Editor’s note: Suppliers, if you have a “green” pest control product or service you would like to have highlighted in an upcoming issue, please send a press release and a high-resolution photo to jdorsch@giemedia.com.
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Addressing Customer Expectations As Part of an IPM Program When conducting an IPM program (or “green service”), you may have to overcome some misperceptions on the part of your customers. Some may still assume that your job is to “treat” their property. You need to convince your customers that your job is to solve pest problems, not merely apply pesticides. They are paying for your professional expertise. The ability to educate customers about realistic pest control expectations is one of the most important aspects of a successful IPM program. Explain that IPM means fewer pesticide applications, and therefore, reduced risk. Always assure customers that you will provide additional service if necessary to maintain the agreed-upon level of control, and follow through on those assurances. Make sure customers understand that their cooperation is a major factor in assuring that the IPM program is successful. Asking for their cooperation is a major factor in assuring that the IPM program is successful. Ask them to commit to making all pest management decisions jointly with you. Remind them to take steps that you have recommended, such as pest-proofing to eliminate pests and prevent future infestations. They also need to be told not to apply pesticides between your visits. Always inform customers of your ongoing pest management activities on their property. When you do have to apply pesticides, clearly communicate that information to your customers. That includes telling them about re-entry periods after application. Be sure to post signs on treated areas if required by the label or by state or local law. — Larry Pinto and Sandra Kraft, www.techletter.com |
Steritech Honored for IPM Program at Maryland Hospital
The Integrated Pest Management in Health Care Facilities Project has honored The Steritech Group for its outstanding achievement in implementing “green pest management” at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center (Baltimore, Md.) through the practice of defined Integrated Pest Management that has eliminated the use of pesticides for managing pests in the facility.
The Integrated Pest Management in Health Care Facilities Project is a partnership between the Maryland Pesticide Network and Beyond Pesticides, in collaboration with Maryland Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (MD H2E). The project, launched in 2006, educates the health care industry about value of IPM.
The project works with a select group of health care facilities in Maryland and the Washington, D.C., area including Johns Hopkins Bayview, on the adoption of defined IPM whereby the focus is on non-chemical pest prevention, and least-toxic pesticides are only used as a last resort.
“Just as evolving medical technologies advance the care delivered to patients, pest management providers must mitigate pesticide risk to help build healthier environments,” said Rich Ennis, chief operating officer and president of Steritech. “Steritech is proud to partner with Johns Hopkins in revolutionizing their Integrated Pest Management program through Zero Tolerance Pest Prevention and our EcoSensitive System. We take particular pride in the results that have been achieved at Bayview Hospital, where our dedicated Service Specialist Bob Fields has embodied the spirit of environmentally responsible pest prevention and made it his goal to educate others on the process.”
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The Alpine Family of Products from BASF
Pest management professionals can address sensitive accounts with the availability of products that have natural, reduced-risk or minimum-risk attributes. (Dinotefuran, the active ingredient in Alpine Insecticides, has been granted reduced-risk status for public health use by the EPA.)
Prescription Treatment brand Alpine Insecticides from BASF Pest Control Solutions strike a balance between dependable efficacy and low toxicity to non-target organisms, the company reports. All Alpine formulations contain the nonrepellent active ingredient dinotefuran. Dinotefuran works through both contact and ingestion, and disrupts insect nervous systems for fast, effective control, BASF says.
The Alpine family of solutions includes:
- Prescription Treatment brand Alpine Pressurized Insecticide. A reduced-risk non-repellent aerosol labeled for use against crawling and flying insects.
- Prescription Treatment brand Alpine Flea Insecticide with IGR. Contains prallethrin for quick knockdown, and the IGR pyriproxyfen kills hatching eggs for up to seven months.
- Prescription Treatment brand Alpine Dust Insecticide. A reduced-risk nonrepellent dust for long-lasting, broad-spectrum control of crawling and flying insects.
- Prescription Treatment brand Alpine Cockroach Gel Bait. It starts killing roaches within hours.
- Prescription Treatment brand Alpine Ant Gel Bait. Has low toxicity with a low percent of active ingredient.
- Prescription Treatment brand Alpine Ant and Termite Foam. Provides quick control of isolated subterranean and drywood termite infestations.
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Topia Insecticide from FMC Corporation
Topia insecticide, from FMC Corporation, is a completely natural pest control product for use by pest management professionals to control bed bugs (including eggs), cockroaches, ants, flies and more than a dozen other pests.
Topia insecticide features a proprietary blend of natural oils with well-documented insecticidal properties, FMC reports. Available in a 16-ounce aerosol can, Topia has a new oil-based formulation that delivers contact control of many structural pests.
Topia can be applied neatly with low potential for staining or corrosion, the company says.
In addition, Topia works quickly, delivering rapid knockdown and control of problem pests through contact.
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The Only Pest Control Product with an ENERGY STAR Label
Sold through licensed PMPs, T·A·P (Thermal Acoustic Pest Control) Insulation is a specialized, blown-in cellulose-based insulation that is often installed on top of existing home-attic insulation. The product is a fusion of two technologies — borate-based pest control and cellulose insulation — resulting in a patented, Energy Star-labeled pest control insulation with fire-retardency, sound-deadening and pest-controlling properties. EPA labeled and acceptable for use around humans and pets, T·A·P helps control cockroaches, silverfish, ants, termites and other crawling insects.
Adding insulation in an attic helps homeowners reduce heating and air conditioning bills, but adding T·A·P Insulation lowers energy bills and helps control insects that may use attics for nesting, the company says. “T·A·P Insulation leads a new generation of pest management and energy efficiency and adds real value to a home,” said Bill Turk, co-founder and CEO of Pest Control Insulation Systems, the manufacturer of T·A·P Insulation. “Comprised of more than 85 percent recycled material, T·A·P utilizes borates, long proven as less toxic than synthetic pesticides, as its active pest control ingredient; and is the only EPA-registered pesticide that also bears the Energy Star label.”
The firm says T·A·P is superior to traditional insulation in all product life-cycle phases including production, operation and disposal and is up to 32 percent more energy efficient. It takes less energy to make T·A·P, it takes less energy to heat and cool a home when T·A·P is installed and T·A·P results in less waste during installation since any unused product is recycled through the blowing machines instead of being thrown in the trash, T·A·P reports.
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Cymex: Green Solution to Bed Bugs from Nisus Corp.
Cymex is a borate-based liquid that kills bed bugs on contact. Cymex is also labeled for fleas, dust mites, carpet beetles and household fungus. It also:
- Kills bed bugs, fleas and dust mites on contact.
- Provides residual protection for fleas and dust mites.
- Has no known resistance.
- Is non-foaming, with no odor.
- Is a “green” product — low toxicity and high efficacy.
- Is applicable for residential and commercial use in areas such as apartments, hotels, motels, offices, homes, garages, hospitals, restaurants, factories, food-processing plants, schools, supermarkets, trains, boats, trucks, kennels, veterinary areas, zoos and warehouses.
- Is available in quart spray and gallon containers.
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Electronic Products From Bird-X For ‘Greener’ Control
“Green” alternatives are safer and more effective at permanently keeping pest birds away from property, says Bird-X. Electronic devices give pest control professionals far-reaching solutions for challenging indoor and outdoor environments.
Electronic bird control devices use the pests’ natural instincts to teach them to stay away for good. For instance, the Bird Blazer from Bird-X is the world’s first indoor laser bird repellent device. It uses fat-beam laser technology to make large indoor areas inhospitable to pest birds. Sonic and ultrasonic devices are also extremely effective — they broadcast natural bird distress calls, predator cries and/or high-frequency sound waves that frighten and repel pest birds, conditioning them to avoid an area for good, Bird-X reports.
Electronic bird repellents can be combined with barrier solutions, such as bird spikes and bird netting, for a higher probability of success. Bird spikes are used to keep birds off surfaces such as rooftops, ledges and chimneys. Bird netting is great for protecting larger areas like warehouse ceilings or vineyards. When a low-profile solution is preferred — such as for window sills and signs — bird-proof gel is ideal.
Explore the March 2012 Issue
Check out more from this issue and find your next story to read.
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