School IPM Approach
Ants & Cockroaches
David J. Shetlar, Ph.D.
The BugDoc
Landscape Entomologist
The Ohio State University
Why ControlAnts & Cockroaches?
•Cockroaches
– vectors of diseases
– cause allergies!
– contaminate foods
•Ants
– contaminate foods
– poorly tolerated by people
– cause structural damage
– a few may bite and/or sting
Cockroaches
• Ancient group (survivors!)
• Incomplete life cycle (eggs in cases)
• Omnivores (eat almost any food)
• Anthropomorphic species(tropical & subtropical species that live in the “comfort”of human buildings)
Cockroach Species
• German
• Brownbanded
• American
• Oriental (=waterbug)
Domestic Ohio Species
Native Species
• Woods roach
Cockroach Species
Species
Size
Life Span
Preferred Habitats
American
Large
1.3-2.1
1.5-2.0 yr
Needs water, commonly breeds insewer systems & undergroundutility systems.
Oriental
Medium
1.0-1.3
1.0-3.0 yr
Prefers high humidity areas, canwithstand freezing temps, often inbasements, garages, crawl spaces.
Brownbanded
Small
0.5-0.6
90-280 days
Can withstand dryer conditions,often lives in electrical equipment,attaches egg cases anywhere.
German
Small
0.4-0.6
2-6 months
Retains egg case until hatching,needs warmth, & water, oftenaround food processing areas.
Cockroach Management
•Monitor (sticky traps, flushing agents,determine extent of population)
•Sanitation
•Exclusion (caulking, parameter sprays)
•Crack & Crevice Sprays orDusts (treat all areas at once)
•Baits (eliminate other foods!)
School IPM Approach
Cockroach Management
•Monitor (sticky traps, flushing agents,determine extent of population)
•Identify Species and STAGES
•Sanitation (clean floors, food prep areas, getall materials up on steel racks, de-cardboardincoming materials, stand up mops and brooms,etc.)
•Exclusion (caulking, sealing sewer accesspoints, etc.)
•Baits (eliminate other foods!)
•Food Preferences (sugars, oils, oromnivores)
•Nesting Habits (soil, tree voids, orbuilding voids)
•Worker Types (single - monomorphic- or multiple sizes - polymorphic)
•Reproductive Strategy (single ormultiple queens)
Nuisance Ants
• Carpenter Ant
• Odorous House Ant
• Acrobat Ants
• Argentine Ant
• Little Black Ant
• Pavement Ant
• Pharaoh Ant
• Thief Ant
Common Ohio Ants
House & Building Invaders
Acrobat Ants
Pavement Ants
Pharaoh Ants
Ant Management
•Identify species!
•Locate nesting site (outside and/or inside)
•Prune back trees and shrubstouching infested building
•Seal external entry sites
•Exclude with parameter sprays
•Select appropriate bait
•Treat colonies (injection, dusts)
Pest Risk Example
Pest Risk Example
Ants in a Classroom
(They keep getting onto teacher’s desk!)
• What ant is it? (Pavement ant)
• Habitat? (soil outside building!)
• Food? (teacher keeps snacks in desk!)
• Water? (drip tubes from air conditioner!)
Typical school landscape with insect-prone plants.
Pest Risk Example
Pest Risk Example
Ants in a Classroom
(They keep getting onto teacher’s desk!)
•Pavement ant (bait?)
•Habitat? (soil - caulk?)
•Food? (teacher can keep snacks in air-tight containers!)
•Water? (correct air conditioner drip tubes– move away from foundation)
Pest Risk Example
Pest Risk Example
Ants in a Classroom
(Costs?)
•Baits & sprays require licensedapplicator (even custodian needs license!)
•Caulking (requires knowledge of whereants are nesting)
•Food? (costs acquiring containers!)
•Correct air conditioners? ($$$$$$$)
Water Sources (for ants)
Water Sources (for ants)
•Plumbing (above, below & within structure)
•Condensers (refrigerators & airconditioners)
•Roof Leaks (include down spouts)
•Trash (cups & containers have moisture)
Why Should You ConsiderSchool IPM Now?
We’re Here to HELP!
