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Articles by Stan Cope
On the move: Asian bush mosquito
The term invasive species is regularly used in the pest management industry. The U.S. Geological Survey defines invasive species as “an introduced, nonnative organism (disease, parasite, plant or animal) that begins to spread or expand its range from the site of its original introduction and that has the potential to cause harm to the environment, the economy, or to human health.” The Asian bush mosquito (ABM) is an invasive pest whose scientific name is Aedes japonicus.
Excessive moisture attracts arthropods
One thing that all arthropod pests have in common is their constant quest for water. While some pest species meet their moisture requirements from the food they consume or hosts they feed upon, most arthropod pests depend on moisture gradients and microclimates to survive. Integrated pest management (IPM) practices directed toward reducing conducive conditions, modifying the environment, and eliminating moist microclimates can greatly improve your success.
Cooler weather brings out spiders
As the weather cools, customers may see spider activity in and around their homes. Lots of rain can cause insects to thrive, which become spider food. Spider activity is more obvious in fall as they grow larger, build webs and actively mate. Some spider species bite when disturbed, but most species are not harmful to humans. In addition to your prevention and control strategy, advise customers to get rid of indoor spiders by vacuuming to remove adults, egg sacs and webs.
Catchmaster Pro: Discreet Insect Monitor, Roach Attractant Tablet
The Discreet Insect Monitor (#722) was designed to be versatile and easily concealed for use in commercial as well as residential accounts. It is ideal for cockroaches, silverfish and other crawling insects. Pests enter through openings into the device and become ensnared in the specially formulated Catchmaster adhesive.
Know your stored product pests
Editor’s Note: Questions for this month’s test were contributed by Greg Baumann; Foster Brusca; Doug Foster; Paul Hardy; Frank Meek, BCE; and Mark VanderWerp, BCE. Want to know how you did? The answers are listed at the bottom of the page.
IGI CO2 Powered by Liphatech extends its reach to insects, commodity fumigation
IGI Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Powered by Liphatech has long had a record for being an effective method of rodent control. The technology was patented by Inert Gas Injector and in August 2016 received registration from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for “fumigation of storage, transport, [and] containment storage pest control.” A short time later, it received a label amendment adding burrowing rodents.
Controlling arthropods, preventing reproduction
House centipedes (Scutigera coleoptrata), common occupants of structures, can be frightening, as they have long legs, run fast, and look nasty. These arthropods’ looks are deceiving, as they are harmless. They do not survive harsh winters outdoors but will readily reproduce in heated structures. Female house centipedes may live for many years, producing up to 150 offspring.
Educate yourself on what works for mosquito treatment - Pest Management Professional
This mosquito season, be vigilant for the usual litany of information, advertising and social media posts on many aspects of mosquito control. Much of this is erroneous, misleading or just plain wrong — but some of your customers, potential customers, family members and others often believe false claims, and it can be next to impossible to change their minds. What’s more, they will be hesitant to purchase a mosquito service if they have been duped.
SiteOne: New Size for Mosquito Free Line - Pest Management Professional
Mosquito Free and Lesco Mosquito Free, both natural and effective adulticides for mosquito control, have been tested with a 100 percent kill rate when mixed and applied according to the manufacturer’s directions. Mosquito Free is now available in a convenient, 2.5-gallon concentrate size. Mosquito Free and Lesco Mosquito Free can be used on both residential and commercial properties.
Maximize effectiveness of treatments - Pest Management Professional
You can do several things to maximize the effectiveness of your treatments. Conduct a careful inspection of the property to look for places that mosquitoes can breed. In addition to kiddie pools and plant saucers, are the gutters clogged or draining poorly? Are air-conditioner drip pans draining properly? Are the recycle and trash bin lids open? Homeowners can be your biggest allies in the fight to reduce callbacks.
Measuring lines of business has merit - Pest Management Professional
Most of us are in many areas of service when it comes to pest control, because basic pest control service usually does not include termite, rodent or mosquito coverage. In addition, you may have other offerings, such as lawn, tree and shrub fertilization. Depending on your market, the size of your business, and your skill sets, you may add handyman, fence building, and other services you feel comfortable offering — or have staff who are comfortable providing.
Asking direct questions to best treat mosquitoes - Pest Management Professional
Asking your customers concise and direct questions regarding their mosquito problems can save you time and money, as well as help guide inspections, treatments and recommendations for control. For example: What time of the day are you and family members being bitten? Most mosquito species bite primarily at dusk or in the early evening but some, such as the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) and others, bite primarily during the daytime.
Catchmaster adds ACE as northeast regional sales manager - Pest Management Professional
Chris Phillips, ACE, has joined Bayonne, N.J.-based AP&G Co. Inc. as the northeast regional sales manager for Catchmaster Pro. Based in Buffalo, N.Y., his territory covers the northeastern United States from New Jersey north through Maine and eastern Canada. Phillips, who joined the professional pest management industry in 1994, is an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) with both product knowledge and real-life pest management experience.
An interview with a stinging insect - Pest Management Professional
Just who is this masked social insect? Who could it bee? ART: GETTY IMAGES: ARLINDO71/E+ (BEE), НАТАЛИЯ ГУСАРОВА/ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS (MASK) Find out the identity of “The Masked Stinger” Pest Management Professional magazine (PMP): This month, we are going to broaden the scope a bit and talk about stinging insects in general. Previously, we discussed yellowjackets, but there are many common traits, and this is a good time of the year to show some similarities. I see you are wearing a mask.
Protect customers from biting insects - Pest Management Professional
Dr. Kurt Vandock, Head of Community Health, Bayer Biting insects are more than nuisance pests. For some species, bites may vector arboviral disease or even be life-threatening to those with sensitivities or allergies. There are many types of biting insects; however, among the hardest to control are those that fly. In the U.S., mosquitoes are the most common suspects.
Be aware of mosquito life stages - Pest Management Professional
Dr. Reid Ipser, Director of Technical Services, Nisus Corp. Mosquitoes are the No. 1 family of insects with regard to economic and medical importance. Mosquitoes exhibit complete metamorphosis: egg, larva, pupa and imago (adult). The first three stages are aquatic; in fact, development can be successful just in damp soil. The adult stage is when the female mosquito acts as a disease vector.
Educate customers to eliminate standing water - Pest Management Professional
Dr. Stan Cope, VP, Technical Products and Services, Catchmaster, and Past President, American Mosquito Control Association You are inspecting a customer’s yard for mosquito breeding and conducive conditions when you come across an old bucket, full of water and teeming with mosquito larvae. What do you tell the customer to do about it? Be careful here, as the correct answer might surprise you. The standard recommendation would be to dump out the water and turn the bucket over, right?
Communicating the (pencil) point of pest exclusion - Pest Management Professional
PHOTO: IVANTSOV/ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS/GETTY IMAGES Most of us were introduced to the archetypal yellow, No. 2 pencil in elementary school. We learned how to properly use them (write your name, but don’t use it to poke your classmate) and care for them (walk, don’t run to the pencil sharpener at the rear of the classroom). By the time high school arrived, most of us graduated to pens, except for filling in bubbles on standardized tests.
“The Future of Mosquito-Borne Illness” By Dr. Stan Cope
Dr. Stan Cope, AP&G’s VP of technical products and services, talks to attendees at the 2018 New York Pest Expo presented by Bug Off Pest Control Center. “The Future of Mosquito-Borne Illness: What is the Next Zika?” reviews the diseases spread by mosquitoes and what diseases have the potential to spread and turn into an outbreak. Click here to read a recap of the event by PMP‘s Marty Whitford. Click here to watch more videos from the event.
Zika Virus and Mosquito Prevention in Food Facilities
We all know that a mosquito’s buzz can bring down barbecues, camping trips, and little league games—but what about its effects on businesses? The important safety and health implications of these pests are too often overlooked in the context of work, even in the face of growing concerns about mosquito-borne illnesses.
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