[Technically Speaking] An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure — Part I

In the continental U.S. we have two major diseases, West Nile virus and Lyme disease, transmitted by arthropods — mosquitoes and ticks respectively. Each year, both of these diseases are potentially hazardous to the health of tens of thousands of Americans. The good news is that with appropriate measures the risk of exposure can be minimized and this is where our industry can have a significant impact.

We bring two things to the table: the tools and materials to control the arthropods that transmit these diseases and the knowledge to educate the public and media regarding measures individuals can take to protect themselves, their families and pets. Unfortunately, our industry has been slow to seize this opportunity to provide these invaluable services.

For the past several years, I have written similar columns encouraging more pest management companies to pursue this line of work. Finally, I must admit that this season I have seen more companies advertising services for managing ticks and mosquitoes. This is a natural fit for our line of work and it is not "rocket science."

I fail to see why companies decline this type of work but readily pursue installation of Christmas lights and other unrelated lines of business. This article is written for those companies teetering on the edge of getting involved in vector control. I hope that after reading this primer you will be encouraged to pursue this revenue stream. One nice thing about this type of work is that it becomes recurrent business.

MOSQUITO MANAGEMENT. Since 1999, concern over the introduction and the continuous spread of West Nile virus (WNV) westward has generated unprecedented interest in mosquito control. In the past, there have been occasional outbreaks of other mosquito-borne encephalitic diseases but none as far reaching geographically as WNV. Other than these occasional incidents, the main purpose of mosquito management was to minimize their aggravating bites.

However, WNV has changed the rules. In 2003, this disease was reported in 45 of the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia. Some states like Colorado (2,947), Nebraska (1,942) and South Dakota (1,039) collectively reported nearly 6,000 of the 9,858 cases. It is also important to note that WNV not only kills humans but birds and domestic animals, particularly horses.

EDUCATION. First and foremost in mosquito management is consumer education. Educate by:

• Explaining mosquito biology, behavior and habits.

• Allaying the customer’s fears about disease transmission.

• Explaining the customer’s role in source reduction.

• Explaining the limitations of pest management services and our inability to guarantee total protection from disease and bites.

CULTURAL PRACTICES. Successful mosquito management depends on changing human behaviors. For example:

• Wear long sleeve shirts and long pants.

• Wear appropriate clothing and skin repellents.

• Limit activities to the time of day when mosquitoes are less active (depends on species).

• Change lighting to minimize attracting mosquitoes into areas of human activity. Light should be located away from structures and directed back at the facility. Consider changing mercury vapor bulbs to sodium vapor bulbs and use yellow bug bulbs.

• At night, close drapes or shades on well lit windows to reduce attracting mosquitoes to the building.

• Eliminate breeding sites (standing water).

MECHANICAL CONTROL. One option for mosquito control is mechanical control.

• There are a variety of traps in the marketplace — their ability to collect mosquitoes depends on the type of trap, species, number of traps, location, etc. Most are very expensive to purchase and expensive to maintain — and the return may be minimal (few mosquitoes caught).

• Magnetic, ultrasonic and other mechanical deterrent devices DO NOT WORK.

• Install screens on doors and windows and ensure that those already in place are in good repair.

• For mosquitoes that recurrently enter structures, light traps should be installed. This commonly occurs in building foyers and atriums where the doors are frequently opened and closed.

PESTICIDES. Applications are directed at larvae and the adults.

• Larvacides should be applied to those bodies of water that can not be eliminated or that intermittently hold water. Check state regulations to ensure that a permit is not required for some applications.

• Direct most liquid applications at resting site areas, e.g., bushes, trees, overhangs, eaves and other protected areas where mosquitoes rest in the day. Use products that repel as well as kill mosquitoes — many pyrethroids accomplish this. Consider microencapsulated formulations — they last longer (we have had 45 to 60 days residual activity).

• Aerosols can be used inside to occasionally knock down mosquitoes that enter structures.

• Ultra-low-volume (ULV) treatments can be used to treat large areas — this equipment is very expensive and has little use for other pest problems. The good news is that only small amounts of product, e.g., 1.0 to 1.5 ounces per acre, need to be applied.

CONCLUSION. Any pest management company should have the capability to perform most of these services. If you want to be a hero to your customers, provide them a relatively mosquito-free backyard and let them enjoy it throughout the summer — you’re a guaranteed winner.

The author is technical director of American Pest Management, Takoma Park, Md. He can be reached at 301/891-2600 or rkramer@pctonline.com.