Pest Management Professional, April 2014

tips tricks STINGING INSECTS Continued from page 68 J T Eaton Co By James Rodriguez ACE Territory Manager Choosing the proper product and equipment for treating stinging insects such as bees wasps hornets fire ants or yellowjackets has changed over the past few years especially with products that are synthetic pyrethroids or neonicotinoids Dusting or power spraying the infested areas with these types of products provides the greatest risk to the environment non target pests and plants as well as aquatic organisms Understanding the limitations of the products you use is crucial in making sound treatment decisions Before you begin a treatment for stinging insects ask the following Have you considered the potential for run off into drains sewers or other non target areas during rain from the dust or liquid youre going to apply Can the nest be treated with baits or with minimal use of insecticides such as close up spot treatment with an aerosol Have you considered using a web duster with a scraper to remove wasp or mud dauber nests with minimal activity rather than treating them with a pesticide Have you considered having your doctor perform skin or blood tests to detect antibodies that can trigger the anaphylaxis caused by stinging insects before you perform these jobs Have you selected the proper ladder for the job to comply with your fallprotection program We have a major responsibility to protect our employees the environment and ourselves We can achieve this and keep our industry moving forward by properly choosing from the many eradication options for the best long term results Nisus Corp By Ron Schwalb BCE ACE National Technical Manager We generally only think about stinging insects in a reactive mode during the summer when we receive calls from customers or notice established nests located on or near our customers structures But ideally stinging pest management is an integrated control approach that should be on our minds all year long In the spring we should direct our inspections to look at possible sanitation conditions that could attract stinging pest populations Old canvas carpet scraps and other materials left outside or under sheds are perfect locations for future bumblebee or yellowjacket nests and should be removed and discarded Garbage cans with damaged or missing lids exterior recycle bins for soda cans bottles and other similar sources are great food resource sites for yellowjackets they too should be sealed and cleaned regularly during the spring and summer Also inspect under eaves and porches for beginning nest sites of paper wasps In the summer when activity is at its highest inspect for established nest sites of paper wasps hornets or yellowjackets You might want to spot treat established paper wasp nests with the newest aerosol products that drop the wasps quickly Dont forget to inspect swing sets and storage sheds Hornets might establish nests in nearby trees shrubs or even on structures Walk the yard carefully to determine whether yellowjacket nests have become established in ground nest sites Treat each nest with appropriately labeled products Remember the best time to treat might be at night when nest activity is lowest Stinging pests such as paper wasp females like to overwinter in nice warm structures inside cracks or gaps around windows and doors They might even enter attic areas around soffits or other entry points This is why some clients see wasps flying inside structures during the dead of winter Conduct a detailed inspection during the early fall months around the exterior of the structure to find these entry locations Treat with a labeled dust or other formulation and seal with caulking material or screening to keep wasps and other pests out of the structure This work must be done before cold weather sets in or you could lock in pests that already have entered the structure Being proactive and not reactive is the best approach for stinging insect control in and around structures It also offers the best integrated service for your customer The professional service you provide customers is key to a successful program Reed Joseph International Company Get Ready Weve got you covered And you dont need a license Reed Joseph now offers two types of Bird Bangers to choose from The new IRD ANGER is conveniently available without any licensing requirements For licensed and government customers the Bird Banger EXP can be used for the tougher jobs Either way weve got you covered Visit our website for a full selection of cartridges launchers and accessories 8006475554 www reedjoseph com 70 April 2014 Pest Management Professional www mypmp net