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Black Pest Control's PESP Strategy
Describe your Organization’s Five-Year Goals Related to Pesticide Risk Reduction
Black’s goal in reducing pesticide risk is to be realized by the adoption of several strategies. We have re-designed our entire residential pest prevention protocol for 2008 and have begun these procedures at the first of this year. Prior to this coming year, our program consisted primarily of a liquid application to the exterior via truck-mounted sprayers. In 2008, our emphasis is on targeted liquid applications, more baits, the adoption of several IPM techniques, and education of our customers. This plan includes changing our application equipment, material choices and application methods.
What do you envision doing (broadly) to try to resolve your major issues?
Goal 1 and Tactics
Determine the best material choices for our residential pest prevention services that can be applied with the least volume and yet are efficacious.
We hope to reduce the amount of diluted insecticide applied in the environment by 50% in 2008 for general household pest application to our residential customer base.
- All power spraying equipment has been removed from our service fleet and replaced with backpacks.
- Inspection and treatment as necessary will be made around the entire typical yard to decrease foraging populations further out as opposed to just near the foundation.
- Several baits have been chosen to be applied seasonally against target pests in our area of the Carolinas. We expect to see an increase in bait usage for 2008.
How does this activity reduce pesticide risk?
This activity will reduce pesticide risk by reducing the volume of diluted insecticide applied in the environment. Additionally, our baits pose less of a hazard to the environment and we expect to see an increase in these in order to be able to achieve a pest-free home.
How will you measure the risk reduction gained by this activity?
2007 data is our baseline for material use.
Goal 2 and Tactics
Adopt an IPM approach that strives to resolve pest problems in ways other than relying completely upon pesticide applications:
- Inspection and treatment as necessary
- Targeted applications of materials after inspection
- Exclusion
We have started out with small steps in our adoption of IPM techniques. Our strategy is to add additional techniques over a five year period as we become more proficient.
- In 2008, we have removed all 1 gallon compressed air sprayers and have adopted inspection and crack & crevice type applications where needed.
- We are using Stuff-it and caulk to seal small openings.
- Our upcoming training schedule for 2008 is reflecting this philosophy.
- We have increased training meetings to once per week instead of once per month.
- Subscription to Larry Pinto’s Techletter to be handed out to all employees in Customer Service Dept., Sales Dept., and Service Dept. Techletter will be reviewed and discussed at all weekly meetings.
How does this activity reduce pesticide risk?
By treating when necessary as opposed to prophylactic applications, we will reduce our pesticide use. Crack and crevice applications reduce hazard by their inherent nature of not being available for exposure to non-target organisms.
How will you measure the risk reduction gained from this activity?
It will be difficult to measure the baseline quantity of material used because we have only recently begun to code usages in our computer system. I will need to think about this; possibly make an educated guess by the number of retreats we had last year.
Goal 3 and Tactics
Work with our customers to help them make their environment less attractive to pests.
- Customer education on the practices that contribute to pest infestations will be done via a more attuned workforce and also by a written report noting conducive conditions left behind at every service call.
- We are adding additional pull-down menus on our website to facilitate the customer’s acceptance of our 2008 protocol.
How does this activity reduce pesticide risk?
Having our customers understand the need to deny pest harborage and entry into the home will allow us to be able to lean less heavily on pesticide application as a solution to their pest problem.
How will you measure the risk reduction gained from this activity?
Through retreat and cancellation data.