Rodents
minimum size opening for a mouse and a rat to gain access to building
¼ inch for mice, ½ inch for rats
type of metamorphosis that mosquitos undergo
Complete
clothes moths undergo what form of metaomorphosis
Complete
three main categories of attractants for occasional invaders
Damp/moist conditions, hunting prey, food/water/shelter
pest that has clean chambers and tunnels without fine frass, and hard pellets packed in galleries
Drywood termites
reasons to use an anticoagulant rodent bait
Rodents are less likely to develop bait shyness. They are relatively low in hazard to people and domestic animals. Antidotes are available.
important steps customers must take to prepare for a flea service
Remove toys, decorative items, pillows, pet food/water, remove everything from beneath furniture and on floor. Remove or cover fish tanks. Thoroughly vacuum carpets, baseboards, furniture, especially areas where pets rest. Empty vacuum (OUTSIDE)!, wash, dry clean or replace all pet bedding. Arrange for treatment of pets by customer or vet.
the most important thing to do when treating the pile where the larvae are feeding
use enough insecticide
3 insect pests that invade our homes to seek shelter from the cold/hibernate
Asian ladybug, boxelder bug, stink bug, cluster flies
pest that leaves 1/8” exit holes in hardwood only, and leave very fine frass
Lyctid beetles
three FORMULATIONS (not active ingredients) that rodenticides are available in
Liquid baits, dust/tracking powder, paraffin bait blocks, pellet bait, seed/meal bait
possible sources of a flea infestation
rats, cats, dogs, squirrels
pests that are considered to be true fabric pests because they can digest keratin
Black carpet beetles, webbing clothes moth
3 reasons that pests may move indoors
climatic factors (excess rain, excessive drought, cold, hot), searching for food, searching for water, searching for shelter for hibernation
pest that leaves exit hole 1/16 – 1/8” and their frass consists of tiny bun shaped pellets.
Anobiid beetles
antidotes for the 2 main categories of rodenticides
Anticoagulants – vitamin K1, non-anticoagulants – no antidotes.
common symptoms of Lyme disease
Bullseye rash, acute headaches, nervous system impairment, fever, arthritis, abdominal and joint pain, dizziness, stiff neck
the larvae of varied carpet beetles are found where
dead animals, old bird nests, and in insect collections
3 suggestions for IPM you can give to a customer that has problems with occasional invaders
Remove woodpiles, fix leaks, maintain landscaping, add door sweeps, caulking crack, sealing gaps, glue boards to monitor/trap invaders, remove or change outdoor lighting.
2 main things a Powderpost beetles can do
Can reduce timbers to a mass of fine, powder-like material and produce numerous small holes in the surface of wood
3 active ingredients in rodent bait and list their modes of action
Bromethalin – buildup of cerebrospinal fluid, paralysis, and death. Bromadialone – anticoagulant, internal bleeding is cause of death. Cholcalciferol – release of excessive levels of calcium from bones, causes heart failure
3 non-chemical management methods helpful in decreasing tick population
Keeping grass cut short, remove clutter and debris to dissuade rodent activity, fence yards to keep wildlife from bringing ticks into yard, ensure house is sealed against wildlife which may bring ticks indoors, remove bird nests in/around structures
important considerations when inspecting for fabric insects
Presence of adults does not guarantee larvae in the same area, larvae are most commonly found feeding in secluded places, useful inspection tools include: flashlight; small knife; scraper, usually found in dark closets or on furs/taxidermy/natural bristle brushes/wool-upholstered furniture, inspect around carpet edges/under baseboards/around bottom of door casings, infestations may not travel more than a few inches from the edge of a carpet, do not overlook external sources: bird nests; old abandoned wasp/bee nests/other dead insects (cluster flies, Asian lady beetles, etc)/abandoned rodent control devices
5 questions you may ask the customer to establish the identity of an occasional invader and the potential cause of their presence
What did it look like? How many were there? Did it fly? Where did you see it? When did you see it? Are there lights in the area at night? Are there any ongoing pest issues?
3 families the term “powderpost beetle” refers to
Lyctids, Anobiids, Bostrichids