Pest Management Professional, June 2014

dos donts Dr Stuart Mitchell t Technical Editor Do the applied biology and dont let Polistines or paper wasps Polistes spp nest within architectural features that place inhabitants at risk of stings Eliminate wasps through an environmentally benign process of integrated pest management IPM Do explain to your client paper wasps can offend possibly sting and reduce customer counts and related revenue pest management services are an investment not an expense Customers will leave damage to business reputation Distraught employees might result Increased potential liability if stings result Dont miss clues such as dead wasps and buzzing or humming sounds Do identify the wasp to species and conduct a thorough inspection that focuses on architectural underhangs Dont miss the opportunity to increase revenue through exclusion services build outs screens and doors for example Do deploy electronic fly killers EFKs in structurally appropriate areas traps at exterior appropriate areas and vacuuming with an appropriate system to reduce the presence of wasps Dont misinterpret product label directions when conducting applications to wasp nests destroy nests after recommended or required time intervals Do wear appropriate protective personal equipment PPE when conducting wasp elimination This includes coveralls a veil and helmet and gloves Dont proceed outside the IPM process which can be defined as inspection and investigation identification down to species establishing threshold levels implementing two or more control measures cultural physical mechanical and professional product applications and evaluation of overall effectiveness PMP Dr Mitchell D O Ph D M P H B C E a board certified physician and entomologist is principal technical specialist for PestWest Environmental as well as PMPs Technical Editor He can be reached at docmitchell@ northcoastmedia net or 515 333 8923 most wanted PAPER WASPS Photos courtesy of and copyrighted by Gene White pmimages@ earthlink net W ith behavior adapted to numerous manmade structures Polistines or paper wasps Polistes spp can be a challenging architectural antagonist The paper wasp is a flying foe for pest management professionals PMPs and occasionally a threat to public health Approximating hornets in color patterning a paper wasps abdomen is slender and attached to the thorax by a short petiole The Polistine clypeus meaning shield below the frons or face and above the labrum on the front of the insects head is pointed at the apex The hind wing has an anal lobe The paper wasp nest might be attached to a branch eave or other architectural underhang feature Consisting of circular combs and cells the nest is suspended by a stem like apparatus Cellular ends are open with larval heads in view Dr Stuart Mitchell t Technical Editor Paper wasps generally docile when compared to hornets and yellowjackets still must be approached with caution Paper wasps can inflict multiple stings causing potentially serious reactions in allergic individuals If someone is stung Clean the sting site Apply ice Take an oral antihistamine for pruritus or itching Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain Seek medical advice if there are any signs of an allergic reaction An Epipen might be prescribed The paper wasp is important as a public health issue For PMPs the new benchmark for paper wasp treatment is elimination through applied biology PMP PAPER WASPS Wearing appropriate PPE a veil and helmet coveralls and gloves is imperative when dealing with wasps 52 June 2014 Pest Management Professional www mypmp net