Yet again, I bring you something ripped from the headlines. It’s timely, it’s horrifying, it’s appalling… it’s pest control.
Some quick background – there is a nut processor and they dump the nut shells and waste in giant piles. This is actually pretty typical. Once the shells break down, they are often used as fertilizer or just left to continue to degrade.
Surprise! There are pests that will infest that! Go figure.
Apparently, this year has been particularly bad, and nearby homes and businesses have been inundated with flour beetles flying in from these piles.
So the best answer? Give residents some OTC pesticides to use themselves. What could possibly go wrong?
While I applaud their efforts at doing something, here are some issues with this. (oh so many issues)
Eliminating or reducing pest issues isn’t about applying pesticides. It’s about sanitation, exclusion, monitoring where the pests may be, and THEN treating. Spraying a bunch of pesticide all over the place is not a viable solution. It may kill some of the beetles, but they will be back pretty soon.
It isn’t about applying pesticides (part 2). A trained professional knows where to put pesticides for the best efficacy. Giving a homeowner a bottle of pesticide that they won’t even read the label* on to apply correctly, no less appropriately isn’t going to do anything about these beetles. A pro can get the product in exactly the right place and have an impact on the problem.
While we are on the subject of pesticides, an OTC product will not have the best effect on flour beetles. In fact, most OTC pesticides are all the same active ingredient and so many insects have developed resistance due to overuse. We won’t even go into the potential effects on non-targets like pollinators from homeowners applying incorrectly.
An official said, “the pesticides are safe for home use”. Really? Define safe. If a kid drinks it, is it safe? If a pet gets into it, is it safe? If it kills off a whole bunch of beneficial insects??? If you think about it, if it is so “safe”, will it even kill the quite resilient flour beetles? Enough questions, you get the point.
If you have gotten this far into my little rant, you will have noticed I didn’t say anything about addressing the source: the giant decomposing pile of nut shells. That’s because the company is supposedly in the process of “moving” the piles. That won’t completely solve the problem, especially not in the short term, but it will help to reduce the problem in coming years.
I'm hoping there is more going on behind the scenes and more is being done and I really hope some education is being done before handing out these pesticides, but I may be too optimistic. If you want more than bandaids for your pest problems, contact me, I can help you.
Uran Pest Consulting
Lagniappe: *Because I’m on a roll here, let’s look at the application directions:
Perimeter band treatments of 7 feet wide or less from the base of a man-made structure to pervious surfaces (e.g., soil, mulch, or lawn) – you really think homeowners aren’t going to “wash” their lawn and driveway and patios with this?
Applications to underside of eaves, soffits, doors, or windows permanently protected from rainfall by a covering, overhang, awning, or other structure; - I’m not seeing people check to make sure these upper applications are “protected” from rainfall.
Applications to vertical surfaces (such as the side of a man-made structure) directly above impervious surfaces (e.g., driveways, sidewalks, etc.), up to 2 feet above ground level; - nope, they are just going to powerwash the entire four sides of the house.
Treat surfaces to ensure thorough coverage but avoid runoff. – this is Texas where they say go big or go home.
Do not apply directly to sewers or storm drains, or to any area like a drain or gutter where drainage to sewers, storm drains, water bodies, or aquatic habitat can occur. – see all above comments!
And finally: Wear: Long-sleeved shirt and long pants, socks, shoes, and chemical resistant gloves made of: barrier laminate, butyl rubber (> 14 mils), nitrile rubber (> 14 mils), neoprene rubber (> 14 mils), natural rubber, polyethylene, PVC (> 14 mils)or viton (> 14 mils). Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling and before eating, drinking, chewing gum, using tobacco or using the toilet.
