Ontario Pesticide Training, Structural Module, Jan 2021, PDF

Ontario Pesticide Training and Certification Structural Module Ontario Pesticide Training and Certification Structural Module Copyright © Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2011. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written consent of the Publisher. For information write to: Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks Technical Assessment and Standards Development Branch Pesticides Section 40 St. Clair Avenue West Toronto, Ontario M4V 1M2 ISBN 978-1-4435-4511-2 Ontario Pesticide Training and Certification The Structural module complies with the basic knowledge requirements of the National Standard for Pesticide Education, Training and Certification in Canada. The information provided in this Structural Module is additional to the knowledge requirements detailed in the Core Manual, common to all certification categories. The Core Manual and this Module contain information that is relevant to the Structural certification examination. This module was revised most recently in 2020 following the May 1, 2020 amendments to the Pesticides Act and General regulation. Acknowledgments The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks would also like to acknowledge the significant assistance by the staff at Ridgetown Campus, University of Guelph, in the development of this module. Ontario Pesticide Training and Certification Legal Notice This publication has been prepared by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks of the Province of Ontario, in cooperation with the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus, for educational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, it should not be construed as legal or professional advice. For information on the use of particular pesticides for specific pest management problems, users may consult pest management guides available from numerous sources including: certified crop advisers, pesticide manufacturers, educational resources, university specialists and internet sites. The material in this publication is copyrighted by the Queen’s Printer for Ontario. The Government of Ontario makes no representation or warranty of any kind (express, implied or statutory) in relation to this publication or its content, and assumes no responsibility or liability whatsoever arising from, or in any way connected with, the use of this publication or its content. No endorsement of any third party products or services is expressed or implied by any information, material or content referred to, or included in, this publication. Ontario Pesticide Training and Certification Table of Contents Section 1: Introduction................................................... 1-1 Organization of Manuals Structural Licence Review Questions Section 2: Pest Biology................................................... 2-1 Learning Objectives Introduction Arthropods (Insects) Vertebrate Pests Review Questions Section 3: Integrated Pest Management......................... 3-1 Learning Objectives Introduction Components of IPM Structural Integrated Pest Management Practices Evaluation of the Control Program Review Questions Section 4: Pesticide Basics.............................................. 4-1 Learning Objectives Introduction Grouping of Pesticides Grouping by Mode of Action Grouping by Target Pest Grouping by Chemical Family and Site of Action Site of Action Groupings Factors Affecting Pesticide Effectiveness Factors Influencing the Effectiveness of Pesticdes Used for Arthropods Equipment Review Questions Section 5: Legislation...................................................... 5-1 Learning Objectives Introduction Structural Licence Cosmetic Pesticides Use Restrictions Structural Extermination Warning Signs Land Exterminator Notification Questions and Answers for Non-Residential Areas Questions and Answers for Residential Areas General Requirements for Use Permit Use Restrictions on Certain Pesticides in the Air Licence Exemptions Other Provincial Legislation Federal Legislation Review Questions Section 6: The Pesticide Label......................................... 6-1 Learning Objectives Introduction Where to get Label Information Review Questions Ontario Pesticide Training and Certification i Section 7: Human Health................................................ 7-1 Learning Objectives Introduction SDS Health Effects of Pesticides Families Insecticides Rodenticides Repellents Medical Fitness Cholinesterase Inhibition Cholinesterase Testing Review Questions Section 8: Safety............................................................ 8-1 Learning Objectives Introduction Personal Protective Equipment Respirators Clothing Other Safety Concerns Insecticide Applications Inside a Structure Review Questions Section 9: Pesticides and the Environment..................... 9-1 Learning Objectives Introduction Movement of Pesticides Identifying Sensitive Areas Review Questions Section 10: Application Technology................................ 10-1 Learning Objectives Application Equipment Types of Application Equipment Components of Power Sprayers Aerosol Generators and Foggers ULD Versus Fogging Preliminary Planning and Procedures for Rodenticides Precautions when Applying Residual Insecticides Concentrations, Volume, Dosage Concentration Calculations to Determine the Amount of Pesticide to Purchase and Use Review Questions Section 11: Professionalism............................................ 11-1 Learning Objectives Introduction Public Concerns Client Concerns Pre-application Activities Review Questions ii Ontario Pesticide Training and Certification Lists of Appendices Appendix A: Pests of Structures Appendix B: IPM for Structural Pests Appendix C: Glossary Appendix D: Information for Calibrations Appendix E: Answers to Review Questions Appendix F: Insecticide Groups Based on Sites of Action Appendix G: Sign “B” Example: Warning – Structural Extermination List of Tables and Figures Table 8.1 Minimum Personal Protective Equipment Table 8.2 Types of Respirators Used When Handling Pesticides Table 10.1 Typical Hose Sizes for Various Flow Rates Table 10.2 Comparison of Rodenticide Bait Types Table 1: Appendix B. Rodenticides and Characteristics Ontario Pesticide Training and Certification iii Section 1: Introduction Organization of the Manuals Each exterminator licence has two training manuals:  The Core Manual contains information relevant to all exterminators.  The Licence Category Specific module contains information relevant to the specific category of licence. The Core Manual and the Structural Module have been divided into sections, each with learning objectives, text and review questions. Answers to the review questions can be found in the Appendix section of this Module. NOTE: An applicant for the Structural licence must be knowledgeable in all aspects authorized by the licence. The examination will test the applicant’s knowledge of all sections and appendices in this module, unless otherwise stated. Structural Licence To become certified for the Structural licence, you must obtain a “pass” mark on both the Core and the Structural Module examinations. Licenced exterminators can only offer services and perform exterminations as authorized by their licence. The Structural licence authorizes the use of pesticides to:  control pests inside, around or in the vicinity of a building, structure, machine, vehicle or their contents.  control pests that adversely affect persons using these buildings, structures, machines or vehicles. Section 1: Introduction 1-1 The following uses are excluded from the Structural licence:  fumigant gases, chloropicrin  herbicides  termiticides  pesticides to control pests of plants growing inside greenhouses and buildings  pesticides from aircraft  pesticides on rights-of-ways of controlled access highways, roads, rail lines, hydro power lines or pipe lines  pesticides in a water extermination  the use of pesticides in treed areas of more than one hectare  the control of vertebrate pests (e.g. rat control in burrows in an urban park or geese control along a waterfront park) that are not in the vicinity of a building, structure, machine, vehicle or their contents or persons using these structures (are therefore not deemed to be adversely affecting them) are considered a land extermination. A Landscape exterminator licence would be required in addition to following proper public notification requirements. Technician Unlicensed assistants working without onsite direct supervision will have to successfully complete a training program to become technicians. Technicians can apply pesticides with specific restrictions of duties under the supervision of a licenced exterminator, who must visit once a week to observe the application. Trainee Unlicensed assistants who do not train to become technicians or a licensed exterminator must be directly supervised by licensed exterminators at all times. A licensed exterminator shall not supervise at the same time a total of more than three technicians or trainees working at one or more extermination sites. 1-2 Section 1: Introduction REMEMBER: Licenced exterminators who supervise a trainee or a technician are responsible for the acts and omissions of that person and are liable under the Pesticides Act and its Regulation for any misuse or misapplication of a pesticide by that person. Section 1: Introduction 1-3 Review Questions 1. Licenced exterminators can only offer services and perform exterminations as authorized by their licence. a) True b) False 2. The Structural licence does not authorize the use of pesticides in the following circumstances: a) In an apartment building with several floors. b) To control spiders on the exterior of homes. c) To control cockroaches inside of an airplane. d) To control rats within burrows in an urban park. 3. The holder of a Structural licence may control pests inside, around or in the vicinity of a building, structure, machine, vehicle or their contents. a) True b) False 1-4 Section 1: Introduction Section 2: Pest Biology Learning Objectives When you have completed this section you should understand:  basic arthropod and vertebrate pest biology, life cycles, and behaviour  pest identification Introduction To manage pests, you must know how to identify them, and understand their basic biology. This section provides general information on pest biology. Appendix A provides references and information on the common pests found in and around structures. Arthropods (Insects) Arthropods, primarily insects, can be significant pests of structures. The insect must be identified to determine if it is actually a pest and to select the appropriate control measures. The identification of an insect can appear to be a challenging task if one considers there are over 900,000 species of insects. The vast majority of these are not pests, and many are beneficial such as pollinators and natural enemies of other insect pests. As professional exterminators, it is important for to learn to identify and understand the biology of the insect pests you are managing. There are many different insects. They are only pests when they significantly damage property and structures, crops, food, feed, and livestock and when they carry diseases affecting humans or animals. Section 2: Pest Biology 2-1 Identification of structural pests can be made using a variety of aids. Books, government publications and fact sheets on insect identification are readily available. Insect Anatomy The identification of any insect requires an understanding of insect body parts (anatomy). Adult insects are distinguished from other animals by having:  three major body regions - head, thorax, and abdomen  three pairs of legs  one pair of antennae, and  one or two pairs of wings (if present). The “skin” of an insect is the segmented external skeleton that covers the entire body. This exoskeleton offers protection, gives the animal considerable rigidity, and serves as support for the soft internal body parts, including the muscles, nerves, blood system, and various organs and glands. The exoskeleton must be shed from time to time (moulting) as the insect develops and grows. Insects breathe through spiracles (pores) in their outer skeleton. The insect head bears the sensory organs-eyes, antennae, and mouth parts. The eyes may be simple, capable only of detecting light, or they may be highly complex organs (i.e. compound eyes) consisting of thousands of individual eyelets capable of detecting movement, shapes, and colours. The thorax of the insect bears the legs and either one or two pairs of wings. The legs may be highly modified for such activities as running, jumping, digging, or swimming. The wings, if present, may be simple and underdeveloped for flight, or they may be highly developed for rapid and powerful flight. 2-2 Section 2: Pest Biology The wings of the insect may vary in their form and pattern. Adult insects may have two pairs of wings (e.g. bees and wasps), one pair of wings (e.g. flies), or may lack wings (e.g. silverfish and fleas). The wings may be simple and transparent (e.g. flies), or covered with brightly coloured scales (e.g. butterflies). The number of wings, their form, and the pattern are important factors in insect identification. bees/wasps flies fleas beetles The abdomen of the insect may have various forms. The abdomen does not have true legs or wings, but feeler-like appendages may be present on the hind end. The abdomen bears the reproductive organs in both the male and female insects. Insect mouth parts are quite variable to facilitate feeding habits of the particular insect species. Mouth parts are an important characteristic in determining the identification of an insect. The mouthparts of insects can be categorized into several groups:  Biting and chewing (e.g. caterpillars and many beetles);  Piercing and sucking (e.g. aphids and mosquitoes); and  Lapping (e.g. adult butterflies and adult bees). Section 2: Pest Biology 2-3 Life Cycle of Insects Knowledge about insect reproduction and development is used to apply control measures at times when pest species are most susceptible. Most insects reproduce by mating with males to fertilize the eggs of a female. The exceptions include some aphids and parasitic wasps that reproduce without mating. Insects go through three to five different stages as they grow. These stages describe a change in size or form. The common stages are: egg, nymph, larva, pupa, and adult. A generation is the time that it takes for an insect to complete all of the life stages. Some insects may have more than one generation per year and may require control or management at different stages. The number of generations per year is dependent on the species of insect and the climate. A few insects give birth to live young; however, life for most insects begins as an egg. Eggs may be deposited as a single egg or in masses in the soil, or in water, or on plants, animals or in structures. The area in which the eggs are laid and the climate conditions at the time the eggs are laid may influence the time of hatching. When an insect first hatches from an egg, it begins to feed and grow until its skin (exoskeleton) cannot stretch further. The growth stages between molts are called instars. The number of instars varies with different insect species and by temperature and humidity. The types of food and its availability also influence the number of instars. Most of the feeding occurs during the final two instars. The series of changes that an insect passes in its growth from egg to adult is called metamorphosis. There are three main types of metamorphosis: 1. No Metamorphosis. There are three development stages – egg to young to adult. The young look like the adult but are less developed. All development stages live in the same habitat. The adult is the reproductive stage. An example of an insect with this type of development is the silverfish. 2-4 Section 2: Pest Biology 2. Incomplete or Simple Metamorphosis. There are three development stages - egg to nymph to adult. A nymph is similar in appearance to the adult but is wingless and lacks reproductive organs. The nymphs moult (shed their exoskeleton) three to five times to reach the size and development of the adult. Wings become fully developed only in the adult stage. The adult is the reproductive stage. All stages of the development live in the same habitat. Examples of incomplete metamorphosis include cockroaches, grasshoppers, termites, earwigs, lice, thrips, plant bugs, aphids, scales, mealybugs and leafhoppers. 3. Complete Metamorphosis. There are four development stages – egg to larva to pupa to adult. Larvae hatch from the egg and grow larger by moulting and passing through three to five stages (instars) shedding its exoskeleton to grow in size. The larva is very different from the adult. The larvae stage usually has appendages that are true legs. The legs (true legs) on the thorax region of some larvae may be underdeveloped. The larvae of some species have prolegs legs (false legs) in the abdominal region and others have no legs at all. Other names for the larval stage of certain insects are:  Caterpillars (e.g. moths, butterflies and sawflies)  Loopers (larvae of some moths and butterflies)  Grubs (e.g. beetles, bees and wasps), and Section 2: Pest Biology 2-5  Maggots (legless larvae of many flies). Because of its feeding activity, the larval stage is usually the destructive stage of the insect’s life cycle. The pupa of insects is the non feeding stage. It undergoes complete metamorphosis during which a complete change of shape occurs. It is a resting stage and the pupa has no legs. The adult is the reproductive stage and is usually winged (e.g. mosquitoes, and flies). The adults consume different foods than the larvae. Many insects undergo complete metamorphosis including beetles, weevils, butterflies, moths, flies, mosquitoes, bees, wasps and ants. 2-6 Section 2: Pest Biology Basic Insect Metamorphosis Simple Metamorphosis Complete Metamorphosis Section 2: Pest Biology 2-7 Insect Classification An important requirement of any Integrated Pest Management program is accurate identification of the pest species. Scientists have divided all insects into groups called Orders. Insects are placed in an Order according to common characteristics such as:  the presence or absence of wings  wing texture  type of mouthparts, and  type of metamorphosis. The following is a brief description of the orders that contain most of the insects that are pests of structures. The scientific name of the Order is in brackets. Silverfish and firebrats (Thysanura) are wingless insects with chewing mouthparts. They can feed on and damage fabrics, paper products, paste and books. Species in this Order have no metamorphosis. Grasshoppers, crickets and cockroaches (Orthoptera) have two pairs of wings and chewing mouthparts. Both nymphs and adults cause damage. They have incomplete metamorphosis. 2-8 Section 2: Pest Biology Earwigs (Dermaptera) are medium-sized (3-28 mm) insects, distinguished by the non-poisonous pinchers on their abdomens. They have chewing mouthparts and two pairs of wings. While they are able to fly, they usually do not. The European earwig is occasionally a pest of gardens, ornamentals, small trees and homes. Earwigs have incomplete metamorphosis. True bugs (Hemiptera) usually have 2 pairs of wings folded flat over the body. The first pair of wings is usually membranous and half opaque. The mouthparts are prolonged into a beak for sucking. Examples include stink bugs and bed bugs. True bugs have incomplete metamorphosis. Section 2: Pest Biology 2-9 Beetles and Weevils (Coleoptera) usually have two pairs of wings and have chewing mouthparts. The front pair of wings has been hardened and provide protection to the thorax and abdomen of the insect. The larva of a beetle is sometimes called a grub, and often represents the principal feeding stage of the life cycle. The larvae live in the soil and feed on plant roots (June beetle) or stems. Some Coleoptera are considered beneficial insects, examples are ground beetles that are predators of caterpillars, or lady beetles that feed on aphids. Beetles commonly found within structures include weevils, carpet beetles and other food infesting pests such as flour and drugstore beetles. Beetles and weevils have complete metamorphosis. Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) adults have two pair of wings that are covered in tiny scales. Adults feed by means of lapping mouthparts, largely on flower nectar. The adults are not particularly harmful. The larval stages have chewing mouthparts and are often destructive. Some larvae are known as caterpillars, cutworms or hornworms. This group includes some food infesting pests such as the Indian meal moth, Mediterranean flour moth and Angoumois grain moth. Species in this Order have complete metamorphosis. 2-10 Section 2: Pest Biology Flies, Mosquitoes and Gnats (Diptera) adults have one pair of wings and have sponging, piercing or sucking mouthparts. The larval stages of flies are known as maggots. The adults of this group include many well known insects such as houseflies, mosquitoes, gnats, horse flies and deer flies. Some can be a danger to human health because they transmit diseases (e.g. West Nile Virus). The larval stage of some can be significant plant pests. Species in this Order have complete metamorphosis. Bees, Wasps and Ants (Hymenoptera) adults are winged or wingless. Those species that are winged have two pairs of membranous wings. The mouth parts of most species are chewing and lapping. The immature stages are “grub- like”. All pest species of wasps (e.g. Yellow Jacket wasps, Bald-faced Hornet and Polistes wasps) can sting. Stingers from wasps are not barbed and these insects often sting more than once. The stinger of honeybees are barbed, and they usually only sting once. This order includes many beneficial species of insects as well as some pest species. Bees, wasps and ants have complete metamorphosis. Section 2: Pest Biology 2-11 2-12 Section 2: Pest Biology Other Arthropods All of the members of the class Insecta belong to the phylum Arthropoda (commonly referred to as arthropods). The arthropods comprise about 95 per cent of all known animal species. Only 5 per cent of the arthropods are not insects. Some of the other important arthropod pests are described below (i.e. spiders, mites, ticks). SPIDERS, MITES AND TICKS Spiders and mites as well as ticks (Class Arachnida) are related to insects. They may be significant pests or beneficial depending on the species. Spiders, mites and ticks are different from insects in that they have only two main body regions – head and abdomen. Most spiders are beneficial predators since they feed almost entirely on insects. Ticks and mites have modified piercing-sucking mouthparts. Mites feed by sucking plant sap, while ticks feed by sucking animal blood. Damage caused by mites appears as browning or mottling of the leaves. Ticks transmit disease (e.g. Lyme disease). Arachnida SPIDERS, MITES, TICKS This class has eight legs (1) and two body regions, the head or cephalothorax (2), and abdomen (3). Spiders, mites and ticks generally go through five development stages in their life cycle – egg to larva to two nymph stages to adult. Section 2: Pest Biology 2-13 The larva of spiders, mites and ticks has three pairs of legs, while the nymph and adult stages have four pairs of legs. The adult is the reproductive stage and is wingless and lack antennae. The larva, nymph and the adult are all feeding stages. All stages are found in the same habitat. CENTIPEDES AND MILLIPEDES Centipedes (Class Chilopoda) and millipedes (Class Diplopoda) are elongate with two visible body regions – head and body. Centipedes have one pair of legs per body segment and have chewing mouthparts. Some can inflict painful bites on humans. Millipedes have two pair of legs per body segment and are cylindrical like an earthworm. They are relatively slow moving. Millipedes are generally inoffensive creatures that feed on fungus and decaying plant material. However, they can be destructive to vegetables. Centipedes and millipedes have no metamorphosis and do not change except in size. SOWBUGS Sowbugs and pillbugs (Class Crustacea) are oval with a hard outer shell made up of a number of plates. They require moisture and live in damp habitats such as the foundations of structures. Generally, they feed on decaying plant materials, but they may also feed on young plants in greenhouses and gardens. Their metamorphosis is gradual and they may have at least 20 instars before reaching the adult stage. Vertebrate Pests Vertebrates include animals that have backbones and spinal columns. Vertebrate pests that might affect structures include birds, rodent, skunks, raccoons, and snakes. Vertebrate pests in structural situations can cause significant damage by feeding or through their nesting and burrowing activities. Often these pests may be nesting in, on or under structures such as sheds, attics or under deck areas. 2-14 Section 2: Pest Biology Behaviour and Biology of Vertebrates Assistance in vertebrate identification may be provided by MNR personnel, wildlife professionals or through government and industry publications. Knowing vertebrate pest behaviour and biology is important as it helps you determine the most effective control methods, the best time to implement the control, and the best location for the control product (e.g. placement of traps or poisoned baits). The choice of control methods will depend upon the following characteristics of the vertebrate pest:  habitat  preferred foods and availability of food  behavioural characteristics (flying, climbing, burrowing, etc.)  shyness to humans and foreign objects Bird Pests Birds can become a nuisance in and around structures. There are public health problems associated with their presence and should be understood by the Structural exterminator. Bird droppings can contaminate food, and deface structures in urban settings. Birds can harbor disease organisms such as Histoplasmosis, Ornithosis, Salmonellosis and other diseases. Rodent Pests Rodent biology is important when developing effective control programs. When conditions for rodents are favorable, they may multiply rapidly, but can be slowed significantly if the conditions are stressful to them. A female mouse can produce roughly 8 litters per lifetime each litter producing 5 or 6 young. In contrast Norway rats can produce 4 to 7 litters per lifetime with each litter producing 5 to 12 young. Appendix A provides additional details vertebrate and arthropod pest biology given for specific pest species. Section 2: Pest Biology 2-15 Review Questions Insects and Other Arthropods 1. Earwigs have complete metamorphosis. a) True b) False 2. True bugs (e.g. aphids, leaf hoppers, and scale insects) have sucking mouth parts. a) True b) False 3. Flies and moths have two (2) pairs of membranous wings. a) True b) False 4. Spiders are insects. a) True b) False 5. Which order of insects can be identified by the presence of scales on their wings? 6. Beetles and ants have complete metamorphosis. What immature stages are there in complete metamorphosis? 7. How can the class Arachnida be distinguished from insects? 2-16 Section 2: Pest Biology 8. What four characteristics of vertebrate pests help in the choice of control methods? Section 2: Pest Biology 2-17 NOTES 2-18 Section 2: Pest Biology Section 3: Integrated Pest Management Learning Objectives When you have completed this section you should be able to:  know how to manage pests using an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. Introduction Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a decision making process to manage pests from reaching damaging levels and for determining what actions to take to prevent pest problems when they occur. An IPM approach may reduce the need for chemical pesticides. Components of IPM for Structural Insect, Other Arthropod and Vertebrate Pests Management of a pest problem should follow an IPM approach. The components of an IPM strategy (i.e., prevention, pest identification, inspection, monitoring, threshold limits, selecting the best pest management practices and evaluation) are discussed in the Integrated Pest Management section of the Core Manual. Section 3: Integrated Pest Management 3-1 Prevention The following information pertains to IPM practices for structural insect pests (e.g., cockroaches, bed bugs, and ants), other arthropods pests (e.g., spiders and mites) and vertebrates pests (e.g., mice, rats, feral pigeons). The key to long-term pest management in and around structures is to design areas to prevent pests from becoming a problem initially. The best method of managing structural pests is to exclude them or to “'pest proof” the structure. This can be done by:  Installing door sweeps or thresholds at the base of all exterior entry doors.  Applying good quality silicone or acrylic latex caulking into cracks and crevices.  Sealing utility openings with caulk, cement, urethane expandable foam, steel wool, copper mesh etc., where pipes and wires enter the structure, e.g., around outdoor faucets, receptacles, gas meters, vents, and utility wires.  Repairing leaks on roofs or other sites around the building.  Adding screens or wire mesh (hardware cloth) to vents, grills and drains.  Repairing gaps and tears in window and door screens. Long-term pest management in such places as commodity processing areas or food storage warehouses involves preventing infested stock or commodities from entering a facility. It is useful to provide designated areas for incoming stock and commodities so that they are isolated if they are infested with pests to prevent spread to the rest of the facility. If pests are found in incoming stock it will require a follow-up program with suppliers to ensure that future incoming stock coming into a facility is pest-free. Proper sanitation and housekeeping for structures must be in place, and standards maintained, to ensure that equipment (i.e. processing equipment, vacuum cleaners, etc) are clean and free from pest harbourage sites (i.e., where pests can hide). For example, the use of forced air to clean out cracks and crevices may appear to be a proper method of cleaning but could inevitably move insect eggs to other non-infested parts of a structure. 3-2 Section 3: Integrated Pest Management Sanitation and housekeeping practices include:  Removing nesting and hiding sites for pests (e.g., removing vegetation and debris from around buildings).  Cleaning up spilled food and grease.  Ensuring garbage containers are pest-proof.  Maintaining a consistent and thorough cleaning program for all processing equipment, storage and warehousing areas, production areas, worker lunchrooms, and worker change areas. A pest prevention program must be tailored to each client’s specific needs. The IPM program should support existing quality management programs, such as the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) and the Food Safety and Enhancement Program (FSEP). HACCP is a food safety management system that uses process controls to minimize food safety risks in the food processing industry. HACCP is a preventative food safety system that tries to reduce the risk of hazards getting into food products to an acceptable level. FSEP is the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) approach to encourage and support the development, implementation and maintenance of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems in all federally registered establishments of the meat, dairy, honey, maple syrup, processed fruit and vegetable, shell egg, processed egg and poultry hatchery sectors. Pest Identification It is very important to correctly identify the pest (often to species) (e.g. cockroach vs. bedbug, German cockroach vs. Brown-banded cockroach) and to its stage of development (e.g. German cockroach nymph vs. adult)) so that the most effective method of pest management tool can be selected. Once the pest is properly identified, the licensed Structural exterminator can use that knowledge to learn more about the pest’s life cycle, biology and behavior. No pest management action should be taken until a thorough and accurate diagnosis of the problem has taken place. Many licensed Structural exterminators will collect and preserve insects and other arthropod pest Section 3: Integrated Pest Management 3-3 specimens to assist in proper identification by an experienced individual in insect or arthropod identification. Commonly encountered pests may be identified easily (e.g., Larder beetles) whereas other pests will require greater expertise to properly identify the pest to species (e.g., Thief ant vs. Pharaoh ant). Published diagnostic pest identification pictorial keys may be helpful in those situations or acquiring the assistance of an entomologist. Inspection Inspection in and around structures consists of regularly scheduled site visits to determine the location and extent of a pest population. Inspection includes using a variety of tools to look for actual pest sightings, droppings, and damage, nesting sites or nesting materials, gnaw marks or grease marks, sources of moisture, food, warmth and harbourage etc. Inspection also involves looking for entry sites by the pest as well as determining if sanitation and housekeeping standards are being maintained. If not, poor sanitation can be conducive to pest activity. Obtaining information from people working or living in the structure is another important part of the inspection. To perform a proper and thorough inspection, you will require the following tools:  A flashlight (capable of providing a beam to reach a 6 metre ceiling), spare batteries, plastic lens (not glass-to avoid contaminating food if the lens shatters as a result of dropping the flashlight).  A digital camera to retain a pictorial record of the site.  Magnifying glass or hand lens.  Hand tools (screw-driver, pliers and wrench for inspecting inside equipment), bumper hat/hair net, white lab coat, safety shoes, gloves.  Plastic collecting vials containing ethyl alcohol, tweezers.  Glue boards or sticky traps for capturing specimens.  A mechanic's mirror, borescope or stethoscope may also be helpful in some situations. 3-4 Section 3: Integrated Pest Management  The use of a small aerosol of compressed air or an insecticide flushing agent, such as pyrethrin, to flush-out insects in hiding places that are otherwise inaccessible. Locating live pest activity during an inspection may not always be easy. Very often only signs of damage or their droppings provide a clue to an infestation. Also spider webbing may provide evidence of insect activity by trapping pest insects. In addition, overhead lighting canopies and window sills may provide an easy inspection site for insects infesting the structure that have been attracted to the heat or light. Monitoring Monitoring includes using a variety of tools (e.g., glue traps, pheromones, light and colour, dogs trained to detect specific insect odours) to trap live pests, tracking their activity (e.g., talc powder to determine movement) and recording a variety of data (e.g. pest population levels, pest activity sites, temperature and humidity levels, sanitation and housekeeping standards). Monitoring should note any means of pest harbourage including means of entry into the structure, sources of moisture, food and heat sources throughout the structure, and its utility systems (i.e. heating, plumbing and electrical systems). Pests often use these utility systems as pathways into and through buildings. Obtaining information of pest activity, recent spills of food, where garbage is stored, records of maintenance, building schematics etc., from those working or living in the structure is also an important part of the monitoring process. Maintaining proper monitoring records will show when conditions are favourable for pests to establish and thrive in a facility. It will also provide the basis for developing an integrated pest management strategy. Monitoring serves four purposes:  to detect pests before an infestation can occur  to determine the source and extent of an infestation  to provide information and data in developing a control management strategy  to provide data for evaluating the success of pest management program Section 3: Integrated Pest Management 3-5 Threshold Levels Threshold levels of pest populations are based upon what a client will consider acceptable when pests are found in the facility or structure. These levels may be predetermined as part of an integrated pest management strategy. Very often a food serving or processing facility will set a very low threshold level for pests. In some cases, one insect is already too many. It is at the threshold level of concern that a structural pest management company is often called in to solve the problem. However, for existing clients, the threshold level should never be reached if proper preventative pest management measures have been introduced. Understanding threshold levels of pest infestations and knowing whether or not it is necessary to take action against a pest, is key to sound pest management decisions by the licensed structural exterminator. This knowledge can:  reduce commodity losses  decrease operational costs  lessen the need to use pesticides, and  increase client satisfaction Structural Integrated Pest Management Practices Structural integrated pest management consists of several key practices that are often used in combination to carry out a successful pest management program. These practices include the following:  Legal  Cultural  Physical/mechanical  Biological  Chemical 3-6 Section 3: Integrated Pest Management Legal Federal and provincial legislation require food processing and servicing establishments to maintain an environment free from contaminants including pests. If pesticides are used, the pesticides labels are federal legal documents and must be strictly followed. Directions on where the pesticide can be applied, rates of application, the pests that can be permitted by the pesticide label to be managed, and the use precautions of the pesticide, are all important components of the label and must be followed by the user. Cultural Pests can often be managed by making cultural changes that remove favorable conditions for the pest to find food, water or harbourage. Cultural changes that can prevent or reduce pest infestation include maintaining proper:  sanitation and housekeeping practices  building maintenance, or  commodity storage practices. Sanitation and housekeeping practices include worker hygiene, regular equipment and facility cleaning, as well as appropriate waste disposal practices. Most pests require moisture to survive and reproduce, and all attempts to avoid unnecessary moisture buildup should be made. Structural and building maintenance practices such as repairing dripping taps or leaks will eliminate sources of moisture that may attract pests. Using dehumidifiers in damp areas will also aid in managing pests that thrive in moist conditions. Removing dense vegetation and debris around building perimeters will eliminate insect and rodent harborages. Proper commodity and food storage practices include stock rotation and placement of commodity and food products on pallets (instead of resting on the floor), including perimeter and aisle access for inspection purposes. These procedures prevent the spread of pests from infested materials and limit pest access to the stored food. Section 3: Integrated Pest Management 3-7 Mechanical Pests can often be managed by trapping, repelling or killing pests, or setting up barriers or pest proofing a structure, using physical or mechanical methods. This includes the use of the following:  Barriers to prevent pest entry into a structure. For example, downward air current units and plastic strips on open doorways that separate attached warehouses; netting placed under bridges or in rafters of bus garages or other structures to prevent birds from roosting; rodent guards on rail tracks to prevent mice and rats from gaining access under shipping doors; tactile (sticky) repellents and needle strips (porcupine wire) placed on building ledges to discourage birds from roosting; maintaining a buffer (exposed soil, crushed ornamental stones or wood chips etc) around the outside perimeter of building walls and entrances.  Electrocuting light traps devices and fly paper for trapping flying insects; using rodent glue boards, snap traps and automatic multi-catch mouse traps; using live traps, wasp meat and sugar traps, earwig moisture traps.  Devices that frighten away or repel pests such as plastic owls or ultrasonic sound repellant devices; using “anti-bug” yellow lights outdoors to reduce the attraction of insects.  Heat, cold, sound, electricity, light, and radiation producing equipment to kill or repel pests.  Heavy-duty vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters with a crevice attachment to remove pests (e.g., spiders and webbing from around eaves, window frames and along the edges of siding panels). Biological Management of pests can often be successful using non-conventional pesticides such as biopesticides and certain lower risk pesticides. This includes the use of sex or aggregate pheromones and insect growth regulators. Pheromones are chemicals produced by insects that act as a form of communication and cause members of the same species to elicit some type of response. By synthetically duplicating these natural pheromones, and using 3-8 Section 3: Integrated Pest Management them to sticky traps, the male insect pest can be attracted to a sticky trap rather than to the female insect pest which then can prevent mating. Synthetic pheromones can also be used to cause insect pests to aggregate to the sticky trap. Pheromone traps are currently available, primarily as monitoring tools, for Webbing clothes moths, Flour beetles, stored food moths and cockroaches. Insect growth regulators (IGR) are synthetic juvenile hormones that, when an immature insect is exposed to them, inhibit or accelerate physiological changes. Some mimic juvenile hormones that interrupt moulting when introduced into the insect’s environment. This causes improper shedding of the exoskeleton and disrupts proper adult development. Other IGRs prevent the exoskeleton from hardening after the old one is shed or cause the insect to delay its metamorphosis at a specific stage. For example, flea larvae exposed to methoprene will change into a pupae but no further metamorphosis occurs. Research is currently ongoing to develop other biological control products for structural pest management. For example, research into fungus diseases that are specific to insects that can be used in structural pest management without contaminating food processing facilities. In some fly management programs Muscovy ducks have been used to reduce House flies in livestock barns by consuming larvae, pupae and adult flies. Chemical The use of conventional pesticides (e.g. pyrethroids, organphosphate or carbamate insecticides, rodenticides, avicides etc.) can be a component of a structural IPM program but should be considered as a last resort and the consideration of the least toxic product. Conventional pesticides are used in IPM programs when no effective alternatives are available or alternatives are not sufficient to keep pest populations from reaching damaging levels. The emphasis is to maximize the benefits and advantages that pesticides have to offer while minimizing their potential risks. Whenever a pesticide treatment is needed, selection of the chemical should be consistent with the pesticide label and all federal and provincial legislation. The most effective use of pesticides is usually achieved when applied during the active immature stages (young, nymph, or larva) of the pest. Most pesticides Section 3: Integrated Pest Management 3-9 labeled for management of insects and other arthropods are not effective against protected stages such as the egg and pupa stage. Evaluation of the Control Program The evaluation process of the pest management program looks at all aspects of the program and evaluates the effects and efficacy of the control program. Monitoring data is taken before and after the non-conventional and conventional pesticide application methods have been used and data is also collected to evaluate pest damage. Collection of these records will help in determining how well the IPM program worked. The information will be used to evaluate if the program is successful or why the program did not work as expected, and where improvements are necessary. Improvements may include the use of additional or alternative pest management practices. 3-10 Section 3: Integrated Pest Management Review Questions 1. IPM is a strategy that completely replaces the use of pesticides. a) True b) False 2. What are the components of IPM? 3. Why is pest identification important? Section 3: Integrated Pest Management 3-11 NOTES 3-12 Section 3: Integrated Pest Management Section 4: Pesticide Basics Learning Objectives When you have completed this section you should be able to:  know how pesticides are grouped according to their mode of action and site of action  know the chemical family groupings for common pesticides used in structures, and  know the factors affecting pesticide performance Introduction Following an Integrated Pest Management approach allows the exterminator to make knowledgeable decisions regarding the pest control treatments to manage a pest and whether or not control is necessary. After weighing all factors, the exterminator may decide that the pest must be controlled and that a pesticide is required. The pesticide to be used must be federally registered for the intended use and classified in Ontario. The Core Manual (refer to the Pesticide Basics section) described how pesticides are named, the common families and the grouping of pesticides. In this section, we will expand upon the description used to organize pesticides used for structural pest control and factors affecting the performance of pesticides. Grouping of Pesticides A pesticide can be organized with other pesticides in several different ways. Pesticides can be grouped together by their:  mode of action Section 4: Pesticide Basics 4-1  target pest  chemical family, and  site of action Grouping by Mode Of Action One method is to group pesticides together by their mode of action. The mode of action describes when the pesticide is applied to the pest or how the pesticide affects the pest. Common pesticide groupings by mode of action in structural pest management include: 1. By inherent properties a. Route of entry - contact or systemic b. Selectivity - selective or non selective c. Residual effectiveness - residual or non-residual 2. By affect on the pest a. attractant b. chemosterilant c. desiccant d. feeding stimulus e. growth regulators f. repellent g. toxicant (neurotoxin, acute toxicant, anticoagulant, fumigant) Insecticides Insecticides are commonly grouped according to how they affect a pest.  Contact insecticides must contact the pest to be effective. They can be applied to the pest or the surfaces pests touch. Some contact insecticides have a residual action and can kill the pest for some time after 4-2 Section 4: Pesticide Basics application. Permethrin used to control flying insects is an example of a contact insecticide.  Systemic Insecticides are pesticides that enter the plant and move (translocate) to other parts of the plant. For example, systemic pesticides can be applied to a plant and translocate within the plant by sap or water. The pests suck the poisoned sap or eat the poisoned plant parts and are killed by the pesticide in it. Some pesticides can be both systemic and contact.  Stomach Poisons are insecticides that must be swallowed by the pest to be effective. Sometimes stomach poisons are mixed with or applied on the pest’s food. For example, boric acid is an example of a stomach poison. It is found in many ant baits.  Selective Insecticides control specific insects. Unless misapplied, they generally do not harm non-target insects or other organisms that they are not intended for control.  Suffocating Insecticides clog the breathing systems of insects (and can also be used to reduce egg survival). Highly refined petroleum and mineral oils are used as dormant and summer oils for insect control on fruit trees. The mode of action of these oils is not well understood, although they are known to block oxygen uptake by insect eggs and suffocate adult insects by blocking their breathing pores. Use oils cautiously since many plants can be injured by oil treatments.  Insect Growth Regulators disrupt the normal development of the insect causing it to die before it becomes an adult or before it can reproduce. These chemicals prevent immature insects from maturing into adults (and therefore preventing reproduction). Each insect growth regulator acts against a single pest species.  Silica dusts or Gels kill crawling pests by scratching through their bodies. This injury to the body causes them to dehydrate and die. Diatomaceous earth is an example of a silica dust (silicon dioxide).  Pheromones. Many female insects release chemicals (sex pheromones) to attract males for reproduction purposes. Pheromone traps use a synthetic sex pheromone that is highly attractive to specific male insects to attract them onto sticky traps. In Structural situations pheromones are rarely effective for controlling insects but do have importance in Section 4: Pesticide Basics 4-3 monitoring insect populations. Pheromone traps are used to establish whether an insect is present in an area and at what number. Each pheromone is effective to a specific male insect. Pheromone traps are available for many common household pests (e.g. Indian Meal Moths)  Repellents are chemicals that repel insects and will therefore keep them away from their hosts. For example, repellents are available in pet collars to keep fleas away from dogs and cats.  Sticky pastes are chemicals that are placed on traps to capture pests. Chemicals may be used to attract the insects to the trap. The insects get stuck on the sticky paste and die. Sticky pastes can be used as barriers to restrict the movement of crawling pests. Sticky pastes (e.g. glue boards) of various sizes are available to catch or monitor a wide variety of pests including flies, spiders, fleas, roaches and rodents.  Microbial insecticides contain tiny organisms such as bacteria and fungi that have been formulated into a pesticide. Most microbial pesticides are naturally occurring in the pest’s environment and are pest-specific. The bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) is a commonly used microbial to control the larval stages of certain insects. Pesticides for Vertebrate Control Pesticides that are registered for vertebrate control can also be grouped according to their mode of action.  Chemical repellents are designed to keep pests away from doing damage. They are either non-poisonous (e.g. sticky pastes) or poisonous. Except for rodent control, there are only a few chemical repellents (e.g. putrescent egg solids) registered for vertebrate control. Pesticide repellents that are available are painted or sprayed on trees and shrubs to repel rodents, rabbits and deer. An example of a chemical repellent for rodents is thiram.  Anticoagulant rodenticides. Rodents (rats and mice) that eat an anticoagulant rodenticide die from internal bleeding, the result of the loss of the blood’s ability to clot. Most rodenticides are formulated as baits to be used in tamper resistant bait stations. Rodents that eat enough treated bait will die from internal bleeding in three to four days. 4-4 Section 4: Pesticide Basics Rodenticides can be highly toxic to people, pets and other animals, and must be used with extreme caution. The safety of persons, especially children, pets, wildlife or domestic animals is of prime importance when considering the use of rodenticides. In structural situations rodenticides should be placed in “tamper resistant” bait stations to prevent children or pets from exposure to the bait or accidentally eating it. All bait stations should be clearly marked and a record of their location should be kept in order to remove the bait when control measures are completed. Rodenticides may be placed into rodent burrows so that they are not accessible to pets or people. All accessible bait and dead rodents should be removed and disposed of appropriately. There are two types of anticoagulant rodenticides.  Multiple feeding anticoagulant rodenticides require continued feeding by the rodent over several days to be effective on the rodent population. A continuous supply of bait should be provided until feeding by rodents has stopped. Examples include warfarin, chlorophacinone and diphacinone.  Single feeding anticoagulant rodenticides do cause death to occur six to ten days after a single feeding. These rodenticides require many bait placements with small amounts (tablespoon) of bait in each station. Replenish no sooner then every seven days, and continue until feeding has stopped. Examples include bromadiolone and brodifacoum. The use of rodenticides can present a significant hazard to predatory mammals and birds through secondary poisoning. Secondary poisoning is when one animal consumes a rodent that still has undigested bait in its gut or mouth. Secondary poisoning typically involves repeated feedings on poisoned animal carcasses over several days or longer. To prevent secondary poisonings, ensure that poisoned rodents are picked up daily and disposed of properly. Grouping by Target Pest Common pesticide groupings by target pest in the structural pest management include: Section 4: Pesticide Basics 4-5  Insecticides  Miticides/Acaricides  Rodenticides  Avicides (Consult Core Manual for a description of above pesticides) Grouping by Chemical Family and Site of Action A chemical family is a group of chemicals that have similar chemical structure. There are several ways that pesticides are grouped together in families. One way to group pesticides into a chemical family is to use similar properties such as poisoning symptoms or persistence in the environment. Knowing the chemical family assists the user in determining the human and environmental risk when selecting a pesticide. Another way to group pesticides into a chemical family is according to their site of action (mode of action target site). The site of action is the location in the pest where the pesticide takes affect. The federal Pest Management Regulatory Agency has introduced a classification system for many pesticide families based on the site of action. The Site of Action Group and its Identification Symbol may be indicated on the front panel of all commercial and restricted class products. Site of Action Groupings It is important to understand the Site of Action Group classification system because many pesticides have gradually lost their effectiveness due to the development of resistance by pests. An important pesticide resistance strategy is to avoid the repeated use of pesticides that belong to the same chemical family and that have a similar site of action. 4-6 Section 4: Pesticide Basics Knowing the Site of Action Groups helps an exterminator to choose pesticides with different sites of action to slow the development of pest resistance. This will prolong the life of a pesticide and help to obtain effective pest control. Resistance management information is found under the “Use Directions” section of a pesticide label. There are over 40 different Site of Action Groups. A selective list of the federal Site of Action Groups of Insecticides used in the structural industry can be found in Appendix F. Factors Affecting Pesticide Effectiveness There are many factors that affect the pesticides ability to control a pest. Some of these factors are discussed below and should be considered when selecting your method of pest control. Water Quality Water that is used to mix and apply pesticides may affect pesticide performance. Temperature, sediment, pH, and presence of mineral ions in the water may have an affect on the pesticides effectiveness to control pests. Refer to the pesticides label for specific water quality requirements. The pH is a measure of the waters acidity or alkalinity. The pH can range from 1 (extremely acid) to 14 (extremely alkaline). Water with a high pH (i.e. alkaline) can decrease to solubility and stability of some insecticides. If it is suspected there is a problem with water quality, the exterminator should:  have the water tested (pH test kits are available at swimming pool supply outlets)  seek another source of water, or  obtain advice on how to correct the problem. Water used for mixing and spraying should not contain sediment or organic matter. Sediment or organic matter in water can cause:  premature pump wear Section 4: Pesticide Basics 4-7  plugging screens, and  decreased pesticide effectiveness. Other Factors Affecting Insecticide Effectiveness Additional factors that affect the effectiveness of the insecticides include timing of application, pest resistance and weather conditions. Timing of Application Insects may need to be present or in a susceptible stage of development for a pesticide to be effective. The best control is usually achieved during the early larva or nymph stages when the insects are small and vulnerable, and before the adults lay eggs for another generation. Control during these stages requires careful monitoring of pest populations. It is difficult to control insects in either the egg or pupa stage because these stages are often inactive, not feeding, or in inaccessible areas (e.g. underground, in cracks and crevices). Additional coverings such as silken cocoon may also protect them. Susceptible insect life stages may be present for only a short period of time. This time may vary each year depending on weather and micro-climate conditions. Weather Conditions Extremes of temperature and humidity can adversely affect the effectiveness of pesticides by decreasing the residual life and activity of a pesticide. Environmental conditions such as humidity and temperature can affect the rate of growth of insects and thus change the length of the life cycle. A heavy rain shortly after a pesticide application can wash the pesticide off the treated surface or location. The pesticide label may indicate what weather conditions should be avoided. 4-8 Section 4: Pesticide Basics Resistance Some insects have developed resistance to specific pesticides or families/groups of pesticides. Insects with a high reproductive rate are more likely to develop a resistance to chemical controls. Resistance is also more likely to develop when applications are made frequently with insecticides in the same chemical group. The development of resistant insects can be slowed by the following procedures:  using a variety of chemical and non-chemical methods  using an insecticide only when needed  alternating insecticides from different chemical groups  alternating insecticides with different modes of action, and  using registered tank mixes with pesticides with different chemical groups. Factors Influencing the Effectiveness of Pesticides used for Arthropods Factors that influence the effectiveness of pesticides used for arthropods include timing of application, pest resistance and climate conditions. Timing of Application - arthropods may need to be present or in a susceptible stage of development for a pesticide to be effective. Generally, the younger the pest is, the easier it is to control with contact and stomach poisons. Resistance - some arthropod pests have developed resistance to specific pesticides or families/groups of pesticides. The development of resistant arthropods can be slowed by:  using a variety of chemical and non-chemical control methods  using a pesticide only when needed  alternating pesticides from different chemical families/groups, and  alternating pesticides from different modes of action Section 4: Pesticide Basics 4-9 Using registered tank mixes with pesticides from different chemical families/groups. Climate conditions - Extremes of temperature and humidity can adversely affect the effectiveness of pesticides by decreasing arthropod activity or by decreasing the activity of the pesticide. Equipment Improper sprayer application rate (refer to the Application Technology section in this module) will reduce the effectiveness of the pesticide. Variations in the application rate can occur with the following equipment problems:  worn, damaged or clogged nozzles  pressure variations, and  inadequate mixing or agitation of the pesticide. 4-10 Section 4: Pesticide Basics Review Questions 1. Which of the following is used primarily to monitor insect populations? a) repellents b) pheromones c) selective insecticides d) dormant oils 2. What is the name of a group of insecticides that clog the breathing systems of insects and can also reduce egg survival? 3. What is the mode of action of a pesticide? 4. Which chemical family is derived from plant materials, has a relatively short lived effect on insects, and blocks transmission of nerve impulses? List one example. 5. What are the primary factors that influence the effectiveness of insecticides and explain what steps you might take to prevent this from happening? 6. How may variations in the application rate occur? Section 4: Pesticide Basics 4-11 NOTES 4-12 Section 4: Pesticide Basics Section 5: Legislation Learning Objectives When you have completed this section, you should be able to understand:  the general requirements for a permit  general use restrictions associated with the major types of structural pesticide applications, and  general restrictions that apply to pesticides and control of pests inside and around buildings as part of a structural extermination. Introduction The Pesticides Act is the legal framework in Ontario for the responsible use of pesticides to protect human health and the natural environment. The General regulation under the Pesticides Act addresses the sale, storage, display, use, transport and disposal of pesticides in Ontario. A licensed exterminator is responsible for adhering to all legislation governing pesticide use. The licensed exterminator can only offer services and perform exterminations authorized by the licence. Information on the legislation is also discussed in the Legislation section of the Core Manual. The following information provides additional details on certain sections of the legislation that is specific to a Structural exterminator licence. Note: The information provided here on the provincial pesticide legislation is for study purposes only and does not describe the complete scope of the legislation. A licensed exterminator should obtain a copy of the provincial Section 5: Legislation 5-1 legislation. The Pesticides Act and its General regulation can be obtained from Government of Ontario website (https://www.ontario.ca/Laws). Structural Licence The Structural exterminator licence authorizes the use of all pesticide products in Classes B, C, or D, for a structural extermination as defined in the Pesticides Act, including the use of fumigants and suspensions in air with the following exceptions:  Class B fumigant gases  chloropicrin  termiticides, and  herbicides. The Pesticides Act defines a structural extermination to mean the destruction, prevention or control of a pest that may adversely affect a building, structure, machine, vehicle or their contents or the use or enjoyment thereof by any person by the use of a pesticide in, on or in the vicinity of the building, structure, machine or vehicle and includes the destruction, prevention or control of termites. However, the Structural exterminator licence does not authorize the use of termiticides. A Structural exterminator’s licence does not allow the holder to exterminate pests of plants. A Structural licensed exterminator is not required to hold a land exterminator licence for a land extermination to control arthropods, mammals or birds that are on or near a waste disposal site within the meaning of the Environmental Protection Act. A Structural licensed exterminator is not required to hold a land exterminator licence for a land extermination to control pests of farm animals for the purposes of an agricultural operation (as defined in the General regulation). 5-2 Section 5: Legislation A Structural licensed exterminator is not required to hold a land exterminator licence for a land extermination to control pests that are animals that bite, sting, are venomous or carry disease. Examples: A Structural licensed exterminator can:  not use pesticides to maintain turf and ornamental plants.  use insecticides to control animals that bite, sting, are venomous or carry disease, such as Yellow jacket wasps nesting in a tree in a park.  use insecticides to control Carpenter ants nesting in a retaining wall at the end of a backyard if the ants may adversely affect the retaining wall.  use a pesticide to control flies on a waste disposal site (within the meaning of the Environmental Protection Act) as a land extermination. The required public notification signs must be posted.  use a pesticide to control animals that bite, sting, are venomous or carry disease as part of a land extermination (including ticks and mosquito control on turf and ornamentals). The required public notification signs must be posted. Note: In the case of an agriculture operation a licensed structural exterminator is not required to provide pesticide notification for the land extermination. A Structural licensed exterminator must not supervise at the same time a total of more than three technicians or trainees working at one or more extermination sites. Section 5: Legislation 5-3 Cosmetic Pesticides Use Restrictions Ontario’s cosmetic pesticides ban in place to reduce potential risk from the cosmetic uses of pesticides. Pesticides cannot be used for a cosmetic purpose unless the only active ingredients in the pesticide are active ingredients that are on the Allowable List. It is illegal for any person to use, cause or permit the use of an unlisted pesticide for cosmetic purposes in a land extermination. “Cosmetic” as defined in the Pesticides Act, means the non-essential use of a pesticide. Class B, C or D pesticide products that contains only active ingredients (i.e. biopesticides or low-risk pesticides) on the allowable list are allowed for use cosmetic purposes such as to control weeds and other pests on lawns, gardens, driveways and other areas such as in parks or around the home. All pesticides must be federally registered and must be used according to label directions. Allowable List pesticides are active ingredients that include:  biopesticides (microbial, pheromones or semiochemicals) as defined by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency,  non-conventional pesticides that pose a low risk to human health and the environment based on consideration of the following factors:  The active ingredient has a low inherent toxicity to non-target organisms.  The products in which the active ingredient is contained have a low potential for their use to result in significant human or environmental exposure.  The active ingredient is not persistent in the environment.  The active ingredient is widely available to the public and has a history of safe use for a purpose other than as a pesticide.  The active ingredient has a mode of action that is not the result of toxicity to the target organism. 5-4 Section 5: Legislation The use of a pesticide active ingredient not on the Allowable List is permitted for certain purposes and in accordance with specific conditions. These exceptions allow the use of a Class B, C or D pesticide if the pesticide is registered for the prescribed use and authorized for use by the exterminator’s licence. Several exceptions allowing the use of prohibited pesticides in, on or over land are provided, including those uses that are integral to a structural extermination. A Structural licensed exterminator who carries out a land extermination for the purposes of controlling pests on farm animals or to control pests that carry diseases on a waste disposal site is also able to perform those exterminations under an exception to the cosmetic pesticides ban. Structural Extermination Warning Signs Certain structural exterminations require that signs be posted on all doors leading into a building. The Warning – Structural Extermination sign (i.e. Sign B as described in the General regulation) is required when using certain Class B or C fumigants and suspensions in air inside a building. The authorized wording and formatting of Sign B is provided on the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks website (https://www.ontario.ca/page/pesticide-licences-and-permits). Some pesticide labels require the user to complete an “Information Sheet for Occupants” and either post it at points of entry or provide directly to the occupant. Land Extermination Notification A Structural licensed exterminator applying a pesticide in a land extermination for control of pests that are mammals, birds or arthropods and that are on or near a waste disposal site within the meaning of the Section 5: Legislation 5-5 Environmental Protection Act or to exterminates pests that are animals that bite, sting, are venomous or carry disease is required to provide public notification of the land extermination. Public notification requirements also apply to a structural extermination that involves the use of a pesticide in, on or over land for the purposes of destroying, preventing or controlling arthropods that bite, sting, are venomous or carry disease, unless the area where the extermination is to be performed is less than one square metre or does not extend more than one metre from the structure. The structural licensed exterminator for this type of extermination is required to post a warning or notice sign, or must receive Director’s approval for an alternative method of public notification for a land extermination. The information below will assist the Structural licensed exterminator in understanding the notification requirements for certain exterminations. Structural Licensed Exterminator’s Responsibility A Structural licensed exterminator may be required to give public notice for a land extermination or a structural extermination that involves the use of a pesticide in, on or over land for the purposes of destroying, preventing or controlling arthropods that bite, sting, are venomous or carry disease as required by the legislation. If required, the exterminator is responsible for:  obtaining and displaying signs that conform with the illustrations and formatting of the signs available on the Ministry of the Environment’s website (https://www.ontario.ca/page/sample-warning-signs- pesticide-use).  using signs that are rain-resistant, sturdy and reusable.  completing the signs legibly for the particular extermination, and  posting and removal of the sign(s) where and when required by the legislation. 5-6 Section 5: Legislation Questions and Answers for Non- Residential Areas The following questions and answers will assist in understanding the requirements for public notification of a land extermination on non- residential areas. 1. What are non-residential areas? Non-residential areas are areas which are not considered to be residential areas as defined in the General regulation. Non-residential areas include commercial (including apartment buildings) or industrial building(s), as well as parks, playgrounds, campgrounds, golf courses, cemeteries, school grounds, etc. It would also include a waste disposal site within the meaning of the Environmental Protection Act (e.g. a landfill site, or a tennis court or a parking lot designed for temporary garbage storage during a garbage strike). Note: A rural area is an area that is outside the geographical limits of a settlement within the meaning of the Planning Act or where there are fewer than 20 dwelling units within a one kilometre radius of the application area. 2. Who must provide public notice? Any person who intends to use a pesticide as a land extermination on non-residential area land must provide public notification. This includes a Structural licensed exterminator using a pesticide in a land extermination such as the use of an insecticide to control disease spreading flies on a waste disposal site. A structural exterminator who performs a structural extermination that involves the use of a pesticide in, on or over land for the purposes of destroying, preventing, or controlling arthropods that bite, sting, are venomous or carry disease must also provide public notification unless the area where the extermination is to be performed is less than one Section 5: Legislation 5-7 square metre or does not extend more than one metre from the structure. 3. Are there exemptions to public notice? Certain non-residential areas and specific pesticide uses are exempt from the notification requirements. An example of an exemption that applies to structural exterminators is an extermination of a waste disposal site if the site excludes the public. Note: public notice is not required if the land extermination is for the purposes of agriculture operations (e.g. fly or lice control on farm animals for an agricultural operation). 4. Must the property owner be advised in writing of the notification requirements? Yes. The licensed exterminator performing the land extermination is required to provide a written statement to the owner, person in charge or occupier of a non-residential land area that the “Non-residential area” signs are not to be removed before 48 hours have passed since the time of pesticide application and that the signs must not remain posted for more than 10 days. A written statement is not required if the extermination is performed by the owner, occupier, or person in charge of the non-residential area. A full-time employee of one of these persons is also exempt from providing written notice to their employers. 5. Are there different “Non-residential area” signs? Yes. There are two “Non-residential area” signs. The “Warning - Non-Residential area land extermination” sign (identified in the General regulation as Sign F) is posted if a pesticide other than a pesticide product containing only active ingredients that are on the Allowable List is used in a land extermination on non- residential areas. The “Notice - Non-Residential area land extermination” sign (identified in the General regulation as Sign E) is posted if a pesticide product containing only active ingredients that are on the Allowable List is used in a land extermination on non-residential areas. 5-8 Section 5: Legislation 6. Where must “Non-residential area” signs be placed? Unless exempted from posting (see Question 3 above), the General regulation requires a minimum of one “Non-residential area” sign be posted conspicuously at an ordinary point of access to application area and all signs must be placed within 10 metres of the perimeter of the application area. In addition, one sign must be posted conspicuously at least every 100 metres along the perimeter of the application area. If only a portion of the perimeter is fenced or a natural feature that excludes the public exists, then signs must be placed along the unfenced/non-barrier perimeter (at least one for every 100 metres or less). A “Non-residential area” sign must be posted conspicuously at all points of access to the application area. If the pesticide is to be applied to a small non-residential land area situated within a larger non-residential land area (both of which are under the same management, ownership or control) then “Non-residential area” signs must be posted at all ordinary points of access to the smaller area. However, if there are no ordinary points of access to the smaller area then the larger area must have all ordinary points of access posted in addition to at least one “Non-residential area” sign posted every 100 metres or less along the perimeter side of the smaller area. “Non-residential area” signs cannot be placed on trees, fences or buildings or on signboards that have any other signs on them. 7. Is there an alternative to posting a “Non-residential area” sign? Yes, alternative methods of non-residential area notification may be used if one or more of the following circumstances apply:  Complying with the required notification would requires more than 20 “Non-residential area” signs  The application area is in a rural area along a highway or on any land over which the public has a general right of access but does include:  A portion of a highway that is intended for pedestrian access. Section 5: Legislation 5-9  An area where the public is invited to stop, including a rest area or picnic area.  The application area is in a rural area on land used for the purposes of a public work and the land extermination is to be performed for the benefit of the public work or to allow access to the public work or  In the opinion of the Director, public access to the application area is sufficiently limited to justify the election. Prior to any alternative notification, the licensed Structural exterminator must either provide written notice to the Director or (if requirements set out in the General regulation are met) or must receive written approval from the Director under the Act. A written request for a tailored method of alternative notification must include a copy of the proposed alternative notification, and if a pesticide product containing an active ingredient that is not on the Allowable List is to be used, then information on the product as well as the specific exception in the General regulation that permits its use must be noted in the request. With the use of a pesticide with an active ingredient that is not on the Allowable List for use in the control of noxious weeds, the local weed inspector order under the Weed Control Act may also be required. The written request for a tailored method of alternative notification must be submitted to the Director with sufficient time to consider the request (e.g. 30 days). Methods of alternative notification include:  newspaper advertisement for general circulation within the area of treatment at least one week before the extermination is to take place on non-residential area land,  distribution of flyers, or  more appropriate sign or other means approved by the Director for that extermination. The Director can consider allowing the use of another sign and/or allowing the placement of signs on trees, fences or buildings if it would better provide public notification. 5-10 Section 5: Legislation NOTE: In this section of the module, the Director means the Director appointed under the Pesticides Act. To request approval of alternative notification, the Director can be contacted by writing to: Director under the Pesticides Act Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks Technical Assessment and Standards Development Branch Pesticides Section 40 St. Clair Ave. West, 7th Floor Toronto, Ontario M4V 1M2 or by FAX at (416) 327-2936 8. When can alternative notification be elected without the approval of the Director? If requirements are met, the public can be notified of exterminations on certain application areas by alternative notification without the approval of the Director. Written notice must be provided to the Director no more than 1 year and not less than one week prior to the first extermination indicated on the notice. An application area that is on a highway in a rural area that would otherwise require a Sign F does not require Director approval if the following conditions are met:  Publish a notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the vicinity of the application area:  At least one week before the extermination begins  Repeated monthly until the extermination is complete  Provide notice by at the least one of the following:  At least one week before the extermination begins, distribution of written notices that meet the requirements of section 80 to the occupant of each property within 100 metres of the application area, or  Immediately before the extermination begins, posting a Sign F at least every kilometre along the portion of the highway that is the Section 5: Legislation 5-11 application area and at every point where another highway intersects the portion of the highway that is the application area. An application area that is not a golf course and in respect of which a Sign E would otherwise be required to be posted does not require Director approval if the following conditions are met:  Publish a notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the vicinity of the application area:  At least one week before the extermination begins  Repeated monthly until the extermination is complete If an application that would be eligible for alternative notification contains or abuts one or more of the following areas, in addition to the requirements above, a sign E or F would be required to be posted 24 hours in advance and every 100 m along the perimeter: 1. An outdoor area associated with an educational institution or facility, including a day care facility, nursery school, primary school, high school, private school or post-secondary institution. 2. An outdoor area associated with a residential building, including an apartment building, condominium or long-term care home, but not including a detached house, semi-detached house or rowhouse. 3. A park. 4. A cemetery. 5. A campground. 6. A path or trail for walking, hiking, bicycling or similar use, but not a path or trail for use by motorized vehicles. 7. A portion of a highway that is intended for pedestrian access or other portions where the public is invited to stop, including a rest area or picnic area. The above notice is not required if a tailored Director approved notification is obtained. 5-12 Section 5: Legislation The publication in a newspaper would be required to be in a prominent location within the newspaper and must be in a column that is at least 10 cm wide. Any written notices, other than the “Non-residential area” sign, must include the following:  the date of pesticide application.  a description of the application area (e.g. Queen Anne Trailer Park on Concession II, Eramosa Township)  the pesticide name, active ingredients, and registration number under the Pest Control Products Act (Canada)  the name of the pest (e.g. Colt’s foot), and  the telephone number of a knowledgeable representative of the exterminator and indicate collect calls must be accepted if long distant rates apply. If a range of dates for the pesticide application is provided, this representative must be able to provide, at least 24 hours before the extermination, the actual date on which the extermination is to take place.  If the pesticide is being used under the exception to the cosmetic pesticide ban, a description of the exception (e.g. Public Health and Safety) 9. When must a “Non-residential area” sign be posted at a waste disposal site? “Non-residential area” signs must be posted at least 24 hours, but not more than seven days prior to a pesticide application in the following areas:  An outdoor area associated with day-care facilities and or schools (primary, secondary, post-secondary and private)  an outdoor area which is associated with an apartment or condominium building or long-term care home or hospital.  portions of highways that are intended for pedestrian access or other portions where the public is invited to stop, including a rest area or picnic area, Section 5: Legislation 5-13  parks (in a non-rural area only), or  golf courses (in a non-rural area only). If the application area is in a rural park, a rural golf course, an urban golf course with restricted public access due to fencing or other barriers or a cemetery, the public can be notified by either (a) posting all signs 24 hours prior to pesticide application or (b) by carrying out one or more of the methods of notification below and posting immediately before the pesticide application any required signs that were not posted in meeting the requirements of the method selected below:  “Non-residential area” signs are posted at least 24 hours but not more than seven days prior to the pesticide application at all ordinary points of access to the application area.  “Non-residential area” signs are posted at least 24 hours but not more than seven days prior to the pesticide application at all locations where visitors normally come in contact with the owner.  Written notices (that must contain information as outlined in Question 7 above), are distributed where visitors normally come in contact with the owner or operator of the application area or their employees during the period 24 hours before the pesticide application.  Alternative notification by means approved by the Director. If the application area is a campground or part of a campground, the public can be notified by either (a) posting all signs 24 hours prior to pesticide application or (b) by carrying out one or more of the four methods of notification above and one or more of the methods of notification below during the period 24 hours before the pesticide application to attempt to give notice of the extermination to persons who entered the campground before that period and posting immediately before the pesticide application any required signs that were not posted in meeting the requirements of the method selected above and below:  Posting signs  Distributing written notices (that must contain information as outlined in Question 7 above) 5-14 Section 5: Legislation  Making public announcements.  Other means similar to the means set out in this list in order to notify campers already in the campground. In all other cases, including a waste disposal site, “Non-residential area” signs must be posted immediately before an extermination begins, including on an outdoor area associated with five or more detached, semi-detached or row houses. 10. What information must be on the front and back of the signs and how should they be formatted? All signs that are used to notify the public of pesticide use for a land extermination must comply with the requirements of the General regulation under the Pesticides Act. These requirements include format, wording, minimum letter and number sizes, allowable contents of the pictogram and use of logos. The information to be included on the front and back panels of the “Non-residential area” signs and the size and format of the “Non- residential area” signs is provided in detail on the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks’s website (https://www.ontario.ca/page/sample-warning-signs-pesticide-use). 11. How long must the “Non-residential area” signs remain in place? The sign must be posted and remain for at least 48 hours after the land extermination. Signs must be removed within 10 days from the date that the land extermination was performed (e.g. if the extermination was performed on the Monday, signs must be removed by the Wednesday of the following week). The removal of the signs may be extended to a later date (not to exceed 30 days) if approved in writing by the Director under the Pesticides Act. 12. Who must ensure that the “Non-residential area” signs are removed? The person who applied the pesticide must ensure that the “Non-residential area” sign is removed. Section 5: Legislation 5-15 Questions and Answers for Residential Areas The following questions and answers will assist in understanding the requirements for public notification of a land extermination on residential areas or a structural extermination that involves the use of a pesticide in, on or over land for the purposes of destroying, preventing or controlling arthropods that bite, sting, are venomous or carry disease, unless the area where the structural extermination is to be performed is less than one square metre or does not extend more than one metre from the structure. What is a residential area? A residential area is defined as a lot or parcel of land with at least one but not more than four detached houses, semi-detached houses, row houses, buildings or structures that are accessories to those mentioned above. 1. Who must provide public notice? A licensed Structural exterminator who intends to apply a pesticide to a residential area may be required to provide public notification. This requirement applies to the performance of land exterminations, as well as structural exterminations that involve the application of a pesticide in, on or over land for the purposes of destroying, preventing or controlling arthropods that bite, sting, are venomous or carry disease, unless the area where the extermination is to be performed is less than one square metre or does not extend more than one metre from the structure. 2. Are there situations where public notice is not required? Yes, there are several uses of Class D pesticides which are exempted from the exterminator licence requirement and therefore are not subject to notification requirements for residential areas. The following persons do not need to post a “Residential area” sign: 5-16 Section 5: Legislation  Homeowners or other owners or occupiers of a dwelling including tenants of rented residential areas, that apply a pesticide to their own property.  A person applying a Class D wood preservative, or tree wound dressing.  A person using an animal repellent for personal protection or applying an insecticide bait enclosed by the manufacturer in a plastic or metal container that has been made in such a way to prevent or minimize access by humans or pets. 3. Must the property owner be advised in writing of the notification requirements? Yes. The licensed exterminator performing the land extermination is required to provide a written statement to th

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