5 Management Practices for
household Pests
Contents
Table
5 Annoying pests inside the home
If you need to use an insecticide indoors, explore your options and choose the least toxic material. Apply in limited amounts, and provide adequate ventilation during and after application. Boric acid, silica aerogel, and diatomaceous earth, often considered least toxic choices, may be sufficient to control the pest. Be sure that all the pesticides you use are household formulations and that the pest and the site are clearly listed on the label. Uses inconsistent with the label are illegal and could be dangerous.
If you hire a pest management professional (PMP), choose one that uses least toxic pest management practices. Take all necessary safety precautions: vacate or ventilate premises; prevent children or pets from coming in contact with treated surfaces until completely dry; remove pet food, water, and bedding during application; remove or cover fish tanks and air pumps during applications.
For pests such as fleas, treat pets at the same time the structure is treated, and be prepared to dispose of or wash all pet bedding.
Specific chemicals registered for control of household pests are listed in Table 5 (see Tables 2 and 3 for toxicity information). Be sure to see Part I, Cultural Methods, for nonpesticidal means of managing pests.
Further
Reading
Common Sense
Controlling Household Pests.
USDA Home and Garden Bulletin 96.
IPM Practitioner.
Managing the Cluster Fly. Insect and Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory fact sheet. Insect and Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Dept. of Entomology, Comstock Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 2 pp.
Common Sense
Subterranean Termites.
USDA Home and Garden Bulletin 64.
Fact sheets on specific pests may be available. Check with your local Cornell Cooperative Extension office or visit them online at http://www.cce.cornell.edu
Table 5 Annoying pests inside the home
|
|
|
Pests |
Recommended |
Ants
5/16 inch |
Ant
traps, which contain baits of boric acid or other poisons, attract the pest
to the poison, avoiding the need to apply poison throughout the environment.
The newer baits may offer a choice of sweets or protein and are more
effective for a wide range of ants. Keep traps out of reach of children and
pets. Although ant traps are useful for some species, they do not work for
all ants. If problems persist, spot treatment with an insecticide where ants
enter may be helpful. Registered pesticides include Baygon, cyfluthrin,
deltamethrin, permethrin, silica gel–pyrethrum combination, or resmethrin.
Sometimes ants nest in wall voids. If problem persists, you may want to
consult a PMP1. See also Carpenter ants. |
Bedbugs
3/8 inch |
If
necessary, apply cyfluthrin, deltamethrin, diatomaceous earth, silica gel, or
permethrin to hiding places around baseboards, moldings, and floorboards.
(S)-Hydroprene, an insect growth regulator, is available for use against
bedbugs in homes and apartments. |
Booklice and paperlice
1/16 inch |
Eliminating
moisture and humidity usually eliminates booklice. If needed, treat with silica gel,
diatomaceous earth, or deltamethrin if needed. Do not treat books directly with
pesticides. |
Boxelder bug | |


