Pest Management Professional, June 2016
CallbaCk Cures WDI By Dr Jim Fredericks Contributor W hen it comes to callbacks many pest professionals find wood destroying insects WDI problematic beetles in particular Its not because excellent management options dont exist Rather its because of the cryptic nature of these beetles and the tricky task of determining whether they are active Customer concerns about potential structural damages can make investigating a WDI callback particularly challenging Live adult beetles emerging from exit holes are rarely witnessed Instead evidence of activity usually is observed in the form of emergence holes or frass Frass can be tricky because old frass can be dislodged from holes long after the beetles have left There are however some other relatively easy ways to determine whether beetles are active Look for signs of fresh wood around the perimeter of the exit holes Sometimes the outer wood has a weathered or darker appearance whereas the inner surface of the exit hole has a fresher lighter color Count the holes in multiple areas of the wood and return later to recount the holes If more holes appear theres no doubt they are new This method requires patience from the customer though with an observation period lasting a few months to a year to be certain Listen for the sounds of infestation Old house borers Hylotrupes can be noisy eaters the later instar larvae make an audible clicking noise as their mandibles rasp against the inside of the galleries A quiet environment and a stethoscope can make this task easier If beetles are still active a retreatment might be in order But if you can determine that the evidence is simply the remnants of the previous controlled infestation you can avoid costly callbacks pmp You can reach Dr Fredericks VP of technical and regulatory affairs for the National Pest Management Association NPMA at jfredericks@ pestworld org NEW NEW Made of virgin no break polypropylene plastic NEW Bottom is twice as thick and polished to a mirror finish GOT BED BUGS Proven Reliable Detection www insect interceptor com 19018483831 Termatrac T3i now includes the All New Direct Moisture Meter NEW Compared to commonly used moisture meters the T3i device Works better in extreme humidity Works well on different types of building materials and surfaces Penetrates deeper more than 25 More accurate readings narrower sensor INDUSTRY PROVEN ENTOMOLOGIST VERIFIED Non invasive inspections via MOVEMENT MOISTURE THERMAL sensors Call 404 210 5633 or your local supplier 74 June 2016 pest management professional mypmp net Photo USDA ForeSt Service WooD ProDUctS inSect LAb www termatrac com AND IMPROVED TOUGHER THICKER SLICKER Susan McKnight Inc 181 Cumberland Street Memphis TN 38112 USA EPA Est No 85542 TN 001 assessing WDI activity
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