Pest Management Professionals Research Articles

Urban Entomology: Navigating the Intersection of Pests and Human Environments

Urban entomology, a distinct discipline within entomology, focuses on pests in human environments, addressing a wide range of species from insects to vertebrates. First coined by A.H. Waters in 1884 and popularized by W. Ebeling's 1975 book, urban entomology gives an idea about arthropods' interactions with humans, pets and structures. As urbanization accelerates, with a projected 68% of the global population living in cities by 2050, understanding pest dynamics becomes increasingly critical. Factors like invasive species, pesticide resistance and public health concerns underscore the need for effective pest management strategies, emphasizing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches. This review explores urban entomology's history, key pest groups and modern management challenges, while highlighting the industry's evolution in response to urbanization. It also discusses the roles of various stakeholders, including researchers, pest management professionals and regulatory bodies, in addressing urban pest issues. Ultimately, the review calls for collaborative efforts to enhance pest control practices, leveraging biological control methods and sustainable strategies to mitigate the impacts of urban pests on public health and infrastructure.

Effects of surface type and distance traveled on the efficacy of a Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales:Cordycipitaceae)-based biopesticide (Aprehend) for bed bug (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) control.

The cryptic behavior that characterizes bed bugs (Cimex lectularius L.) makes them one of the most difficult indoor pests to control. Thus, the use of products with long residual efficacy is a key component of successful bed bug management. Aprehend is a biopesticide for bed bug control, whose active ingredient is the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana. This product shows promise for extended bed bug control against pyrethroid-resistant bed bugs, causing mortality days after contact with the treated surface. However, it is unclear how surface type and distance traveled by bed bugs over a treated surface impact efficacy. Therefore, we evaluated the efficacy of different Aprehend band widths applied to different substrates commonly encountered by bed bugs, looking specifically at average time to mortality and overall mortality. Our findings indicate that exposure to fresh applications of Aprehend resulted in high mortality when bed bugs traveled very short distances (1 cm) over some Aprehend-treated surfaces (vinyl tile and cotton jersey fabric), while exposure to other treated surfaces (unfinished pinewood and painted drywall) resulted in comparatively lower mortality even over longer distances (5 cm). Furthermore, we found that bed bugs crawling on cotton jersey fabric picked up a significantly higher number of spores compared to unfinished pinewood. These results indicate that applications of Aprehend as 5 cm (2 inches) bands according to label recommendations can be effective, although surface type is an important determinator of efficacy. This information will help guide pest management professionals in their use of B. bassiana for bed bug control.

Identification of the pan-allergen tropomyosin from the common bed bug (Cimex lectularius)

Tropomyosin is a muscle contraction protein documented across all animal life. Despite its ubiquity, its unique structure in invertebrates leads to allergic responses in humans that vertebrate tropomyosin does not. High degrees of homology can explain cross-reactivity between tropomyosin derived from distantly-related arthropod species and establishes tropomyosin as a panallergen. Given this cross-reactivity and that they are commonly found in high numbers indoors, research on the potential of the common bed bug (Cimex lectularius L.) to contribute tropomyosin to the indoor environment is needed. Therefore, we investigated tropomyosin homology between bed bugs and known tropomyosin allergens from other taxa, tropomyosin in bed bug bodies, feces, and exuviae (cast skins), tropomyosin persistence over time, and impacts of common bed bug treatment strategies on detectable tropomyosin. Tropomyosin was detected in mechanically fractured bed bug cadavers and was detectable in bed bugs cadavers aged for 18 months. Additionally, a survey of pest management professionals showed dead bed bugs are not cleaned up following treatment. As such, dead bed bugs could act as tropomyosin reservoirs following bed bug treatment and exposure to tropomyosin from bed bugs could sensitize individuals and lead to increased responses to other arthropod tropomyosin.

Common Poisonous Houseplant Species in Florida

Plants inside our homes, offices, or those used as part of a patio garden have been shown to create a relaxed, productive environment and to improve indoor air quality. Overall, they are efficient, low-cost, and sustainable. While houseplants are safe to grow and provide many benefits, some can be toxic if ingested accidentally, which could be a concern for those with pets or small children. This publication is intended to inform homeowners, home gardeners, pest management professionals, and other plant enthusiasts of some of the most common poisonous plant species used as houseplants in Florida. It should be noted that while photos are provided of each species, there are many variations of each plant described, which could have different foliage color, variegations, slightly different leaf shapes, or flower colors.

Perception, attitudes, and knowledge on infestation and management of bed bugs in major cities of Indonesia: A cross-sectional online survey.

The resurgence of bed bugs is a global phenomenon, but until now reports on bed bug infestations in Indonesia are rare. The success of bed bug control is affected by people's knowledge and awareness. Stigma against bed bugs in Indonesia discourages the public from reporting infestations and therefore knowledge of their impact on public health is scarce. Herein, this study investigates the public's perception, attitudes, and knowledge on bed bug-related issues in several major cities in Indonesia through an online survey. Despite low case reports, three in five respondents (n = 600) have encountered bed bugs at least once; mostly in their homes (74.1%). Approximately half of the respondents correctly identified bed bugs, whereas mites were often misidentified for bed bugs (26.3%). Bite marks were not a useful indicator for detecting bed bugs. We found age, gender, and level of education affects the public's perception toward various bed bug-related issues. Regarding bed bug treatment, above 50% respondents are unaware of the availability of bed bug-specific insecticidal products and are unwilling to pay pest management professionals to control infestation. This study provides the first overview of the public's awareness and perception of bed bug infestations in some major cities of Indonesia, which can be useful for designing public health policies for bed bug management. The reported data represents the perspectives of online users, most likely from metropolitan regions. A bigger monitoring program encompassing pest professionals and hospitality businesses would give a more thorough overview of the bed bug impact in Indonesia.

One Health Initiative: Delusional Parasitosis Needs Assessment, Tennessee 2022

Abstract Delusional parasitosis (DP) is a false, persistent belief that an individual is infested with organisms, especially arthropods, of a parasitic nature. It is a complex and challenging problem that impacts healthcare, the pest management industry, state-led agriculture and health agencies, Extension professionals, and academia because of time burdens and frustration associated with interactions. To address the handling of suspected DP cases, we assembled a University of Tennessee One Health Initiative Working Group with individuals representing diverse disciplines and professions. The Working Group developed and conducted an online needs assessment of pest management, Extension, and health professionals to (i) understand their interactions with suspected DP cases and (ii) determine the educational resources used and needed. Of the pest management professionals and Extension personnel, 72.7% (n = 112) of the respondents indicated they had encountered someone with suspected DP within the last year. Those responding to suspected DP cases spent significantly more time and interactions than what was required for general inquiries. Seventy-three percent of respondents received specimens of which more were human derived (54.4%) than nonhuman derived (41.5%), potentially putting these nonhealthcare professionals at risk of potential contagion. We confirmed a lack of available resources, including protocols, training materials, and resources for expert medical referrals. Additionally, the staff responsible for handling these cases were concerned for their safety. After identifying the most pressing needs, the One Health Working Group members collaborated to produce comprehensive resources to assist professionals in identifying DP cases more quickly and efficiently routing them to essential care.

Common Poisonous Weed and Invasive Plant Species in Florida Residential Landscapes

This new 10-page publication of the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department is intended to inform home gardeners, pest management professionals, and other plant enthusiasts of some of the most common poisonous invasive plants or weed species common in home landscapes in Florida, with particular focus on species that could potentially cause harm if ingested. Written by Yuvraj Khamare and Chris Marble.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep631

Highlights of Urban Entomology 2021: Chemical, Nonchemical, and Alternative Approaches to Urban Pest Management as We Adapt, Advance, Transform.

The 2021 annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America with the theme of "Adapt. Advance. Transform" guided the highlight compilation of urban entomology papers. Integrated pest management of urban pests relies on techniques and tools that adapt, advance, and transform over time to develop into new usable tactics and technologies; the review covers the following three themes: first, how science, researchers, and pest management professionals adapt to the changing environments; second, how urban pest management approaches and technologies advance using conventional and alternative strategies; and last, how transformation happens, leading to technological advances and sustainable pest management success. I selected papers on four groups of urban pests-ants, termites, bed bugs, and cockroaches-that were in the context of pest management in this highlights publication. Emphasis was placed on research regarding the efficacy of chemical (e.g., conventional pesticides, insect growth regulators), nonchemical, and alternative approaches (e.g., the use of heat, naturally derived compounds) for urban pests that help improve and implement sustainable pest management plans. These papers demonstrate the achievements of the urban entomology community while emphasizing the current challenges that we face from the far-reaching impact of climate change and insect pest adaptation and what should be prioritized.

Measured efficacy, bioaccumulation, and leaching of a transfluthrin-based insecticidal paint: a case study with a nuisance, nonbiting aquatic insect.

Pest management professionals will require a diverse, adaptive abatement toolbox to combat advanced challenges from disease vector and nuisance insect populations. Designed for post-application longevity, insecticidal paints offer extended residual effects on targeted insect pest populations; a measured understanding of active ingredient bioavailability over time is valuable to fully assess treatment efficacy and potential environmental risks. This study was initiated becausea nuisance net-spinning caddisfly, Smicridea fasciatella, is lowering the quality of life for riverfront residents at the type locality. We tested the efficacy and potential mobility of a transfluthrin-based paint (a.i. 0.50%), comparing the impacts of UV exposure and substrate texture over time. Direct UV exposure decreased efficacy (β ± S.E.= 0.008 ± 0.001, P < 0.001) and a coarse texture maintained greater efficacy (β ± S.E.=-3.7 ± 1.3, P=0.004) over time. Notably, the coarse texture + indirect UV treatment maintained 100% mortality after 240 days. UV exposure and substrate texture did not have a significant impact on leachate concentrations over time, and successive immersion tests indicated a two-phase emission pattern. Bioaccumulation increased with time on the cuticle of dead adult S. fasciatella; after 24 h of direct exposure the concentration of transfluthrinwas 25.3 ± 0.9ng/caddisfly with a maximum concentration of 345 ng/caddisfly after 7 days. Our predictions were validated with measured, time-dependent impacts on efficacy, leachability, and bioaccumulation. Because of the mobility of active ingredientin the environment, insecticidal paints merit low-impact protocols to improve public health outcomes and environmental safety. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Nationwide Termite Pest Survey Conducted in Taiwan as a Citizen Science Project.

Information regarding the species composition and dispersal flight season of termites is crucial for termite management. The major obstacles to collecting such information are a lack of access to private buildings and shortage of workers to monitor and report on termite swarming. To overcome these difficulties, we launched a citizen science project in which members of the public and pest management professionals were invited to collect termite samples. We created the website, Taiwan Termite Identification Service, on which populace could log the collection information, and ship termite samples to our laboratory for identification. We also established a Facebook group, called the "Termite Forum," to publicize this project. A total of 3024 samples were collected from 2015 to 2020, and we identified the species of >93% of the samples. Based on 1499 samples collected from buildings, five structural termite pests were identified, and species composition in each county of Taiwan is available. According to 844 dispersal flight events, termite dispersal flight timing peak and degree of centralization were estimated using a Gaussian model. The collected data demonstrated that the invasive termite species, Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae), continued northward expansion. The first intercepted alate of Schedorhinotermes sp. (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) indicated that it may be a new invasive pest from Southeast Asia. This study reports on a successful case of a citizen science project where urban pest data were collected on a national scale.

A Needs Assessment Survey of Southern California Pest Management Professionals

Pest Management Professionals were surveyed in training workshops/meetings in Southern California between 2015 and 2017 to understand their needs, challenges, and view of integrated pest management. The most encountered pests by pest control technicians were ants, cockroaches, rodents, spiders, termites, and bed bugs. The most challenging pest groups to control were bed bugs, cockroaches, ants, and rodents. The main challenges that professionals faced in doing their work were regulations, followed by managing pests, and customer-related problems. Most participants had a favorable view of IPM. However, they faced several challenges in implementing IPM, among which customer-related issues were the most common.

Demonstration Project Reporting Detection of Subterranean Termite (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) Infestation and Spray Polyurethane Foam

Demonstration Project Reporting Detection of Subterranean Termite (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) Infestation and Spray Polyurethane Foam

Termite Pest Identification Method Based on Deep Convolution Neural Networks.

Several species of drywood termites, subterranean termites, and fungus-growing termites cause extensive economic losses annually worldwide. Because no universal method is available for controlling all termites, correct species identification is crucial for termite management. Despite deep neural network technologies' promising performance in pest recognition, a method for automatic termite recognition remains lacking. To develop an automated deep learning classifier for termite image recognition suitable for mobile applications, we used smartphones to acquire 18,000 original images each of four termite pest species: Kalotermitidae: Cryptotermes domesticus (Haviland); Rhinotermitidae: Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and Reticulitermes flaviceps (Oshima); and Termitidae: Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki). Each original image included multiple individuals, and we applied five image segmentation techniques for capturing individual termites. We used 24,000 individual-termite images (4 species × 2 castes × 3 groups × 1,000 images) for model development and testing. We implemented a termite classification system by using a deep learning-based model, MobileNetV2. Our models achieved high accuracy scores of 0.947, 0.946, and 0.929 for identifying soldiers, workers, and both castes, respectively, which is not significantly different from human expert performance. We further applied image augmentation techniques, including geometrical transformations and intensity transformations, to individual-termite images. The results revealed that the same classification accuracy can be achieved by using 1,000 augmented images derived from only 200 individual-termite images, thus facilitating further model development on the basis of many fewer original images. Our image-based identification system can enable the selection of termite control tools for pest management professionals or homeowners.

Urban Entomology Highlights From 2020-Monitoring and Control of Urban Pests.

Pest management professionals aim to answer two primary questions for their customers: 1) 'Where/What is the pest?' and 2) 'How do I kill it?'. These two questions drive at the core of any pest management program. 2020 was an exciting year for entomology research, with much work being done on novel technologies and methods for detecting and controlling pests. The objectives of the current publication were to discuss papers published in 2020 that addressed the key pest management objectives of 1) monitoring and 2) controlling pest populations.

Biology and Management of Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) in the Home Landscape

Poison ivy is an allergenic plant of the cashew family native to North America. Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac all grow in Florida and contain the oily resin called urushiol. This new 4-page publication of the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department was written to aid landowners, gardeners, horticulturalists, and pest management professionals in identification and management of poison ivy in residential and commercial landscapes. Written by Yuvraj Khamare and Chris Marble.

Social distancing measures differentially affected rats in North America and Tokyo.

Because rats are commensal organisms that depend on human activities for food, shifts in human behavior will have pronounced effects on local rat populations. In the spring of 2020, social distancing measures were implemented globally to curtail the spread of SARS-CoV-2. This presented a unique opportunity to obtain information regarding the immediate effects of shifts in human behavior on rat populations in a variety of countries. In response to increased sightings of rats in the USA that were reported in American media, we analyzed the changes in the number of public service calls in Tokyo, Japan. We found that the number of calls increased after the implementation of social distancing measures, suggesting that rat sightings had also increased in Tokyo. We then surveyed the changes in the business activities of pest management professionals in the USA, Canada, and Tokyo. We found that the activities were increased in 50 to 60% of the respondents from the USA and Canada. In contrast, 60 to 70% of the respondents from Tokyo answered that their activities were not changed. These results implied that, following the implementation of social distancing measures, rat infestations increased in North America, but not in Tokyo. The survey also suggested that roof rats were considered to be the predominant rodent species in Tokyo. This may account for the limited infestations in Tokyo because roof rats are more sedentary than brown rats. Taken together, our findings suggest that social distancing measures differentially affected rat populations in North America and Tokyo.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10340-021-01405-z.

Development and Demonstration of Low-Impact IPM Strategy to Control Argentine Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Urban Residential Settings.

Argentine ants are one of the most common nuisance pest ants treated by pest management professionals (PMPs) in southern and western urban residential areas of the United States. Two new technologies (spraying with a pheromone adjuvant and using a biodegradable hydrogel bait delivery method) were used to develop a unique low-impact integrated pest management (IPM) protocol for Argentine ants in urban residential settings. The IPM protocol included a one-time perimeter spray treatment with 0.03% fipronil (mixed with a pheromone adjuvant) at the beginning of the ant season to achieve a quick knockdown. The initial spray application was followed by a biodegradable hydrogel baiting with 1% boric acid as a maintenance treatment. This low-impact IPM protocol was compared with two other conventional methods: (1) one initial fipronil application and one pyrethroid spray application for maintenance, or (2) one initial fipronil application and one essential oil insecticide spray application for maintenance. Based on Argentine ant foraging activity, the protocols were compared for their control efficacy. Insecticide use information and treatment time were also recorded and compared among different treatment protocols. Our results provided empirical data to support the effectiveness and economic feasibility of the low-impact IPM protocol for managing Argentine ants in urban residential settings.

Use of rodenticide bait stations by commensal rodents at the urban-wildland interface: Insights for management to reduce nontarget exposure.

Pest management professionals use anticoagulant rodenticides, usually placed in tamper-resistant bait stations, to control commensal rodents, but significant concerns remain about exposure of nontarget species, especially at the urban-wildland interface. We deployed digital cameras to monitor use of bait stations placed in 90 residential yards across Orange County, California, USA. Two bait stations, supplied with nontoxic bait, were monitored in each yard for approximately 30 consecutive days during two camera-trapping sessions between December 2017 and March 2019. One station was placed on the ground, while the other was elevated 1-1.5m to determine if elevating stations could reduce nontarget exposure. Black rats (Rattus rattus L.) were present at 80% of sites, with mean activity ranging from 0 to 9.6h each night. There were no significant differences between elevated and ground stations in the time to discovery, time to bait station entry, or nightly activity of rats. Rats discovered bait stations more quickly, and mean nightly activity was greater, in yards where rats were detected more frequently. Although native rodents visited and entered bait stations occasionally, they were relatively rare among our sites (13.3%), and were detected five times less often at elevated stations compared to those on the ground. Yards visited by these rodents were significantly nearer to areas of green open space and natural vegetation, and tended to have no significant barriers to entry, e.g. solid fences or walls. By elevating bait stations and avoiding placing rodenticides in yards that are likely to be visited by wildlife, pest management professionals may be able to reduce the risk of nontarget exposure, including secondary poisoning of predators and scavengers, while still providing effective control of commensal pests. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Efficacy of Flupyradifurone, Pyriproxyfen and Horticultural Oil, and Dinotefuran Against Gloomy Scale (Melanaspis tenebricosa Comstock)

Gloomy scale (GS)(Melanaspis tenebricosa) is a major pest of red maple (Acer rubrum) across much of the eastern USA. Current pesticide recommendations for GS management are efficacious when applications are made at the appropriate time. However, appropriate timing may not always be possible. For instance, the tree owner may not contact pest management professionals in time to make timely applications. We established a field trial to determine the efficacy of the pesticides pyriproxyfen plus horticultural oil and dinotefuran, as well as a relatively new pesticide available in the ornamental woody plant market, flupyradifurone, against GS. There were three primary goals of this study: (1) to quantitatively compare the effectiveness of pyriproxyfen plus horticultural oil and dinotefuran; (2) to compare flupyradifurone with these two generally recommended treatments; and (3) to assess whether flupyradifurone is effective when applications are made later in the summer. We found that pyriproxyfen plus horticultural oil, dinotefuran, and flupyradifurone applications made during the active crawler period were equally efficacious, statistically, and that flupyradifurone treatments applied later in the summer were not statistically differentiable from untreated controls. While these pesticide applications are effective at suppressing GS populations, plant health care tactics aimed at preventing outbreaks should be prioritized and incorporated into the complete pest management strategy.

Comparative Efficacy of Residual Insecticides against the Turkestan Cockroach, Blatta lateralis, (Blattodea: Blattidae) on Different Substrates.

The Turkestan cockroach, Blatta lateralis (Walker) is an invasive urban pest prevalent throughout the Southwestern United States. Despite the presence of this cockroach in peridomestic areas, there is limited information on strategies that can be utilized by pest management professionals (PMPs) to effectively manage populations of this pest. We evaluated the efficacy of dry residues of liquid insecticides commonly used for household and structural insect pest control: Tandem (0.10% thiamethoxam, 0.03% lambda-cyhalothrin), Transport GHP (0.05% acetamiprid, 0.06% bifenthrin), Temprid SC (0.10% imidacloprid, 0.05% beta-cyfluthrin), Demand CS (0.06% lambda-cyhalothrin), Talstar P (0.06% bifenthrin), and Phantom (0.5% chlorfenapyr) on three different substrates against Turkestan cockroach nymphs. Except for Phantom and Talstar P, all insecticide formulations killed 100% of the cockroaches on concrete, 89–100% on tile, and 77–100% on wood within 4 days. The rate of cockroach mortality varied according to the substrates to which they were exposed. Temprid SC and Transport GHP killed cockroaches faster on tile than wood. Tandem provided a faster mortality rate than Transport GHP and Temprid SC on concrete. Demand CS and Tandem killed cockroaches at similar rates on the three substrates. This study provides information to guide PMPs in their selection of insecticide formulations for the management of Turkestan cockroach infestations.