PB 1303 Managing Pests Around the Home 2020

Contents What are household pests? ...... 3 Where are these pests found? ...... 3 What attracts them to your home? ...... 3 What can I do to prevent pest problems in my home? ...... 3 When should I contact a professional pest control company? ...... 3 When should you ask for professional help? ...... 4 Managing Pests and Reducing the Risk of Pesticide Exposure ...... 4 1. Inspecting and Monitoring ...... 4 2. Identification ...... 4 3. Modifying the Environment ...... 5 Remove Access to Food ...... 5 Water and Moisture ...... 5 Exclusion ...... 6 Landscaping Practices ...... 7 Lighting ...... 8 Household Pest Control Measures to Supplement Prevention Measures ...... 8 Vacuuming ...... 8 Traps ...... 9 Pesticides ...... 9 Selecting the Best Formulation for a Site ...... 10 Ultrasonic Pest Control Devices ...... 10 List of Products Sorted by Chemical Name Available to the General Public ...... 30 Further References for Household Pest Identification ...... 33

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 2 Pests are attracted by light, warm air, moisture and food. Odors from a dead bird, rodent, dead insects or nest in a wall, soured mop or spilled materials Managing can also be attractive. They seek protection and shelter in dark cavities in walls or crawl spaces.

What can I do to prevent pest problems in Pests my home? Luckily, many pests are easily controlled. This publication will explain how to manage the most Around the common household pests found in Tennessee. We have placed special importance on controlling pests by limiting their access to food, water and Home shelter. Control devices such as vacuums and traps are emphasized. Pesticides are used in a Karen M. Vail, Professor manner to reduce exposure to you, your property Jennifer Chandler, Research Specialist III and the environment. Always read the entire Darrell Hensley, Extension Assistant Professor pesticide label for directions on mixing, applying, Harry Williams, Professor Emeritus (deceased), safety precautions, storing and disposing of the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology product before using it. If you are unsure about

how to control a household pest after reading this What are household pests? publication, ask your county Extension agent for Most household pests are insects and are additional assistance. commonly called “bugs.” Other organisms such as spiders, scorpions, centipedes, millipedes, ticks, When should I contact a professional pest sowbugs, pillbugs, mites, rats, mice, snakes, bats, control company? squirrels, birds, molds and fungi may also enter Some pests, such as termites, require the use of homes. In Tennessee, one or more of 40 common special equipment and knowledge to apply large pests are found in every home at one time or volumes of insecticides to all possible entry points another. Even the most conscientious person into the structure. Professionals have the proper cannot always avoid an occasional pest equipment and the training, including safety infestation. training, to apply the large volumes of pesticides needed to rid your home of termites. Termites can Where are these pests found? also be managed with baits, but professional Under optimal conditions, large populations of an training in understanding the biology of the insect, rodent or other pest can occur in your yard, termite is essential to obtain control. home, farm or neighborhood. Large numbers of a pest species can develop in trees, stumps, flower Quite often, professional pest control technicians beds, mulch, leaf litter, garbage, wood piles, ditch have access to more effective active ingredients banks, animal carcasses, stored products, spilled and formulations than the homeowner. The materials, sewer lines and other sites. Pests enter professional is trained in the life cycle, habits and homes through openings in the walls, floors, preferences of the pest, as well as the safest and around pipes or cracks, and under doors or best techniques to control them. In Tennessee, windows. Pests seeking shelter build nests or pest control technicians are required to pass a test hibernate within the walls, attic or in before they can apply pesticides in your home. living quarters. Technicians should carry a commercial pesticide applicator certification card verifying they are approved by the Tennessee Department of What attracts them to your home?

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 3

Agriculture. They need to attend training sessions to obtain points to keep the card valid. If they do Managing Pests and Reducing the Risk of Pesticide Exposure not get enough points within three years, they have to take another test. Also, they must work for 1. Scheduled monitoring and inspecting — not a licensed operator if they are charging you a fee. scheduled sprays. The charter number of their employer’s business 2. Identification of pest and damage. must appear on their vehicle. 3. Removing pests’ access to food, water and When should you ask for professional shelter through sanitation and exclusion. help? 4. Use controls such as traps and vacuums. Of course that is a decision you as a homeowner Reduce pesticide exposure to people and pets must make for yourself. You may want to use a by using baits, insect growth regulators, professional: dusts in voids and sprays in cracks and crevices. 1) When treating for termites because special equipment and training are needed, insects and rodents: warm temperatures (75-85 F), 2) When treating for other wood-destroying condensation, moist wood, humid atmosphere, insects and organisms (especially if you are cracks or crevices where insects can hide, concerned about reselling the home), plumbing leaks, spilled materials and food left overnight in pet feeding dishes. Pest feces and 3) If the pest is found in difficult-to-reach webbing are often found in infested areas. Inspect locations and requires treatment with special equipment, for signs of rodent activity: rodent hair, fecal pellets, tracks, rub marks, and signs of gnawing 4) If you are concerned about pesticide and digging. Rodent urine will fluoresce under a exposure during mixing and applying, blacklight. Monitoring devices such as glue 5) If there is not enough time to do it yourself, boards and pheromone traps can be useful to or detect insects that may have been previously 6) If several attempts have failed to control the overlooked. Glue boards are very effective in pest. Professionals need your help to detecting the presence of cockroaches. These manage pests too. Please perform all the should be placed near edges of walls or cabinets sanitation and exclusion practices they near possible shelter, food or water. Glue boards recommend. can also be used for detection and control of rodents. Pheromone traps are available for most Managing Pests and Reducing pantry or stored products insects. the Risk of Pesticide Exposure 2. Identification 1. Inspecting and Monitoring After the pest is caught, it must be identified. If Household pests can be managed with a minimal you cannot identify the specimen yourself, take it amount of pesticides by using an integrated pest to your local county Extension agent. After the management (IPM) approach. In an IPM program, pest has been identified, you can determine where regularly scheduled (monthly, quarterly, etc.) it lives, what it prefers to feed on, if it can cause inspections are encouraged instead of regularly structural damage or is a health threat, or just a scheduled pesticide applications. If pests are not nuisance. If it is determined that control is present, in most cases, pesticide applications may necessary, several approaches may be used, not be necessary. A flashlight and screwdriver are including sanitation and exclusion practices, usually sufficient to inspect a structure. Look for vacuuming, trapping and the judicious use insect pests, signs of insect activity, possible food of pesticides. and water sources, as well as pest nesting or resting sites. Inspect for conditions favorable to

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 4 3. Modifying the Environment garbage cans should be placed away from the All pests need access to food, water, shelter and a structure. For a commercial account, we suggest suitable environment. By removing their access to dumpsters be placed at least 50 feet, and these necessities, you can prevent or decrease pest preferably 100 feet, from the structure. In a home, populations dramatically. This can be achieved garbage cans should be placed as far away as is through sanitation and exclusion practices, as well practical. If placed too far from the home, as other modifications of the environment. residents may let garbage bags accumulate inside rather than walk the long distance to the Remove Access to Food Sanitation is outdoor receptacle. Keep a building clean. Sweep a key or mop to remove spilled food factor in Water and Moisture and beverages. Clean soiled Most pests can survive a long time without food, wool fabrics, furs and feathers controlling but most need to drink water within a few days before storing. Storage of items pests. or they will die (some exceptions include stored can also affect their products insects and wood-boring insects). vulnerability to pest attack. Date food packages Access to water can be limited by fixing leaking being placed in storage. Use older food items first. plumbing or dripping faucets, sealing pipe Remove broken packages and sweep up spills as penetrations or ventilating wet areas. soon as possible. In storage areas, allow 18 inches of clearance between stacks (or the wall) and Drainage elevate items off the floor to permit inspection for Foundation drains should move water away from pests, feces, broken packages, etc. foundations. Drains should be perforated, plastic pipe embedded in coarse gravel at the footing level around the outside perimeter. Drains should empty into a solid pipe to carry water away from the structure.

Crawl Space Ventilation Dry wood (10-12 percent moisture) is less susceptible to fungus infection, termites, powderpost beetle and carpenter ant infestation. When floor joists, subflooring and insulation are wet with condensate, a fan can be installed in a crawl space access opening as a temporary relief measure. Ventilation openings in foundation walls, beneath buildings with crawl spaces, should Figure 1. Pet food can be a food source for many be large enough and equally distributed to prevent pests. Train pets to eat food within 10 minutes of dead air pockets from forming. Such pockets can placement and then remove the food bowl. give rise to humid conditions conducive to termite

Proper garbage disposal is also important to activity, powderpost beetles, carpenter ants and reduce pest populations. Use garbage cans with wood decay. Openings placed within 3 to10 feet tight-fitting lids. Dispose of contents often, at of corners of buildings usually give the best cross least twice a week, to prevent fly larvae from ventilation. Depending on the building code, crawling out of the can. Daily disposal of garbage suggestions for the number of vents in a crawl would reduce the food available to many pests. space are 1 square foot of vent space per 300- Clean garbage containers to remove any 1,500 square feet of crawl space if a polyethylene remaining food materials. Although it is more vapor barrier is used. Vents are approximately 60 convenient to place the dumpster or garbage can square inches, so approximately 2.5 vents equals 1 just outside the kitchen door, dumpsters and square foot of vent space. Cover 80 percent of the

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 5 soil surface in the crawl space area with a 4-6 mil ventilation, there is still a need for vapor barriers polyethylene (plastic) layer. One way to do this is in ceiling areas. This is especially true of a flat or to cover all of the center of the crawl space area, low slope roof where only a 1- to 3-inch space leaving a 1-foot wide strip of bare soil around the above the insulation might be available for foundation. (A 100 percent crawl space cover ventilation. In houses with attic spaces, the use of could dry hardwood flooring too much and lead to both inlet and outlet ventilation is recommended. warping.) Moisture rising from the soil around the Place inlet ventilators in soffit or frieze board perimeter will be exhausted through the areas of the cornice. Outlet ventilators should be foundation vents. The plastic cover will prevent placed as near as possible or on the ridgeline. This moisture rising from the soil from being absorbed placement of ventilators will assure air movement by the floor joists, insulation and subfloor. The through a stack effect. A combination of attic cross ventilation will lower the moisture content ventilators may be installed in the gables, soffits, in the wood. If a plastic barrier is not used, it is roof or roof ridge line to maintain a flow of air suggested that 1 square feet of vent space be through an attic. Manufacturers’ markings or placed for every 150 square feet of crawl space. literature tell the number of square inches of attic Because the plastic moisture barrier is vents needed per square foot of attic space. inexpensive, it is more economical to use the It is important to place corrosion-resistant wire plastic barrier than to install more vents for a mesh with openings not more than ¼ inch in crawl space without a plastic barrier. any direction behind all vents to aid in excluding pests. Newer building codes allow for an unvented or enclosed crawl space to control moisture. In this Exclusion instance, the crawl space is not exposed to the humid outdoor air. The earth is covered with a Exclusion is another way to prevent pest continuous vapor barrier that overlaps by 6 inches populations with minimal pesticide use. Insect, and is taped or otherwise sealed. Vapor barrier rodent, bird and reptile pests may walk, crawl or edges extend up the stem wall at least 6 inches fly into your home. Pests are also carried in bags, and should be attached and sealed to the wall. Air boxes or on clothing, so examine these items is either mechanically vented out of or before bringing them into the structure. To conditioned air supplied to the area under the prevent occasional invaders (lady beetles, floor, and an air pathway to the common area boxelder bugs, centipedes, crickets, millipedes, (duct or transfer grille) provided. The perimeter sowbugs, pillbugs, mites, rats, mice, snakes, bats, walls are insulated but a 6-inch insulation-free squirrels and birds) from entering homes, use zone is recommended at the top of the foundation exclusion practices. Walk around the perimeter of wall to allow for termite inspections. Various your structure to determine possible pest entry systems add other components such as points. Exclude pests with tight-fitting doors, dehumidifiers or concrete slabs. Research data windows and sealed walls. This may involve indicate a drop in moisture and dewpoint in the adding door sweeps, adding weather stripping to crawl spaces using this system in the southern sliding glass doors and windows, caulking U.S. One concern of the pest control industry is openings in window frames, repairing holes in the reduction in visible termite entry routes. These screens, adding screens, etc. If you are unsure systems have been in place for years now and if whether a door fits tightly, observe the door from issues with termite inspections are to become a outside when it is dark and an interior light is on. reality, they should be evident soon. If light is seen around the edges of the door, then you don’t have a good seal. Mice can enter Attic Ventilation openings about 1/4 inch, while rats need a 1/2- Ventilation of attic spaces and roof areas is inch hole. Seal cracks, crevices and holes in the important in minimizing water vapor or foundation. Screen vent openings in foundation condensation to build up. Even with good walls and attic.

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 6 structure. The bare zone reduces moisture around the structure which many of these pests are seeking.

Termites need cellulose materials to feed on. Mulches placed over the termiticide-treated soil next to the foundation can give termites access to the structure without contacting the termiticide. This is another reason to keep a 12-to 18-inch bare zone next to the foundation. Landscape timbers will often provide food for termites or 2A shelter for carpenter ants. Other landscaping materials for borders, such as concrete or vinyl, are available that will not degrade as quickly as wood and will not provide food for termites and shelter for other critters.

2B

Figures 2a and 2b. Gaps around doors should be sealed.

Caulk or seal holes in outside walls, eaves and Figure 3. Holes in the foundation and around other external surfaces. Many pests use wires, plumbing, conduit and wires should be sealed to pipes, tree limbs and other guidelines to help them prevent pest entry. move from one area to another. Voids around pipes can be sealed with steel wool or copper Construction and maintenance practices also gauze (which won’t rust) and expandable foam. affect a building’s susceptibility to termites. In the Rodents will not chew the steel wool or mesh. If final grading, allow at least 6 inches of clearance rats are entering the structure through the between the top of the soil and the top of the commode, install a “Rat Guard®” (J.T. Eaton) on foundation. Foam board insulation and stucco that sewer lines. extend below grade are especially troublesome. When stucco separates from the foundation wall, Landscaping Practices termites can tube between the wall and stucco and Landscaping practices also influence pest enter the home undetected. If foam insulation is populations. Trim branches away from buildings present below grade also, the termites chew to prevent carpenter ants, roof rats and squirrels through the insulation. from gaining access. One landscaping practice that can dramatically reduce millipede, cricket, Moisture attracts termites to the home. The sowbug, pillbug and clover mite populations is a finished grade outside the building should slope 12-to 18-inch bare zone around the base of the away from the foundation so water will not collect under the house. Repair plumbing leaks and leaks

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 7 in roofs and around windows as quickly as Lighting possible. Clean leaves and debris from gutters. Many insects are active at night and are attracted Downspouts should empty into drain pipes to to lights. Sodium vapor lights are much less conduct water away from structure. attractive to insects. Use yellow bug lights or sodium vapor lights near doorways, driveways and sidewalks. Use mercury vapor or

incandescent lights around the perimeter of the property to lure insects away from buildings.

Exclusion practices are also important indoors. Caulk or seal the edges of wall outlets, fuse boxes,

light switches, cabinet edges along walls, any gaps between cabinets, voids below cabinets, the linoleum/bathtub interface and plumbing penetrations to prevent pests from moving along guidelines (wires, pipes, edges of walls) from one area to another. Cockroaches prefer to feel a surface above and below them (space about 3/8 Figure 4. Leave a 12-18-inch bare zone (i.e., pull back the mulch next to the foundation to prevent providing a inches high or smaller), so areas where floor tile is bridge to subterranean termites over the termiticide- loose, wallpaper or other surface is peeling, or treated zone). Formica is loose on counterparts, all need to be resealed to reduce cockroach harborage. Remove debris (firewood, boards and other clutter) from the base of buildings to discourage 4. Household Pest Control Measures to rodents from nesting; this in turn could reduce Supplement Prevention Measures snake and tick problems. Firewood can also Sanitation and exclusion measures can be thought harbor large cockroaches, carpenter ants, wood- of as prevention. Even though diligent efforts boring beetles, termites and others. Reducing have been applied to reducing pests’ access to insect populations around or under structures food, water and shelter, some pests may should decrease their predators such as centipedes still occur. and scorpions. Vacuuming There are alternative control measures to pesticides. A vacuum can be used to remove occasional invaders. If a pesticide was sprayed, the dead pests would still need to be removed. A wet/dry vac with a soapy water solution may be

more useful when pests are very abundant.

Vacuuming can also be used for initial control

(cleanout) of cockroach infestations and is especially useful in sensitive environments such as schools and health care facilities. A HEPA or other filter that screens allergens should be used on the vacuum to prevent the allergens from becoming airborne. Vacuuming can also supplement other pest control efforts. Vacuuming Figure 5. Repair plumbing leaks as quickly as possible. areas frequented by pests prior to flea pesticide Moisture attracts termites to the structure. treatments can remove 60 percent of the flea eggs

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 8 and about 27 percent of the larvae. It also removes used on a discretionary basis. The use of organic matter and fecal blood the larvae need to “foggers” or space sprays should be discouraged. feed on to mature. Stimulus provided by the vacuum causes the adult to emerge from the Baits are available in tamper-resistant bait cocoon, and, if not vacuumed, the adult which stations, gels, pastes and granular formulations. was protected in the cocoon will now be exposed These are very effective in reducing risk of to insecticide applications. It is important to exposure to pesticides for several reasons: dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag immediately after use in an outside garbage can with a tight- 1) They are premixed or packaged, reducing the fitting lid to prevent reinfestation. Clean out threat of exposure during mixing; bagless vacuums as instructed by the 2) They are usually formulated at low manufacturer. concentrations; 3) Typically they contain slow-acting toxicants with caution signal words;

4) They are placed in cracks and crevices or other protected areas to increase exposure to the pest and to limit exposure to children, pets and other nontarget organisms; and

5) The toxicant is placed in a carrier that attracts the pest and often the pest transfers this bait to other members of a colony.

Figure 6. Use a knee-high stocking over the end of the vacuum tube to catch bed bugs (and other pests) and Why Isn’t More Better? prevent them from infesting the vacuum. Over-applying pesticides can: • Damage the plants in the lawn, garden or

Traps the treatment site. Many different types of traps are available to • Increase the possibility of exposure. control vertebrate pests ranging from snap traps to • Waste money. multiple catch traps to other live traps (see • Hurt the environment. Extension publication PB 1624). Mice and rats typically use the edges of the wall as guidelines. Insect growth regulators (IGRs) are chemicals that The trigger of the snap traps should be placed near either mimic the hormones that occur in insects or the wall. Mouse traps should be placed 10-12 feet prevent the formation of chitin used in the insect’s apart. Glue boards can also be used to trap and exoskeleton (outer shell). Examples of IGRs are control rodent populations. Fly light traps with hydroprene, methoprene and pyriproxyfen. Many sticky boards placed 3-4 feet above corners or products containing pyriproxyfen or methoprene along walls where they will not compete with have become available to consumers for natural lighting are excellent monitoring tools and flea control. may also provide control. Dusts can be injected into walls and other closed Pesticides spaces. It is important to apply only a light Pesticides are often needed to supplement the dusting. Too many puffs can result in a thick layer above procedures. To reduce the risk of exposure which could be repellent. Boric acid, silica from pesticides use baits, insect growth aerogel and diatomaceous earth are examples of regulators, dusts in voids, and spray formulations inorganic dusts. Other dusts include pyrethroids. It in crack and crevices. Spot treatments should be is important to wear proper safety equipment

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 9 when applying dusts. Always follow the label Ultrasonic Pest Control Devices instructions for safety. Ultrasonic sound waves have been tested extensively for pest control in the laboratory and Microencapsulated or wettable powder field; most research results indicate these devices formulations can be used in cracks and crevices. are not effective. Crack-and-crevice applications can be performed by using a sprayer or aerosol with a plastic tip that fits on the end of the nozzle. Safety Precautions Pesticides are poisons, but they are safe to use Exposure can be further minimized if the crack when properly handled and applied. and crevice is sealed after the pesticide application. Many of the wettable powders and Protect yourself when applying and mixing microencapsulated and newer formulations are pesticides. available to professionals. Insecticides for homeowners’ use are often available in other • Wear a hat, long-sleeved shirt, long pants or coveralls, unlined neoprene or rubber gloves ready-to-use formulations such as aerosols (leather or cloth [including linings] absorb and pumps. pesticides), socks and boots, especially in wet grass, because of increased chance the Selecting the Best Formulation for a Site pesticide will contaminate footwear. Select pest control products that have detailed • Read label carefully to determine steps for label directions and always follow label mixing, applying and storing pesticides and directions. Select recommended pesticide to determine if other protective equipment formulations and equipment to apply pesticide to such as goggles, rubber apron or a respirator the infested area. Select products and methods is needed. that are most closely tailored for the particular • Take extra precautions when mixing because type of environment. For example, for long the pesticide is more concentrated. residual activity in a dry situation, use a dust or • Mix outdoors in good lighting and fresh air. bait; for residual treatments on a porous surface, spray a microencapsulated or wettable powder. • Wash off at once any pesticide spilled on skin. Use emulsifiable concentrates where appearance is important. Emulsifiable concentrates tend to • Do not touch surfaces that have been sprayed penetrate porous surfaces and therefore do not with insecticides until they are dry. leave much pesticide at the surface. Spot test a • The pesticide label will recommend time to small area before applying a pesticide to re-enter the treated site. determine any adverse effects. For a surface • To determine if carpets are dry before application of a residual insecticide where entering, place a paper towel on the carpet. appearance is not too important, use a wettable With shoes on, step on the paper towel. If a powder or microencapsulated spray. Wettable wet spot appears, carpet is not dry. Repeat powders may leave a white residue on surfaces. procedure a few hours later. Keep solutions and mists away from open flames • Keep emergency response numbers, such as or sparks. Around electrical installation, use a dust the National Poison Control Centers (800- or bait station. On or around plants, use a wettable 222-1222) and medical emergency (911), powder or dust. Few wettable powders are nearby. available to consumers. • Use protective gear when cleaning equipment. • Store all pesticides in a safe place out of reach of children or irresponsible persons.

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 10 The following pages list recommended procedures and, if necessary, pesticides to use to control specific pests. Remember to reduce the pest’s access to food, water and shelter. This may provide control by itself. If pesticides are needed, they are more likely to provide control if access to these necessities are limited. Pesticides to be used by professionals are printed in bold in this publication. They are not suggested for homeowner use, but are to act as a guide when receiving professional services. More information on pests can be found in the UT Extension publications (SPs, PBs, Ws) listed in the tables by visiting extension.tennessee.edu/Pages/default.aspx and entering the publication number in the search box.

Click on insect name for recommended procedures.

Ants Chiggers Kissing Bugs Snails and Slugs Fire Ants Clothes Moths Mice Snakes Carpenter Ants Clover Mites Millipedes Sowbugs or Pillbugs Bats Cockroaches Mites, Bird or Rodent Spiders or Scorpions Bean Weevils Crickets Moles Springtails Book Lice Elm Leaf Beetles Mosquitos Termites Bed Bugs Earwigs Pantry Pests Ticks Boxelder Bugs Fleas Powderpost beetles Wasps, Hornets, Carpenter Bees Flies Rats Yellowjackets Carpet Beetles Fungus Gnats Silverfish and Firebrats Centipedes Head Lice Skunks

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CONTROL MATERIALS PESTS DESCRIPTION AND METHODS REMARKS

ANTS Ants have elbowed antennae, a Do not spray near baits!! Baits Professionals have access to PB 1629 thread-like waist with one or should contain slow-acting more baits and sprays than two bumps. Unmated ingredients such as abamectin, homeowners and professionals reproductives have wings, the hydramethylnon, dinotefuran, W 4 73 are trained to use them. Call a front wings are larger than the fipronil, indoxacarb, disodium pest management professional if hind wings. Workers ants are octaborate tetrahydrate, boric an ant problem persists. wingless. Ants are social acids, and borax so they are insects. Colonies are usually distributed well throughout established by a queen. Workers the colony. Follow good sanitary and exclusion practices. Exploit the Argentine ant feed the queen, care for the brood and defend the nest. Indoors: worker caste by using baits. Workers travel along well- Baits: Find foragers and place bait marked trails between the nest Most ants feed on sweets, but near the foraging trails. Workers and food source. odorous house ants and Argentine then bring the bait back to the ants don’t feed on oils very often, nest where it is distributed so try Terro Ant Killer II among all members of the Acrobat ant (odorous, Argentine), Combat colony. You must kill queen(s) Ant Killing Gel (Argentine ants), (and all the immatures for Hot Shot Ultra Liquid Ant Bait Pharaoh ants) to eliminate a (odorous, Argentine), as well as colony. other sweet and protein baits for

these ants. Spraying for ants indoors often Odorous house ant Myrmicine ants, such as Pharaoh worsens the problem by causing ants, big-headed ants, little black the colony to split into many ants and pavement ants feed on smaller colonies. Do NOT spray sweet liquid and gel baits listed for Pharaoh ants. If ants are above and other baits such as Hot foraging indoors from an Shot Maxattrax Ant Bait2, Raid outdoor nest, bait outdoors, Ant Baits, and Combat Ant exclude ants by sealing entry Pavement ant Killing Bait Indoor and Outdoor points such as window sills and Use bait stations. door steps, and/or spray entry points (barrier spray) into the Outdoors: structure. Baits: Spectracide Ant Shield Outdoor Killing Stakes Hot Shot Maxattrax Ant Bait2 Pharaoh ant

Barrier Sprays: bifenthrin 0.05% & Zeta- cypermethrin 0.0125% RTU beta-cyfluthrin RTU 0.05% gamma-cyhalothrin RTU 0.025%

ANTS-FIRE SP 419, PB 1739, PB 1158, PB 1788 Fire ant infestations on home lawns are often managed with a two-step approach: 1. Broadcast a fire ant bait over the entire lawn or area to be managed first. IGR baits are distributed especially well because they don’t affect the worker. 2. 7-10 days later, apply granules, a drench, dust, or fast-acting bait (hydramethylnon, indoxacarb, abamectin, or spinosad), to the individual mounds that are likely to be encountered by people. More thorough discussions of IFA management options are provided in the publications listed above. A list of products labeled for fire ants are updated regularly and can be found at “Imported Fire Ants In Tennessee” (fireants.utk.edu) under “Resources“ and “Updates” and W 649 and W 652.

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 12 ANTS - CARPENTER Large, black, red or red-and- Dusts: Because carpenter ants can PB 1599 black ants that usually nest boric acid dusts cause structural damage, in damp wood. deltamethrin 0.05% D infestations are best treated Wingless workers 1/4 to 3/8 by a professional. inch long. Winged male and Sprays: Professionals have the female reproductives swarm beta-cyfluthrin RTU 0.05% knowledge, other pesticides from a colony. Carpenter ant bifenthrin 0.05% & Zeta- and special equipment needed cypermethrin 0.0125% RTU workers (wingless ants in the to successfully treat carpenter

colony) do not eat wood, but ant infestations. Baits: excavate smooth galleries in Apply indoors or outdoors, the wood to raise their young. according to label, where ants are Correct moisture problems, Piles of coarse sawdust or seen. repair leaks and ventilate. Find splintered wood indicate a and treat nests in wood parts. carpenter ant nest nearby. Terro Ant Killer II Drilling into the wood may be Dead insects falling from a Combat® Source Kill Max A2 necessary. Dust nests in wall wooden porch may indicate a Raid® Ant Gel voids. Do not apply sprays near carpenter ant nest above. Most electricity such as electrical often carpenter ants are located outlets or fuse boxes. outdoors and foragers are entering the home in search of Some success has been found water or food. Trim branches using ant baits for carpenter ant away from structure. Seal control, but it is not always a possible entry points successful technique at this such as doors, windows and time. Professionals can place areas where pipes and wires baits where ants are actively enter the structure. If ants are foraging. Do not spray ants or nesting outdoors and foraging trails with fast-acting sprays indoors, potential entry points (pyrethoids or insecticides can be sprayed. ending in “thrin”) if baiting because it will prevent the bait from being brought back to the nest.

BATS Night-flying creatures invade Treat area with insecticides to Close entrance holes with wire PB 1624 attics and similar areas. control external parasites, screening to exclude bats after including bed bugs, bat bugs, they have left the resting area. fleas, mites and lice after bats Seal opening with expandable excluded. See flea, bed bug and foam. mites section.

BEAN WEEVILS Small, gray beetles and white Non-chemical control: Either worms cut round holes in destroy the infested products or dried beans and peas. salvage them by super heating May attack in field or in to 140 degrees F for 1/2 hour, or storage. super cooling in a deep freeze at 0 degree F for at least 4 days. Store insect-free beans in containers with tight lids.

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 13 BED BUGS Flat, oval, reddish, Foggers are ineffective. Very difficult to control. Use

PB 1763 wingless insects. an experienced pest Use a duster to lightly apply silicon SP 761 Bloodsucking. Night management professional. If feeders. dioxide (diatomaceous earth) to professional treatment is cost

cracks and crevices of bed frame prohibitive, residents can help and bedroom. lower bed bug populations by

using diatomaceous earth and Dust should not be present in nonchemical controls. Most of piles. the insecticides available to

residents are pyrethroids and Garden Safe Crawling Insect Killer there is widespread bed bug Harris Diatomaceous Earth Bed resistance to these chemicals. Bug Powder Practice prevention. Launder Hot Shot Bedbug Killer Dust with bedding and clothing (bed bugs Diatomaceous Earth must experience 122 F; dry clothing should reach these temps in a dryer in ~ 20 minutes). Bag clothing in sealed plastic bags after drying. Cover mattresses and boxsprings with bed bug proof encasements (Protecta-Bed, Mattress Safe, etc.). Vacuum all cracks and crevices (use knee-hi on end of tube prior to attachment placement to catch bugs, tie off knee-hi and discard in outdoors trash). Use bed bug monitors ClimbUp Insect Interceptors, BlackOut Bedbug Detectors, etc.) under bed legs and other places. Difficult-to-treat items (appliances, lamps, etc.) can be treated with Nuvan Prostrips (amvac.com/products/nuvan- prostrips) in bags but may not kill all bed bugs in protected locations. Infested items that can’t be heated or otherwise treated, can be removed after wrapping in plastic. Reduce clutter and seal cracks and crevices to reduce hiding places for the bugs.

BOOK LICE Small, soft-bodied, cream- Bengal Insecticide Concentrate Large numbers of book lice colored to grayish or light develop under excessive humid brown, wingless, fast conditions, moldy books, moving. Feed on molds, papers, bags or cereals. Dry out fungi. Found in books, infested areas. Destroy infested cereals, wallpaper, boxes. material of little value. May damage products which contain starch.

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 14

BOXELDER BUGS Flat, 1/2-inch long, 1/3-inch bifenthrin 0.05% & zeta- These insects may be found on SP 341-H wide, dark brownish-black, with cypermethrin 0.0125% RTU buildings in the spring and fall. Large 3 lengthwise red stripes behind beta-cyfluthrin RTU 0.05% numbers collect on siding, around the head. Wings leathery at base. gamma-cyhalothrin RTU 0.025% doors, sunny walls and attics. Use exclusion practices before pests Membranous at tip with red become apparent. Inside, vacuum into veins; abdomen is red. Nymphs a dry vac. Avoid use of space sprays if are smaller, wingless and bright bugs found in wall voids. Dead bugs red. in wall voids could serve as carpet beetle food. Eliminate female (seedpod-bearing) boxelder trees. Outside: vacuum the bugs into water mixed with 1 teaspoon of a liquid detergent per gallon of water in wet/dry vacuum cleaner tank. Treat listed sites on label when bugs are first seen. Professionals have access to insecticides with longer residuals.

BROWN An invasive pest that feeds If exclusion methods aren’t Pest-proof by late summer using MARMORATED STINK on many crops and working completely, they may be techniques described in PB 1303. BUG (BMSB) ornamental plants during the supplemented with outdoor If supplemental pesticide applications are deemed W 779 growing season and then treatments. If perimeter treatments necessary, make exterior spot, continues its pest status as it are applied, it is best to spray these in the fall before the bugs start crack and crevice and/or void invades homes to overwinter. aggregating on structures. applications where these pests may harbor or hibernate, such as Insecticides will have limited cracks and crevices, in weep BMSB adults are shield persistence outdoors in the sunlight holes, wall voids, around shape, about 5/8 inches long, and rain and may have limited just about as long as wide, window and door frames, attic effectiveness against preventing the vents and behind siding, in late mottled brownish-grey with brown marmorated stink bug from summer/early fall before the black antennae marked with entering structures. pests arrive. Pyrethroid labels a whitish band on the next to are more restrictive so read label last segment, dark bands on Pyrethroid Perimeter Treatments carefully. Indoor light traps may the membranous part of the help reduce populations inside wings, and coppery or bluish BioAdvanced Home Pest Control and are most effective late metallic punctures (small, Indoor & Outdoor Insect Killer winter/early spring when the round depressions) on the RTU bugs are leaving the structure. head and pronotum). Vacuum bugs found inside into Enforcer BugMax Home Pest knee-hi stocking placed on the Abdominal segments end of the vacuum tube prior to protruding from the wings Control attachment placement. After are marked with black-and- Spectracide Bug Stop Home vacuuming, remove knee-hi, tie white bands. Barrier Indoor Plus Outdoor Insect off, place in a sealed bag and in outside garbage can. If BMSB Control See found on walls in large numbers, they can be removed by eddmaps.org/bmsb/distributio removing the top of a capless n.cfm?map=distribution for plastic soda bottle at the widest the latest brown marmorated part of the neck, inverting it and stink bug distribution. placing back on the bottle to create a funnel trap. When the edge of the modified bottle is moved up the wall towards a BMSB aggregation, the bugs will drop into the trap. Soda bottles can be sealed in a plastic bag and placed in the freezer for a few days. Frozen or drown bugs can be disposed of outdoors in a garbage can or compost pile. Flushing BMSB down the toilet will waste water and is not recommended.

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 15 CARPENTER BEES 1/2- to 4/5-inch long with a Apply dusts into the gallery Nonchemical or preventive W 876 blue-black, green or purple openings: controls include painting or metallic sheen. Color and Apicide (carbaryl 5%) varnishing wood surfaces. Use size resemble a bumble bee, deltamethrin 0.05% D a straight wire to break up cells but the top of the abdomen is in tunnels. Individual bees can hairless. be killed with a badminton Sprays: racquet. In the spring, puff Bee/Wasp Killer Aerosols insecticidal dusts into nest These bees chew a circular, beta-cyfluthrin RTU 0.05% holes in the evening when the 3/8-inch entrance hole into Ortho Home Defense Max carpenter bees are at rest. wood and nesting gallery 4-6 Termite and Destructive Bug Allow bees access to the nest inches long at a right angle to Killer Concentrate (bifenthrin) for at least 24 hours. Seal the the entrance hole. Galleries hole with 3/8-inch diameter used for several years may Foam: dowel or cork and wood glue to extend 10 feet. prevent reinfestation. Spectracide Termite Killing

Foam 2 Carpenter bees overwinter in previously used galleries, so the structure should also be inspected in the fall. Repaint sealed area to possibly prevent woodpecker damage.

CARPET BEETLES Apply spot treatments of Carpet beetles infest SP 341-I insecticides to infested or suspect carpeting, clothing, fur, areas, but not to clothing. See upholstered furniture, books, precautionary statements about bird nests, milk powders, Black Carpet Beetle Adult 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch in pesticides staining carpets. articles of animal products, length; black; brown legs. feathers, wool, silk and other Larva 3/8 inch in length; beta-cyfluthrin RTU 0.05%, materials of animal origin. carrot-shaped; covered with bifenthrin 0.05% & Zeta- Locate food source and short hair and has long cypermethrin 0.0125% RTU remove, if possible. Use good

terminal bristles. gamma-cyhalothrin RTU 0.025% housekeeping such as

cleaning floor and carpets regularly. Dry clean clothes

Common; or Furniture; or regularly. Stored materials Varied Carpet Beetles subject to damage should be Adults 1/8 inch long with thoroughly cleaned and stored white and orange; or yellow, in tight container with moth white and black; or white, crystals. Caution: moth brown and yellow spots; crystals may stain clothing. larva with long black to Treat cracks, crevices and brown hairs. hidden area of walls, closets or stored materials, under carpets, etc.

CENTIPEDES Many long, slim legs, long Indoors: Feed on insects. Can bite. antennae and fast-moving. beta-cyfluthrin RTU 0.05%, Usually not numerous. Active gamma-cyhalothrin RTU 0.025% at night. Nonchemical control: leave a 12-18-inch bare zone Outside: next to foundation base. Move beta-cyfluthrin RTU 0.05% wood piles and other clutter bifenthrin 0.05% & Zeta- away from structure. Spot- cypermethrin 0.0125% RTU treat cracks and crevices, door gamma-cyhalothrin RTU 0.025% thresholds and moldings where pest may crawl or as directed by label. Residuals may not provide total control. Treatments may need to come into direct contact with pest.

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 16 CHIGGERS Very tiny mites that get on If needed, treat yard with a labeled Mow lawn regularly. Remove weeds and brambles from fence people and cause blotches insecticide every 4-6 weeks, and according to label. rows. Using commercial and itching. Don’t invade repellents around ankles and waist homes, but get in yards and cyfluthrin Ready-to-spray may provide personal protection. wooded areas. 0.75% Apply deet repellent to skin and other synthetic pyrethroid G Permanone 0.5% spray to shoes, cuffs and socks 2 hours before. wearing CLOTHES Brownish moths, wingspread Brush and clean susceptible items Adults are not attracted to light and will fly to a dark corner when MOTHS 1/2" long. Larvae are 1/16- periodically. Sweep or vacuum to remove dust or lint to prevent pests. disturbed. Usually found on SP 341-J 1/3" long. Gray silken cases infested materials, wool, fur, or webbing over surface of Also vacuum prior to treatment. Dry clean and moth proof clothing with feathers, hair, upholstered furniture, nonsynthetic carpets, dust and lint. fabric. moth crystals in tight sealing Apply sprays to cracks and crevices container. Do not spray clothes. in closets and spot-treat other Any ready-to-use or concentrated infested areas. See precautions on liquid spray labeled for this pest. moth crystals about staining beta-cyfluthrin 0.05% clothing.

CLOVER MITES Tiny (1/30 inch) mites, Household sprays control by contact Invade homes from the yard in in home: great numbers in fall and leave in brown to olive green with spring. Stain walls or fabrics pair of long front legs. bifenthrin 0.05% & & Zeta- reddish-brown when crushed. cypermethrin 0.0125% RTU Keep grass and shrubs from direct gamma-cyhalothrin RTU 0.025% contact with house. Good weed control in turf and a vegetation-free Outdoors use: border of 12-18 inches around bifenthrin 0.05% & Zeta- home will help. cypermethrin 0.0125% RTU Apply sprays to points of entry gamma-cyhalothrin RTU 0.025% such as foundations, windows and (perimeter treatment) doors.

COCKROACHES Baits in cracks and crevices: Prevent access to food, water and PB 1024 German cockroach: About Combat Source Kill Max R3, Hot Shot shelter. Practice good sanitation Ultra Clear Roach & Ant Gel Bait in food handling, storage and 5/8" in length, pale brown or tan with 2 parallel dark streaks eating areas. Control moisture, German Cockroach Baits for small roaches: Combat Max prevent leaks or condensation. on pronotum. Usually most 12 month Roach Killing Bait for Small Seal off harborage sites such as abundant in the kitchen and Roaches (bait stations), Combat Roach cracks and crevices with caulk, bathrooms. Most common Killing Bait Strips, Raid Double etc. Also use exclusion practices home-infesting cockroach. Control Small Roach Baits with Egg to prevent cockroach movement. Stopper, HotShot Ultra Liquid Roach Use glue boards or sticky traps

Brownbanded Bait, BioAdvanced Home Pest Roach placed along edges in dark places

cockroach:1/2" to 5/8" in Killer Gel, others. to locate and monitor cockroach populations. length, dark brown with 2 Brown Banded or Furniture Do not spray or dust near baits because pale bands traversing wings. cockroaches could be repelled. Baiting is the preferred method Cockroach Widely distributed for cockroach control. Apply throughout the house in Lightly dust voids with baits to cracks, crevices, pipes walls, closets, furnishings insecticidal dusts containing boric opening into walls, joints of and appliances, but abundant acids. furniture and cabinets, pipe in kitchens. conduits, and elsewhere as Sprays: indicated by glue board catches. Oriental cockroach: 1 1/4" in beta-cyfluthrin RTU 0.05% Oriental Cockroach bifenthrin 0.05% & Zeta- If you choose to spray, use length, dark reddish-brown to cypermethrin 0.0125% RTU precautions to keep chemicals out black; wings do not surpass gamma-cyhalothrin RTU 0.025% of food, spices and off dishes or end of abdomen. Usually Bengal Gold Roach Spray eating utensils. Do not apply found in lower floors, outdoors sprays where electrical shorts or in crawl space. Frequents may occur; use baits or dusts in water meters, floor drains or these areas. Do not use sprays moist, dark areas. when baiting because cockroaches will be repelled from American Cockroach the baits. Read label carefully; American cockroach: 1 1/2" in some products may not be labeled length, reddish-brown with for food handling areas. pale yellow band around pronotum. May be found throughout house, outdoors, in crawl spaces, sewers, water meters and garbage cans.

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 17 CRICKETS Black or beige jumping insects Sprays May damage clothing. Repeat with long antennae. Cave or treatment as needed. Spray entry beta-cyfluthrin RTU 0.05% points into structure. Camel camel crickets are humped and gamma-cyhalothrin RTU 0.025% crickets infest damp basements, brown. under slabs and crawl spaces. Ventilate or dry these areas. Active at night. Apply sprays into cracks and crevices where crickets dwell. Use exclusion practices. Glue boards can be used indoors around entry points and other places in basements, etc. EARWIGS Easily identified by pair of Indoors: Earwigs are incidental invaders "pinchers" at end of abdomen. bifenthrin 0.05% & Zeta- into houses. They usually dwell in cypermethrin 0.0125% RTU leaf litter, mulch and woodpiles gamma-cyhalothrin RTU 0.025% and are common “hitchhikers” on Outdoors: vegetables harvested from the bifenthrin garden. Moving compost piles 0.05% & away from the house will aid pest Zeta- control. Insecticidal control is usually unnecessary for this insect. cypermethrin 0.0125% RTU If needed, spray possible entry gamma-cyhalothrin RTU 0.025% points and mulched area around the house. FLEAS Small, 1/16" long, reddish-brown, On pet: Step 1. With veterinarian supplied CATS, KITTENS, & PUPPIES ARE PB 1596 wingless insect. Body compressed products that are currently laterally (from the sides), legs long MORE SENSITIVE TO available, control of fleas in small- and adapted for jumping. INSECTICIDES!!!!!! to moderate-sized infestations is Consult a veterinarian and always likely to occur by using those pet read the label prior to treating a pet. treatment products alone. May take Adult fleas prefer to feed on dogs, Beware of imitation products. 2 months to completely break flea cats, opossums, foxes and Veterinarian supplied products - life cycle. If pet treatment alone sometimes rats and other urban usually kill fleas within 12-36 hours or does not provide sufficient control, animals. When pets are not sooner and provides 90-95% control for initiate a complete control program available, humans are attacked. about 30 days: see flea control pesticide by April. Larvae are worm-like and feed recommendation at Step 2. Vacuum infested areas on blood and organic matter in extension.uga.edu/content/dam/extensi twice a week and prior to treatment house or yard. on/programs-and-services/integrated- pest- to remove eggs, larvae, adults and management/documents/handbooks/20 organic matter. Dispose of the 20-pmh-home- vacuum cleaner bag immediately chapters/Animals%20(Pets%20and%20 after use in an outside garbage can Honey%20Bee).pdf for a thorough with a tight-fitting lid to prevent listing of veterinarian supplied on-pet reinfestation. Clean out bagless products. vacuums as instructed by the manufacturer. Steam-cleaning Spot-treat infested areas and pet resting carpet may also reduce areas inside populations. Eliminate fleas from Insect Growth Regulators [and pets, bedding and premises before adulticides]: departing on vacation. pyriproxyfen [and pyrethroid] Step 3. Treat pet resting areas Bengal Full Season Flea indoors and clean or remove pet Killer Plus 2 bedding on the same day. Insect Enforcer Flea Spray for growth regulators important to Home break flea life cycle. A Enforcer Flea Spray For combination of an insect growth Carpets & Furniture XX regulator and an adulticide may be the most efficient formulation to methoprene [and pyrethroid] use. Raid Flea Killer Plus Carpet and Room Step 4. Mow grass, keep weeds Spray down and trim shrubs to expose flea eggs and larvae to lethal Adulticides: dessication. Irrigating areas pyrethrins surrounding buildings, but not bifenthrin 0.05% & Zeta- against building, may kill fleas by cypermethrin 0.0125% RTU drowning. If fleas are surviving gamma-cyhalothrin RTU 0.025% outdoors, apply insecticide to labeled areas. Outdoor Premise Treatment Keep pets and people out of (when specified on label): treated area (indoors and pyriproxyfen (Archer and outdoors) until surface sprays others) dry.

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 18 FLIES Adult flies of these three species Exclude flies in the fall by sealing Cluster fly larvae are parasites Face flies, small cluster hibernate in attics and wall voids. entry points, screening behind all of earthworms. Cluster flies about 1/3-inch long, vents, sealing holes in walls and attics flies and blue bottle flies dark gray, with checkered black prior to pest entry in fall. Vacuum or Face fly larvae develop in cow and silver abdomen, with gold use pyrethrin sprays to kill exposed patties. Adults hibernate in attics hairs on thorax of newly flies. Use black light trap with sticky and wall voids. emerged adults. Face fly similar surface. in appearance to the house fly. Adult blue bottle flies have a dull Blue bottle fly larvae develop in gray thorax and a shiny blue garbage, decaying meat, dead abdomen. animals, fish and excrement.

House Flies About 1/4" in length, dull Remove larval food sources. Larvae develop in warm gray color with 4 organic matter of animal or longitudinal dark stripes on For temporary relief of adult flies vegetable origin. Remove the thorax. in homes trash at least twice a week to Victor Fly Catcher Sticky Tape reduce fly populations in Various light traps homes. Screen windows and OrthoHome Defense Fly Bait doors. Garbage cans should Decal for Windows have tight-fitting lids. Use

insect light traps indoors. Use pyrethrin aerosol for Sanitation is very important. temporary relief inside home.

Apply residual sprays on outside locations where flies rest. beta-cyfluthrin RTU 0.05% gamma-cyhalothrin RTU 0.025% Bottle Flies 1/2" in length; green metallic Remove larval food sources. Bottle flies indoors often Green Bottle Fly Blue Bottle color See house fly indicate a dead mouse or Fly Bronze Bottle Fly Black 1/2" in length; blue metallic other animal in wall voids, Bottle Fly color attic, basement, etc. Dispose 1/2" in length; bronze metallic of dead animal carcasses, color animal excrement, etc. 1/3" in length; shiny grey Garbage cans should have thorax and dull blue tight-fitting lids. metallic abdomen.

Fruit Fly or Vinegar Fly 1/8 inch long, red eyes, tan head Remove larval food source. Egg to adult in 8-11 days. and thorax, abdomen gray- Traps may aid control. Pyrethrin Larvae in decaying fruit, black. aerosols for adults. vegetables and garbage cans. Adults around larvae.

Moth Fly or Drain Fly Small, scaly or hairy, moth- Sanitation. Remove moist Adults rest on walls or foliage. like flies. Wing veins parallel organic materials, clean drains 3-4 weeks from egg to adult. with wire brush; and reduce Breed in drain pipes, sinks and organic matter lining drains by very moist organic solids. applying enzymatic or similar cleaners monthly.

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 19 FUNGUS GNATS Adults 1/8 to 1/4 inch long. Avoid over-watering plants; let soil Adults attracted to light. They are SP 341-C Run rapidly over surfaces. dry out somewhat between often found in windows and soil in Slender, gray larvae have shiny waterings. Decoy pots of sprouting potted plants. black head and white thread- grain may be used to attract adult like body. females, which lay their eggs in these pots. Remove and dispose of infested decoy pots every two weeks and replace with new decoy pots of sprouting grain. Flying insect sprays will kill adults but not solve problem.

HEAD LICE Tiny, flat insects found in Permethrin (Nix); Wash infested clothing and SP 341-S human hair. Pyrethrins 0.3% and piperonyl bedding with strong soap and very hot water; tumble dry on high butoxide 3% (Rid, A-200, R & C, etc.) heat. Do not share hair brushes, caps, etc. Use special combs to remove nits (eggs). Nits hatch by 10 days, so another application may be needed at this time. Follow label directions. Avoid group “selfies” when head lice present. See cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/treatm ent.html for further details. If crawling lice are still seen after a full course of treatment contact your health care provider. KISSING BUG or Two species of kissing bugs exist in Prevention Kissing bugs are nocturnal feeders CONENOSE BUG Tennessee, Seal cracks and gaps around windows, found near animal nests or pest resting Triatoma sanguisuga and Triatoma walls, roofs and doors. areas. Hosts include opossums, lecticularia, but neither are Remove wood, brush and rock piles near raccoons, armadillos, birds, bats, commonly encountered. These dark your house to eliminate harborage for rodents, skunks, coyotes, cats and insects are approximately 1-1 ½ rodents, other vertebrates and kissing bugs. dogs, among others. Many adult inches long in the adult stage, with Remove bird nests. kissing bugs or multiple nymphal 12 yellow, red or orange bands Screen doors, windows and vents, and stages could indicate a breeding around the edge of the abdomen. The repair holes or tears. population is present. These bugs often head is cone-shaped with large eyes Sleep under fine mesh netting if unable to establish in homes that are poorly and beak-like mouthparts attached exclude pests. constructed (i.e., not sealed well). near the front of the head and held Ensure exterior lights are not close to the under the body at rest. The piercing house (lights can attract the bugs) or use If kissing bugs are found indoors, mouthparts are used to feed on the sodium vapor lights next to the home. check areas near pet resting sites, blood of vertebrate animals including Seal openings and crevices leading to the rodent infestations and bedrooms, humans. Kissing bugs are the attic, crawl space and outside. especially around beds and end tables. primary vector of the protozoan Pets should sleep indoors, especially at parasite causing Chagas disease; night. For more information, see however, Chagas disease rarely Reduce clutter inside homes to reduce cdc.gov/parasites/chagas/gen_info/vect occurs in Tennessee. One local potential harborage for kissing bugs as is ors/index.html vector-borne human case occurred in done with bed bugs. Tennessee between 1955 and 2010; Keep your house and any outdoor pet citybugs.tamu.edu/factsheets/biting- however, nine Chagas cases occurred resting areas clean, in addition to stinging/others/ent-3008 in Tennessee since 2010, of which systematically checking these areas for the one was locally acquired, two were presence of kissing bugs. kissingbug.tamu.edu/faq acquired outside the country, and the Synthetic pyrethroids have effectively origin of the other six cases was controlled kissing bug infestations in areas entnemdept.ifas.ufl.edu/Creatures/UR unknown. The protozoan is present where Chagas disease regularly occurs; BAN/Triatoma_sanguisuga.htm in the state; 6.4% of canines tested however, kissing bugs or conenose bugs positive in 2008. The parasite is are rarely listed on pesticide labels in spread to animals via feces rubbed Tennessee. If an infestation exists, into the kissing bug’s bite wound, or supplement prevention tactics with the an animals eyes, nose or mouth. application of a pyrethroid (cypermethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, deltamethrin or cyfluthrin) to entry points and cracks and crevices of potential harborage sites as long as these sites are listed on the label and the label doesn’t specifically exclude kissing bugs or conenose bugs.

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 20 KUDZU BUG Adult is 1/5 inch mottled If exclusion methods aren’t working Keep them out of the structure. W 358 brown, pea-shaped bug. Seeks completely, they may be Kudzu bugs can be difficult to overwintering sites in the fall supplemented with professionally keep out of homes as they are and is attracted to light- applied outdoor treatments. Products searching for an overwintering colored structures. Leaves containing indoxacarb, dinotefuran, site. Mechanical exclusion is the protected sites in spring to pyrethroids (such as b-cyfluthrin, most effective approach to feed primarily on kudzu. The bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, deltamethrin provide long-term control. Think next generation moves to and λ-cyhalothrin), or pyrethroids of all the places that kudzu bugs soybean and other legumes combined with neonicotinoids can enter the home and then deny and in the fall starts the (imidacloprid, acetamiprid, or them entry. Seal cracks around invasion cycle over again. thiomathoxam) have been found to be door frames (including crawl When crushed, kudzu bug can effective against kudzu bug, but don’t space entries), windows, utility release offensive odor and necessarily list this pest on the label. penetrations, siding, and wood stain surfaces in the home and Insecticides should be applied around fascia and other openings with can also cause skin irritation windows, doors and other entry points appropriate materials, such as kudzubug.org/homeowner as is done for other occasional quality silicone or silicone-latex First found in TN in 2012. See invaders. In general, pyrethroids are caulk. Weather stripping may be faster acting than other chemistries; kudzubug.org/distribution_map. needed around doors and windows however, new pesticide labels limit cfm for updated distribution. to provide tighter seals. If light professionally applied pyrethroids to can be seen under a door, door 1-inch bands around windows and doors when the surface is over a sweeps may be needed. Repair hardscape. Insecticides will have screens on doors and windows. limited persistence outdoors in the Screen behind crawl space, soffit sunlight and rain and may have and attic vents. Use chimney caps limited effectiveness against or screens when appropriate and preventing the kudzu bug from remove window unit air entering structures. conditioners, if possible, as this is Enforcer BugMax Home Pest Control a common entry point. Harris Home Pest Control Stink Bug Removal of kudzu bugs can be Killer achieved with a vacuum cleaner, but be prepared for the smell if large numbers are vacuumed at once. Vacuum bugs found inside into knee-hi stocking placed on the end of the vacuum tube prior to attachment placement. After vacuuming, remove knee-hi, tie off, and dispose in soapy water. Indoor application of insecticides is discouraged for several reasons. Bugs that die may provide food for other pests such as carpet beetles which in turn could damage woolen clothing and dried, stored products. Foggers may kill bugs that are present at the time, but won’t provide much control after the room is aerated. Misapplied foggers have resulted in fire or explosions. Sprays directed into cracks and crevices will still allow the bugs to emerge. Instead of treating indoor cracks and crevices where the bugs are emerging, seal them. Remove kudzu patches and plant legumes away from the structure to reduce outdoor kudzu bug populations nearby.

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 21 MICE Adults weigh about 1/2 Place snap traps, multiple catch Mice move in from outdoors in PB 1624 ounce. Dusky gray color, traps and glue boards along paths fall as temperatures decline. slender body, prominent traveled by mice. Traps or glue Exclusion practices needed – ears, tail about as long as boards should be placed every 8-12 mice can fit through an opening head and body. ft. Traps can be baited with: whole 1/4 inch in diameter. Sanitation: EPA’s final risk mitigation nuts, peanuts or peanut butter, dry remove access to food, water and decision requires that all rolled oatmeal, bacon squares, shelter. Rodents use edges of small wads of cotton or gumdrops. rodenticide bait products for walls, studs and pipes as Baited traps should be set at right sale to consumers be in guidelines. Remember to set traps angles to rodent runs. Place trap at tamper-resistant bait stations. where children and pets will not right angles to rodent pathway with Loose bait such as pellets will be hurt. Mice are curious and will trigger part of trap against the run. be prohibited as a bait form. normally approach traps the first night. If you don't catch a mouse in the first few nights, the trap is in the wrong location. MILLIPEDES Slender, brownish, multi- Outdoors: Usually occasional invaders, but may invade in large numbers. Under W 357 legged, hardshelled, 1-2 bifenthrin 0.05% & Zeta- inches long. Two pair of legs cypermethrin 0.0125% RTU these circumstances, nonchemical control may be more effective: per body segment. Invade beta-cyfluthrin RTU 0.05% remove mulch and other clutter gamma-cyhalothrin RTU 0.025% home from outdoors. from near the foundation, dethatch Harmless. lawns and water in the morning. Prune tree limbs to dry their habitat. Use exclusion practices. Treat entry points into structure, shady areas, ivy beds, flower beds and rock walls, leaf-litter or as directed by label. Millipedes will die within 2-3 days after entering a dry structure. Vacuum millipedes found indoors. Millipedes are not insects, so insecticides not always effective. Best control obtained when pest comes in direct contact with the insecticide.

MITES, BIRD or RODENT Mites occasionally found If widespread, space sprays of The first step in controlling bird or pyrethrins may be necessary. rodent mites is to eliminate the indoors because of rodent or bird nest in, on or near Cimexa Dust into cracks and host animals and remove their

structures. Some of these crevices. nesting sites. Often, the nests will mites may bite people. They Mites are not usually listed on be found in the attic, around the are small (about the size of a homeowner labels. Residuals eaves and rafters or in the gutters period), but can usually be such as those listed for fleas or chimney. Gloves should be may also work. used when handling dead animals. seen with the naked eye. Only apply products to areas listed on A respirator should also be worn label as for other pests. when removing nest materials to beta-cyfluthrin RTU 0.05% avoid inhaling fungal spores and bifenthrin 0.05% & Zeta- other potential disease-producing cypermethrin 0.0125% RTU organisms associated with the droppings. Spray crack and For bird cages crevice around infested area. See pyrethrin sprays such as UltraCare chiggers for repellents. If mites Mite and Lice Spray entering from outside, place double-sided sticky tape around windows and other similar entry points.

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 22 MOLES Small, furry animals that burrow Use mole traps of choker or Place trap in main runway. Tramp PB 1624 and tunnel in soil, causing raised harpoon type. Grubs only make down runs in several spots. Spots up a small amount of the mole's re-raised are in main run. Other ridges in yards. diet. Treating lawn for insects ways to identify main runway are would reduce food available to to look for straight course for moles, but probably would not some distance; a runway lead to control. connecting two mounds or other runways; one following a fence row, concrete path or other border; one that follows an edge of field or yard. MOSQUITOES Delicate insects that bite Treat larvae or wrigglers in standing Eliminate larval sites (standing SP 503-B humans and animals. Larvae water such as rain pools, intermittently water) around structure by flooded areas, stagnant water, etc. and pupae found in water. unclogging gutters, emptying with: Adults stay in shady bird baths, children’s pools, pet protected locations such as Bacillus thuringiensis bowls, flower pot saucers, old shrubbery, crawl spaces, etc. israeliensis (Bti): tires, and other containers Mosquito Bits around home twice a week. Mosquito Dunks Drain or fill low areas where water collects. Easiest to control methoprene mosquitoes in immature stage Pre-Strike Mosquito Torpedo because confined to water. If unable to remove standing Outside of buildings: use pyrethrin water, treat standing water as spray for temporary relief as aerosol or fogger; allowed with labeled insecticide. permethrin 0.15% in outdoor fogger. Repair screens. Reduce the number of areas Residual barrier (malathion, where adult mosquitoes can find permethrin, and other pyrethroids) can shelter by cutting down weeds be applied to vegetation on perimeter adjacent to the foundation and in of property that is prone to rapid yards, and mowing the lawn infestation of mosquitoes. This kills regularly. adults feeding on nectar in day and People should wear repellents some may act as a repellent. Spray other shady damp areas where when potentially exposed to mosquitoes rest. To protect mosquitoes. The CDC pollinators, do not spray when plants recommends repellents with in bloom and follow label carefully. these active ingredients: If needed indoors use flying insect N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide killers for temporary relief. (DEET) Picaridin IR3535 Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-methane-diol (PMD) 2-undecanone

Do not use OLE or PMD on children under 3 years of age. Do not use repellents on babies younger than 2 months old.

Mosquito netting can be used over infant carriers, cribs and strollers. Do not apply repellent to skin under clothing. If using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second. More information on repellents and their safe use can be found at cdc.gov/westnile/prevention/ index.html

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 23

MULTICOLORED ASIAN Multicolored Asian Lady Spray entry points the third week 1. Pest-Proof: seal entry points LADY BEETLE Beetles (MALB) start in September. If the beetles have before beetles arrive. not flown in 3 weeks, repeat spray 2. Treat roof lines or soffits, SP 503-C searching for overwintering sites, your home, on the first if allowed by label. vertical contrast areas, and entry or second day in the fall points (around the following when temperatures are bifenthrin 0.05% & Zeta- outdoor items: windows, doors, greater than 65 F after a cypermethrin 0.0125% RTU vents, pipe penetrations) with gamma-cyhalothrin RTU 0.025% pesticides before the beetles dramatic drop in temperature, deltamethrin RTU 0.02% arrive. usually to near freezing. This other pyrethroids 3. Remove dead beetles as they usually occurs about the third pile up because they may cause week in October. other MALB to aggregate. 4. If the beetles make their way into the home, use HEPA filter vacuum or try a light trap.

PANTRY PESTS Reddish brown to brownish Locate food source and discard. To prevent infestations: black, 1/8" long, flattened with Place grains, flours, nuts and other Saw-Toothed Grain Beetle 6 saw-tooth like projections on stored products in insect-proof 1) Inspect stored products thorax. Feeds in a wide variety containers when they are brought periodically. of stored products, cereals, home from store. nuts, dried fruit, cookies, 2) Practice good sanitation. candy, etc. Pheromone traps can indicate the presence of pests and may provide 3) Rotate stored product use so control without insecticides when older stores are used first and populations are low and pests none remain in storage

confined. indefinitely. Cigarette Beetle 1/8" long, oval, reddish

brown, head not visible from Vacuum cracks and crevices and 4) Have adequate ventilation to above, antennae saw-like. General feeder in tobacco, wipe down pantry to remove pests prevent moisture buildup in seasonings especially paprika, and food source. storage areas.

cereal, dried flowers, and a Often insecticide applications are 5) Use insect-proof package or wide variety of stored foods. NOT necessary. storage procedures wherever possible.

Indian Meal Moth 3/8" wing span, inner 2/3 of 6) Seal cracks and crevices to wing grayish, outer 1/3 of reduce pest hiding places in wing copper in color. Feeds in pantry. coarse grain products, chocolate, nuts, dried fruit. 7) Pheromone traps can indicate the presence of pests and are Rice Weevil available for: Indian meal moth, 1/8" long. Long snout on saw-toothed grain beetle, head, dark brown with 4 bright confused and red flour beetle, spots on wing cover. Feeds on cigarette beetle, drugstore beetle, grains. clothes moths and others.

See Bean Weevil for non- Confused Flour Beetle 1/8" long, reddish-brown chemical control. convex, oval shape, antennae gradually enlarged to end in a club. Cannot fly. Feeds in flour and cereal products.

Red Flour Beetle 1/8" long, reddish-brown convex oval shape, antennae has a distinct 3-segmented club. Feeds in flour and cereal products.

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 24 POWDERPOST AND OTHER We do not recommend that Determine extent of infestation. WOOD-BORING BEETLES homeowners attempt wood- Signs for Lyctid powderpost destroying beetle control beetles are: flour-like “frass” Lyctid powderpost beetle Shot-sized holes along with themselves. Seek a professional! dropping from pinhead-sized or flour-like powder indicate these slightly larger holes, Anobiid frass beetles. Attacks hardwoods such See POWDERPOST AND OTHER is more gritty than Lyctid; adult as oak, ash and hickory found in WOOD-BORING BEETLES A beetles attracted to light may be wood paneling, molding, window Quick Reference Guide to found on window sills or and door frames, plywood, Pesticides for Pest Management foundation vents. Important to hardwood floors and furniture. Professionals Working in and determine if infestation active or Antennae with 2-segmented club. Around Structures for pesticide not. Mark or seal existing holes, Head protrudes forward. suggestions. vacuum existing sawdust, recheck

Reinfests seasoned wood. wood for new holes in spring or Any wood-destroying beetle that early summer. These beetles has pupated prior to insecticide Attack hardwoods and damage wood slowly. If “frass” is application may be unaffected and Anobiid powderpost beetle softwoods. In addition to above, yellow, caked or covered with may continue to emerge. Insecticide they also attack beams, rafters, dust or debris, that damage is applications should prevent joists, studs and other structural probably old. Old house borers reinfestation. framing. Infestations found in can be detected by hollow sound when wood tapped. Stethoscope moist, poorly ventilated areas If an anobiid infestation spread into can be used to hear large old such as crawl spaces, basements, walls or between floors fumigation house borer larvae chewing in etc. Head hidden by pronotum. may be needed. Fumigation is costly spring and summer. Reinfest seasoned wood. and should only be considered as a Prevention: last resort. If only small articles 1) Don’t use old lumber from a Presence indicated by large hard- infested such as furniture, antiques, Roundheaded borers barn or wood pile unless it has shelled beetles with long feelers. etc., they can be fumigated at a been treated or kiln-dried. lower cost. Only professional pest Broadly-oval 1/4" emergence (2) Don’t use improperly dried or Old house borers control operators licensed to hole made by old house borer. fumigate can perform this operation. stored lumber. Larvae in tunnels packed with (3) Inspect firewood prior to

frass; 3 eye spots to left and right If all evidence indicates the bringing into structure. of mandibles. Beetle 3/4 inch infestation is localized, wood could (4) Paint, varnish or otherwise long, dark brown/black with “V” be replaced. This is often the option seal wood to prevent exposed or “W”-shaped markings on wing used for lyctids. Watch for new holes edges. covers; 2 bumps on thorax. in adjacent areas. (5) Seal previous emergence holes Reinfests seasoned softwoods to prevent egg-laying sites. (pine). Neat 1/2" holes may appear in If crawlspace wood infested with New houses usually infested by Others walls where beetles emerge. anobiids, decrease moisture in wood use of infested lumber. May also Don’t usually reinfest seasoned through ventilation and moisture come from firewood. softwoods (pine). barriers. Central heat and air may reduce wood moisture so there is Alternative controls for powder insufficient moisture to support large post beetles: small items, such as infestations in living areas. Wood picture frames, can be heated at kept below 12 percent moisture 120 to 140 F for six hours to kill should be unsuitable to Anobiid existing life stages. Freezing (0 powder post beetle reinfestation. F) infested wood for 72 hours Professionals may have a moisture will also kill all life stages. meter. RATS Norway rat: 12-18 inches, tail When rats are plentiful or where Exclusion practices needed. Rats PB 1624 shorter than head and body, unsanitary conditions exist with can fit through an opening 1/2 body heavy and thick, ears shelter, poisoned baits are the best inch in diameter. Locate small control method. Often community- entrance into structure and wide control needed. exclude. Use materials such as Roof rat: 12-17 inches, tail galvanized, stainless or other longer than head and body, EPA’s final risk mitigation decision non-rusting metal such as 24- body light and slender, ears requires that all rodenticide bait gauge sheet metal or 19-gauge larger. Roof rats becoming products for sale to consumers be in hardware cloth with 1/4 inch or more common in Shelby tamper-resistant bait stations. Loose smaller opening; brick, concrete County. bait such as pellets will be prohibited block, tile or glass; steel wool as a bait form. with expandable foam; and

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 25 RATS Young rat : 6-7 inches, feet others. Remove debris such as CONT’D large, head large piles of waste lumber or trash, used feed sacks, abandoned large House mouse: 6-7 inches, feet appliances, and wood piles from small, head small next to structure. Store pet foods

and seed in rodent-proof glass or Droppings identification: Roof rat: pointed, about ½ inch metal containers. Place snap traps, Norway rat: blunt, about 3/4 multiple catch traps and glue inch boards along paths traveled by House mouse: pointed, about rats. Of the snap traps, the 1/8 inch expanded trigger trap is the most versatile, since it can be baited. Rats are bait shy. Leave baits in place for at least a week before moving. Place trap 90 degrees to rodent pathway with trigger part of trap against the run. Rodents use edges of walls, studs and pipes as guidelines. Snap traps can be baited with whole nuts; raisins or grapes for roof rats; sardines packed in oil for Norway rats; peanuts or peanut butter; bacon squares; or small wads of cotton. Area-wide effort may be needed if many rats present.

SILVERFISH AND Grayish, wingless, rapid- bifenthrin 0.05% & Zeta- Treat cracks and crevices where FIREBRATS moving insects with 3 long cypermethrin RTU 0.05% silverfish and firebrats may dwell. tails. Feed on starchy materials beta-cyfluthrin RTU 0.0125% SP 341-O Attics many times source of such as bookbinding, gamma-cyhalothrin RTU 0.025% infestation; treatment in attic wallpaper, cardboard, etc. often necessary.

SKUNKS These animals many times live Bac-Azap biological odor Trap and remove skunks from in the ground around or under control or others can be PB 1624 property. Seal the foundation to homes. sprayed to eliminate odors. prevent entry under building.

SNAILS AND SLUGS Long, grayish, shiny, soft- Snail and slug killer baits containing Remove boards and plastic or bodied creatures. Will attack metaldehyde or iron phosphate. Do plant debris and dry, damp areas various plants. Leave slime not allow product to contact plant adjacent to foundation. trails on walks and walls. material.

SNAKES Snakes of various kinds, den Place a pile of cool, damp rags in Mouse-proof building. Mow around or invade homes and building where snake was last seen. PB 1624 lawns and field to control grass, other buildings. Snake will be attracted and can be weeds and brush. Remove boards,

removed. Large glue boards can trap flat rocks, trash piles and other snakes. debris that provide harborage for rodents.

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 26 SOWBUGS OR PILLBUGS Grayish, hard-shelled, many- Chemical control usually not Remove leaf piles, grass legged creatures appear on necessary for this pest. If needed, clippings, old boards, wood piles walks and patios. Pillbugs roll apply to infested areas outdoors and other debris from around up in ball when disturbed. around perimeter of structure. This foundation. Leave a 12-18-inch Occasional invaders. stops any invasion into the house. plant/mulch-free zone next to

foundation base. Use exclusion bifenthrin 0.05% & Zeta- cypermethrin 0.0125% RTU practices: caulk cracks around gamma-cyhalothrin RTU 0.025% foundation and screen vents in foundation. Drain and dry area around house. SPIDERS or SCORPIONS Many kinds invade homes, Residual Sprays in cracks and Most other species are beneficial basements and roof overhangs crevices: organisms because they feed on from outdoors. bifenthrin 0.05% & Zeta- pest insects. They are occasional cypermethrin 0.0125% RTU invaders that can be vacuumed or

beta-cyfluthrin RTU 0.05% swept out the door. Two spider species most gamma-cyhalothrin RTU 0.025% Remove wood or mulch piles dangerous in Tennessee: away from house to lower Indoor cracks and voids abundance of their insect food PB 1193 Black Widow: dark black spider Cimexa dust source. Apply insecticides to with red hour glass shape on cracks and crevices in crawl spaces, basements, attic, eaves and bottom of abdomen. More of an outdoor pest along perimeter of outdoor areas of home. Clean up

buildings. Use outside perimeter debris where scorpions and treatment with residuals. spiders hide. Replace outdoor lights with yellow bug lights.

Scorpions will fluoresce under a Brown Recluse: light brown black light, so they and their PB 1191 spider, with legs reaching to the breeding areas can easily be seen size of a quarter or half dollar, at night. Use glue boards to trap dark violin shape on back of spiders and locate infested areas. front portion of head, 3 pairs of Glue boards should be placed eyes arranged in a semi-circle. against walls and other guidelines Quite often a professional pest where spiders are suspected. management company should be used. Efforts to control brown recluse will cause spiders to become more Scorpions: have eight legs, a pair active. Prevent bites by checking of large pedipalps to catch prey, shoes and clothing before and a segmented abdomen that wearing, by pulling beds away ends in a stinger. from walls, and preventing bed skirting and bedspreads from touching the floor. SPRINGTAILS Small, jumping insects with a Treat entry areas, sills, foundations, soil Usually found in moist, decaying forked spring mechanism and cracks where insects are found vegetation and are incidental (according to label for other perimeter invaders into houses. There are a pests): few reports of large populations bifenthrin 0.05% & Zeta- cypermethrin 0.0125% RTU entering homes. Dry out beta-cyfluthrin RTU 0.05% surrounding landscape, water only gamma-cyhalothrin RTU 0.025% in morning, etc.

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 27 SUBTERRANEAN Termites invade and eat wood We do not recommend that Follow correct construction TERMITES and other cellulose material, homeowners attempt termite control practices. This is the best protection PB 1344 causing extensive damage in themselves. Seek a professional! against a termite infestation:(1) structural parts of a building. Remove all wood materials from Their presence may not be around and under the house; (2) discovered until they swarm, See TERMITES, SUBTERRANEAN Remove all form boards and years after infesting a structure. in A Quick Reference Guide to construction stakes; (3) Construct a Pesticides for Pest Management in termite-proof foundation; (4) Have at least 30 in. of clearance under Workers and soldiers: soft- and Around Structures for pesticide buildings; (5) Have proper bodied insects 1/8 to 3/16 inch suggestions for the professional to ventilation and light under all parts long. use. of the building; (6) Use a moisture Swarmers are honey-brown, barrier in crawl spaces; (7) Drain dark brown or black with four Soil treatment: water away from building; (8) Have nearly equal sized and shaped Do not apply near (within 100 ft.) any no wood in contact with the ground, wings. Swarmers are easily body of water, cistern or well. or treat those timbers that require distinguished from winged ants ground contact with approved by termites straight antennae, Nonrepellents: Termites do not detect preservatives/borates; (9) Make broadly attached thorax to waist these insecticides and hence walk periodic inspection of buildings. and four nearly equal wings. over the treated soil. Termiticide may be transferred back to colony. Find a reputable professional to Inspect for signs of termite treat. Collect some swarmers with infestation: irregular earthen Pyrethroids: In general, this group wings for identification and vacuum tubes constructed across walls, tends to be repellent, thus treatments the rest. Leave mud tubes in place floors and foundation. Hammer must be applied to until a professional pest control or probe timbers with a sharp create a continuous barrier. person arrives.

instrument. Damaged wood will Effective control measures for a soil be soft, channeled, unsound and Wood treatment: Termite galleries treatment should include: may possibly reveal the termite and wall voids can be treated. May be 1) Inspect basement and underside infestation itself. Use a moisture used to supplement a soil treatment. of house thoroughly to determine meter. Active termites will the area and extent of infestation. increase moisture reading Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate 2) Inspect attic for termite tubes and relative to uninfested areas. (DOT) can be applied by a damage to joists, rafters, flooring Termites commonly enter homes professional as pretreatment barrier or and stored materials. around doors, wooden steps and as a second barrier (see labels for 3) Disrupt and block all termite porches and unexcavated more details). tubes (unless baiting) portions of structures. The 4) Ditch the entire foundation inside easiest access points are where Baits: and out and treat the soil replaced in wood is in direct contact with Termites feed on bait and spread the trenches with chemicals. the soil. bait to rest of colony to eliminate 5) Repair all foundation and or suppress it. Baits are used as basement floor and wall breaks with Occasionally, moisture- standalone systems or with a rich concrete. damaged wood in roofs can termiticide spray application. 6) Break all wood-soil contacts, treat such areas with chemicals. support an aerial infestation. No 7) Treat infested timbers and replace mud tubes will reach to ground. those which are badly infested. Attic inspection is important, 8) Treat hollow spaces in the too. foundation-concrete blocks, piers, chimney bases, spaces behind brick veneer. Ditch and treat inside of porch foundations, under patios, under concrete slabs and the surface of ground under porches and similar dead places. 9) Provide ventilation and drainage beneath house and porches. 10) Remove all scrap wood from beneath house.

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 28 TICKS Insecticide applications are most Nonchemical methods for PB 726 Grayish or brown, round, effective when directed into areas reducing tick problems include hard-shelled, 6- or 8-legged where ticks and their animal hosts mowing the lawn and controlling creatures that invade homes, are likely to frequent. Pay weeds. This has three advantages yards and get on pets and particular attention to borders and – it lowers the moisture in the people. fences between wooded or brushy grass microclimate and allows areas and the lawn, around sunlight to penetrate, which tends ornamental plantings, beside foot to cause ticks to dry out; it paths, house and dog house. discourages rodents (which may Allow surface to dry before serve as hosts) from nesting; and people or pets have access. lastly, because there is less plant matter, less pesticide may be bifenthrin 0.2% G needed if a treatment is beta-cyfluthrin 0.05% necessary. Also, removing W 826 Exotic Asian longhorned tick permethrin 0.5%G debris, weeds or clutter from now found in eastern and gamma-cyhalothrin RTU 0.025% around the house discourages middle Tennessee counties. and other synthetic pyrethroids. rodents from nesting. Females reproduce without males, have high reproductive Indoors for brown dog tick: Repair entry points into the potential and short generation bifenthrin 0.05% & Zeta- house to discourage possible times. High number of ticks on cypermethrin 0.0125% RTU tick hosts from entering. Cracks animals and in pastures. See gamma-cyhalothrin RTU 0.025% and crevices, both indoors and tnticks.org for more other pyrethroids out, can be sealed to reduce

information. hiding places for ticks. Inspect

and clean pets and their bedding Dogs: frequently. If bedding is BioSpot and other permethrin containing spot-ons infested, it can be cleaned or destroyed. In the home, ticks fipronil (Front Line) spot-ons stay around baseboards and available from veterinarians walls. Use insecticides in cracks and crevices in the home for collars containing amitraz (don’t brown dog tick. use around small children or dogs that may chew collar)

see pesticide recommendations at extension.uga.edu/content/dam/exte nsion/programs-and- services/integrated-pest- management/documents/handbooks /2020-pmh-home- chapters/Animals%20(Pets%20and %20Honey%20Bee).pdf for a thorough listing of veterinarian supplied on-pet products.

WASPS, HORNETS, Many types build paper and mud Bee and wasp killer aerosols Wait until dark when wasps return YELLOWJACKETS nests around homes, in ground or tetramethrin aerosols to nest and are slow due to cooler SP 290-A in shrubs. beta-cyfluthrin RTU 0.05% temperatures. Apply insecticides to nest opening and seal nest opening SP 341-M Dusts if possible. Remove mud nests in deltamethrin 0.05% D winter to destroy overwintering Apicide (carbaryl 5% D) forms.

Victor Yellow Jacket Trap Traps can used to reduce foraging yellow jacket populations.

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 29 List of Products Sorted by Chemical Name Available to the General Public Chemical Name Trade Name Website

avermectin (in bait) and hydroprene Raid Double Control Small Roach Bait Plus S.C. Johnson Egg Stopper https://www.raid.com/en-us/products

avermectin Raid Ant BaitsIII S.C. Johnson https://www.raid.com/en-us/products

acetamiprid Ortho Home Defense Fly Bait Decal for The Ortho Group Windows http://www.ortho.com

Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis Mosquito Bits, Mosquito Dunks Summit Chemical http://www.summitchemical.com

bifenthrin 0.2% Hi-Yield Bug Blaster II VPG http://www.fertilome.com/ProductFiles/33 326%20Bug%20Blaster%20Approved%2 07-6-12.pdf

bifenthrin 2.4% Ortho Home Defense Max Termite and The Ortho Group Destructive Bug Killer Concentrate https://www.ortho.com/sites/g/files/oydgjc 116/files/asset_files/T020001005_32600_ LB7646_090916_cfl%20%281%29.pdf

bifenthrin 0.05% & Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Indoor The Ortho Group zeta-cypermethrin 0.0125% and Perimeter2 RTU http://www.ortho.com

borax Terro Ant Killer II Senoret http://www.terro.com

carbaryl 5% D Apicide Mystic Chemical Company http://www.apicide.com

cyfluthrin Ready-to-Spray 0.75% BioAdvanced Vegetable & Garden Insect SBM Life Science Corp. Spray Ready-to-Spray https://www.bioadvanced.com/products/in sects-pests/vegetable-garden-insect-spray

beta-cyfluthrin RTU 0.05% BioAdvanced Home Pest Control, Indoor & SBM Life Science Corp. Outdoor Insect Killer RTU https://www.bioadvanced.com/products/in sects-pests/home-pest-control-indoor- outdoor-insect-killer

deltamethrin 0.02% RTU Bonide Household Insect Control Bonide http://www.bonide.com/assets/Products/L abels/l527.pdf

deltamethirn 0.03% RTU Enforcer BugMax Home Pest Control Enforcer https://www.kellysolutions.com/ok/showp roductinfo.asp?Product_Name=Enforcer+ Bugmax+Home+Pest+Control&EPA_Id= 40849%2D80

deltamethirn 0.03% RTU Harris Home Pest Control Stink Bug Killer Harris https://pfharris.com/products/kudzu-bugs

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 30

Chemical Name Trade Name Website

deltamethrin 0.05% D Enforcer BugMax Insect Powder Zep https://www.zep.com/product/enforcer/bu gmax-insect-powder

dinotefuran 0.05% Hot Shot Ultra Clear Roach & Ant Gel Bait Hot Shot http://www.hotshot.com

dinotefuran 0.05% Hot Shot Ultra Liquid Ant Bait Hot Shot http://www.hotshot.com

esfenvalerate Bengal Insecticide Concentrate http://www.kellysolutions.com/erenewals/ documentsubmit/KellyData/OK/pesticide/ Product%20Label/68543/1021%2D1641% 2D68543/1021%2D1641%2D68543%5FB engal%5FInsecticide%5FConcentrate%5F 5%5F23%5F2016%5F12%5F26%5F38% 5FPM%2Epdf

fipronil Combat bait stations Combat Insect Control Systems Combat Max 12 Month Roach Killing Bait http://www.combatbugs.com (bait station)

fipronil 0.01% Combat Roach Killing Bait Strips Combat Insect Control Systems http://www.combatbugs.com

fipronil Combat Source Kill Max R3 (Roach Killing Combat Insect Control Systems Gel) http://www.combatbugs.com

fipronil Combat Source Kill MaxA1 (Ant Gel) Combat Insect Control Systems http://www.combatbugs.com

fipronil Combat Source Kill MaxA2 Combat Insect Control Systems http://www.combatbugs.com

fipronil Combat Ant Killing Bait Strips Combat Insect Control Systems http://www.combatbugs.com

gamma-cyhalothrin 0.025% RTU Spectracide Bug Stop Home Barrier Indoor Spectrum Group, United Industries Plus Outdoor Insect Control http://www.spectracide.com/Products-and- Solutions/Home-Insect- Killers/Spectracide-Bug-Stop-Home- Barrier-RTU.aspx

hydramethylnon Combat Ant Killing Bait Indoor and Outdoor http://www.kellysolutions.com/erenewals/ Use bait stations documentsubmit/KellyData/OK/pesticide/ Product%20Label/64240/64240%2D3/642 40%2D3%5FCombat%5FAnt%5FKilling %5FBait%5F12%5F19%5F2017%5F6%5 F55%5F24%5FPM%2Epdf

indoxacarb HotShot MaxAttrax Ant Bait2 Hot Shot http://www.hotshot.com

indoxacarb Spectracide Ant Shield Outdoor Killing Stakes Spectracide http://www.spectracide.com

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 31

Chemical Name Trade Name Website

imidacloprid 2.15% BioAdvanced Home Pest Roach Killer Gel SBM Life Science Corp https://www.bioadvanced.com/products/in sects-pests/home-pest-roach-killer-gel- applicator

lambda-cyhalothrin 0.16% Cutter Backyard Bug Control Spray Cutter Concentrate http://www.cutterinsectrepellent.com

methoprene Pre-Strike Mosquito Torpedo Starbar https://www.starbarproducts.com/products /commercial/pre-strike-mosquito-torpedo

permethrin 0.5% G Hi-Yield Kill-A-Bug II Lawn Granules VPG https://www.fertilome.com/product/kill-a- bug-ii-lawn-granules-20-lbs

0.15% permethrin Black Flag Fogging Insecticide II http://www.kellysolutions.com/erenewals/ 0.15% PBO documentsubmit/KellyData/OK/pesticide/ Product%20Label/53853/1021%2D1866% 2D53853/1021%2D1866%2D53853%5FB lack%5FFlag%5FPropane%5FPowered% 5FInsect%5FFogger%5F2%5F2%5F2009 %5F3%5F44%5F45%5FPM%2Epdf

0.15% permethrin Cutter Backyard Bug Control Fogging https://www.cutterinsectrepellents.com/ 0.15% PBO Insecticide

2% permethrin Bengal Gold Roach Spray Bengal 0.05% pyrirpoxyfen http://www.bengal.com/gold_roach_spray. html

0.025% Prallethrin Spectracide Terminate Termite Killing Foam2 Spectrum Group, United Industries 0.010% Lambda-Cyhalothrin http://www.spectracide.com

0.01% pyriproxyfen (Nylar) Enforcer Flea Spray for Homes Enforcer 0.25% permethrin http://www.enforcer.com

0.015% pyriproxyfen Enforcer Flea Spray For Carpets & Furniture 0.400% tetramethrin XX (aerosol) Enforcer 0.300% phenothrin. http://www.enforcer.com

0.015% pyriproxyfen Bengal Full Season Flea Killer Plus 2 Bengal Products 0.4% tetramethrin http://www.bengal.com 0.3% sumithrin

pyrethrins 0.03% Ultra Care Mite and Lice Spray for Birds http://www.kellysolutions.com/erenewals/ documentsubmit/KellyData%5COK/Pestic ide/Product%20Label/87703/87703%2D2/ UltraCare%5FMite%5F%5F%5FLice%5F Bird%5FSpray%5F3%5F16%5F2018%5F 10%5F26%5F48%5FAM%2Epdf

0.14% pyrethrum Raid Flea Killer Plus Carpet and Room Spray Raid, SC Johnson Brands 0.0664% tetramethrin https://www.raid.com/en-us 0.015% pyriproxyfen, others

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 32

Chemical Name Trade Name Website

silicon dioxide 85% Hot Shot Bedbug Killer Dust with Hot Shot Diatomaceous Earth http://www.hotshot.com/Products/Bed- Bug-Control/Bedbug-Flea-Killing- Powder.aspx

silicon dioxide 85% from Garden Safe Crawling Insect Killer GardenSafe diatomaceous earth http://www.gardensafe.com

silicon dioxide 85% from Harris Diatomaceous Earth Bed Bug Powder Harris diatomaceous earth http://pfharris.com/bed-bugs.html

thiomethoxam Raid Ant Gel SC Johnson https://www.raid.com/en-us

Further References for Household Pest Identification:

Manuals:

Bennett, G.W., J.M. Owens, and R.M. Corrigan. 1997. Truman’s Scientific Guide to Pest Control Operations. 5th edition. Edgell Communications, Duluth, MN

Mallis, A. 1997. Handbook of Pest Control - the Behavior, Life History and Control of Household Pests. 8th edition. Franzak and Foster Co. Cleveland, Ohio. (216)961-4130

Koehler, P. Pests In and Around the Home. IFAS Publications, P.O. Box 110011, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611- 0011 or (352)392-1764 or if using the World Wide Web http://gnv.ifas.ufl.edu/~entweb/publicat.htm

Handbooks for identification and control of specific pests. These are inexpensive and very useful. Most pesticides mentioned are for professional use.

Hedges, S. Pest Control Technology Field Guide for the Management of Structure-Infesting Ants. Franzak and Foster Co., Cleveland, Ohio.

Hedges, S. Pest Control Technology Field Guide for the Management of Structure-Infesting Flies. Franzak and Foster Co., Cleveland, Ohio.

Hedges, S. Pest Control Technology Field Guide for the Management of Urban Spiders. Franzak and Foster Co., Cleveland, Ohio.

Hedges, S. and M. Lacey. Structure-Infesting Beetles. Volume 1: Hide and Carpet beetles/Wood- Boring Beetles .Franzak and Foster Co., Cleveland, Ohio.

Hedges, S. and M. Lacey. Structure-Infesting Beetles. Volume 2: Stored Product Beetles/Occasional and Overwintering Beetles. Stoy Franzak and Foster Co., Cleveland, Ohio.

Smith, E and R. Whitman. 1992. NPCA Field Guide to Structural Pests. NPCA, Dunn Loring, VA.

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 33

Images from

Insect and Mite Pests in Food (https://www.ars.usda.gov/ARSUserFiles/2863/pdfdocuments/Gorham%201991%20V2.pdf) Insects in Oregon (https://www.oregon.gov/ODA/shared/Documents/Publications/IPPM/InsectsInOregon.pdf fruit fly) Pictorial Keys to Arthropods, Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals of Public Health Significance (https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehs/publications/pictorial_keys.htm) Russ Ottens, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org (kudzu bug) University of Florida Featured Creatures and Division of Plant Industries, dark-winged fungus gnat, tropical fowl mite (http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/) University of Kentucky, chigger (https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef630) University of Tennessee Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology. Utah Pests Fact Sheet Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Utah State University Extension, artist Cami Cannon (https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=&httpsredir=1&article=2785&context=extension _curall)

PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENT To protect people and the environment, pesticides should be used safely. This is everyone's responsibility, especially the user. Read and follow label directions carefully before you buy, mix, apply, store, or dispose of a pesticide. According to laws regulating pesticides, they must be used only as directed by the label and registered for use in your state.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT This publication contains pesticide recommendations that are subject to change at any time. The recommendations in this publication are provided only as a guide. It is always the pesticide applicator's responsibility, by law, to read and follow all current label directions for the specific pesticide being used. The label takes precedence over the recommendations found in this publication. Use of trade or brand names in this publication is for clarity and information; it does not imply approval of the product to the exclusion of others which may be of similar, suitable composition, nor does it guarantee or warrant the standard of the product. The author(s), The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture and the University of Tennessee Extension assume no liability resulting from the use of these recommendations.

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PB 1303(Rev) 7/20 20-0258 Programs in agriculture and natural resources, 4-H youth development, family and consumer sciences, and resource development. University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture and county governments cooperating. UT Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.

2020 Managing Pests Around the Home 34