* Caution! The solvents in certain pesticides may damage textiles, vinyl tile flooring and other household surfaces. Damage usually occurs due to excessive use of the product or spraying the product directly onto the surfaces.
The National Pest Control Association clearly defines the following terms:
Residual insecticides have insecticidal effects lasting several hours or longer and are applied as general, spot or crack and crevice treatments.
General: General treatment is an application to broad expanses of surfaces such as walls, floors or ceilings, or as an outdoor treatment. It may appear on the label as directions for "surface spray."
Barrier: Barrier treatment is usually considered the application of pesticides to thresholds and other entrances, or the foundation and soil adjacent to the foundation. Read the label as some pesticides contain explicit instructions for this use. Some outdoor insect or related pests may become a nuisance when populations build. A barrier treatment with residual spray, dusts or granules may help in controlling the pest.
Spot: Spot treatment is application to limited areas on which insects are likely to occur. These areas may be on floors, walls and bases or undersides of equipment. For this purpose, a "spot" will not exceed 2 square feet.
Crack and Crevice: Crack and crevice treatment is the application of small amounts of insecticides into cracks and crevices in which insects hide or through which they may enter the building. Such openings commonly occur at expansion joints, between different elements of construction, and between equipment and floors. These openings may lead to voids such as hollow walls, equipment legs and bases, conduits, motor housings, junctions or switch boxes.
Non-residual insecticides have insecticidal effects only during the time of treatment and are applied either as space or contact treatments.
Space: Space treatment is the dispersal of insecticides into the air by foggers, misters, aerosol devices or vapor dispensers for control of exposed flying and crawling insect stages.
Contact: Contact treatment is the application of a wet spray for immediate insecticidal effect.
Detailed information on the biology and control of many of the pests described in this bulletin can be obtained from county Extension agents, Extension entomologists or pest control operators.