Urban Pest Management Program

This program addresses urban pesticide use, as well as pest control in and on public property. The program is primarily educational, stressing the use of integrated pest management (IPM) techniques and promoting compliance with pesticide label directions and common safety precautions. The program's goal is to increase the general knowledge of pest management techniques while reducing potential misuse of pesticides in urban locations.

Individuals that use "general use" pesticides routinely do not receive training or instruction in pesticide safety or risk minimization unless they are professional applicators. This program will focus on training those individuals that work in public places (schools, city, county and state buildings and properties) and provide guidance on hiring a professional pesticide applicator.

The program also works with retail pesticide sales establishments to promote the understanding of pesticide label information, proper pesticide storage and emergency response at the sales location level.

Mosquito Control and West Nile Virus References for Urban Pest Control

The West Nile virus (WNV) is transmitted to people, birds and other animals by the bite of an infected mosquito. The use of Integrated Pesticide Management (IPM) techniques, including the use of pesticides, to repel and control mosquitos can help reduce the incidence of this virus in both humans and horses. It is especially important to control exposure to mosquito bites for those people at highest risk of contracting a serious illeness from the virus, which includes those over the age of 50, or those with other underlying medical conditions. The following links may aid homeowners and urban applicators in choosing the best course of action to control exposure to mosquito bites.

Dept of Health and Welfare West Nile Virus Website

District Health Contact Information

Horse Testing, Vaccinations & other animal exposure links

Arbovirus Surveillance and Mosquito Control in Idaho – Guidance for Counties

If you are purchasing pesticide products and want to check if they are registered in Idaho you may check the status on the Kelly solutions web page. This site allows you to search the ISDA registration database and will give you several options (Brand name, EPA registration number, active ingredient, pest controlled, manufacturer, etc.) to check on your proposed product.

You may also check whether an applicator that you are interested in hiring is licensed with the ISDA. Enter the applicator’s last name and the county of residence. The proper categories for mosquito control are PH (public health) or OI (ornamental insects for residences).

Additional information related to pesticide use and mosquito control can be found at the USEPA's Mosquito Control web page

Also the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) web page contains some very good information at http://www.mosquito.org/mosquito-borne-diseases#WNV

Idaho has many individuals that work outside during mosquito season. Check out the web site Recommendations for Protecting Outdoor Workers from West Nile Virus Exposure

General information and educational materials related to mosquito biology can be found on the CDC webpage that features Neato Mosquito and a video on the lifecycle of the tree hole mosquito (egg to adult). (Note: download time may be long) http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/arbor/neato.htm

 

Integrated Pest Management Reference Sites - (IPM)

Regulatory Reference Sites

Toxicology & Pesticide Information Reference

National Pesticide Information Center

Contact Information

Chuck Hawley, Agricultural Investigator, Senior
9699 Government Way - Suite A
Hayden, Idaho 83835
Phone: 208-762-9586
Fax: 208-762-9603