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Shaku Nair, Dawn H. Gouge, Shujuan Li, Ursula Schuch Department of Entomology, University of Arizona
This information is available online as an IPM short.
Sensitive environments (schools, childcare, medical and assisted-living facilities) house vulnerable populations such as children, the ill or elderly. The value of trees and natural areas in promoting good health, healing, and general well-being (Fig. 1) is widely documented (Velarde et al. 2007). Prevalence of pests, such as rodents, sometimes leads to drastic measures including severe pruning or even complete removal of plants or trees, to avoid providing habitat, food, and water resources to these pests. However, it is possible to manage these pests effectively and still have a beautiful landscape.
Do fruit and nut trees encourage or support rodent pest populations? This is a common concern with homeowners and landscape managers. Many rodents feed on a variety of plant materials such as seeds, flowers, leaves, roots, and bark, not just fruits and nuts. They also forage in and around buildings and dumpsters to utilize different food resources. Studies have shown that neither roof rat density nor number of plant species in the diet is correlated with the number of available food plant species in the environment (Clark, 1982). Thus, removal of trees or specific plants will not serve to reduce existing rodents or prevent new ones from becoming established. However, proper landscape management can help to keep rodents and other pests away.
Integrated pest management (IPM) is the best approach to managing rodents in sensitive environments.
1) Recognize signs of rodent activity.
2) Correct pest identification. Roof rats (Rattus rattus) (Fig. 5) are medium sized rodents with long, slender bodies and black, gray, or brown fur and larger eyes and ears. The head and body together measure 7-8 inches. The tail alone can be 8-9 inches in length (nearly always longer than the head and body length) and will touch the tip of the rat’s nose if stretched forward. The tail is dark, scaly and hairless, and is used as a support when climbing vertical surfaces. Other rodents may also be encountered, but roof rats are usually the most problematic in landscapes. Read more about them at: https://tinyurl.com/y49hdoqj, page 173. See Fig. 6 for a guide to identify domestic rodents.
3) Monitoring for rodent activity. Educate and encourage site management staff to recognize and report sightings of signs. Regular inspection of buildings for entry points and timely pest proofing is essential.
4) Removal of existing rodents and remediation of contaminated areas inside buildings. This is a public health priority and a task that should be done by designated, trained staff or pest management service providers. Severe rodent infestations indoors can result in large amounts of rodent feces, urine and fallen hair, as well as hoarded food material.
5) Waste management. Dumpsters and external trash receptacles are primary commensal rodent attractors to buildings (Fig.7). Dumpster lids should be kept closed at all times. Dumpsters should be steam cleaned at least 2 times each year and placed on a concrete slab which is maintained clean and clear of debris. Dumpsters should be at least 50 feet from the building but are often located too close to buildings.
6) Exclusion. Preventing rodents from gaining access to building interiors MUST be undertaken concurrently to the above steps.
Three important things to remember regarding roof rats in sensitive environments:
Sources/further information:
Answer: This is a tomato hornworm pupa
The tomato hornworm Manduca quinquemaculata is also known as the five-spotted hawkmoth. The caterpillars grow to a whopping 3 - 5 inches in length, with white stripes on each side and a brown horn projecting from the top rear. The hawk moth caterpillar devours the leaves and fruit of tomato, peppers, eggplant, potato, and wild nightshade. Dill can be used as a trap crop for this voracious wee beasty.
The adult moth is large and grayish brown in color, with orange spots on each side of its abdomen. It has a wingspan of 4 to 5 inches. The moths are agile flyers, fast and capable of hovering like a hummingbird.
Congratulations to Master Pest Detectives: Eric Russo (Southern Oregon Head Start - Preschool & Daycare) and Tony Knight for their identification skills. Special recognition for creative thinking goes to Brandyen “Cody” Jackson (University of Arizona).
If you know what this is, email the answer to Dawn at
dhgouge@email.arizona.edu. You will not win anything if you are correct, but
you will be listed as a “Master ID Detective” in the next newsletter issue.
A great opportunity for continuing education not only for schools and childcare, but also for community colleges, city parks and rec, turf and landscape managers, golf course supervisors, and other institutional staff engaged in operations, maintenance, turf and landscape, food service, health services and many other areas. The online format makes it accessible to persons anywhere in Arizona and other states. Registration information and schedule are available at: https://acis.cals.arizona.edu/community-ipm/events/arizona-school-ipm-conference
6 and 12 AZ PMD/PUG/PUC/Registered Sanitarian CEUs will be available for license renewal. Registration is open through May 31st, 2022. Have a question?
Call 520-374-6299 or email nairs@arizona.edu
Tucson on April 5th or Tempe on April 13th
Tucson on April 5th or Tempe on April 13th
ASU: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/azsfma-asusun-devil-stadium-event-tickets-290100176437 [eventbrite.com]
U of A: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/azstma-uofahi-corbett-field-event-tickets-290105040987 [eventbrite.com]
The Desert Horticulture Conference is the premier annual conference for all members of the southwest green industry: landscape architects, designers, growers, retailers, contractors, maintenance personnel, suppliers, and educators. Presenting timely and research-based information relevant for designing, building, maintaining, and producing plants for urban landscapes in the arid Southwest.
For professionals holding licenses or certifications CEU’s will be available
May 24, 2022 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM MST. Register at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7930153265782071822
During this event, EPA will re-broadcast three webinars: Rodents – Prevention and Control; Cockroach Allergens, Baits and the Sweet Science of Glucose Aversion; and Fleas – Pet Annoyance and Public Health Threat. Following each webinar, participants can engage in a live Q&A with subject matter experts.
Rodents – Prevention and Control will focus on rodent prevention, monitoring, and management using IPM practices.View recordings of previous EPA Integrated Pest Management Webinars at https://www.epa.gov/managing-pests-schools/upcoming-integrated-pest-management-webinars.
For more information about the EPA Schools program: http://www.epa.gov/schools/.
To view all our previous newsletters, visit: https://acis.cals.arizona.edu/community-ipm/home-and-school-ipm-newsletters.
This material is in part funded by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2017-70006-27145 that provides Extension IPM funding to the University of Arizona. Information regarding this document is within the guidelines of the Border 2020 Program funded by the U.S. Environmental Agency (EPA) and administered by NADB. Additional support is provided by the U.A. – Arizona Pest Management Center.
The Northeastern IPM Center receives support from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, NIFA agreement #2016-4866825905. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or those of other funders.
