A program built entirely around adult activity, that ignores the sites where eggs, larvae or pupae are developing, may provide short-term relief for your client. But these one-sided strategies miss the root cause of the infestation and will result in eventual callbacks.
Mosquitoes are a perfect example. Adult mosquitoes rest in thick vegetation, tall grass and other shaded harborage sites close to the structure, which is where common adulticide treatments are focused. But mosquito larvae and pupae are aquatic, developing in natural or man-made water-holding containers that retain as little as 1 inch of water for about a week.
Clogged gutters, overturned trashcan lids, birdbaths, unused planters, tire ruts, poorly managed ditches and even a bottle cap of collected rainwater can serve as development sites for these public health pests. Any treatment strategy that only targets adult resting sites without addressing these aquatic environments will leave developing immatures completely untouched. Failure to address these aquatic sites will all but guarantee a callback as the next generation emerges looking for a bloodmeal.
House flies (Musca domestica) and phorid flies are another common example. Fly adults often are found around windows, light fixtures and waste areas where they are drawn in by light or food odors.
Their larvae, however, require decaying organic matter to develop. House fly larvae are more likely found in areas such as dumpsters and compost piles, while phorid fly larvae develop in drain lines or similar areas where food waste allows biofilm to develop. In either case, these immatures aren’t often located in the same place where adults are being swatted.
When faced with insects that exhibit complete development, treating the adult population alone only addresses the symptoms. Locating and eliminating the larval development site addresses the cause. Build an inspection routine that accounts for all life stages to reduce retreats and shorten the time to total pest elimination.
<p>The post Don’t chase symptoms, treat the cause first appeared on Pest Management Professional.</p>
from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/dont-chase-symptoms-treat-the-cause/
Sacramento CA
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