Physicians for Social Responsibility-Los Angeles

Integrated Pest ManagementCockroaches/Bed Bugs

The link between housing and health

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What is a healthy home?

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What is so important about a healthy home?

Housing conditions can affect health both directly and indirectly.

Children spend close to 80-90% of their time indoors.

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Health effects that are associated with housing conditions

Respiratory infections

AsthmaInjuries and burns AllergiesPoisoningsNeurodevelopment

al and behavioral problems

CancerDeath

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Steps to a healthier home

Keep the Home/Building:DryCleanVentilatedSafeContaminant-freeMaintainedPest-free

Today we are going to focus on keeping the home pest-free.

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Why Pest Free?- the health effects of pest exposure

More than just a nuisance-pests in the home are a health issue…

Cockroaches, flies, fleas, rats and mice carry disease.

Roaches and house dust mites can make allergies and asthma worse.

Roaches can also bite and crawl into children’s ears.

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Why Pest Free?-the health effects of pesticide

exposureAcute health effects of pesticide exposure

include:Eye, nose, and throat irritationSkin rashesNausea andAsthma attacks.

Long-term effects of pesticide exposure include:CancerBirth defectsCentral nervous system damageRespiratory damage andEndocrine disruption.8

Drawbacks of Conventional Approach to Pest Control

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Potential liability for property owners and managers (tenant injury from pesticide exposure).

Ineffective in controlling pests.

Little or no communication between tenant, property manager and pest control operator.

What is the alternative? -Integrated Pest Management

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IPM Methods emphasize:Pest Exclusion- block pest entry points, hiding

places and passages;

Reduction of pest food and water sources- repair leaky plumbing, proper food storage and disposal; and

Control existing pests with low-risk control measures- boric acid, baits, and cleaning with borax.

Least-toxic pesticides are used only as a last resort…

How is the pest getting into your building?

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Cracks around baseboards and under doors.

Holes in walls where plumbing or heating ducts come through.

Doors or windows left open or damaged screens.

Unscreened vents.

Find their path and block it!

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Install screens on windows and doors.

Install door sweeps.Caulk cracks and crevices

in walls, floors, around baseboards and windows.

Seal holes around pipes.

Reduce Pest Food and Water Sources

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Pests can find food in:

Trash cans AppliancesUnsealed food on

countertopsDirty dishesPet bowls

Pests can get water from:

Leaky roofsLeaky plumbing

(toilet/sink)Air conditionersSink and tub drainsStanding water in pet

bowls/houseplants

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Control Pests with Low-risk Measures

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Take Home MessagePest Control = Shared

Responsibility

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Effective pest control requires a partnership between the building owner/property manager, the tenant, maintenance staff and the pest control operator.

Review QuestionsThere are seven steps to a healthier home- name

three of them.True or False Cockroaches can make asthma and

allergies worse?Name two health effects or symptoms of pesticide

exposure.What are three methods of blocking pest entry

points to the home?Name three places in the home pests can find

food or water.True or False IPM advocates the use of pesticides

prior to blocking pest entry points and reducing food and water sources in the home.

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-What they are-What they eat

-Where they live-Prevention and control

Cockroaches

What is a CockroachLives in areas where

humans provide food and water

Active at night (If you see cockroaches during the day, the infestation is serious)

Many eggs in each egg case

Nymphs look like small version of adults

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German CockroachMedium size (3/4''),

bronze, with “racing stripes” behind the head

Found everywhere, but likes warmth, moisture, and darkness

Reproduces quickly Mother carries eggs to

term even if she is dead

Eats almost anything

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Signs of CockroachesLive cockroachesDead cockroachesFrassEgg Cases

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Where cockroaches liveAnywhere in a

building

Prefer spots near water but also need food and warmth

In cracks and crevices where their bodies touch surfaces above and below

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What cockroaches eatCrumbs

Grease

Trash

Cardboard glue

Just about anything

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Where cockroaches find waterSinksCountersFloorsPet bowlsLeaky pipesRefrigerator dripsAC unitsShower stalls

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What’s the problems here?-How would you fix

it?

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IPM for Cockroaches

Inspect:

What kind?

How many?

Where are they living?

Prevention and Control

Sanitation

Exclusion

Least toxic pesticides

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Inspect Where are they hiding?

Look for evidence where cockroaches would find food, water, or a hiding spot: up, down, behind, and under.

MonitorBy placing sticky traps near areas where cockroaches might

travel—at corners and near warmth, food, and water.Traps help find cockroaches when and where people can’t.

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Prevention and Control-Sanitation

Eliminate hiding spots, food, and water available at night byReducing clutterThrowing away dead cockroachesCleaning frass and areas where there were

cockroaches with soap and water Cleaning with Borax (washing floors in

kitchen/bathroom)

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Prevention and Control-Exclusion

Seal or fix cracks, peeled wallpaper, or holes that cockroaches could get through with:Screens on windows and doorsDoor sweepsSilicone caulkCopper mesh

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Prevention and Control-Least Toxic Pesticides

-Exclusion and Sanitation first!-Maintenance staff and residents should

never spray pesticides!!

Bait Stations (roach motels)The bait needs to be the only food in the area—

sanitation first! Won’t work if contaminated by strong- smelling

cleaners or other chemicals, pesticide sprays or foggers, or nicotine from cigarette smoke.

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Prevention and Control-Least Toxic Pesticides

Insecticidal Dusts-Boric AcidEffective if used correctly.Light dusting instead of piles.Use in walls before fixing them.Under and behind cabinets at turnover or

when making large repairs…but clean first!

Because dust can become airborne Respirators must be worn when applying and Ventilation Systems should be turned off!

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Prevention and Control-Insecticidal Dusts

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Incorrect use of insecticidal dust

Never Use Sprays and Foggers

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Review QuestionsTrue or False cockroaches are most active

during the night.What are two signs that a home is infested

with cockroaches?Name three places in the home where

cockroaches can find water.What tool is used to monitor for

cockroaches in a home?Name two ways to eliminate cockroach

hiding spots and/or food and waters sources in the home.

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-What they are-What they eat

-Where they live-Prevention and Control

Bed Bugs

What is a Bed BugA blood-sucking insectMost active at nightUsually feeds at nightBed bugs do not

transmit disease, but theycause secondary

infections after people scratch their bed bug bites; and

result in stress, loss of work, loss of sleep, and financial burden.

Adult bed bug feeding on human

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Bed Bug BehaviorHide in cracks and

crevices, often in groups.

Hitchhike on bags, furniture, wires, or pipes.

Cannot fly, jump, or burrow into skin…they crawl.

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Signs of Bed BugsBitesBlood spotsShed skinsDead bed bugsLive bed bugs

38 Adult bed bug and droppings on mattress.

Bed bugs and fecal spots.

Signs of Bed BugsShed skins

39 Bed bug signs on a mattress seam

Signs of Bed BugsBites

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What bed bugs eat and drink

Blood

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Where do bed bugs live?In the buildingIn any crack or

crevice where a credit card edge could fit

In anything near where people rest

Beds, sofas, bedside tables, recliners, picture frames…

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How do bed bugs spread?Through walls along

wires and pipesOn anything coming

from an infested unit: FurnitureBackpacksLaundry

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Inspection is keyA thorough inspection is important to determine

how widespread the infestation is.Inspection for bed bugs starts in the place

where people sleep and moves out from there to other parts of the roomMattressBox SpringBed Frame/Head BoardOther furniture/storage areas

Bed bugs may turn up in unexpected places in moderate and large infestations (desks, nightstands, picture frames, etc…)

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Bed bug controlIf residents find bed bugs they should:Report the problemNot throw the mattress out—cover itNot sprayPrevent carrying the bed bugs to other

placesPrepare the unit for control measures

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Bed bug control-Resident’s Role

Residents can: Bag and remove all bedding, clothing, and other soft

washable items from the infested area in plastic bags. Wash and dry sheets, blankets, clothing, etc…on hot

setting. Isolate the cleaned items until bed bugs are gone. Wash headboard and bed frame and other infested

furniture with hot water and soap/vinegar. Use a mattress encasement.

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Bed bug control-Mattress encasement

Traps live bed bugs inside. Zip, seal, and check for rips. Leave it on for 1-1/2 years (don’t let it rip).

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Bed bug controlResidents should

never spray or use foggers or bombs

Sprays cause the bugs to scatter- making them harder to control

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Bed Bug Control-Pest Control Operator’s

RolePCO may:Inspect units (infested and adjacent units)Take apart furniturePut infested items in sealed plastic bags or

discard heavily infested itemsUse

A Hepa vacuum-to remove bed bugs and debrisHeat or steam- to kill bugs

Return in three weeks for follow up inspections

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Bed bug control-Maintenance Staff’s Role

Empty dumpsters weekly Damage furniture left out for

the trash so it can’t be reused Inspect the laundry room

weekly Be very cautious when

working in units—never set items on or under beds, recliners, or sofas

Eliminate bed bug hiding spots Fix peeling wallpaper and paint Caulk or seal cracks and

crevices around the room and on furniture

Seal floors or the spaces between floor boards and tiles

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Bed bug control-Manager’s Role

Maintain building free of pest harborage (hiding) places

Communicate with the Pest Control Operator and residents

Notify and assist residents in preparing for the Pest Control Operator visit

Ensure all units which are infested (as well as adjacent units) are inspected and IPM strategies are employed by the Pest Control Operator

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Bed bug prevention Launder clothing/bedding

frequently

Inspect donated/used furniture and clothing carefully and wash thoroughly

Resident educationStress to residents that

bedbugs are Not a sign of poor hygiene

Encourage residents to come forward immediately at first signs of infestation

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Review QuestionsTrue or False bed bugs are found only in beds.How do bed bugs get into a multi-family

building?True or False bed bugs can only crawl.Once a unit is infested with bed bugs what are

three ways residents can assist in controlling them?

True or False foggers or bug bombs are effective in controlling bed bugs.

Name two ways a manager can help control bed bugs in a multi-family building.

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For more information on low-risk pest control or IPM please contact:Physicians for Social Responsibility-Los Angeles at 213-689-9170 or info@psrla.org

Acknowledgements:Presentation was adapted from the National Center for Healthy Housing’s Integrated Pest Management for Multi-family Housing Course

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