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A 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

TOP POLLUTOR: chemicals used to treat TERMITES in STRUCTURES TOP REASON IT MATTERS: FRESH WATER pollutants in 60 bodies of surface water...and growing. THE SOLUTION: Integrated Pest Management

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

• 80% said they received the largest number of calls for ANTS,
• 22% said TERMITES,
• 20% said COCKROACHES, with
• about 4% saying other insect pests (Pest Control 2001).

Pesticides Used in Structural Pest Control

Pesticides Applied to Landscapes

• 55.5% of the total is herbicides.
• 17.0% of the total is fungicides.

Common Pests and IPM alternative treatments

Argentine Ant

Termites

changing irrigation and landscape practices that cause water damage to structure or increase water collection near structure
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

More info about licensing

California Department of Pesticide Regulation: Lots of helful links: pesticide Database SEARCH

	NOTE to my readers: We provide resource links to help you protect and nurture your natural resources. Tip: when you contact suppliers in person, online, by phone or email...please ask them about alternatives that are sustainable, green, or habitat-healthy. By asking, we advocate for better protection of our natural resources. Thank you, Carolyn.

If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed;
if in terms of ten years, plant trees;
if in terms of 100 years, teach the people."
- Confucius