Advancement of integrated pest management in university housing

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2011

Abstract

© 2018 Entomological Society of America. Research was conducted in collaboration with the University of Florida (UF), Department of Housing and Residence Education (DOHRE) to assess and advance the campus integrated pest management (IPM) program they initiated in 2003. Beginning in 2008, the UF, DOHRE advanced IPM program was based on resident education, periodic inspection, and a systematic decision-making process whereby apartments were monitored, pests identified, action thresholds determined, and safe and effective pest management options used. The continuously improved process began with pest management methods based on resident behavior, such as sanitation and pest exclusion accomplished by the residents, accompanied by physical controls, including barriers installed by maintenance personnel and pest control devices maintained by DOHRE IPM technicians. If pest problems persisted, low risk materials were used, for example, dishwashing detergent solutions, boric acid, diatomaceous earth, bait stations, and botanical or microbial insecticides. There was a significant improvement in pest prevention behavior of the residents after the 2008 DOHRE IPM education and inspection campaign; however, there was no change in the already low annual number of pest complaints. From 2003 through 2008, ants were the most commonpest reported, followed in order by cockroaches, stored product pests, and termites. The amount of insecticide active ingredient used per year decreased by ≈92%, virtually eliminating the use of hydramethylnon, borate, desiccants, organophosphates, fipronil, and pyrethroids. Further advancements can be made in campus IPM by increasing resident education and DOHRE IPM technician training, and the level of pest preventative inspection and maintenance.

Publication Title

Journal of Integrated Pest Management

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