PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS: Answers To Your Tough Pest Questions

PESTICIDES AND HOSPITALS
Q Our company is more than 25 years old and our experience is mostly in household pest control. Lately we have been doing work with several hospitals. We are concerned about the dangers involved in using insecticides in critical areas, such as operating rooms and intensive-care facilities. Are there products specifically designed or formulated for use in hospitals? Are there any EPA regulations controlling the use of insecticides inside hospitals?

A To answer your question simply, the pesticide label will list the places and areas where the pesticide can be used. However, also look at the precautions on the labels as many pesticides that have labels allowing their use in hospitals and other health-care facilities also have caveats on their use, such as do not use in rooms where elderly or infirm patients are present. You also should be aware that pesticides with odors may be offensive to these patients.

Most pest management professionals are cautious about the use of pesticides in hospitals because of possible liabilities that lie in performing these treatments. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) procedures should be followed, namely monitoring, using baits and avoiding use of sprays in certain areas. I have found in hospitals that sanitation also helps resolve many problems. Often, infestations found in patient rooms or staff break rooms cause problems for adjoining areas.

WORKING WITH NON-REPELLENTS
Q Our company has a customer whose house has swarming termites coming from the floor heat ducts. The ducts are under or within the slab of the structure. Has anything changed in the last few years, especially with the advent of non-repellent termiticides, to affect treatment procedures?

A If we ever stopped to count the number of houses that have heat ducts under or within the slab we would be shocked at the number! The treatment procedures have not changed, in my opinion, just because we have new termiticides. In any situation like this there are some prescribed steps that should be taken, i.e., determining the heat duct configuration (perimeter, spider, etc.). Is it in or under the slab? How deep does it go into the soil (if under the slab)? Can you get treatment rods under the duct work from exterior drilling of the foundation wall or by drilling through the slab?

Always be aware that pesticides may enter the duct work and you should keep watch, frequently checking the ducts during the treatment phase. Lower your application pressures and be aware of any state regulations governing these treatments. Also, NPMA has some good information on these procedures.

ANTS & CONDOS
Q We have been investigating a structure   (condominiums) that has foam board and moisture problems. During our investigation, we noticed (and heard of) numerous reports of ant problems on several floors. The condos are located on the beach. Can you identify the ants and tell us what we can do?

A The ants you sent me are Argentine ants. The pictures of the condominiums are great, as well as the documentation of moisture and ant problems. From the pictures and your description, the ants appear to be nesting in the structure where there are many areas with moisture. This is not unusual as ants will seek out situations where food, harborage and moisture are close by.

Normally, these ants nest outside but they can move inside. They are colonies that consist of thousands of worker ants and hundreds of queens. They are a particular problem in your area of the United States (North Carolina).

A couple of suggestions: first, as you are already doing, resolve the moisture problems. An inspection of the grounds around the condo can identify the ants and where they may be active. These areas can be treated using several methods, including the use of repellent sprays, granules or baits. Baiting these ants is a serious undertaking because of the size of the colonies.

Baits can be used on the balconies of the units with ant problems or in the kitchens. Liquid and gel baits have worked well for this ant. There are a variety of baits available to the professional. I would advise the condominium association to discuss this program with the pest management professional hired to do the treatment.

The author is president of George Rambo Consulting Services, Herndon, Va. Fax questions to him at 703/709-9637 or via e-mail at grambo@pctonline.com.