Stinging Insects

Greeting + “How To” S.O.P.

  1. Pull up to apartment complex, park by rental office. Do not park in “future resident parking”
  2. Open Pest Pac, press time in
  3. Walk into leasing office, Greet the leasing agent, ‘Hi, my name is _____ with Environmental Pest Management I’m here today to do your pest control. Do you have a list for me? Pick up pest control list with all keys needed. Go over any special notes the manager may have regarding service.  Ask for property map if you are not familiar with property
  4. Go to unit, knock on the door 3 times. If tenant answers the door we introduce ourselves (I’m “your name” with Environmental Pest Management) Once tenant allows us in we then ask probing questions about pest related issue; Where have you seen activity? About how long have you noticed pest issue? ETC. Inform tenant all people & pets in unit will need to stay away from any treated areas for a minimum of 1 hour following treatment. We do NOT discuss potential treatment plan with tenant. We do NOT discuss other units, unrelated or ongoing issues with the tenant. After gathering some information about pest issue, then move on to visual inspection
  5. After knocking 3 times if no one comes to answer the door, we then use key to open the door and announce yourself (I’m “your name” with Environmental Pest Management) Check to see if animals are present, if so make sure they are properly secure in a cage in areas we are not treating

Yellow Jackets

  1. Always make sure to do inspection prior to treatment so we can identify type of stinging insects
  2. For Stinging Insects majority of the time the issue will be outside of the unit. In cases where the resident complains of stinging insect inside the unit we need to do a visual inspection of said areas. Inspect around areas the resident has made complaints, also inspect around doorways, & window frames. If there is a basement, inspect basement around sill plate & window well. Once interior inspection is successful technician then moves to exterior of home
  3. Walk around the exterior structure to locate activity/nesting site. Most Yellow Jacket nests are located in the ground, or voids of walls
  4. Always make sure to do inspection prior to treatment so we can identify type of stinging insects.
  5. Once inspection is completed come up with game plan on best way to treat. If the treatment cost is over $65 you must get approval from the rental office to treat. If you are unable to perform the work the same due to the heigh or nest, create a lead in Pest Pac and send to Business Development Manager.
  6. Yellow jackets can be controlled by dust insecticide, residual spray and/or aerosol spray labeled for Insect type. EPM preferred method of treatment for Yellow Jackets is removing nest directly, or using dust insecticide around nesting site.
  7. Treat nesting site directly. If able to, remove nest. When removing yellow jacket nest it may be necessary to use your bee suite that is provided by EPM office. If nest is not able to be removed, dust area directly. We only use dust inside cracks & crevices. DO NOT place dust on top of surfaces like floors, counters or resident’s property. Resident should not be able to have any contact with dust insecticide. If excess dust is on surface following treatment, technician is responsible to clean it up entirely. If needed to provide quick knock down use aerosol spray that is labeled for yellow jackets, spray on yellow jackets & nest directly. If you remove nest make sure it is properly bagged up & fully removed. Not leaving behind any untreated or excess nesting.
  8. Return keys to rental office, give the leasing agent any notes from service. These notes need to include activity levels, sanitation issues, clean up, or any type of maintenance needed work to be done to fix water/moisture issues
  9. Return to truck, complete Pest Pac and work order system. Always placing any pictures taken during service into work order system. If unit is not in work order system place all information regarding service into Pest Pac
  10. Press completed service on Pest Pac, head to next stop on schedule

Wasp Inspection

  1. Always make sure to do inspection prior to treatment so we can identify type of stinging insects
  2. For Stinging Insects majority of the time the issue will be outside of the unit. In cases where the resident complains of stinging insect inside the unit we need to do a visual inspection of said areas. Inspect around areas that homeowner has made complaint, also inspect around doorways, & window frames. If there is a basement, inspect basement around sill plate & window well. Once interior inspection is successful technician then moves to exterior of home
  3. Once interior inspection is successful technician then moves to exterior of unit
  4. Walk around the exterior structure to locate activity/nesting site. Paper wasp nests are typically around window frames, & door frames. Mud Dauber nests are typically on the siding of building, around door frames & around window frames
  5. Once inspection is completed come up with game plan on best way to treat. If the treatment cost is over $65 you must get approval from the rental office to treat. If you are unable to perform the work the same due to the heigh or nest, create a lead in Pest Pac and send to Business Development Manager.
  6. Formulate a plan of treatment. Wasps can be controlled by dust insecticide, residual spray and/or aerosol spray labeled for wasp type. EPM preferred method of treatment for Wasp activity is removing nest directly, or using aerosol spray around nesting site.
  7. Treat nesting site directly. If able to, remove nest. When removing Paper wasp nest/Mud Dauber nest it may be necessary to use your bee suite that is provided by EPM office. For Paper wasp nest spray directly with aerosol spray & scrape down paper nest. Make sure to clean up all dead wasp & paper nest material. For mud Dauber nest just simply scrape down, clean up all nest material, wasp activity & any larvae that may fall from nest. If nest is not able to be removed, aerosol spray area directly. We only use dust inside cracks & crevices. DO NOT place dust on top of surfaces like floors, counters or tenants property. Customer should not be able to have any contact with dust insecticide.
  8. If you remove nest make sure it is properly bagged up & fully removed. Not leaving behind any untreated or excess nesting.
  9. Return keys to rental office, give the leasing agent any notes from service. These notes need to include activity levels, sanitation issues, clean up, or any type of maintenance needed work to be done to fix water/moisture issues
  10. Return to truck, complete Pest Pac and work order system. Always placing any pictures taken during service into work order system. If unit is not in work order system place all information regarding service into Pest Pac
  11. Press completed service on Pest Pac, head to next stop on schedule

Carpenter Bee

  1. For Carpenter Bee’s majority of the time the issue will be outside of the unit. In cases where the customer complains of stinging insect inside the unit we need to do a visual inspection. Inspect around areas that resident has made complaint, also inspect around doorways, & window frames. If there is a basement, inspect around sill plate & window well. Bumble Bee’s can be mistaken for Carpenter Bee’s. Bumble Bee’s can nest in the ground , making their way into homes & nesting behind insulation. Once interior inspection is successful technician then moves to exterior of unit.
  2. Walk around the exterior structure to locate activity/nesting site. Carpenter Bee nests are located in the holes they drill around exposed wood of home. This will be but not limited to window frames, soffits, door frames, above garage door, etc.
  3. If live Carpenter Bee activity or holes drilled into the wood are found, we will need to treat the entire building to protect all wood areas. If this is the case, use Pest Pac forms to create a lead and send to Business Development Manager.
  4. Once live activity is found, inform property we can perform a spot treatment of the area with activity same day. Treating the entire building would need to be approved and treated with a power spray at a later date.
  5. Formulate a plan of treatment. Carpenter Bee’s can be controlled by dust insecticide, residual spray and/or aerosol spray labeled for carpenter bees. EPM preferred method of treatment for Carpenter Bee’s is dusting nesting holes directly, always treat inside holes directly
  6. Treat nesting site directly. When dusting Carpenter Bee nest it may be necessary to use your bee suite that is provided by EPM office. Always dust inside holes directly. DO NOT place dust on top of surfaces like floors, counters or residents property. Residents should not be able to have any contact with dust insecticide. Excess dust from holes needs to be cleaned up. If any Carpenter Bee’s fall from nest while treating, they need to be cleaned up
  7. Return keys to rental office, give the leasing agent any notes from service. These notes need to include activity levels, sanitation issues, clean up, or any type of maintenance needed work to be done to fix water/moisture issues
  8. Return to truck, complete Pest Pac and work order system. Always placing any pictures taken during service into work order system. If unit is not in work order system place all information regarding service into Pest Pac
  9. Press completed service on Pest Pac, head to next stop on schedule

Carpenter Bee Exterior Perimeter Power Spray S.O.P.

  1. Begin by pulling enough hose out to reach around the entire structure.
  2. Make note not to damage any path lighting or stored items in the yard when pulling the hose around the building
  3. Next, put on your PPE, start the engine, and turn the nozzle of the spray gun to a pin stream setting.  Pin stream spray all soffits, eaves, fascia boards, overhangs or exposed wood that has NOT yet been infested with carpenter bees
  4. Wood that has been infested with carpenter bees, technician needs to treat those holes directly
  5. Make sure not to treat around any open doors or windows.  You may also request the residents shut these before beginning.
  6. **Do your best not to get overspray on windows**
  7. The last step is to clean and pack up. Start by reeling in the hose.  Next, Make sure you haven’t left any chemical or tools lying around.  Check to ensure all gates are shut.  And lastly check in with the homeowner for any final remarks.

Hornets

  1. For Hornets majority of the time the issue will be outside of the unit. In cases where the resident complains of stinging insect inside the unit we need to do a visual inspection. Inspect around areas that resident has made complaint, also inspect around doorways, & window frames. If there is basement, inspect around sill plate & window well. Once interior inspection is successful technician then moves to exterior of home
  2. Walk around the exterior structure to locate activity/nesting site. Bald-faced hornet has ivory-white markings on its face, the thorax, legs & abdomen. Nests are usually located in bushes, shrubbery, in hollow trees, on siding of building, and sometimes found under the eaves of buildings. The nests are grey in color and resemble a football/basketball shape.
  3. Once inspection is completed come up with game plan on best way to treat. If the treatment cost is over $65 you must get approval from the rental office to treat. If you are unable to perform the work the same due to the heigh or nest, create a lead in Pest Pac and send to Business Development Manager.
  4. Formulate a plan of treatment. Hornets can be controlled by dust insecticide, residual spray and/or aerosol spray labeled for Hornets. EPM preferred method of treatment for Hornets is knocking down/removing nest, & using aerosol spray labeled for Hornets directly in nest opening.
  5. Treat nesting site directly. When treating Hornet nest it may be necessary to use your bee suite that is provided by EPM office. Always spray or dust directly into nest opening hole on bottom of nest. DO NOT spray exterior of hornet nest, as this will not help get rid of Hornets, only make them more aggressive. DO NOT place dust on top of surfaces like floors, counters or customers property. Resident should not be able to have any contact with dust insecticide. If using dust into opening hole of hornet nest, make sure to clean up any excess dust that has fallen. Also clean up any dead Hornets or nesting material that is removed during service
  6. If you remove nest make sure it is properly bagged up & fully removed. Not leaving behind any untreated or excess nesting
  7. Return keys to rental office, give the leasing agent any notes from service. These notes need to include activity levels, sanitation issues, clean up, or any type of maintenance needed work to be done to fix water/moisture issues
  8. Return to truck, complete Pest Pac and work order system. Always placing any pictures taken during service into work order system. If unit is not in work order system place all information regarding service into Pest Pac
  9. Press completed service on Pest Pac, head to next stop on schedule

Honey Bee

  1. For Stinging Insects majority of the time the issue will be outside of the unit. In cases where the resident complains of stinging insect inside the unit we need to do a visual inspection. Inspect around areas that resident has made complaint, also inspect around doorways, & window frames. If there is a basement, inspect around around sill plate & window well. Once interior inspection is successful technician then moves to exterior of home
  2. Walk around the exterior structure to locate activity/nesting site. Most honeybees nest in hollow trees, voids in walls, & sometimes hanging from trees.
  3. If you find honeybee activity, inform property we do not treat for honeybees. Let them know we can provide a list of Beekeepers to remove the swarm
  4. Return to truck, complete Pest Pac. Always placing all service notes into pest pac
  5. Press completed service on Pest Pac, head to next stop on schedule