Controlling Insects without Pesticides
Stored product infesting insects (SPI’s) can be a real
nuisance in grocery, health food, and pet stores as well as in
our pantries at home. Because of the kinds of items stored in
these areas, SPI’s can thrive and quickly get out of control
if left alone
. Several things can be done to prevent
these kinds of problems and to get control of them after they
have taken hold.
Prevention
One way to prevent insect problems from taking hold is
by using good sanitation techniques. Sanitation involves keeping
the area clean. It is easy for spillage to get into nooks and
crannies such as underneath shelves. These small areas can harbor
infestations since SPI’s are so small and can survive on a
small amount of food. A thorough cleaning will help prevent
insect infestations. Another aspect of sanitation that can aid in
infestation prevention is trash removal. Emptying the trash can
daily is a simple way to prevent pest problems.
Inspection is another tool that can be used to manage insect populations and prevent infestations. Inspection simply means to take a close look. Take a close look at any items that might be subject to insect infestations. These include: flour, cereal, grain products, dried fruits, spices, and pet foods. Stored product insects can also infest nonfood products such as dried flowers. All such items should be inspected. A thorough inspection of the storage areas should also be completed because hidden infestations could be found in those areas.
Monitoring is the third way to prevent and locate outbreaks. By the use of monitoring, one can find an infestation as it begins and can get control of it before it becomes a severe problem. Monitoring can be with the use of pheromone traps or plain sticky traps called "blunder traps". The most effective method is to use both in combination. Pheromone traps are species specific and must be chosen according to the target insect. Blunder traps are good in that although they do not target a specific insect, they can give a sampling of all insects in the area. This is particularly useful for insects for which there is no pheromone trap. If used properly, these traps can be used to pinpoint the exact location of an infestation.
Control
There are several non-pesticidal techniques that can
be used to control an infestation once it has been located. These
include discarding infested product and using extremes of
temperature. Many times the easiest way to get rid of an
infestation is to throw it away. This is particularly easy if the
infestation is isolated. For example, if the only infestation is
in a box of cereal, it is easiest to simply throw it away. Many
items can also be frozen or heated. As a general rule, freezing
at 0º F for 7 days should
achieve 100% control of all stages. It is important, however to
remember that condensation can occur during the thawing process.
Wrapping items in tightly sealed plastic bags can help reduce
this problem. The general rule for heating is 120º
F for 16-24 hours to achieve control.
Using these techniques will help keep your insect problems under control. 1998 A. Resener
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