Pest Control

[Union Jack]

Hi guys, I love the Phils and all that comes with it with the ecception of the not so little creepy crowlies, rodents, snakes, scorpions etc....
Any idea of how to keep our little friends at bay and not in your bedroom without having to blast holes in the walls with your shotgun trying to get rid of them?
I already have screens on all my windows and plan to fit anti draft strips to the bottom of all doors to minimise their visits, I have also considered plugging one of those ultrasound gizmos but then it would not work well because of the brownouts/ blackouts....any other ideas?
Ciao.

[rowena_salvedia]

hi, that is the long term problem as well for me because my husbabd doesnt like that crawling insect coming in the house.. I would love hear the advise and comments of this forum...

[Timn8ter]

Well, it is the tropics after all, isn't it? Life of all kinds thrives in a hot, moist environment. I doubt anyone can be 100% effective at controlling pests in the tropics. The number one preventative measure in the home is to get rid of whatever is attracting the critters. This is easier said than done. Ants, flies, cockroaches and mosquitoes are attracted by things we can barely see but keeping the house free of food particles or open containers should be a priority. This web page contains other suggestions as well.
Natural Insect Pest Control
I hope your definition of "crawly" doesn't include lizards. They are your friends, unless they "pee" on your head.
Investing in a good mosquito net to hang over your bed is a good idea.

btw, the "ultrasound" insect repellents are worthless
Here is the ultimate mosquito solution:
Mosquito Magnet® | Home

[Union Jack]

Originally Posted by Timn8ter

Well, it is the tropics after all, isn't it? Life of all kinds thrives in a hot, moist environment. I doubt anyone can be 100% effective at controlling pests in the tropics. The number one preventative measure in the home is to get rid of whatever is attracting the critters. This is easier said than done. Ants, flies, cockroaches and mosquitoes are attracted by things we can barely see but keeping the house free of food particles or open containers should be a priority. This web page contains other suggestions as well.
Natural Insect Pest Control
I hope your definition of "crawly" doesn't include lizards. They are your friends, unless they "pee" on your head.
Investing in a good mosquito net to hang over your bed is a good idea.

btw, the "ultrasound" insect repellents are worthless
Here is the ultimate mosquito solution:
Mosquito Magnet® | Home

Hello Timn8ter, You're absolutely right, I agree with You, at the tropics it has to be expected........I do not mind the gekoes, actually I quiet like them, it's just the roaches.......I hate them more then they hate me!!!!

[ROQUETIBOR]

Hi, there... I'm Roque, a medical entomologist...

I finished my Agriculture degree from SU and obtained my license as a Registered Agriculturist from the Professional Regulations Commission [PRC]. I took my masters [MST] in Biology concentration in Medical Entomology from DLSU-Manila.

I have worked with the biggest pest control here in the Philippines for 2 decades... I'm now with the National Committee on Urban Pest Control [visit our website: www.ncupc.org] and I'm in-charge of giving licenses to individuals as pesticide applicators or pest control consultants, and PCO accreditation to companies undertaking pest control activities in the urban areas like Dumaguete City.

In the Philippines, we consider pest control as a luxury and only rich could afford it. For many ordinary Filipinos, we generally take the pests [such as cockroaches, flies, mosquitoes, rodents, bed bugs, etc.] that are found in most homes and establishments for granted. Simply because, we don't know their medical as well as economic implications.

Aside from their disturbance, inconvenience, and annoyance, people are unaware that these pests:

1. Act as mechanical or natural vectors or carriers of pathogenic microorganisms [like plasmodia (causing Malaria), DEN-1/ DEN-2/ DEN-3/ DEN-4 (causing dengue fever/ DHF/ DSS), filarial worms causing filariasis or elephantiasis), etc. from mosquitoes; diarrhea, dysentery, thypoid, etc. from flies; food poisoning, etc. from cockroaches, and even from rodents; among others] and transmit them directly [bites, open wounds, etc] or indirectly [through infected/ contaminated food] to man.

2. Damage structures [termites like to consume the cellulosic parts of homes/ structures; wood borers or "bukbok" like to make many pinholes on lumbers making them weak as a result; rodents like to gnaw including on electrical wiring that may start a fire after short circuits, among others].

3. Damage stored products [like rice, etc].

These pests that are found inside homes/ structures came from the outside environment. Once inside, they multiply/ proliferate fast.

In order to control or prevent them, the following can be done/ undertaken/ implemented:

1. Proper housekeeping [cleanliness and sanitation] including modifying homes/ structures, proper waste disposal in homes/ structures, etc. are imperative. You remove the attractants [like odor, food, breeding media or harborage] of the pests hence naturally shying them away.

2. Proofing works in homes/ structures such as sealing of cracks, crevices, holes, vents, etc. including the screening of doors and windows.

3. Physical means like using of fly swatters, using of sticks/ rods, flooding of rat burrows or removing the breeding media, etc.

4. Use of adhesive materials [rat glue, fly sticks, etc.] to stick pests on them.

5. Mechanical means like using of traps, etc.

6. Bio-control like the use of Insect Growth Regulators [IGRs], naturally repelling plants/ shrubs/ trees, parasitoids and predators. For wrigglers in waters, seed them with mosquito eating fishes [like Gambusia affinis, Gurami, Mudfish, Catfish, Tilapia, etc.].

If the above measures have been used and still the pests persist, then, you can employ the Chemical means. However, be very careful! It is because most of the insecticides that are sold in supermarkets are harmful to health [aside from affecting the nervous system of pests, these chemicals affect also our nervous system] and environment aside from their being very expensive/ dollar-draining. Don't be hooked on their ads that they are safe to use in homes/ structures, scented, or no odor.

Of course, the Local Government Unit [city or municipality] must have their own legislated pest control program following:

1. Health Circular No. 155 as strengthened by Presidential Proclamation No. 990.

2. Presidential Degree Nos. 856 [New Sanitation Code], 1096 [New Building Code, and 522 [Sanitation Requirements for Establishments Catering To Traveling Public].

3. Republic Act 9003 [New Solid Waste Management Law in 2000]

4. DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2003-186 [Environmental Pest Abatement & Maintenance Program, EPAMP, should be included in their Local Investment/ Information & Education Program, and to implemented by the LGUs].

If you want more information or help you prepare a program suited to your needs and requirements, please call us at my CP# 0909-7178451 or Tel No. 02 484-0208. You can send them through our E-Mail Address: ncupc_manila@yahoo.com.

Thank you very much!

[ROQUETIBOR]

If you're interested that the NCUPC would conduct free seminar in your LGUs or in your establishments and implement your own pest control program, please get in touch with us soonest!

[ROQUETIBOR]

As an expert, I also don't believe the use of "ultra-sound" devices for rodents... especially that these creatures are "fast-adopting" and could easily resist/ develop resistance/ immunity...

[ROQUETIBOR]

Lately, I attended the PEST SUMMIT 2008 in Thailand... I was fascinated with their new insecticide, already commercialized, derived from the concoctions of various herbs that they also eat or part of their food.

[Union Jack]

Hello Roquetibor, a truly exhaustive reply.........well done and thanks

[balustre]

Thank you, Roquetibor for a comprehensive wealth of information on pest control. You are a great resource to everyone who have problems in pest control.