Pest Control Professionals Research Articles

Subterranean termites (Coptotermes formosanus [Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae]) colonies can readily intercept commercial inground bait stations placed at label-prescribed distance

Abstract The Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, is both an economically impactful pest and a successful invader. One method of subterranean termite control is baiting. According to the label, baits are installed surrounding the structure at a uniform interval distance of ≈3 m. However, homeowners and pest control professionals are often concerned that termites may bypass bait stations and have access to the structure. To address this concern, we experimentally duplicated field conditions using a large planar arena (3.6 m × 1.1 m) to study the optimal distribution of bait stations based on colony-wide foraging activity. We installed 2 bait stations 3 m apart as per label instructions and introduced C. formosanus colonies to allow them to explore the arena by tunneling through the sand. In this real-scale arena, all termite colonies intercepted a bait station in an average of 21 (± 8 SD) days. We assumed that termites could find bait faster if there were more bait stations by overlaying additional hypothetical baits closer than per label instruction, but the improvement was incremental, requiring 4 times more stations (0.45 m interval) to obtain a significant difference. We also revealed the characteristic behavior after intercepting bait stations, termites created a burst of tunnels that radiated from the bait station. These branching tunnels averaged 16 cm in length, suggesting immediate interceptions of additional auxiliary stations placed within 16 cm of an active station. These findings contribute to our understanding on how subterranean termites intercept inground bait stations.

Efficacy of steam and diatomaceous earth dust against the tropical bed bug Cimex hemipterus (F.) under laboratory and field conditions.

Over the past two decades, bed bugs (Cimex spp.) have resurged as common urban pests around the world. The search for efficient and safe control measures has become a key interest among researchers, manufacturers, and pest control professionals. In this study, we evaluated and compared the efficacy of steam, diatomaceous earth (DE) dust, and a combination of both against tropical bed bugs (Cimex hemipterus (F.)) under laboratory and field conditions. In the laboratory study, the mortality of bed bugs after 2 days of exposure to DE dust was 100%. When bed bugs stayed on the surface of an object or in cracks, a brief steam treatment (1 s) caused 100% mortality. However, when bed bugs were hidden under a fabric cover, steam application for 10 s only caused 89 ± 6% mortality. Bed bugs that survived steam treatment exhibited reduced feeding activity. In a 14-week long study, there was no significant difference in the reduction rate of bed bugs between steam treatment and DE dust treatment. A 37-week long control study showed that steam and steam plus DE dust treatments eliminated 97-100% of the infestations. Applying steam and DE dust are effective strategies for eliminating natural tropical bed bug infestations. Continuous follow-up monitoring and treatment until no bed bugs are found are crucial in completely eliminating the infestation of tropical bed bugs. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Environmental and sociodemographic factors associated with zoonotic pathogen occurrence in Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) from Windsor, Ontario.

Rat-associated zoonotic pathogen transmission at the human-wildlife interface is a public health concern in urban environments where Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) thrive on abundant anthropogenic resources and live in close contact with humans and other animal species. To identify potential factors influencing zoonotic pathogen occurrence in rats, we investigated associations between environmental and sociodemographic factors and Leptospira interrogans and Bartonella spp. infections in rats from Windsor, Ontario, Canada, while controlling for the potential confounding effects of animal characteristics (i.e., sexual maturity and body condition). Between November 2018 and June 2021, 252 rats were submitted by collaborating pest control professionals. Kidney and spleen samples were collected for L. interrogans and Bartonella spp. PCR and sequencing, respectively. Of the rats tested by PCR, 12.7% (32/252) were positive for L. interrogans and 16.3% (37/227) were positive for Bartonella species. Associations between infection status and environmental and sociodemographic variables of interest were assessed via mixed multivariable logistic regression models with a random intercept for social group and fixed effects to control for sexual maturity and body condition in each model. The odds of L. interrogans infection were significantly higher in rats from areas with high building density (odds ratio [OR]: 3.76; 95% CI: 1.31-10.79; p = 0.014), high human population density (OR: 3.31; 95% CI: 1.20-9.11; p = 0.021), high proportion of buildings built in 1960 or before (OR: 11.21; 95% CI: 2.06-60.89; p = 0.005), and a moderate number of reports of uncollected garbage compared to a low number of reports (OR: 4.88; 95% CI: 1.01-23.63; p = 0.049). A negative association was observed between median household income and Bartonella spp. infection in rats (OR: 0.26; 95% CI: 0.08-0.89; p = 0.031). Due to the complexity of the ecology of rat-associated zoonoses, consideration of environmental and sociodemographic factors is of critical importance to better understand the nuances of host-pathogen systems and inform how urban rat surveillance and intervention efforts should be distributed within cities.

Acceptability of 4-poster deer treatment devices for community-wide tick control among residents of high Lyme disease incidence counties in Connecticut and New York, USA

The 4-Poster Tick Control Deer Feeder (4-poster) device applies acaricide to white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and can reduce populations of the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis), which transmits the agents of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Powassan virus disease in the Northeastern United States. While 4-poster devices have the potential to provide community-wide management of blacklegged ticks in Lyme disease endemic areas, no recent study has assessed their acceptability among residents. We conducted a survey of residents from 16 counties with high annual average Lyme disease incidence (≥ 10 cases per 100,000 persons between 2013 and 2017) in Connecticut and New York to understand perceptions and experiences related to tickborne diseases, support or concerns for placement of 4-poster devices in their community, and opinions on which entities should be responsible for tick control on private properties. Overall, 37% of 1652 respondents (5.5% response rate) would support placement of a 4-poster device on their own property, 71% would support placement on other private land in their community, and 90% would support placement on public land. Respondents who were male, rented their property, resided on larger properties, or were very or extremely concerned about encountering ticks on their property were each more likely to support placement of 4-poster devices on their own property. The primary reason for not supporting placement of a 4-poster device on one's own property was the need for weekly service visits from pest control professionals, whereas the top reason for not supporting placement on other land (private or public) was safety concerns. Most respondents (61%) felt property owners should be responsible for tick control on private properties. Communities considering 4-poster devices as part of a tick management strategy should consider targeting owners of larger properties and placing devices on public lands.

Using environmental factors to predict Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. (Acari: Ixodidae) mortality.

Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. (Latreille, 1806) can establish indoor populations, which increases the risk of pathogen transmission to humans and companion dogs. Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. ticks spend most of their life cycle off the host, which subjects developmental timescale to abiotic factors. Previous studies showed that both temperature and relative humidity (RH) influenced R. sanguineus s.l. survival time across all life stages. However, quantified relationships between en3vironmental factors and R. sanguineus s.l. mortality is not currently available. Here, three R. sanguineus s.l. strains were evaluated for mortality under 20 combinations of five temperatures and four RHs. The data obtained were analyzed to quantify the relationship between environmental factors and R. sanguineus s.l. Mortality probabilities did not show a consistent pattern between the three tick strains. Temperature, RH, and their interaction influenced R. sanguineus s.l. mortality probabilities across all life stages, with mortality probability generally increasing with temperature but decreasing with RH. With 50% and lower RH, larvae cannot survive for more than one week. However, mortality probabilities in all strains and stages were more sensitive to temperature than to RH. This study identified the predictive relationship between environmental factors and R. sanguineus s.l. survival, which enables estimations of tick survival time under varied residential situations, allows parameterization of population models, and provides guidance for pest control professionals to develop efficient management strategies.

Evaluating the utility of pest control sourced rats for zoonotic pathogen surveillance

Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) inhabit cities worldwide and live in close association with humans. Studies of urban rat zoonoses often rely on live-trapping, with fewer studies using rats sourced through lethal pest control interventions. Our objectives were to evaluate the utility of rats collected by pest control professionals for zoonotic pathogen surveillance and determine whether we could detect Leptospira interrogans and Streptobacillus moniliformis in pest control sourced rats. Rat carcasses were submitted from Windsor, Canada by pest control professionals between November 2018 and March 2020. Submissions were categorized by season and land use. Necropsies were performed to classify carcass quality, collect tissue samples, and record demographic data. The association between carcass quality and the ability to collect tissue samples for pathogen surveillance was assessed via an exact logistic regression model. Using PCR, a subset of kidney and spleen samples were tested for L.interrogans and S.moniliformis, respectively. Our sample of pest control sourced rats had similar sex and age distributions to those of live-trapping studies. Rats were primarily submitted from residential and industrial locations during fall, winter, and spring, which may reflect pest control service areas and peak business periods, rather than rat distribution. Of 124 submissions, 98 (79.0%) of rats showed only mild decomposition. The odds of collecting all tissue samples were reduced for fair compared to good-quality carcasses (OR: 0.029; 95% CI: 0-0.25; p=.0009) and for poor compared to fair-quality carcasses (OR: 0.048; 95% CI: 0.00085-0.53; p=.0065). Leptospira interrogans and S. moniliformis were detected in 9.1% (4/44) and 27.3% (15/55) of a subset of rats tested, respectively. Our results suggest that pest control sourced rats are suitable for surveillance for multiple zoonotic pathogens in urban environments. This method of rat collection may provide preliminary information to guide more detailed ecological studies.

Host finding behaviour of the egg parasitoid, Gryon pennsylvanicum (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae)

ABSTRACT The squash bug, Anasa tristis (De Geer) is a serious pest of cucurbit crops. The egg parasitoid, Gryon pennsylvanicum (Ashmead), is the primary parasitoid of the squash bug and has been considered as a biological control agent. In the present study, we conducted both laboratory and greenhouse bioassays to determine the effects of kairomones emitted by A. tristis on the host searching behaviour of G. pennsylvanicum. Chemicals were extracted from A. tristis eggs, unmated females and males, and mated females and males. The percentage of females responding to extracts was significantly higher for egg extracts than the other extracts tested. In greenhouse tests, percent parasitism of egg masses baited with extract-treated lures was significantly higher than for those treated with solvent-treated control lures for all six extracts tested: ethanol and hexane extracts of eggs, mated females and mated males. Further research on kairomones of A. tristis may result in the development of synthetic lures that could be used in squash fields to increase parasitism by G. pennsylvanicum. The promising results from this study highlights the potential application of kairomones in enhancing the efficacy and effectiveness of biological control programmes and should be of interest to growers and pest control professionals.

Galling Damage to Woody Ornamentals: Diagnosis and Potential Causes

Galling or witch’s broom damage on the newly expanding buds and leaves of woody ornamental plants has become increasingly common. Diagnosing this damage can be difficult because the most common causes are obscure or occur well before damage symptoms appear. This -page fact sheet written by and published by the UF/IFAS is intended to help landscape managers, nursery growers, and pest control professionals diagnose characteristic galling damage, mitigate damage that occurs, and, when possible, prevent it from occurring.

„Płatni mordercy”? Dyskurs budowania tożsamości zawodowej wśród pracowników deratyzacji

Niniejszy artykuł analizuje praktyki dyskursywne kształtujące tożsamość zawodową deratyzatorów (tępicieli gryzoni). Wywiady z pracownikami tej branży ukazują retorykę wytężonej pracy nad tożsamością. Stawiam tezę, że budowanie owej tożsamości lokuje się na dwóch poziomach. Pierwszy z nich (społeczny) wyznacza tożsamość budowaną w kontrze do percypowanego negatywnego odbioru społecznego. Drugi poziom (indywidualny) to praca „do wewnątrz”, obrazująca mierzenie się z etycznymi wyzwaniami związanymi z wykonywanym zawodem. Na podstawie przeprowadzonych wywiadów rozpoznaję cztery strategie racjonalizacji tępienia zwierząt. Owe dwa poziomy pracy nad tożsamością posiadają wspólny rdzeń, którym jest przekonanie o społecznej użyteczności pracy w deratyzacji.

Scabies, Fleas, or Bedbugs? Investigation of Skin Rashes in an Inpatient Eating Disorders Treatment Facility Unit

<h3>Background</h3> We investigated a cluster of skin rashes on an inpatient adult and pediatric eating disorders treatment facility (EDTF) unit where group activities occur and include therapy dogs. <h3>Methods</h3> An epidemiological investigation was launched after scabies was diagnosed in patient A (occupying room X). An interprofessional team was engaged and included EDTF leaders, dermatology, environmental services, and infection prevention. Patient A was treated for scabies and persons with epidemiologic links were informed of possible exposure. Within two weeks, patient B (occupying room X) was evaluated by dermatology for a rash deemed inconsistent with scabies, but bed bug bites could not be excluded. Pest control professionals assessed room X for bed bugs, none were found. Four weeks later, a bed bug was visualized in room X (occupied by patient B). Pest control professionals confirmed presence of bed bugs and treated the room with high temperature heat. The investigation was expanded to persons with epidemiological links to patient B. <h3>Results</h3> 92 employees were informed of scabies exposure, no post exposure prophylaxis administered as none reported skin-to-skin contact. 55 patients had a concurrent inpatient stay with patient A. Of these, 9 had possible skin-to-skin contact and received prophylaxis. 25 were discharged and informed of possible exposure, none sought prophylaxis. Therapy dogs were examined, no fleas identified. Heat treatment cost was approximately $1000.00. There were no bedbugs identified outside room X and no additional patients with bed bug-related rashes. Investigative data supports source of bed bugs was outside the facility. Policies are under revision to restrict personal items, such as bedding, brought to EDTF. <h3>Conclusions</h3> This investigation illustrates challenges with identifying etiology of arthropod-related skin rashes in a special population and the need to reevaluate hypotheses as data unfolds over time. An interprofessional team supported timely implementation of control measures.

Urban mosquito management administration: Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) habitat surveillance and questionnaire survey in Wuhan, Central China.

BackgroundCreating National Sanitary City (CNSC) promotes appearance, environment sanitation and public health including vector management of cities in China. However, vector management especially mosquito management and the related administrative productivity of Patriotic Health Campaign System (PHCS) of National Sanitary Cities (NSCs) were questioned by many pest control professionals and citizens. In this study, we studied mosquito management of NSCs taking Wuhan as an example. The study aimed to (1) determine the distribution and abundance of immature mosquito habitats in built-up areas of Wuhan and (2) better understand the related administration procedure in CNSC.MethodsImmature mosquito habitat surveillance was carried out in randomly selected premises of driving schools (DSs), schools or kindergartens (SKs), property management residential areas (PMRAs), construction sites (CSs), wide roads with storm drains (WRSDs) and urban creeks (UCs) in built-up areas of Wuhan from July to October 2015 followed by questionnaire interviews with one each of premise occupants and district departments responsible for mosquito management in these premises.ResultsTotal of 64.1 km of route were inspected in 36 DSs, 36 SKs, 36 PMRAs, 36 CSs and 36 segments of WRSD and 2,158 potential mosquito habitats with 749 (35%) mosquito-positive habitats were found. The route index (RI) was 11.7, which was 14.6 times higher than the grade C criteria for vector density control (RI = 0.8 positive habitats/km) in CNSC. Occupants of 36 DSs, 36 SKs, 36 PMRAs, 34 CSs were interviewed and 77% of them reported no difference in mosquito infestation in their premises since 2013 and 80% of them knew about the responsibility and arrangements of PHCS of mosquito management in their premises. Only 15% had the awareness of larval source reduction strategy and 14% had implemented it. Receipt the electronic/paper edition of CNSC vector management specifications from the PHCS was very low (13%) and an official notification or bulletin for rectification mosquito-positive habitats was also very low (5%). Of the 75 responsible district departments interviewed, about half (55%) reported that they had held training courses/meetings related to CNSC vector management, the majority (96%) reported that they had not carried out independent on-site supervision of premises under their jurisdiction. No differences in larval indices were found between premises which were administrative intervened and with no administrative intervention.ConclusionsThe administrative intervention of PHCS had not evidently improved mosquito management of the premises in built-up areas in Wuhan. It is a violation of the original intention of the National Patriotic Health Campaign Committee in organizing CNSC programs. To combat mosquito borne diseases, and to improve the quality of life of residents, we recommend that PHCS honestly reveals defects in urban mosquito management and seriously takes those exposed defects. The PHCS should strengthen Patriotic Health Campaign activities by strict adherence to NSC standards. Further research on sustained promotion of urban mosquito management of NSCs, which focus on effective administration, as well as on improvement of related sectors of NSC standards should be carried out.

Unbiased Sampling for Rodents and Other Small Mammals: How to Overcome Neophobia Through Use of an Electronic-Triggered Live Trap—A Preliminary Test

Live-trapping of urban rodents and other small mammals poses several challenges for researchers and pest control professionals (PMPs). Most traps are novel to the natural environment and elicit neophobic, or trap-shy, behaviors. Thus, animals captured in traditional traps may either be the least risk averse, or most-desperate. Consequently, individuals of the lowest social ranks, those in poorest health, and the slowest learners are more likely to be captured. This is problematic for research because non-random samples may lead to over-generalization and false conclusions. To address these problems, we developed an inconspicuous, hanging live-trap prototype. In addition to being hard to detect, the trap enables setting several parameters of animal movement and detection before the trap is triggered. The neophobic reaction could then be significantly reduced because animals do not need to enter any trap-like objects – instead they move and feed on a familiar surface. At a time predefined by the user, the triggering mechanism drops a transparent cover over the animal, preventing it from fleeing and enabling transport to the laboratory, mark-and-release or disposal. Here, we report our initial purpose, design and preliminary results. Animals triggered the trap 34 times during our one-month preliminary assessment. During this time, 32 individuals were captured (25 Norway rats and 7 house mice), for a 94% catch rate. Video surveillance revealed no obvious signs of non-random sampling – all trapped rats were representative of a broad range of sizes and ages. There were no signs of low social status (e.g. scar markings, parasitism, or poor health). Importantly, we found a low latency following capture, as the released animals showed no instances of increased exploratory or cautious behaviors, such as rearing or sniffing near the hidden traps. More monitoring of this design is needed before future conclusions can be drawn, however, these results should encourage a full range of experimental trials from neuroscientists, urban ecologists, pest control professionals (PMPs) and conservationists who seek randomized samples or who work with trap-shy species.

Brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) in urban ecosystems: are the constraints related to fieldwork a limit to their study?

Nowadays, the majority of human beings live in urban ecosystems, with this proportion expected to continue increasing in the future. With the growing importance of urban rat-associated issues (e.g. damages to urban infrastructures, costs of rat-control programs, rat-associated health risks), it is becoming indispensable to fill the identified gaps in knowledge on the urban brown rat regarding, among others, its density, home range, genetic structure, and infectious status. In this context, live-trapping is a crucial prerequisite to any scientific investigation. This paper assesses the main constraints and challenges regarding the urban field and describes the major steps to be considered when planning research on urban rats. The primary challenges are i) the characterization of the urban experimental unit; ii) the choice of a trapping design: the use of live-trapping in capture-mark-recapture design, in association with modern statistics, is highly recommended to answer ecological questions (although these methods, mostly developed in natural ecosystems, need to be implemented for the urban field); iii) the potential ethical considerations with regard to animal welfare and field-worker safety; iv) the building of mutually-beneficial collaborations with city stakeholders, pest control professionals, and citizens. Emphasis must be put on communication to the public and education of field-workers. One major need of modern urban rat research is a peer-validated field methodology allowing reproducibility, repeatability, and inference from urban field studies and enabling researchers to answer long-standing key questions about urban rat ecology.

Farmers’ Knowledge on Pesticide Safety and Pest Management Practices: A Case Study of Vegetable Growers in Chitwan, Nepal

Farmers’ knowledge on pesticides and their safe use are critical for implementing effective pest management program. A household survey was conducted using the semi-structured questionnaire to evaluate vegetable growers’ knowledge on pesticide safety and pest management practices in Nepal. Results indicated that chemical pesticides were the primary choice of over 80% growers for pest management. Notably, 90% growers were aware of adverse effects of pesticides on human health and to the environment. Over 84% growers used at least one form of personal protection equipment (PPE) during pesticide spray or handling, although the quality and appropriateness of the PPE warrants further investigation. Nearly 17% growers received at least one short-term training on integrated pest management (IPM); however, all of them neither knew the harmful effects of pesticide residues nor practiced proper pesticide disposal methods. Over 90% of growers rely on local pesticide retailers (i.e., Agro-vets) for technical know-how about pesticide selection, handling, and use. This study highlighted a need for immediate implementation of strict pesticide use regulations and recommended educational programs for pest control professionals, growers, and pesticide retailers.

A survey on the infestation levels of tropical bed bugs in Peninsular Malaysia: Current updates and status on resurgence of Cimex hemipterus (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)

ObjectiveTo survey current bed bugs infestation status in 11 states and federal territory in Peninsular Malaysia. MethodsTargeted sampling in the urban areas was performed and the sites in each state were selected based on foreign workers' abundance and reports from pest control professionals in Malaysia. The collected bed bugs were classified into different strains obtained at the respective sites. ResultsOut of all 185 surveyed sites, approximately 38 of them have been actively infested with one species, Cimex hemipterus (F.). A high number of collected bed bugs were found in the states of Perak (24.8%), Selangor (21.0%) and Kedah (16.1%). In terms of preferred harborages, bedding, crevices in walls and floors and cushion seats were common locations with 49.2% infestation. Bed bugs were dominantly found in dormitories of foreign workers (51.6%) compared to residential houses and public accommodations such as hotels and airports. ConclusionsMigration activities and reused infested furniture probably were the possible reasons to bed bug resurgence.

User-Friendly Resource Design: Providing Accessible Ground Squirrel Extension for the Web

Author(s): Dimson, Monica; Baldwin, Roger A.; Quinn, Niamh | Abstract: In terms of internet access, California farmers are some of the most well-connected in the country. According to the USDA, 70% of farms in the U.S. have access to the web as of 2015. In California, 93% of counties exceed that national average. This prompts us to take advantage of the opportunity to employ passive extension approaches, such as websites, which can save both time and resources for Extension audiences and personnel alike. Because digital media can be distributed without the expenses associated with static print resources, this allows us to update our information platforms with greater ease and frequency. Our goal is not to replace print publications, but to adapt Extension resources for a web context and thus connect with a large and geographically extensive audience, especially those who may not customarily seek or have access to more traditional Extension services. A website allows homeowners, landowners, and pest-control professionals to consult this resource freely, at their leisure, and to adopt best management practices more quickly. However, the movement toward cloud-based resources comes with greater web familiarity and thus greater expectations for the websites people use. We are currently developing a ground squirrel best management practices website. In order to provide a user-oriented experience comparable to that of other digital media resources, we need to consider the specific needs and behaviors of a web-based audience. We aim to achieve this by synthesizing new and existing resources into consumable, approachable content on a website that focuses on usability, clarity, visual impact, and site-wide cohesion. We will discuss these goals and how we achieved them.

Adoption of IPM Practices in Grape, Tree Fruit, and Nut Production in the Western United States

To determine the prevalence of IPM adoption in perennial crop production in the Western United States, this review examined peer-reviewed scientific literature, extension reports, and studies conducted by or on behalf of commodity groups or other agriculture interests that were published since the year 2000. Based on 32 sources of data, IPM adoption is widespread in production of tree fruits, nuts, and vines, with a large percentage of growers using many prevention, avoidance, monitoring, and selective-suppression practices – known as the PAMS approach. In the wine grape industry in California, quarantine, certified disease-free planting material, and leaf pulling are practiced broadly to prevent or avoid disease. Wine grape growers in California monitor frequently to track insect vectors of disease and employ area-wide management practices. Seventy to ninety percent of California pear growers and >90% of Oregon and Washington pear producers monitor for insect pests. Hazelnut, walnut, and almond production in Oregon and California rely heavily on pest-control professionals to monitor pest activity. Across a wide range of crops, infrastructure to model pest population development based on weather data are well established and depended upon by producers. Suppression using pesticides has declined drastically (from 40–90%) in Oregon hazelnut production, California almond and fresh-market grape production, and California, Oregon, and Washington pear production. Sixty to seventy percent of walnut and pear producers in California, Oregon, and Washington are considering the impacts to human health and environment when making suppression and management decisions. Western perennial crops and practices are unique, and the findings documented in this review may not be applicable nationally.

Medical Entomology for Students, 5th Edition

In the ever-changing field of medical entomology, Mike Service’s textbook, Medical Entomology for Students, is now in its fifth edition. The usefulness, adaptability, popularity—and, therefore, longevity—of this textbook is remarkable among the large variety of books on the subject published during the past 20 years. As in earlier editions, the book is concisely written to provide basic information about recognition, biology, and control methods of arthropods that affect human health—parasites, nuisance pests, and vectors of human diseases—without delving into too much detail and nuance. Almost two thirds of the volume is dedicated to medically important members of the order Diptera (true flies, mosquitoes, and sandflies), and separate sections are devoted to the biology, morphology, and identification of individual mosquito genera. The remaining pages are divided among dscussions of fleas, lice, bedbugs, triatomine bugs, cockroaches, mites, and argasid and ixodid ticks. Although such inequality in coverage seems prejudicial, it is partially justified by the relative epidemiologic importance of dipterans as vectors of arthropodborne diseases in humans. This edition updates strategies for controlling insects, ticks, and mites. Extensive illustrations and color photographs may help readers recognize arthropods, such as mosquitoes, flies, and myiasis-producing larvae, and distinguish between soft and hard ticks. The book includes a glossary of entomologic and epidemiologic terms and a list of commonly used insecticides and their trade names. Although the book is aimed primarily at students, it is also suitable as a general introduction into medical entomology for practicing physicians, nurses, public health officials, epidemiologists, and pest control professionals. The book also is valuable to anyone interested in learning basic information about the diversity and biology of medically important arthropods and ways of controlling them.

English

Blattella germanica (German cockroach) is an urban insect pest in Nigeria due to an increase in strains that are resistant to the commonly used insecticides. The purpose of this study was to determine which of the insecticides used by pest control professionals are still effective. The insecticidal efficacies of dichlorvos (organophosphate-called sniper&copy;) and alpha cypermethrin (a pyrethroid called alpha action &copy;) were determined in laboratory bioassays against B. germanica. Efficacy and response were affected by application rate of insecticide and exposure period. Insecticides mixed with diesel were more effective than those mixed with water. Insects exposed to the insecticides in closed chambers gave higher mortalities than insects in open chambers. B. germanica was more susceptible to dichlorvos than to alphacypermethrin in both open and closed chambers. Mortality of B. germanica increased with increase in concentration of the insecticide used. Sniper mixed in diesel was fastest acting insecticide against B. germanica where 100% mortality was observed 5&nbsp;min post exposure in closed and opened chambers. Both insecticides gave 100% mortality of all insects exposed within 4 h of the exposure period. Sniper mixed with diesel had the LT95 of 10 min while sniper mixed in water was 17 and 23 min, respectively in closed and opened chambers. The LT95 of alphacypermethrin (5% (v/v)) mixed with diesel and water in closed chambers were 10 and 125 min, respectively. The residual effect of sniper and alphacypermethrin was less than one week. &nbsp; Key words: Resistance, commercial insecticide, susceptibility.

The Economic Impact of Commensal Rodents on Small Businesses in Manhattan's Chinatown: trends and possible causes

Given the history of well-documented rodent infestations in New York City we were interested in assessing the economic impact of rats and mice on small businesses in The Lower East Side of Manhattan. Via mailed surveys and on-site interviews , we quantified damage to structures, loss of saleable goods and merchandise, the cost of pest-control professionals, and/or self-applied poison/traps. Overall, 16% of business (n = 76) responded to our queries. To those businesses reporting some level of rodent damage, average losses included $513 in merchandise, $726 in pest-control fees, $371 in repair costs to structure, and $125 in do-it-yourself deployment of poison and traps. Average annual loss to those business owners that reported rodent infestations was estimated at $1104. Our observations suggest that commensal rodents in New York City have remained persistent pests that are capable of inflicting noteowrthy economic losses. Given the significant effort by the City of New York in the fight against rodent infestations we suggest that persistent environmental degradation and possibly even genetic resistance to 2nd generation rodenticides have enabled city rodents to persist and flourish despite the various campaigns to thwart them.