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Navaz Clement
No matter how clean one keeps ones surroundings, you cannot avoid the uninvited guests the pests. It is not only embarrassing but also speaks badly of a hospital where one sees rats, cockroaches, and lizards running around. Pest Control is another major job of the Housekeeping Department.
Sprinkle Baygon bait in places where cockroaches congregate, rest or hide, such as dark corners of closets, base of walls in basements, under sinks, around drain pipes, upon shelves, etc. Fly: As a rule flies are of small or moderate size; some species are even minute, measuring one millimeter long, while some Australian robber flies exceed three inches in wing-expanse with a body length of one and three-quarter inches. The majority of flies are diurnal and frequently fly around for nectar or haunt decaying organic matter of diverse kinds Many flies do not visit flowers but are found on foliage, tree trunks, fallen logs, in grass, on the ground, or on the mud where they seek food. The primitive blood sucking species, such as the mosquito and the sand fly are mostly crepuscular (active at dawn or dusk) or nocturnal. Many species are predacious on smaller insects, mites, and small worms. A relatively small number have acquired the habit of blood sucking, confined mostly to the female of the species. A small number of the blood sucking species are of great importance to us on account of their ability to transmit various diseases to man and other animals. The pathogenic organism of malaria, yellow fever, elephantiasis, and other diseases are transmitted from animal to man and from man to man through the medium of biting flies, and cannot be contracted in any other way. The common Housefly This species is probably the most familiar and certainly the most widely distributed of all insects. It has accompanied man everywhere and has adapted itself to breeding in a variety of rejected food and excrement of man and his domestic animals. It would be difficult to exaggerate the importance of the Common Housefly as a pest in homes. This is on account of its importance as a carrier of disease brought about by its habit of flying between human faeces and human food. The disease organisms of typhoid, dysentery, summer diarrhea, and probably infantile paralysis are transferred from faecal matter to food by vomit drops in fly excrement or by organisms adhering to the flys feet. The eggs of parasitic worms are also transferred in this way. In tropical and sub-tropical areas, in addition to these diseases the housefly is also responsible for the spread of cholera, and opthalmia. Fly control: Exclusion has been an effective method of fly control for many years. Properly maintained copper, bronze, aluminum or plastic screens are helpful. Screens if properly maintained provide excellent control of almost all flies, mosquitoes and other insects. Chemical control: Fly sprays and household sprays are synonymous since a spray that controls flies will also control other insects. There are three kinds of sprays in the market the space spray which includes aerosols, the surface or residual spray which may be pressurized and the combination space and residual spray. Space sprays are applied as a mist into the air and must be in contact with the insect at the time of spraying. They provide quick knockdown and fast results but temporary control. An aerosol spray sprays the insecticidal ingredients are dispersed by means of the vapour pressure of liquefied gas rather than the pressure of compressed air. Surface or residual sprays may have a petroleum or water base. They are applied on surfaces as a wet spray rather than a mist and they leave a toxic layer of either crystals or film on the evaporation of the carrier. Surface sprays provide relatively slow knockdowns but long lasting control against non-resistant flies and do not have to come in contact with the insect at the time of spraying in order t o be effective. Residual sprays are applied to surfaces frequented by houseflies such as light fixtures, window screens and walls. When a residual spray is used as a space spray, the large amount of toxicant becomes hazardous to the user, and may contaminate food as well. Toxicants used for space sprays: Pyrethrum this is the most common ingredient in a fly spray. At recommended dosage it is the safest toxicants and has exceptionally fast knockdown effect. It has the disadvantage of not killing all the insects knocked down. Allenthrin this chemical is often referred to as synthetic pyrethrins. It has knockdowns and mortality characteristics similar to natural pyrethrins when used against flying insects in space sprays. Residual sprays - DDT was considered to be a very effective until 1950, but by then the flies had become resistant to this toxicant. Today the most common toxicant used is Malathion and diazinon, but the housefly is becoming resistant to these toxicants too. Baygon Bait: there are many fly killing insecticides in the market, however many of them do not solve the real problem of doing their work that of bringing into contact the fly and the insecticide. The ideal answer to this is the ready-to-use Baygon Bait. It first attracts, and then kills the fly. The baygon bait has the following advantages:
Sprinkle Baygon bait wherever flies congregate. Particular care should be taken to apply the bait around refuse dumps, garbage heaps, market and slaughter house refuse, around cess pools and other similar areas. Baygon bait can also be used by dissolving the bait in water and sprinkling or brushing the solution along the walls and on the floor avoiding direct contact with food stuff. Vapona: Vapona is generally known by the common name of Dichlorvos. It is an organo-phosphorous insecticide that possesses excellent insecticidal properties. Vapona is unique because it has contact plus vapour phase action. It therefore knocks down flies dead instantly, and its vapour phase action keeps flies away till the next spray. Precautions: Keep Vapona in a cool dry place away from children, food, animals and animal feeds. Wash hands with plenty of soap and water after handling to avoid ingestion. Do not eat or smoke while spraying. Destroy or bury empty containers. Other methods of fly control: The presence of houseflies is an indication of our failure to properly dispose off manure, garbage, sewage, food wastes, human excrement dead animals or other organic waste. Therefore proper environmental sanitation is fundamental to successful fly control and fly breeding can be can be prevented by simple practice of burying such organic matter or by drying it so that its moisture content is below that of larvae development. More importantly, flies cannot breed in thinly scattered material because it dries out and there is no fermentation. Open outdoor toilets are the biggest menace from the stand-point of fly-borne diseases. Where privies cannot be avoided, they should be made as fly-proof as possible and the refuse kept covered by daily applications of waste crankcase oil or liberal amounts of lime. Silverfish: This primitive wingless insect is so called on account of its shining grey colouration, its sinuous movements, and its quick darts to cover when it is disturbed. The silverfish is nocturnal, shuns light and is most often seen when uncovered in dampish places like the kitchen and the scullery. It is able to walk up rough vertical surfaces such as wall paper and plaster, but unable to do the same on smooth surfaces like glass and porcelain. Hence it gets trapped in wash basins and bathrooms. The silverfish is responsible for little actual damage. It feeds on carbohydrate substances such as starch used for wall paper paste and is recorded as biting small irregular shaped holes in linen, cotton and artificial silk. Its carbohydrate diet is supplemented by protein from dead insects and glues used in book binding. Silverfish is not of great economic importance, but is an unpleasant inhabitant in our homes and needs to be attended to. Control of silverfish: Insecticides such as DDT, chlordane, dieldrin, and lindane formerly used for the control of silverfish are no longer registered for use. Although liquids, dust or baits can be used for the control of silverfish, liquids are preferred in visible or exposed areas of the home where dusts or baits may present an undue hazard to children or pets. Dusts can be used in attics, basements, and places where their use is not potentially hazardous. In controlling silverfish, the insecticide will be most effective when applied where the insect is most commonly seen. The silverfish commonly occurs in damp areas such as behind or beneath kitchen sinks, beneath or behind cabinet shelves, and inside cupboards and linen closets. Particular attention should be paid to inject small amounts of liquid into or dusts into crevices and cracks formed by shelves, loose moulding or floor tiles, and loose drawer glides. Silverfish are commonly found around book shelves. These shelves should therefore receive the crack and crevice injections. Caution must be exercised when applying liquids, as the liquid may stain the books especially when water based sprays are used. When it is not possible to use either sprays or dust, then it is advisable to sprinkle bait on the shelves. A small amount of bait, bait dispenser, or bait pellets can be put in the corner of the bookshelves. Lizards: Lizards are typically dry land animals loving the sun and its heat. They are four-legged animals and are capable of very active movements. Usually they are very small and slender creatures. The common garden lizards have a very long tail. The flying dragon of India, Draco, is able to hop from branch to branch of the trees that it inhabits. The ordinary wall lizard or gecko, are equipped with vacuum cupped toes which help them to chase insects along the walls and ceilings of the rooms. A very interesting protective feature of these lizards is the power to break off their tails automatically. This power of automatically breaking off parts of the body is called autotomy. Control: Lizard control is usually carried out in the warmer periods of the year. Lizards are cold blooded animals and hence in the cold season they tend to hibernate in the warm corners of the house to restore their body temperature. During the warmer periods they come out and can be seen crawling up and down the walls. They usually come out after dusk as they feed on smaller insects that fly around the light sources. Lizards are also found in places infested with cockroaches. Mechanical control: Lizards are found mostly behind picture frames, curtains, shelves and window frames. They enter the house through the ventilators and windows. Hence the windows and ventilators should be properly meshed. The house should be kept clean and the suspected hiding places should be regularly inspected. As the lizards thrive on insects, the most effective way of controlling lizards is to control the insects in the house. Chemical control: Lizards are carnivorous and prey on other insects. Hence they cannot be controlled using bait. Chemical control of lizards involves spraying of pesticides directly on the reptiles. Chemicals such as dichlorophos, malathion etc. sprayed on the body kills the lizard instantly. However this process is difficult and tiresome in godowns and libraries where there are several lizards and lots of good or books behind which they can hide. In such places fumigation is recommended. Fumigation is carried out using Aluminum Phosphide or any other approved fumigant. Bees, Wasps and Spiders: As a rule bees and wasps are beneficial insects unmindful of the activities of man, as long as man makes it a point to disregard them however, at times the nests of these insects ar made in close proximity of the home or in the home, and this makes it too confining for both man and the insects. Although the sting of wasps and bees is painful, for some persons it may prove to be serious. It may result in severe reaction and even death. The honey bee is mans oldest insect friend and it to this insect that we owe honey, beeswax and the fertilization of many of our crop bearing plants. The honey bee is a social insect living in colonies of 20,000 to 80,000. As with man, the honey bee too has its periods of depression. On cloudy days when they are unable to forage for nectar, they get frustrated and need to take out their frustration on others. On these days we need to be cautious. Most individuals who fear bees do so because of their potent sting. When the bee stings the sting, poison sac, and several other parts of the bees anatomy are torn from the bees body and the bee soon dies. The action of the sting takes place instantly. The sting has barbs on it and if it is not immediately removed the reflex action of the muscle attached to the sting drives it deeper into the sting permitting more time for the poison to be discharged. The pain in the sting gets more acute as the toxin is discharged. Control: Since the honey bee is a beneficial insect, it should not be indiscriminately destroyed. In the spring, we often see swarms of bees on trees, and bushes. Swarmers are mild in nature and are only looking for a place to relocate their nest. While bees are almost always mild in the swarming stage, it is still advisable to wear a bee veil and to tie the cuffs of trousers tightly to the ankle. Where the swarm has settled on a limb, the limb may be jerked and the swarm collected in a cardboard box. One should be sure that the queen bee does not remain on the limb. The box is then closed and sealed to prevent the bees from escaping. After taking the box to a distance away from the swarming place it may be opened and the bees set free. If the bees have to be returned to the hive the box is completely sealed and moved at night to where the hive is located. The bees are then transferred the next morning. If the bees nest in the voids of a home, they should be controlled or they will enter the living area. The removal of a bee colony once it has entered an attic or a wall void is extremely difficult and it is difficult to find a bee keeper to attempt it. Hence most bee colonies in wall voids are treated with insecticides. A variety of insecticides are effective including bendiocard, carbaryl, diazinon, malathion and porpoxur. The dust formulation of these products is preferable to spray formulations when bee and wasp nests are in enclosed places. Dust has the advantage of being widely distributed by the insects as they move around in the nest. Sprays kill only those insects which come in contact with the sprayed area. Usually one application is sufficient with activity ceasing in one or two days. Nests should be treated at night to avoid getting stung. Once the bees are killed the walls where they have been nesting should be opened and the comb removed. If not, the untended honey will run down and through the walls and attract insects such as moths, cockroaches, and carpet beetles. Wasps: The wasp flies above lawns which are infested with beetle grubs, as these grubs are food for the wasp. Wasps appear in the morning and fly all day, retiring early in the evening. These wasps generally do not attack people. You can walk safely through them as they fly around. In order to control them the lawn can be sprayed with carbaryl or the grubs controlled with chloropyrifos or diazinon. Yellow jackets and hornets: These are the real problems of the wasp world as far as humans are concerned. These social wasps live in colonies which number in thousands. These beneficial insects would not anger man except they like to live in close proximity with us. they nest in attics and voids in the walls where they can go unnoticed for a long time. They usually go outdoors in search of food, but when they are not able to get food, they come into the living area and become a threat to the inhabitants of the house. They feed in trash cans, and enjoy our food they resent our efforts to keep them away from our food. When this happens they need to be controlled. Control: If the nest can be found, control is simple. Simply spray bendiocarb, carbaryl, chloropyrifos, diazinon, or resmethrin into the nest opening of the aerial nesters. Then wet the nest envelope. The nest may be removed in a day or two. For ground nests dust formulation of any of the above insecticides is preferable. Workers entering the nest will track the dust into the nest and contaminate it. The problem is that it is most difficult if not impossible to track the nest. Spiders: There are 35,000 species of spiders in the world. Most spiders that are a cause of concern to the public and which pest control experts are called upon to control are either large or have striking marking. The large spider is often thought to be a tarantula, and the coloured one the black widow. Only a few species of spiders reside in dwellings and a larger number stray or are carried into the houses. The House Spider: The house spider is so cosmopolitan and so widely distributed that it is difficult to trace its original homeland. The house spider selects its web sites at random. If the web does not yield prey, it is abandoned and another site is selected. Eventually the spider end up constructing webs where food is most available. Control: It should be recognized that spiders are predators and require prey to survive. However spiders stray into dwellings and other indoor habitats. In windows and outdoor dwellings, spiders frequently construct webs as insect prey may be attracted by the light or brought in by the air flow. The removal of debris, lumber piles, and materials may reduce the presence of some species. Care needs to be taken when using clothing, tents, sleeping bags, and other items left unused for long periods in areas where spiders are common. Improved storage, use of air tight boxes and bags, elevation of materials off the ground, discarding unwanted items, and periodically sweeping or vacuuming under furniture and behind mirrors and pictures are all helpful control measures. Thick leather gloves should be worn when cleaning areas infested with spiders. After the housekeeping has been improved chemical control should be considered based on the species of spiders to be treated. Spiders are easily susceptible to most modern insecticides. One consideration which is important when web building spiders are being treated is their habit of recycling silk. They chew up the old web and consume the silk. They also have powerful digestive juices which dissolve the silk. This means that a dust formulation lightly applied to the web can be quite effective. Dust formulations are best directed against web building spiders and to entry cracks and crevices for spiders entering from outside of the structure. Space sprays are useful for spider problems in confined areas when there is no hazard to people using the structures. Residual sprays are usually applied to infested windows, corners, doorframes, roofs, and storage areas. Dust formulations for spiders include products containing bendiocarb, diazinon, malathion and pyrethrum. Space sprays are DDVP, pyrethrum, and resmethrin. Residual formulations include those based on bendiocarb, bromine, chloropyrifos, DDVP diazinon, malathion, propetamphos, propoxur, pyrethrum, resmethrin, and runnel. Since all the materials are effective, control depends on using a formulation that is effective against a spider species, or group that gives the best result based on the habits of the spider group. Bed Bug: This pest has plagued man since the dawn of civilization. It is believed that the bed bug originally was associated with bats living in caves in the Middle East. It was in the caves that these parasites became associated with man. Although this creature draws no line between the rich and the poor, its presence is more evident in the quarters of the impoverished, owing to conditions more favourable for its growth. Escaping through windows, they pass along walls water pipes, or gutters and thus gain entrance into adjoining houses. The bed bug is distributed readily in a laundry and on clothes and baggage of individuals who have visited infested areas. This pest is disseminated primarily from one house to another by stowing away in furniture and bedding that is being moved. Once in the home, they become established in any convenient crack or crevice particularly along the seams or buttons of mattresses, coils of bedsprings, wooden bedsteads, upholstered furniture, the backing of pictures, behind wall paper, and calendars, behind skirting boards and between floor boards. These creatures are very wary and cautious, and their hiding place taxes the patience and ingenuity of man. Infestations can be detected by the bloodstains on the walls or linen, and by the characteristic spots of excrement. In addition to their disgusting appearance, the bugs make a mess and they stink. The mess is due to their frequent excretion which causes brownish yellowish or black spots on the walls near the crevices where they hide. The dark marks are due to the presence of partly digested blood in their faeces to make way for a fresh meal. The bed bug plays an insignificant role in carrying disease to man. However they do cause nervous and digestive disorders in sensitive persons. The house in which bugs are tolerated will be a home of malnutrition, dirt and other causes of physical inferiority. Control: DDT which was once considered the best control measure for bugs is today not effective. The bugs have become totally immune to this insecticide. No matter what insecticide is used, the pest control specialist must try and find their place of hiding. He must look for any place that offers darkness, isolation and protection. Spray of 1% malathion, 1% fenchlophos, 0.5% DDVP, and 0.5% synegised pyrethrins have given good results. Mattresses should be treated only at the seams and should not be soaked in spray. Mattresses should be allowed to dry and should be covered when used. Several residual sprays used as water emulsions and or oil-based solutions may be used away from beds: 0.5% diazinon 2%malathion, and 1% fenchlophos. Hand spray is usually adequate and spraying should be done early in the day so that the insecticide can dry before the room is used for sleeping. Lindane, malathion, pyrethrin or fenchlophos can be used to spray mattresses. Pyrethrum treatments need to be repeatedly given on account of its limited residual action. Care should be taken not to sleep on a freshly sprayed mattress. Treatment of infant crib and bedding should be avoided. Mosquitoes: Mosquitoes received very little attention until it was found that they were the cause for malaria and other disease. It was then that a study was conducted, and it has been found that there are 1,700 species of these insects in the worlds while the mosquito is found abundantly in the tropical region, there are traces of them even in the arctic region. Not all mosquitoes are blood suckers, and most of them are attracted to light. Hence light traps are used in order to obtain information about them. Only the females suck blood. The male feeds on pollen and nectar. The vast majority of them prefer water but some live in salt marshes and brackish water. Still others are happiest in water contaminated with sewage. Species that breed near houses and consistently enter houses are called domestic mosquitoes. There are two main types of mosquitoes culicine and anopheline . the culicine type are painful biters and capable of transmitting certain diseases found in tropical areas such as yellow fever, filariasis and dengue fever. The anopheline group are capable of transmitting malaria. By and large, the mosquito constitutes a serious pest in the house. Many species inflict painful bites and some species do so at night. Scratching the itching bite often sets up secondary complications. Control: Various methods for the control of mosquitoes have been developed. The ideal plan calls for a complete survey of the district, the mapping of all breeding places, and the identification of the species. This is necessary in order to determine the kind of mosquitoes and their breeding habits. Control consists essentially of destroying the larvae and their breeding places. Tin cans and all objects that hold water are eliminated and the rain barrels and cisterns are treated periodically. Drainage provides permanent control and is used to eliminate small pools, swamps and marshy areas; ditches, and creeks are cleaned up so that the water flows evenly and does not back up. Areas of water that cannot be eliminated by draining or leveling are sprayed or dusted. Prevention of bites is an essential feature in the prevention of mosquito borne diseases. All buildings should be screened to prevent entry of these insects. Where there are no screens sleeping nets should be used. A mixture of indalone, Rutgers 612 and dimethylphthalate is a good general repellent. Aerosol bombs containing pyrethrum, rotenone or DDT are used to kill mosquitoes in small areas. DDT is used to spray wells and screens, and is effective for long periods, but kills slowly, and should be used carefully. The aedes and culex remain in dark portions of the building and bite during the day. Spraying will destroy them and prevent the spread of dengue and filariasis. Several types of small fish like Fundulus and Gambusia are useful in controlling mosquitoes and are often introduced into ponds and other breeding places. Rats: Rats, mice and squirrels are from the same family the Rodents. This group of animals is distinguished by their teeth large and chisel-like front teeth. They use these teeth to gnaw through any kind of hard matter wood and cement walls. There are many kinds of rats in the world, but only two kinds of rats the pest control man deals with the Norway rat and the roof rat. The Norway rat is so called because it is believed that they originated in Norway. They are larger, and have larger droppings than the roof rat. Roof rats also known as black or ship rat prefer warmer climate and upper floors of buildings. The Norway rat prefers basements and often burrows around water sewers, docks or wharfs. Rodents urinate and leave droppings on the food they eat. Their hair also drops in these foodstuffs. Hence humans should not consume food contaminated by these creatures. There are several diseases that rats and mice spread to humans:
Rats eat the same kind of food that we do and prefer fresh clean food. They eat large amounts of the food that they like. Any new food is carefully examined by them and nibbled. If they do not like it they will not touch it again. If they do, they will come back only after a period of time. Thus rats are very clever to ignore poisoned food, however attractive the food may be. In the case of poisoned food, if a few rats die after eating the food, other rats in the colony will not come anywhere near to it. The house mouse: Like the rat the house mouse is most active during the night, but unlike rats the house mouse is not suspicious; rather, it is curious. The control technique for the house mouse is very different from rats. Hence the service person must know which of the two he is treating. One common technique is baiting combination of food with toxic material. In order that this is effective, the serviceman must know what the rodents are eating and where they are getting their food and water. Another is traps. These will be effective only if they are placed in the rodents route or trail. Elimination of rodent nesting place or hide-outs is another method of control. The rodents may be nesting outside the building, but enter the building in search of food. We must find out the point of entry. Rodents leave clues or signs in their path. Correct reading of these signs will enable these servicemen to determine the kind of rodents, sources of food and water, where the trails are located where they are entering the building and where they are nesting. In order to keep their teeth in good condition, the rodents gnaw on hard surfaces. This is a big tell tale mark to know that rodents are around. Rodents also like to touch or be in contact with walls and other surfaces as they travel. This habit of theirs leaves rub marks on the walls. Once a rat is killed it should be picked up with a pair of tongs gloved hands or a stick. If the fleas should bite the serviceman, it will transmit the disease to him. All dead rats should be buried. Making buildings rodent-proof:
Mechanical control: Snap traps: trapping is done when the use of poisons is dangerous. Traps can be used again and again. The bait should be ties securely to the trigger. This prevents the rodent from nibbling the bait without setting off the trigger. The bait may be food or cotton. The rat uses the cotton for nesting. Electromagnetic or ultra sound devices: electromagnetic devices work on the principle that a magnetic field produces a barrier which has a stunning effect on the rodents. The ultrasonic device works on the principle that certain high frequencies and amplitudes of sound are irritating. Ultrasonic sounds are directional and rodents seek shelter behind solid objects. In such cases there should be alternate use of baits and traps in these shadow zones. Chemical control: ANTU: this kills rats by causing acute lung dropsy and an accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. Death usually occurs within 12 48 hours. ANTU should be thoroughly mixed into the bait Arsenic: this chemical is odourless and tasteless, and is therefore easily taken by the rat when mixed with food. However, on account of the very same properties, care should be taken that it is not accidentally consumed by humans. Barium Carbonate: this too is tasteless and odourless, and inexpensive. The toxicity of this poison is not very consistent. Some rats die after consuming very little of it, while others are no affected. Phosphorous paste: this material is spread between two slices of bread in the form of a sandwich. Since phosphorous glows in the dark, one need to be careful. It dissolves easily in fats, and should therefore be used with greasy baits. Fluoroacetamide: this is used for the control of sewer rats, as it can be used in water baits. Strychnine: this is extremely poisonous and characterized with very rapid action. However it has a bitter taste and is not generally taken by rats. Zinc phosphide: this too is a quick killing rodenticide. However it has a strong garlic like odour, which alerts rats when mixed in food. Termites: Termites are insects that cause serious damage to wood and paper. They actually eat wood as food, and like ants, live in colonies. There are three types of termites the subterranean, the damp wood and the dry wood termites. The subterranean termite lives in the ground which provides the dampness required for it to stay alive. The damp wood termite needs a lot of moisture to survive, but does not need to return to the ground. It can stay in the wood which is close to the ground or near a leaking roof. The dry roof termite is often found living in desert areas. They do not need water or moisture to survive and can nest in dry seasoned wood. Post construction termite treatment: White ants attack a building from their colonies under its floor or from outside or both. Any treatment given should be such that it prevents future re-infestation through the foundation. This is achieved by four technical operations.
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