During the late 1970’s and early 1980’s the major companies in the field of pest management revised their control strategies to align themselves with concerns associated with the over-use and misuse of chemicals in the environment.

A procedure referred to as Integrated Pest Management (IPM) was adopted to overcome these valid concerns. Integrated Pest Management is a procedure where all possible methods of controlling a pest are considered in an endeavour to provide a total pest management program with minimum and judicious use of chemicals.

This procedure requires a thorough understanding of pest ecology, i.e. the conditions existing which encourage or enhance the abundance of the pest. The principal ecological factors include weather (temperature, moisture, light), food, shelter or habitat, and the presence of other organisms. Knowledge of these factors that attract or increase the potential of pest activity in an environment offers the opportunity to change these factors so that the pest ecology is no longer compatible with the changed conditions.

Integrated Pest Management can be divided into four categories:

CULTURAL CONTROL

An integral part of any pest management program is attention to the sanitation and hygiene as these aspects are extremely important when making an environment less attractive to the pest. Similar principles apply to the control of moisture within an environment, particularly in regard to structural pests, such as termites and borers, where adequate ventilation is a pre-requisite for reducing the potential risk. Reduction of available moisture is also a high priority in both rodent and cockroach control.

PHYSICAL CONTROL

This aspect of integrated pest management utilises physical methods of control which include trapping, proofing and other less complex physical approaches, such as fly screens and electrocutors. Permanent exclusion of birds can seldom be achieved by chemical baiting so alternative control procedures involving the proofing of entry points, roosting and nesting areas are employed.

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL

For many decades the biological control of pests has been utilised, possibly the most notable of these being the control of the prickly pear cactus by the introduction of a moth larva which feeds specifically on the cactus. Other more recent biological control procedures include the use of bacteria for the control of mosquito larvae and caterpillar larvae. An advantage of biological control is that in many instances it is specific to a particular pest and has no effect on non-target species.

CHEMICAL CONTROL

The chemicals used to control pests can be divided into two categories. The first category involves the use of synthetic but biologically related substances including hormones and pheromones. Products referred to as “insect growth regulators” can be successfully applied to prevent pests such as cockroaches and fleas from developing into mature adults, resulting in the halting of reproduction of the species.

General pesticides fall into the second category and include insecticides, rodent icides and herbicides. In recent times considerable emphasis is placed on researching chemicals which are of very low toxicity to mammals but are still extremely effective against nominated pests. The properties of these modern pesticides have been modified in an attempt to make them less persistent in order that they can be considered to be environmentally acceptable.

The primary objective of IPM is to minimise any harmful effect of pesticides in the environment, and to ensure that where necessary, chemical control occurs as an adjunct to the other control procedures.

Integrated Pest Management requires the following steps be implemented to ensure that a successful control program be achieved:

THE ANOBIUM BORER

The Anobium Borer mainly attacks the sapwood of softwood species of timber e.g. Radiata and Baltic Pine. This attack usually occurs in those timbers in well established buildings. The adult female beetle lays her eggs in the cracks and crevices of the softwood timber, particularly softwood floor boards and occasionally softwood timber in the roof area. Apart from attacking softwood building components, Anobium Borer is also known for its attack of old hardwood items such as antique furniture, artifacts, icons etc.

The small larvae or grubs emerge from the eggs and initially channel their way along the grain of the timber and later change to move in all directions giving the damaged piece of timber a honeycomb appearance. The larva may feed in the timber for a number of years before changing into a pupa, remaining immobile for 6-8 weeks in this resting stage. The pupa then changes into an adult beetle which bores its way to the surface of the timber where it makes a round exit or flight hole approximately 2.0mm in diameter. The adult beetle then flies within a short distance of the timber from which it has emerged, its sole purpose being to mate with the opposite sex of the same species. The life cycle of the Anobium Borer is usually 2-3 years, however, it can extend to 5-6 years if the conditions are suitable.

The dust or “frass” produced by the borer is often seen in the vicinity of the flight hole, and is coarse and gritty and approximately the same texture as sand. Complete eradication of this borer can only be achieved by fumigation of the timber with registered fumigants, a procedure which, in most cases is impractical in respect of building timbers.

It is recommended that severely damaged timber be replaced with a timber species that is resistant to the Anobium Borer such as Cypress Pine. It is possible to treat the underside of less severely affected timber with a registered product which inhibits the reinfestation of the timber, but does not eradicate those borer larvae already in the timber.

It should be noted that even though there may be Anobium Borer damage to timber it is extremely difficult to define whether activity is present or not.

LYCTUS BORER

The Lyctus or Powder post Borer attacks the sapwood of certain hardwood or pored timbers known as Lyctus susceptible species.

The adult female beetle lays her eggs in the pores situated in the end grain of the sapwood of these particular susceptible species. The eggs change into small curved white grubs which tend to work along the grain of the timber, feeding mainly on the starch present in the timber. When fully fed the larva changes into the pupal or resting stage until, after a short period of time, it further changes into an adult beetle which bores its way out of the timber through small round holes approximately 2.0mm in diameter. The dust or “frass” associated with Lyctus Borer damage in timber is fine and flourlike. Under favourable conditions the Lyctus Borer may complete its life cycle in 4-5 months but normally there is only one emergence per year. It is usual for timber with susceptible sapwood to be attacked within the first year after milling and if the moisture content of the timber is between 8 and 25 percent the infestation will continue until all the starch in the susceptible timber has been consumed.

No treatment is recommended for Lyctus Borer infested timber. Legislation in NSW and QLD limits the amount of susceptible sapwood allowed to be present in framing timber to an amount, which, if it is infested with the Lyctus Borer will not affect the structural viability of the timber and hence the building.

Milled timber is not allowed to contain any Lyctus susceptible sapwood that has not been treated in an approved manner.

The insects most associated with the spread of disease in domestic, commercial and industrial premises are the true pest flies.

There are many thousands of species of flies, however, relatively few interact with humans. Those that do are among the most destructive of pest species, spreading diseases to man and domestic animals as well as contaminating food and packaging.

The mobility of flying insects is the primary reason why their status as pests is so important. This allows them to visit many diverse and contaminated habitats within the course of their relatively short life span.

FLIES AS A HEALTH HAZARD

Flies have, over the years, been incriminated many times as potential vectors of food poisoning organism.

Most flies breed and feed in unsanitary conditions where their larvae feed on decaying organic matter; female flies choose suitable areas of rotting vegetation and decaying animal matter in which to lay their eggs. Adults emerge from the pupae in these unsavory sites and in the process can become contaminated with disease-causing agents. The adults then often move into sensitive areas where human food is prepared, processed or consumed, to look for their own food.

The potential for contamination of human food with disease-causing agents has been proven over the years and these agents are able to survive on the outside body surfaces of the flies, particularly among the numerous hairs. They also survive in the flies’ gut and in their blood system.

Among the most dangerous of the disease-causing bacteria that have been found on flies are Listeria, Salmonella, Shigella, Cryptosporidium, Klebsiella, Campylobacter, Streptococci, Chlamydia and Escherichia coli.

A recent study carried out at the University of Florida found that nine pathogens could be discovered on flies in Florida restaurants. The researchers grew cultures from flies collected at the back door areas and rear dumpsters of four restaurants in Gainesville, Florida, and within hours the samples were swarming with nine pathogens. Researchers found pathogens that can cause peritonitis, diarrhoea, typhoid fever, bacillary dysentery and possibly staph infection. The flies also carried Escherichia coli and Shigella sonnet.

Food poisoning outbreaks can occur from a minute dose of bacteria. In these cases, the disease could easily have been spread by flying insects — a fact which is rarely understood or appreciated.

PRINCIPLES OF FLY CONTROL

Before any detailed strategy is worked out for the control of flying insects, the most fundamentally important task is to correctly identify the species that is to be controlled.

Setting up control measures that are inappropriate can waste a great deal of time and money because the insect has not been identified correctly.

Having identified the insect, the key to effective control is to pinpoint within the life cycle a vulnerable stage for control. This means that it is not worthwhile developing a control strategy for, say, the egg stage of the insect if that egg stage only lasts a few hours, as it does with flies — the chances of catching the egg are so remote the intervention would be worthless. When the vulnerable stage or stages have been identified, then a control strategy should begin.

A thorough inspection of the premises and the surrounding area is essential. Those working there will be asked about actual and perceived problems then complete a thorough survey of all areas, setting your own agenda and asking your own questions. Useful tools to take would be a spatula, flashlight, screwdriver, etc.

Since the pupae are stationary, locating pupua or pupal casings are key indicators of a breeding site. For the flies, the vulnerable stages that should be considered as targets for control strategies are the larval stage and the adult stage.

LARVAL CONTROL

The larvae of most of the flies that are public health pests are found living and feeding in rotting organic matter, which can be of animal or plant origin. Control strategies can be developed by chemical treatment of the area and medium in which the larvae are to be found.

ADULT CONTROL

The control of adult flies can be considered in two categories – physical and chemical measures.

The chemical treatment of adult fly populations with insecticides has limited use. There may be some occasions when the presence of large numbers of adult flies requires that a space treatment should be carried out, but in general there is little point in using an insecticide to kill a few flies. It is expensive, non- residual and undesirable, particularly in food preparation and food retail outlets.

Physical measures to control adult flies can be divided into two categories — the prevention of entry and trapping.

PREVENTION OF ENTRY

Keeping adult flies out of the premises is one way to control them but it is also extremely difficult to do effectively. The use of door screens, air curtains and window screens has often been successful but these methods frequently suffer in their effectiveness because of staff intervention. Often doors and screens are left open and air curtains not turned on at the beginning of the business day.

TRAPPING

If adult flies do enter the premises, then it is generally possible to trap them in a number of ways. When using traps to control adult flies you are exploiting the senses of the fly. Adult flies navigate throughout their habitat using, in particular, their senses of sight and smell. If you make a trap to attract them visually and then add an odour to it, you are then making use of both of the flies’ senses.

Fly traps that use ultraviolet (UV) light as an attractant are the most successful at attracting a wide range of flying insect and they have become the industry standard for fly control throughout the world.

BIOLOGY OF RODENTS

As climatic conditions become less favourable during the onset of winter months, rodents move indoors looking for both shelter and food, however, in commercial premises rodents can be a problem all year round, and in certain instances, mice can attain plague proportions in rural areas.

Rodents construct their nests utilising soft materials, such as shredded paper or fabrics close to areas where they scavenge for food and water. These nests are usually situated in wall cavities, roof voids, or under floor areas, and in the case of Norway Rats in burrows in garbage tips, and other similar sites. The adult female is capable of giving birth to 4-6 litters per year, each litter containing between 5-10 young, which themselves are capable of reproduction three months after birth. Within a period of one year the mating of a single pair of rodents can result in a rodent population of 400-700.

Rodents actively forage for food at night using the same routes of movement to and from the food sources. Their diet includes food material of both animal and plant origin and apart from mice, access to water is necessary. Mice can obtain water from foodstuffs providing the food has sufficient moisture.

Although the vision of rodents is poor, they are complemented with other senses which are extremely sensitive. Their sense of smell and taste are so highly developed they can detect minute quantities of chemical in foodstuffs, and this can lead to “bait shyness”. They are equipped with whiskers and guard hairs, which enable them to feel their way in darkness with little difficulty.

As previously mentioned, rodents are nocturnal and therefore activity is seldom observed during daylight hours, so it is important to recognize signs of their presence.

Rodents deposit their droppings on all surfaces over which they travel and this, together with stains caused by their almost continual urination, provide obvious indications of the presence of rodents. Greasy smear marks also become evident along their main routes of movement where they make contact with obstacles. Rodents are equipped with incisor teeth that continually grow, and it is essential they gnaw at frequent intervals to ensure they are sufficiently short to enable them to feed and fight. Fire can result from the short circuiting caused when rodents gnaw electrical wiring.

RODENT CONTROL

As with all pest management programs, an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach is an integral part of successful rodent control. IPM involves consideration of all control procedures including attention to sanitation and hygiene, trapping, proofing of entry points, and the use of baiting procedures. All control procedures are preceded by a thorough inspection of the entire premises to identify the rodent and to define the extent of the infestation.

Although worldwide there are over 3,000 species of cockroaches, only half a dozen have attained the status of pest species by adapting themselves to co-habit with man in his dwelling. The remaining non-pest species inhabit decaying plant material, dark damp areas such as caves and beneath the bark of rotting trees.

The omnivorous appetite of cockroaches makes any unprotected foodstuffs susceptible to cockroach infestation and contamination. Their indiscriminate feeding sources in such areas as sewers, drains and garbage areas bring them in contact with disease organisms including salmonella and other organisms associated with dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis and tuberculosis.

Cockroaches are nocturnal creatures and are seldom seen in any quantity during daylight hours, however, in areas where there are heavy infestations sightings of cockroaches may become more common It is generally accepted that for every cockroach seen there are at least a further ten that are hidden away in out of sight harbourages.

Common harbourage areas include cracks and crevices, dishwashers, electrical motors and switches, ovens and almost any warm moist areas where food is available.

Tell tale signs indicating cockroach activity include the presence of egg cases, regurgitation marks, faecal pellets, odour and cast off nymphal skins.

Infestation occurs when cockroaches are carried into premises on raw materials or packaging, or gain entry to the premises through drain covers, ventilation openings and under doors.

Most common species have wings but have a tendency to crawl rather than fly. When disturbed, cockroaches have the ability to scurry away with remarkable haste.

LIFE CYCLE

Following mating, the female cockroaches enclose their eggs in purse shaped egg cases which they deposit or glue onto a surface prior to the eggs hatching. The young cockroaches or nymphs as they are referred to, emerge from the egg case and over a period of up to one year go through 5-12 moults as they increase in size. They achieve adulthood after the final moult and are capable of breeding 2-3 weeks later. They are prolific breeders with the most common of the pest species, the German cockroach, being capable of producing 20,000 offspring within a 12 month period. Female cockroaches also have the ability to produce young without mating. This is referred to as parthenogenesis.

COCKROACH CONTROL

Successful cockroach control is based on Integrated Pest Management (IPM), starting with a thorough inspection of the entire premises to identify the species and to define the extent and source of infestation. Observations made during the inspection enable a program to be proposed which considers all possible facets of control procedures including proofing, trapping, sanitation, hygiene and judicious use of preparations. Recent preparations developed for cockroach control are of low mammalian toxicity and do not persist in the environment. A new group of preparations called insect growth regulators are being presently used by the pest control industry. These compounds prevent the immature stage of the insect from achieving adulthood preventing propagation of the species. The advantage of such formulations is that they are usually specific to a particular pest and have little effect on non-targeted species.

Fleas are usually found on cats, dogs, carpets, furniture, dusty floors, sandy sub-floor areas and even grass areas.  Although the common names, cat flea and dog flea, would suggest that a particular species of flea is specific to one host, this is not the case, and either of the abovementioned species can be found “biting” various hosts, including humans.

Fleas are found only on warm blooded animals, and both male and female adults survive on blood meals.  The female adult flea generally takes a blood meal prior to egg laying.  She can lay several hundred eggs during a lifetime. These eggs turn into a white legless larvae which feed on food debris, human skin scales and undigested blood secreted by the adult fleas.  After several weeks the larvae pupate in a silken cocoon where they remain for 7 to 14 days.  The adult flea emerges from this cocoon and attaches itself to a host ready to start the cycle again.

Fleas do not spend their entire time on the host and often drop off between feeds.

When a flea infestation occurs in a domestic residence, the bites are usually observed on the ankles or lower parts of the legs as small red spots, which due to the injection of flea saliva at the time of biting to prevent blood coagulating, can cause severe irritation to the host.

The role of fleas in the transmission of various diseases is well documented, are some of the more common diseases attributed to fleas are bubonic plague, where the bacteria is transmitted between rats and humans by the flea, and also murine and endemic typhus.  Tapeworms may also be transmitted by fleas.

Fleas prefer warm humid environments and breed mainly in the warmer months, hence “flea plagues” usually occur during summer, especially outdoors.

Before any treatment takes place, the area should be carefully cleaned, especially under furniture and carpet edges.  Upholstered furniture and areas where pets rest or sleep should be given special attention. All vacuumed particles should be burnt or sprayed with an aerosol to kill the fleas and larvae present.

Pet bedding should be washed or replaced and the pets given a flea wash.  Your local veterinarian will advise you of the best products to use.  The target lifecycle for the treatment of fleas is the larvae stage.  Generally the infested area is treated a second time 14 days after the original treatment.

The group of insects known as fabric pests includes silverfish, clothes moths and carpet beetles. Except for the silverfish, the main food constituent sought after by fabric pests is a protein substance called keratin present in fibres of animal original such as wool. Silverfish prefer to eat substances of plant origin such as cotton cellulose and starch.

SILVER FISH

Silverfish (Ctenolepisma longicaudata) are wingless, primitive insects and can easily be identified by the three long appendages protruding from the rear of the abdomen. They have a fish-like appearance with the body tapering to the rear and are covered in scales giving them a dull silvery coloration.

The female adult lays eggs either singly or in small batches which usually hatch after a period of 2-8 weeks into nymphs which closely resemble the shape of the adult but are smaller in size. The nymphs undergo a series of moults over a period of 3-24 months becoming sexually mature adults. They are one of the few insects to continue moulting after they have achieved adulthood and can go on to live for a period of up to 4 years.

Silverfish can move extremely quickly when disturbed and in general have a tendency to avoid light. They are usually found in dark undisturbed areas, however, they often range throughout a building, particularly in cupboards, stored paper and bookshelves, and behind wallpaper that has peeled away from the wall surface. Silverfish cannot climb smooth surfaces and so are often found trapped in glasses, baths and basins. Silverfish do not carry disease organisms harmful to man or domestic animals.
Control is normally achieved by the storage of books, paper and linen fabrics in well lit and ventilated areas. Chemical control consists of the careful application of residual surface sprays and the judicious use of space sprays.

CARPET BEETLES

The most common carpet beetles to be found attacking various fabrics of animal origin are the black carpet beetle (Attagenus unicolor) and variegated carpet beetle (Anthrenus verbasci). As well as carpets, they can be found in woolen goods, fur, silk, upholstery and stuffed animals.

An infestation of carpet beetles usually occurs in undisturbed areas, such as below items of heavy furniture or perimeter areas of the carpet. It is possible for the carpet beetles to attack synthetic carpets particularly if they are heavily soiled with organic food debris or urine. Many synthetic and woolen carpets are now treated with insecticides at the manufacturing stage rendering them resistant to carpet beetle attacks.

The adult female beetle lays her eggs in dark undisturbed areas.  The eggs hatch into reddy brown colored larvae or grubs covered with tufted hairs. It is this larval stage that causes the damage to fabrics, rugs underfelts and carpets. When they are fully fed the larvae change into an immobile pupal stage which, after several weeks, turns into adult beetles. The adult beetles usually fly to exterior areas where they are often attracted to white flowers. The adult beetles cause no further damage but often further infest dwellings by their presence in birds’ nests or being introduced to the interior of dwellings on cut flowers.

Control of carpet beetle is usually achieved by attention to thorough vacuuming of the infested areas followed by the application of residual insecticide sprays.

CLOTHES MOTHS

Although less common than carpet beetles, these fabric pests are commonly experienced in similar environments to carpet beetles, namely woolen materials, felt, fur and other materials of animal origin. The two most common species of the clothes moths are the case making clothes moth (Tinea pellionella) and the common clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella).

The female clothes moths lay eggs on materials that will provide an adequate food source for the emerging larvae. The larvae or grubs feed in dark undisturbed areas and larvae can be protected by a “case” woven from the fibre of the material on which they are feeding, (Case Making Clothes Moth) or they may feed in tubes constructed in the material being attacked (Common Clothes Moth). When the larvae are fully fed the case making clothes moth larvae migrate to areas high up on the wall or on the ceiling to pupate, whereas the common clothes moth pupates within the feeding material.

The pupa of both species change into the adult moth and are usually short lived. Signs of clothes moth activity are indicated by the presence of damaged material, cast larval skins and sand like larval droppings.

Control of Clothes Moth generally consists of the application of short residual low toxicity preparations of affected areas. It may be necessary to space spray affected areas to control adult Clothes Moths. It is also possible for the householder to place small affected items into dark plastic bags and place these in a sunny position, thus rising of the temperature to a lethal temperature for the pest. When storing clothes for long periods, these should be dry cleaned before being stored in clean plastic bags with moth balls.

Termite Control and Termite Inspection

In Australia there are over 300 different species of termite. Of these only six species are largely responsible for attacking timber in service such as our homes and commercial premises. The damage bill alone can amount to over $100 million each year. This damage bill is greater than that caused by fire, flood and cyclones combined.

Termite control can be referenced in the Australian Standard™ AS 3660 –
Termite Management for Subterranean Termites.

Termite Biology

Termite Identification

Termites are social insects and live in colonies which can number many 100’s of thousands of termites. Each colony has a king and queen. The queen can produce up to 2,000 eggs a day. The workers and soldiers are castes most commonly encountered when termite activity is discovered which can be up to 50 metres from the nest. It is the workers that are responsible for all the damage to timber and other cellulose food sources. They work 24 hours a day, destroying your building from inside the wood. Chances are you’ll see no evidence of their work until something gives way. The soldiers are present to protect the colony from attack by predators such as spiders and ants.

In spring, termite colonies release winged reproductives (alates) which establish new colonies. The alates are very noticeable on warm, humid evenings and leave their wings as calling cards on window sills and around lights to warn homeowners of their presence.

If you find termite activity DO NOT DISTURBE IT!

DO NOT spray termites or their workings with household insecticides.

Call Raid Pest Management, a professional pest management company to investigate the extent of the activity and determine the best termite management solution for your property. In Queensland pest technicians must undergo additional training and have their QLD Health licence endorsed by QLD Health permitting them to carry out termite work. Additionally pest management companies performing termite inspections in Queensland must have a QLD Building Services Authority licence.

Gold Coast Termite Inspections

An annual termite inspection is one of the best investments you can make to give yourself peace-of-mind that your home is not the current “restaurant of the month” for termites. A large termite colony can cause a significant amount of damage within 12 months and more regular inspections may be warranted in areas of higher termite risk. ie. bushland and/or large trees in close proximity to the house or a history of ongoing termite problems.

Termite inspections can be referenced in the Australian Standard™ AS 3660.2 – 2000 ‘Termite Management Part 2: In and around existing buildings and structures – guidelines.’

Termite Baiting and Monitoring

Termite baiting and monitoring is the latest technology available to control termites by eliminating the termite colony.

The Exterra Termite Interception and Baiting System is a systematic, multi-step termite management method. Australian field trials have clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of the system in controlling subterranean termites in Australia.

When termites are located in the building structure or in the purpose designed monitoring stations they are fed Requeim Bait, a food source they find particularly palatable. The termite workers feed on the bait and take it back to the colony to feed other colony members including the queen and developing young.

The toxicant in the bait is an insect growth regulator which inhibits the termites ability to produce chitin (a skin substance) preventing them from moulting and consequently they die, leading to the elimination of the entire colony.

The monitoring stations are serviced regularly to detect further activity by other foraging termite colonies that may be in the area and in close proximity to the structure.