Start with sanitation for SPP infestations

Dr. Reid Ipser, Director of Technical Services, Nisus Corp.

In homes, stored product pest (SPP) are usually introduced via infested cereal, bags of flour, etc. Immediate sanitation is mandatory once this has occurred to prevent the rapid spread of these pests.

First of all, discard all infested items. Work with the homeowners to help them practice proper containment of goods, including sealing containers like open cereal boxes and keeping grains and flours stored properly.

For large storage areas, the sanitation and storage practices are scaled up. Glue boards are good monitoring devices for beetles in storage warehouses. For commercial accounts, set your  integrated pest management (IPM) program with the customers’ practices in mind. Work with their needs. Sometimes, fumigation chambers will need to be used.