[Comprehensive benefits of agroforestry snail control forests in Eryuan County, Yunnan Province].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficiency of various agroforestry systems for snail control in plateau hilly schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Yunnan Province, so as to provide insights into the construction of agroforestry schistosomiasis control projects in plateau hilly regions. METHODS: The pilot areas of snail control forests with various agroforestry systems were built in snail-breeding farmlands in Eryuan County, Yunnan Province in 2010, and the economic benefits and snail control effect were investigated in 2018. In addition, a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model was created to screen the agroforestry system with high comprehensive benefits. RESULTS: A total of 14 types of pilot areas of snail control forests with various agroforestry systems were built. Economic benefit analysis showed that the"walnut + garlic"pattern had the best economic benefit, with annual economic benefits of 270 000 Yuan/hm2, followed by the"walnut + chili"pattern (annual economic benefits of 120 000 Yuan/hm2) and the "walnut + vegetables"pattern (annual economic benefits of 105 000 Yuan/hm2). No snails were detected in 8 types of the agroforestry systems, including the"walnut + chili"pattern, the"walnut + tobacco"pattern and the"walnut + garlic"pattern; however, there were snail found with various densities in other types of systems. Fuzzy comprehensive evaluation showed that the"walnut + garlic"pattern had the best comprehensive control effect, followed by the"walnut + chili"pattern and the"walnut + tobacco" pattern, while the pure grassland pattern showed no effect on snail control. CONCLUSIONS: The agroforestry system is a preferential approach of forestry schistosomiasis control in plateau hilly schistosomiasis-endemic areas, which not only achieves snail control effects, but also promotes economic development and ecological construction in poor hilly areas.

[Effect of cutting beach group on Oncomelania hupensis snail control in south of Shaobo Lake, Jiangsu Province].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of Oncomelania hupensis snail control of cutting the beach group in the south of Shaobo Lake. METHODS: The general situation of the project of cutting the beach was surveyed, and the snail distribution was surveyed and the results were compared before and after cutting the beach in the beach group. RESULTS: The area of cutting beach was 928.33 hm2, the cubic meter of earthwork was 1 717.00 m3, the area of dumping ground was 425.76 hm2, the beach surface elevation was 3.2 m after cutting the beach, and the beach surface was fallen to 1.0 m under the ordinary water level. The area with snails was 44.69 hm2 before cutting the beach in 2011 but the area with snails was 1.78 hm2 after cutting the beach in 2018. The area with remaining snails was declined by 96.02% in 2018 as compared with that in 2011, and surviving snails were distributed on the uncut beach face. CONCLUSIONS: In Shaobo Lake, the O. hupensis snail breeding environment is eliminated by raising or lowering the beach, so it is an effective measure of snail control in lake regions.

Novel Indoor Residual Spray Insecticide With Extended Mortality Effect: A Case of SumiShield 50WG Against Wild Resistant Populations of Anopheles arabiensis in Northern Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Resistance of malaria vectors to different classes of insecticides has been reported in malaria-endemic areas. Identifying new indoor residual spray (IRS) compounds that are effective against resistant vector populations is a high priority in managing insecticide resistance. METHOD: A biological efficacy trial was conducted in the field from August 2016 to February 2017 to determine the efficacy of SumiShield 50WG, a new insecticide class, against wild Anopheles arabiensis. Indoor surfaces of 20 houses in Mabogini ward in the rural district of Moshi in northern Tanzania were sprayed with SumiShield 50WG. Bio-efficacy monitoring was conducted monthly for 6 months after the spray application. In addition, susceptibility tests were conducted by exposing mosquitoes to papers treated with permethrin 0.75%, pirimiphos-methyl 0.25%, and clothianidin 2% (SumiShield 50WG). Representatives from each household included in the study were surveyed about possible side effects or problems faced since the spray. Regression probit analysis was used to calculate knock-down times while the chi-square test was used to compare the mortality effect for mosquitoes. RESULTS: The SumiShield 50WG insecticide maintained optimal efficacy in the field setting for the duration of the 6-month study period, with 100% mortality of mosquitoes by 144 to 168 hours post-exposure to treated surfaces. Susceptibility tests showed some variation in tolerance to the tested insecticide-treated papers, particularly between SumiShield 50WG and pirimiphos-methyl. The knock-down times for 50% and 95% of the mosquitoes when exposed to SumiShield 50WG-treated test paper were 45.81 minutes and 83.85 minutes, respectively, and 67.77 minutes and 105.81 minutes, respectively, for the pirimiphos-methyl-treated papers. There were no short-term adverse side effects reported by households sprayed with SumiShield 50WG. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that SumiShield 50WG is a viable IRS insecticide for malaria vector control in Tanzania, especially in areas where pyrethroid resistance is a concern.

School Factors Associated With the Implementation of Integrated Pest Management-Related Policies and Practices.

BACKGROUND: Schools are particularly vulnerable to pests, but integrated pest management (IPM) can address pest problems. This study describes IPM policies and practices and the extent to which they are associated with school characteristics. METHODS: We analyzed data from the 2014 School Health Policies and Practices Study, a nationally representative survey of schools in the United States (N = 568, response rate = 69%). Pairwise comparisons assessed differences in pest prevention strategies by school characteristics. RESULTS: Nationwide, 55.3% of schools conducted campus-wide inspections for pests at least monthly; 35.6% of schools notified staff, students, and families prior to each application of pesticides; and 56.1% of schools required custodial or maintenance staff to receive training on pest management practices that limit the use of pesticides. During the 12 months before the study, 46.5% of schools almost always or always used spot treatments and baiting rather than widespread applications of pesticides, and 36.8% of schools almost always or always marked indoor and outdoor areas that had been treated with pesticides. No clear pattern emerged for school characteristics associated with IPM policies and practices. CONCLUSIONS: The variation in implementation of IPM-related policies and practices suggest opportunities for targeted education among school staff about IPM principles.

Nuevos retos en gestión de vectores en salud pública: la mosca negra en Murcia (España) / New public health challenges in vector management: black flies in Murcia (Spain)

Hasta ahora no se habían detectado molestias causadas por simúlidos (Diptera: Simuliidae) en la Región de Murcia. En septiembre de 2016, el ayuntamiento de Ojós contactó con la Dirección General de Salud Pública en relación con una plaga de insectos en la localidad, probablemente mosquitos. Tras muestrear con una trampa BG-sentinel 2, capturar insectos adultos con aspirador entomológico, y larvas y pupas en muestras de cañas sumergidas, la especie implicada se identificó como Simulium sergenti. Esta especie no parece ser especialmente antropófila y, por tanto, el riesgo para la salud de los vecinos se consideró bajo, pero las molestias causadas por la gran cantidad de moscas afectaron a la calidad de vida de las personas en la localidad. Se recomendó un plan de gestión de simúlidos para la zona afectada, tratando el río con Bacillus thuringiensis var. Israelensis (AU)

Historically, no black fly (Diptera: Simuliidae) nuisance has been reported in the Murcia Region. Back in September 2016 the Ojós City Council has contacted the Regional Public Health General Directorate for help regarding a local insect nuisance, most probably based on mosquitoes. After sampling with a BG-sentinel 2 trap, collecting adult specimens with an entomological aspirator, and collect larvae and pupae on submerged giant cane stalks at the river, it turned out that Simulium sergenti was the insect species causing the nuisance. This species is not considered particularly anthropophilic; therefore, a low vector risk for human health was considered. However, the high fly density impaired the life quality of the people at the village. A management plan was recommended, treating the river with Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis (AU)

The Potential for Proactive Housing Inspections to Inform Public Health Interventions.

Municipal housing inspection data can inform planning, targeting, and evaluating interventions aimed at reducing housing hazards (lead paint, mold, pests, etc) that may affect residents' health. However, the potential of these data to inform public health initiatives is underexplored. We determined whether home health hazards identified by city inspectors during proactive inspections of single-family private rental housing are predicted by housing age, assessed value, or location in one of 26 geographic "inspector areas" in Rochester, New York. A comparison of linear mixed models, using housing inspector area as a random effect and assessment and construction year as fixed effects, shows that while a large proportion of variation (64%) in violations is due to housing stock, inspectors provide significant additional information about the presence of potential health hazards, particularly in the highest-risk housing stock. This suggests that inspector-generated housing hazard data may be valuable in designing public health interventions.

In vitro test systems supporting the development of improved pest control methods: a case study with chemical mixtures and bivalve biofoulers.

Using the bivalve macrofouler Corbicula fluminea, the suitability of in vitro testing as a stepping stone towards the improvement of control methods based on chemical mixtures was addressed in this study. In vitro cholinesterase (ChE) activity inhibition following single exposure of C. fluminea tissue to four model chemicals (the organophosphates dimethoate and dichlorvos, copper and sodium dodecyl phosphate [SDS]) was first assessed. Consequently, mixtures of dimethoate with copper and dichlorvos with SDS were tested and modelled; mixtures with ChE revealed synergistic interactions for both chemical pairs. These synergic combinations were subsequently validated in vivo and the increased control potential of these selected combinations was verified, with gains of up to 50% in C. fluminea mortality relative to corresponding single chemical treatments. Such consistency supports the suitability of using time- and cost-effective surrogate testing platforms to assist the development of biofouling control strategies incorporating mixtures.

Effect of application rate on fumigant degradation in five agricultural soils.

Soil fumigation is an important pest management tool for many high value crops. To address the knowledge gap of how fumigant concentration in soil impacts dissipation, and thereby efficacy, this research determined the degradation characteristics of four fumigants as affected by application rate. Laboratory incubation experiments were conducted to determine degradation rates of 1,3-dichloropropene (both cis- and trans isomers), chloropicrin (CP), dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), and methyl iodide (MeI) in five agricultural soils. Fitted to pseudo first-order kinetics, the degradation rate constant (k) of CP, DMDS, and MeI decreased significantly as application rate increased while the 1,3-D isomers were the least affected by rate. Half-lives increased 12, 17, and 6-fold for CP, DMDS, and MeI, respectively, from the lowest to the highest application rate. At low application rates, the degradation rate of all fumigants in the Hueneme sandy loam soil was reduced by 50-95% in sterilized soil compared to the biologically active controls. However, this difference became much smaller or disappeared at high application rates indicating that biodegradation dominates at low concentrations but chemical degradation is more important at high concentrations. When co-applied, CP degradation was enhanced with biodegradation remained above 50%, while 1,3-D degradation was either reduced or not changed. Among the fumigants tested, the relative importance of biodegradation was DMDS>CP>MeI>1,3-D. These results are useful for determining effective fumigation rates and for informing regulatory decisions on emission controls under different fumigation scenarios.

Making Homes Healthy: International Code Council Processes and Patterns.

CONTEXT: Americans spend more than 90% of their time indoors, so it is important that homes are healthy environments. Yet many homes contribute to preventable illnesses via poor air quality, pests, safety hazards, and others. Efforts have been made to promote healthy housing through code changes, but results have been mixed. In support of such efforts, we analyzed International Code Council's (ICC) building code change process to uncover patterns of content and context that may contribute to successful adoptions of model codes. OBJECTIVE: Discover patterns of facilitators and barriers to code amendments proposals. DESIGN: Mixed methods study of ICC records of past code change proposals. N = 2660. SETTING: N/A. PARTICIPANTS: N/A. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): There were 4 possible outcomes for each code proposal studied: accepted as submitted, accepted as modified, accepted as modified by public comment, and denied. RESULTS: We found numerous correlates for final adoption of model codes proposed to the ICC. The number of proponents listed on a proposal was inversely correlated with success. Organizations that submitted more than 15 proposals had a higher chance of success than those that submitted fewer than 15. Proposals submitted by federal agencies correlated with a higher chance of success. Public comments in favor of a proposal correlated with an increased chance of success, while negative public comment had an even stronger negative correlation. CONCLUSIONS: To increase the chance of success, public health officials should submit their code changes through internal ICC committees or a federal agency, limit the number of cosponsors of the proposal, work with (or become) an active proposal submitter, and encourage public comment in favor of passage through their broader coalition.

Evidence-based vector control? Improving the quality of vector control trials.

Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) such as malaria, dengue, and leishmaniasis cause a high level of morbidity and mortality. Although vector control tools can play a major role in controlling and eliminating these diseases, in many cases the evidence base for assessing the efficacy of vector control interventions is limited or not available. Studies assessing the efficacy of vector control interventions are often poorly conducted, which limits the return on investment of research funding. Here we outline the principal design features of Phase III vector control field studies, highlight major failings and strengths of published studies, and provide guidance on improving the design and conduct of vector control studies. We hope that this critical assessment will increase the impetus for more carefully considered and rigorous design of vector control studies.

Evaluation of the short term 12 hour toxicity of 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM) to multiple life stages of Venustaconcha ellipsiformis and Epioblasma triquetra and its host fish (Percina caprodes).

The present study evaluated the risk of 12-h exposures of the lampricide 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM) to multiple life stages of the federally endangered snuffbox (Epioblasma triquetra) and its primary host fish the common logperch (Percina caprodes) as well as a surrogate to the snuffbox, the ellipse (Venustaconcha ellipsiformis). Life stages examined included free glochidia, 1-wk juveniles, and adults of the ellipse; free glochidia, glochidia on host fish, and 1-wk juveniles of the snuffbox; and adult logperch. Larval sea lampreys were also tested alongside adult ellipse and logperch for direct comparison. Survival exceeded 82% among all life stages in both mussel species at levels up to 1.8 times what would be applied during treatments, suggesting that routine sea lamprey control operations would not adversely affect mussels. However, substantial mortality of adult logperch was observed at TFM concentrations typically applied to streams, and loss of host fish could adversely affect snuffbox reproduction. In addition, TFM had no significant effect on the number of glochidia that metamorphosed on adult logperch. Although the snuffbox is not likely to be acutely affected from sea lamprey control operations, mitigation efforts to minimize impacts to the host fish should be considered.

[On the relevance of the official lists for notified products and measures for disinfection, disinfestation and control of vertebrate pests ordered by an authority on the legal basis of § 18 IfSG (German Protection against Infection Act)]. / Zur Bedeutung der Listen bekannt gemachter Mittel und Verfahren für behördlich angeordnete Entseuchungen, Entwesungen und zur Bekämpfung von Wirbeltieren auf Grundlage des § 18 Infektionsschutzgesetz.

In order to protect human health against communicable diseases, the German Protection against Infection Act (IfSG) requires the use of officially approved products and methods for officially ordered disinfection, disinfestation (control of arthropods) as well as measures for the management of vertebrate pests that spread pathogens. Official approval is granted by registration in lists published by the responsible federal health authorities and only for products and methods that have been tested and found to be sufficiently effective and do not have an unacceptable impact on health and the environment (§ 18 IfSG). It is not compulsory for manufacturers to have their products and methods listed in accordance with § 18 IfSG. In particular listing is not a prerequisite for access to the German market. Users are free to choose a product as long as no officially ordered measure, i.e. disinfection, disinfestation or measures against vertebrate pests, according to § 18 IfSG applies. However, it is highly recommended to use approved products included in the abovementioned lists even for routine application, as these registered products and methods have been tested, i.e. the efficacy has been proven by means of specific, recognized and quality assured testing procedures or by expert reports which have been confirmed by independent institutions.

Economic and policy issues of U.S. agricultural pesticide use trends.

BACKGROUND: This paper discusses U.S. agricultural pesticide use trends from 1964 to 2010 based on estimates developed from USDA surveys, and the influence of economic factors, agricultural policy, and pesticide regulation on aggregate quantities and mix of pesticides used. RESULTS: Synthetic organic pesticide use grew dramatically from the 1960s to the early 1980s, as farmers treated more and more acreage. Use then stabilized, with herbicides applied to about 95% of corn, cotton, and soybean acres, annually. Subsequently, major factors affecting trends were: (1) changes in crop acreage and other economic factors, (2) use of new pesticides that reduced per-acre application rates and/or met more rigorous health and environmental standards, and (3) adoption of genetically engineered insect-resistant and herbicide-tolerant crops. CONCLUSION: The use of pesticides and other control practices responded to economic factors such as input and output markets and agricultural policies. Changing societal values toward pesticide risks and benefits profoundly affected pesticide policy, influencing the pesticides available for use, but only indirectly affecting aggregate quantities used. While the current pesticide regulatory process might have economic inefficiencies, it might be consistent with policy preferences held by much of the public-to reduce pesticide hazards rather than minimize regulatory costs.

Decision support tools for environmentally safe use of pesticides.

Prevention of environmental risk due to pesticide application is demanded by EU legislation regarding water and crop protection issues. The pesticide users are required to take responsibility for the environmental consequences of applications. Therefore they need to make responsible decisions at both strategic and tactical level. The first one is a long term decision on selection of equipment, and the other applies to decisions on use of equipment in actual meteorological and environmental situation at any time when treatment is needed. In order to assist the user to make proper decisions the decision support tools were developed in form of web-based applications: EOS - Environmentally Optimised Sprayer; DET--Drift Evaluation Tool. EOS performs evaluation of the sprayer in terms of its risk mitigation potential based on the technical solutions present on the sprayer and selected by the user. EOS has been designed as a stepwise structured questionnaire, divided in sections representing different sources of pollution, i.e. RISK AREAS (step 1): Inside contamination; outside contamination; Filling; Spray Loss (Drift); Remnants. Within each RISK AREA there were identified PROBLEMS (step 2) to be solved by different TECHNOLOGIES (step 3), evaluated in different ASPECTS (step 4) when the user selects TECHNICAL SOLUTION (step 5) used on the sprayer. The items of steps 1-4 were assigned weights (%) and the items of TECHNICAL SOLUTIONs were scored from 0 to 10 (10 = best in class). This stepwise approach and valuation of items allows for calculating the effective score of each individual TECHNICAL SOLUTION in terms of its risk mitigation potential. The sum of these individual scores related to the final score of environmentally optimised sprayer gives the evaluated sprayer's EOS index (%) expressing the environmental value of the sprayer. DET performs evaluation of drift risk in actual situation, and proposes measures to mitigate this risk, helping the operator to make better tactical decisions. It consists of three sections: (I) SPRAY APPLICATION SITE; (II) METEO and FIELD CONDITIONS; (III) DRIFT RISK MITIGATION. Within the sections (I) and (II) the user makes selection of options defining the distance between application site and sensitive areas, as well as weather and field/crop conditions. The selected items describe the actual and objective situation, for which DET calculates the Drift Risk Value [%] followed by appropriate recommendation. In section (III) the user can simulate and check the effect of drift mitigation measures by selecting one of the classified spray drift reduction technologies or key application parameters affecting risk of drift. Based on the user's selection the tool appropriately modifies the Drift Risk Value and gives the final recommendation. Simple and practical EOS and DET tools are meant to be used by pesticide users and advisors as they also have educative and awareness raising value.

A process to provide harmonised criteria for the selection of indicators for pesticide risk reduction within the framework of the sustainable use directive.

In October 2009, the Council of the European Union adopted the Directive on Sustainable Use of Pesticides (EU 128/2009/EC). This directive establishes a framework to achieve the sustainable use of pesticides by reducing the risk and impacts of pesticide use on both human health and the environment, and promoting the use of integrated pest management and of alternative approaches or techniques. These risks thus need to be assessed using appropriate risk indicators. The OPERA Research Centre organised an expert working group and has had several consultations with stakeholders in order to identify a common way of thinking in evaluating and identifying the factors that should be considered in selecting each indicator. Harmonised criteria have been suggested to allow the selection of the most appropriate indicators, focusing on the use phase of pesticide, as requested by the sustainable use directive. The proposed methodology has led to a sharing of perspectives and knowledge between the experts involved, and some principles have been identified to help national regulatory institutions to estimate general trends in pesticide risk reduction.

Before and after Silent Spring: from chemical pesticides to biological control and integrated pest management--Britain, 1945-1980.

The use of chemical pesticides increased considerably after World War II, and ecological damage was noticeable by the late 1940s. This paper outlines some ecological problems experienced during the post-war period in the UK, and in parts of what is now Malaysia. Also discussed is the government's response. Although Rachel Carson's book, Silent Spring (1962), was important in bringing the problems to a wider public, she was not alone in sounding the alarm. Pressure from the public and from British scientists led, among other things, to the founding of the Natural Environment Research Council in 1965. By the 1970s, environmentalism was an important movement, and funding for ecological and environmental research was forthcoming even during the economic recession. Some of the recipients were ecologists working at Imperial College London. Moved by the political climate, and by the evidence of ecological damage, they carried out research on the biological control of insect pests.

Mechanical performance of rat, mouse and mole spring traps, and possible implications for welfare performance.

Lethal spring traps are widely used for killing small mammals in the UK. Many require government approval, based primarily on humaneness. However, mole traps and break-back traps for rats and mice are exempt; those available vary widely in price and apparent quality. The EU is considering implementing a Trapping Directive that would alter UK legislation, and a recent report advised the EU that trapping legislation should cover all trapped species and encourage improvement of traps. Mechanical trap performance is often used as an indicator of welfare impact. We examined the mechanical evidence for scope to improve the welfare standards of rat, mouse and mole spring traps. We measured mechanical performance among a range of rat, mouse and mole traps. Impact momentum values varied 6-8 fold, and clamping force values 4-5.5 fold, among traps for killing each species. There was considerable overlap in the performance of rat and mouse traps. Trap-opening angle and spring type were related to impact momentum and clamping force in traps for both species. There was no relationship between price and mechanical performance in traps for any species, except talpa mole traps. We are unable to judge the direct welfare impact of the traps tested, but rather the potential welfare threat associated with their exemption from approval. The wide variation in mechanical performance in traps for each species, overlap in performance between rat and mouse traps and increasing availability of weaker plastic rodent traps indicate considerable scope for improving the humaneness of spring traps for rats, mice and moles. We conclude that all such traps should be subject to the UK approval process. New welfare categories might improve trap standards further. Our results could also help improve rodent trap design and assist consumers in selecting more powerful traps. Many thousands of rats, mice and moles might benefit.

A survey of California public school districts' ant and weed management practices and a review of their use of IPM.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency encourages school officials to adopt integrated pest management (IPM) to reduce children's exposure to potentially harmful pesticides. In California, the Healthy Schools Act of 2000 (HSA) establishes right-to-know requirements for pesticide use in public schools; requires school districts to designate an IPM coordinator; and requires the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) to collect pesticide-use information from pest control businesses, conduct IPM training workshops, and promote least-toxic pest management practices. DPR periodically surveys school districts statewide to measure compliance with the HSA and the use of least-toxic management practices compatible with IPM and to guide DPR's training and outreach efforts. Results from three surveys, conducted in 2001, 2002, and 2004, show that an increasing number of districts use ant management practices compatible with IPM; however, fewer districts use IPM-compatible weed management practices. DPR's California School IPM program plans to develop technical materials and to conduct training workshops that will provide districts with more information about how to use an IPM program to prevent and manage weeds.