LET’S BEAT THE BUGS COMPLETELY: RESEARCH PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE PEST MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS IN MULTIFAMILY HOUSING

• Sponsoring Institution: State Agricultural Experiment Station
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: STATE
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1021248
• Project Start Date: Sep 18, 2019
• Project End Date: Jun 30, 2024
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
UNIV OF MINNESOTA
(N/A)
ST PAUL,MN 55108

Performing Department
Entomology

Non Technical Summary
Pests Plague Multifamily Housing With the recent and many publications about chronic pest infestations affecting low income residents (e.g., Cohn et al. 2004, Chew et al. 2005, Kass et al. 2009, Sheehan et al. 2010, Goddard and deShazo 2011, Permaul et al. 2013), studies are critical for changing the pest control approach in multifamily housing (MHF), such that pest populations are not able to thrive, but instead are constantly challenged to survive. It is clear that we know how to control singular or multiple pests at the individual and multiple apartment level, and multiple research efforts have repeatedly provided good evidence that pests can be suppressed and even eliminated within MFH apartments (Sever et al. 2007, Cooper et a. 2016, Wang et al. 2018). However, research studies of MFH pest management typically involve persons specially trained in pest biology and whom actually conduct the management measures within the study. They rarely employ the personnel who would ultimately do the work once the research has been completed. Even when commercial pest professionals are involved with the work, the effort usually proves unsustainable and pest infestations chronically persist (Miller and Meek 2004; Miller pers. comm). Moreover, nearly all of the MFH pest studies have restricted their attention to species- specific MFH pests (i.e., cockroaches, bedbugs, mice and rats, etc.) of public health importance (referred to a MHF PH4), while overlooking the pest complex that typically occurs in multifamily housing. Pest Complexes occur in multifamily housing: a combination of challenges from cockroaches, bed bugs, mice and rats, and others.Pest populations continue to thrive within multifamily housing due to a confluence of factors, as well as a paucity of research addressing effective program development. Whether it is a research approach, or in actual service regimens, pest control in multifamily housing predominantly focusses control efficacy on singular pests and not on the "pest complex" that typically challenges a building. In practice, pricing for pest control often involves the number of apartments to be treated and the amount of product needed. There is too much focus on complaints about the individual pests and singular apartments in current pest control systems.The overall goal of this project is to research the practicality and economics of program-development suppressing all pests in whole multifamily housing systems; to break the cycle of chronic infestations and reduce pest presence across the system to ≤3% within 3 years.This goal is achievable (SAK, unpublished data), but there are some key unknowns to address to make the system sustainable and transferable to other properties.

Animal Health Component

50%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

40%

Applied

50%

Developmental

10%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
721	5320	1130	100%

Knowledge Area
721 - Insects and Other Pests Affecting Humans;

Subject Of Investigation
5320 - Houses (human residences), furniture, household equipment, non-textile furnishings;

Field Of Science
1130 - Entomology and acarology;

Keywords

multi-family housing

bed bug

bedbug

cockroach

mouse

mice

rat

rodents

pests

housing

urban

Goals / Objectives
The overall goal of this project is to research the practicality and economics of program-development suppressing all pests in whole multifamily housing systems; to break the cycle of chronic infestations and reduce pest presence across the system.The objectives for this goal include a three level approach:Improving implementation and use of prevention practices used techniciansImproving planning and use of control practices used by techniciansDesigning, structuring and implementing management decisions used to direct the IPM program.

Project Methods
There are four specific objectives (activities) associated with this work:Objective 1: Maximize early detection of pests, while minimizing employee time and interruption to tenants.Early in our assessment, a 3-dimensional tetrahedral correlative analysis of infestation complaints in buildings indicated that pest presence was very-aggregated. Aggregated infestations make it easier to control pest foci, but very difficult in initially detecting these foci and predicting where prevention and control steps should be prioritized. This objective is to research methods of cost-effective monitoring of pests in situ and in datum so that foci and resulting chronic infestations can be minimized to the greatest degree practically possible.Objective 2: Exploring existing data systems for methods for making pest management decisions.The world works on data systems for monitoring conditions, outputs and for financial considerations, but seldom is data related to pest management programs used for any more than a trend report. Part of the reason that data is seldom used is the collection of this data from technicians and residents can be haphazard and potentially subject to error or inaccuracies. The data may exist in hardcopy only. However, each record of a pest management work order represents that an activity relative to pest occurrence. Exploring these data systems and testing different data interpretations may clarify how this data can be used to improve accuracy of decision making, efficacy and economics of pest prevention programs.Objective 3: Economic and effort tracking of pest management activitiesClearly the cost and effort of reactive pest control in a MFH is relatively well known and has driven the system to be a lowest-cost system only responsive to complaints. Unfortunately this approach to pest control results in the currently-encountered chronic infestations.There is no understanding as to how apportioning effort and funds to preventive measures might reduce chronic situations. This objective will work in concert with data analysis systems (Objective 2) to track budget expenditures for reactive versus preventive pest management and the resulting change in costs and efforts that may be realized.Objective 4: Communicating results to stakeholders and others through a consulting-research methodUse of a consulting-research approach with stakeholders provides an opportunity to work with data and people from more MFH organizations and attempt changes that are both economical and practical. Also through interactive approaches, we can uncover specific unknowns related to problems enacting effective IPM and plan research projects to explore fixes for these unknowns (or difficulties in efficacy or adoption).Studying and resolving unknowns will then become part of future research objectives, further improving the pest-free living for those in MFH. Communicating successes will encourage adoption of successful practices and thereby significantly improving the health of MFH residents everywhere.

Progress 10/01/21 to 09/30/22

Outputs
Target Audience:Academically, this project has supported 1 student (1 PhD) for part of this year, plus a new Post-doc this year. Professional audiences include members of the general public and those in the commercial and non-commercial pest management industry (approx 1,200 personnel). The target audience is a composite of pest management professionals(aka: PMPs, pest control operators (PCOs), exterminators, fumigators) working in residential and multifamily housing; food retail and warehousing and food service. State and National Pest Management Associations, pest management directors and supervisors of multi-family housing in the Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as the USEPA Region V states (WI, IL, IN,) In other cities of the country, we target managers and supervisors of residential properties (Landlords) and commercial or industrial facilities. Also targeted are managers and supervisors of food safety programs in food processing and manufacturing plants, food storage, food service establishments, office buildings, healthcare facilities, warehousing and retail centers. THe public health audience includes: home visitors, health inspectors, and registered sanitarians. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Multiple presentations,and an online conference was provided highlighting the reasons and abilites for pest to disperse and how to counter this dispersal activity, including pest exclusion to block their movement in multi family housing. Target audiences are described in another section. Total participants for the year are estimated in the range of 1,700 people, though more specific numbers can be provided if necessary. We continue to disperse the new licensed pesticide applicator training manual that places a higher emphasis on responding to pest dispersal through integrated pest management. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?This project continues to have active involvement with public and industry stakeholders. Dissemination of information from the work regularly occurs as described in the above sections, with the target audiences described herein. MPHA officials receive an update monthly. Dissemination of results occur through active presentations, tasksheets, video, workshops and conferences, and one-on-one work with stakeholders.We continue to provide an online educational event for licensed pesticide applicators. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?This next year will be the continuing program as we move away from the Covid-19 pandemic . For Minneapolis Public Housing (MPHA), we will be continuing monitoring of the data (Goal 3) and continue developing a quality assurance program to support ongoing improvements in the prevention and control program. We recruited one other stakeholder and continue to look for two additional stakeholders interested in testing adoption of this system.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The new IPM program at the Minneapolis Public Housing Agency continues and arthropod pests continue to be low. There is an ongoing priority for rodent pests into 2023. The pandemic is over and we are seeing an increase in pest complaints. We have a continuing data interpretation to drive decisions about prevention and control tactics for longer-term strategic decisions. For MPHA, goals 1 and 2 are almost complete, though improvements in specific steps may be required. Goal 3 is continuing for MPHA. One PHA was added to the program and we are continuing to seek an additional two PHAs in 2023 for developing the same procedure as we continue to monitor the situation at MPHA.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Kells, S.A. and A.M. Kells. 2022. Insecticide exposure profile suggests an additional reason why bed bugs are so difficult to control. Journal of Economic Entomology. Invited submission. 10.1093/jee/toac128.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2023 Citation: McGoff, R., A. Hultberg, and S.A. Kells. The ins and outs of language translation and interpretation of program resources. Journal of Extension.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Online training course was published for the 2022 Mn Structural Pest Management Conference

Progress 10/01/20 to 09/30/21

Outputs
Target Audience:Academically, this project has supported 1 student (1 PhD) this year. Professional audiences include members of the general public and those in the commercial and non-commercial pest management industry (approx 1,500 personnel). The target audience is a composite of pest management professionals(aka: PMPs, pest control operators (PCOs), exterminators, fumigators) working in residential and multifamily housing; food retail and warehousing and food service. State and National Pest Management Associations, pest management directors and supervisors of multi-family housing in the Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as the USEPA Region V states (WI, IL, IN,) In other cities of the country, we target managers and supervisors of residential properties (Landlords) and commercial or industrial facilities. Managers and supervisors of food safety programs in food processing and manufacturing plants, food storage, food service establishments, office buildings, healthcare facilities, warehousing and retail centers. Public health home visitors, health inspectors, and registered sanitarians. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Multiple presentations and an online conference was provided highlighting the reasons and abilities for pests to disperse and how to counter this dispersal activity, including pest exclusion to block their movement in multi family housing. Target audiences are described in a following section. Total participants for the year are estimated in the range of 1,500 people, though more specific numbers can be provided if necessary. We continue to disperse the new licensed pesticide applicator training manual that places a higher emphasis on responding to pest dispersal through integrated pest management. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?This project continues to have active involvement with public and industry stakeholders. Dissemination of information from the work regularly occurs as described in the above sections, with the target audiences described herein. Dissemination of results occur through active presentations, tasksheets, video, workshops and conferences, and one-on-one work with stakeholders. Recently we have expanded to provide online educational events for licensed pesticide applicators. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?This next year will be the continuing recovery from the interruptions caused by Covid-19. For Minneapolis Public Housing (MPHA), we will be continuing monitoring of the data (Goal 3) and continue developing a quality assurance program to support ongoing improvements in the prevention and control program. We are recruiting two new stakeholders interested in testing adoption of this system.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We are continuing to improve the new IPM program at the Minneapolis Public Housing Agency with a continuing decrease in arthropod pests, and a continuing priority for rodent pests into 2022. The work included adoption of a manual of standard procedures for the Agency to use in training of - and communicating expectations for - Technicians. There is a continuation in the data interpretation to drive decisions about prevention and control tactics for longer-term strategic decisions. For MPHA, goals 1 and 2 are almost complete, though improvements in specific steps may be required. Goal 3 is underway for MPHA. Two additional (PHAs) will be assessed in 2022 for developing the same procedure as we continue to monitor the situation at MPHA.

Publications

• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Online training course was published for the 2021 Mn Structural Pest Management Conference

Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20

Outputs
Target Audience:Academically, this project has supported 4 students (1 undergrad, 1 MS, and 2 PhD) this year. Professional audiences include members of the general public and those in the commercial and non-commercial pest management industry (approx 2,000 personnel). The target audience is a composite of pest management professionals (aka: PMPs, pest control operators (PCOs), exterminators, fumigators) working in residential and multifamily housing ;food retail and warehousing and food service. State and National Pest Management Associations, pest management directors and supervisors of multi-family housing in the Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as the USEPA Region V states (WI, IL, IN,). In other cities of the country, we target managers and supervisors of residential properties (Landlords) and commercial or industrial facilities. Managers and supervisors of food safety programs in food processing and manufacturing plants, food storage, food service establishments, office buildings, healthcare facilities, warehousing and retail centers. Public health home visitors, health inspectors, and registered sanitarians. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Multiple presentations,and a 2-day conference were provided highlighting the reasons and abilites for pest to disperse and how to counter this dispersal activity. Target audiences are described in a following section. Total participants for the year are estimated in the range of 1500 people, though more specific numbers can be provided if necessary. We also have completed publication of a new licensed pesticide applicator training manual that places a higher emphasis on responding to pest dispersal ans integrated pest management. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?This project has active involvement with public and industry stakeholders. Dissemination of information from the work regularly occurs as described in the above sections, with the target audiences described herein. Dissemination of results occur through active presentations, tasksheets, video, workshops and conferences, and one-on-one work with stakeholders What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?This next year will be a period of recovery from the interruptions caused by Covid-19. For Minneapolis Public Housing (MPHA), we will be continuing monitoring of the data (Goal 3) and developing a quality assurance program to support ongoing improvements in the prevention and control program. We will also review Goals 1 and 2 in light of the interruptions caused by the pandemic. Apart from the continued support for MPHA, we will be looking for another stakeholder interested in testing adoption of this system.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Despite complications from Covid-19, we have successfully implemented a new IPM program at the Minneapolis Public Housing Agency with a resulting decrease in arthropod pests, and a changing in priority for rodent pests into 2021. The work included producing a manual of standard procedures for the Agency to use in training of - and communicating expectations for - Technicians. Also included was a change in the data interpretation to drive decisions about prevention and control tactics for longer-term strategic decisions. For MPHA, goals 1 and 2 are almost complete, though improvements in specific steps may be required. Goal 3 is underway for MPHA. I am looking for a new system (PHA) to develop the same procedure as we continue to monitor the situation at MPHA.

Publications

• Type: Books Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Kells, S.A. 2020. Category SPCA: Structural Pest Control Applicator Manual. University of Minnesota Extension. St. Paul, MN.
• Type: Books Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Kells, S.A. 2020. Category M & S: Non-Commercial Structural and Food Plant Pest Control Applicator Manual. University of Minnesota Extension. St. Paul, MN.

Progress 09/18/19 to 09/30/19

Outputs
Target Audience:This project has recently started, the the activities have included support of 3 students (1 undergrad, 1 MS and 1 PhD) and interactions with Minneapolis Public Housing staff and pest management professionals. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?I have been working one-on-one with MPHA technicians to obtain their buy-in for specific prevention and inspection practices. This will enable a wider acceptance of the IPM directions to be implemented. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?I am working with the Management structure that represents a community of 5,500 apartment units. We had also completed in person training of apartment residents, but this showed to be of limited efficacy. It will be the change in management of IPM that will have the greater impact. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Besides continuing with the Minneapolis Public Housing project, I will be expanding efforts with the St. Paul Public Housing Authority.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We have continued implementation of practices used by Technicians to prevent and control pests. Into next year, the operations manual will be fully completed and enforced with the technicians.

Publications