Current and Past Topics in Structural Pest Control
Hot Topics
In the mid to late 2000's, there were a number of factors that coalesced to create the need for pest control companies to market and provide a more environmentally centered form of pest management to their consumers. These new services acquired the moniker known as "Green Pest Management" (GPM), which resulted in commercializing the utilization of minimum risk pesticides labeled for use on public health pests.
In addition, States and Federal agencies responsible for regulating the structural pest control industry, as well as the Pest Control Industry itself, voiced concerns over GPM, because the efficacy of such products requires specialized technical knowledge of their use in public health settings. ASPCRO, and its Industry partners saught to ensure proper application practices and criteria were established for companies employing GPM. By drawing on available published information on GPM and established certification programs already in existence, criteria for operating these programs was established to protect consumers from potentially fraudulent practices, unfounded efficacy, safety and public health claims.
ASPCRO responded to this issue by forming the Green Pest Management Committee in 2008 to address Industry and consumer concerns and to monitor the development of the GPM movement. The regulated Industry also responded to consumer demand by instituting a number of green pest control programs.
The documents listed below were generated by ASPCRO's Green Pest Management Committee. They will provide the reader with insight into this particular issue.
Documents
Green Pest Management Committee Report; August 2010
Green Programs Listing (NGO Listing)
Green Pest Management Credentialing Programs
Survey Summary of State Green Pest Management Programs; August 2009
Supplemental Documents
Survey Attachment 1 - List of Survey Questions
Survey Attachment 2 - Excel Spreadsheet Raw Data
The following is a concise summary of actions taken by ASPCRO and NPMA related to outdoor residential mosquito misting systems. Information found herein reflects decisions and actions taken during ASPCRO’s midyear and Annual meetings from 2005 to 2009.
2005 Annual Conference BOD Meeting - Mosquito Misting System Issue - These mosquito mister systems are installed around homes to control mosquitoes automatically. This topic originally began as discussion topic at a Reg 6 Pre-SFIREG meeting. An issue paper was then developed for SFIREG. These companies are not companies that are traditionally licensed with states. These systems are using pesticides not labeled for use in automatic misting systems. The basic question that should be answered is “Is it efficacious?” Additional questions are being raised regarding the use of these automatic systems for mosquito control. At some point ASPCRO may be asked to adopt a position on this issue. Bonnie Rabe will chair a new committee to address this issue. The American Mosquito Control Association has already raised several questions regarding this application technique. ASPCRO created a Mosquito Misting Systems Committee to address the issue.
2005 Business meeting summary report - Mosquito Misting System Issue - These mosquito mister systems are installed around homes to control mosquitoes automatically. This topic originally began as discussion topic at a Reg 6 Pre-SFIREG meeting. An issue paper was then developed for SFIREG. These companies are not companies that are traditionally licensed with states. These systems are using pesticides not labeled for use in automatic misting systems. The basic question that should be answered is “Is it efficacious?” Additional questions are being raised regarding the use of these automatic systems for mosquito control. At some point ASPCRO may be asked to adopt a position on this issue. Bonnie Rabe will chair a new committee to address this issue. The American Mosquito Control Association has already raised several questions regarding this application technique.
2006 Annual Conference BOD Meeting - Mosquito Misting Systems Committee Report – Bonnie Rabe (NM) – Chair: Bonnie requested a name change for the committee to Automated Misting Systems Committee, since more insects are being addressed. President Dwinell recognized and accepted the change. The Committee is looking at further label language for the systems, advertising claims, and BMPs. Bob Rosenberg commented that the labels for the products used in these systems have been improved. Advertising is being worked on. Efficacy data does not exist regarding the effective dose. The Committee is also looking at the lawn sprinkler systems, and those that are installed in wall voids during building construction.
2007 Midyear BOD - Automated Misting Systems Committee Report – Bonnie Rabe (NM)
Bonnie Rabe provided copies of Best Management Practices and Advertising Guidelines for misting systems. She proposed ASPCRO endorse the documents. It is intended for the documents to provide industry and regulators information and practices to minimize risks from misuse, false advertising, and unintended exposure from misting systems in residential areas. The Board voted to endorse both documents. The documents will be made available on the ASPCRO website.
2007 Annual Conference - Automated Misting Systems Committee Report – Bonnie Rabe (NM)
At the mid-year meeting the ASPCRO Board endorsed Best Management
Practices and Advertising Guidelines for Automated Misting Systems. The
documents provide industry and regulators information and practices to minimize risks
from misuse, false advertising, and unintended exposure from misting systems in
residential areas. The documents are available on the ASPCRO website.
2008 Midyear Meeting - Automated Misting Systems Committee Report – Bonnie Rabe (NM)
Label language has changed on products. Reviewing proposed label language for products.
Recent efficacy study has been completed. The final report indicates that the systems do offer
some efficacy.
2008 Annual Business Meeting - Automated Misting Systems Committee Report – Bonnie Rabe (NM)
The committee will review the language in the proposed model regulations that
NPMA developed. ASPCRO will get these regulations to ASPCRO membership
when finalized. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provided funding for research on the efficacy of these outdoor residential misting systems on adult mosquitoes. Results of the research indicated that the systems were efficacious against adult mosquitoes. The research was conducted by Florida A&M University. The research results and findings are below.
2009 Midyear Meeting - Automated Misting Systems Committee Report – Bonnie Rabe (NM)
• State survey results and model regulations have been created by NPMA.
• Model regulation proposal, Board to comment on by April, 10, 2009
• Documents are presented below.
2009 Annual Conference – Automated Misting Systems Committee Report – Bonnie Rabe (NM)
“Model Regulations for Outdoor Residential Misting Systems” was adopted by ASPCRO. As a result of the work done by ASPCRO and NPMA the Automated Misting Systems Committee was inactivated. Questions related to self-regulation of the pest control industry were raised. NPMA responded that the urgency of the misting systems issue has subsided. The market was moving more toward DIY consumer products vs. PMP services.
Relevant Documents:
ASPCRO Model Regulations: Outdoor Mosquito Misting Systems
ASPCRO/NPMA Outdoor Residential Mosquito Misting Systems BMPs
Mosquito Misting Systems Research on Efficacy (Presented ASPCRO Annual Mtg 2008)
2022 ASPCRO Rodenticide RED Use Mitigation Survey
2020 ASPCRO Regulatory Impacts Rodenticide Survey Report
2020 ASPCRO Inspector Training Survey Report
2016 ASPCRO/NPMA Rodenticide Use Survey Report
2013 ASPCRO SLA Programs & Activities Survey
Polyurethane Spray Foam Insulation (PSFI) usage by the construction industry became problematic due to difficulty performing termite inspections. In addition, use of PSFI became an issue for structural fumigators and resulted in registrants issuing guidance for fumigant use on structures that used this insulation.
During the 2018 midyear meeting, the Building Code Committee agreed to explore challenges posed by Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation (SPFI). As with other conducive conditions in structures, such as wood to ground contact, rigid foam board and concrete foam insulation below grade, the ability for termites to go unnoticed where SPFI is used can result in damage complaints by homeowners. Spray foam can be applied to any number of construction features. When applied in attics, walls, and crawl spaces, spray foam can significantly improve a home’s energy efficiency. However, when applied over structural timbers it is often impossible to inspect for termites and other wood destroying organisms (WDOs). This potentially jeopardizes the home’s warranty related to WDOs. This white paper explores the challenges that Pest Management Professionals and state lead regulatory agencies have experienced with SPFI, reviews related Building Code Committee activities, and encourages states to work with their respective building code officials to consider codes that require inspection gaps.
Guidance documentation issued by Douglas Products for the use of Master Fume and Vikane, as well as Ensystex's guidance for Zythor are available for review. Additional information related to this issue can be found in a Georgia Department of Agriculture consumer notice found here. Another excellent resource can be found in the National Pest Management Association's Consumer Alert located here.