Crack and Crevice Pest Control
In many pest control articles, pesticide labels and other pest management information, the term "cracks and crevices" is often used. This term indicates a procedure where insecticide sprays, dusts
Crack and Crevice Pest Control
In many pest control articles, pesticide labels and other pest management information, the term "cracks and crevices" is often used. This term indicates a procedure where insecticide sprays, dusts, aerosols and baits are injected to or placed in areas where conventional methods are not possible.
Cracks and crevices include areas such as wall voids, spaces between walls and cabinets or other small spaces that are out of reach of pets and children.
Pest control operators and pest management technicians have used crack and
crevice tools for many years. Pyrethrins are often used to flush roaches
out of hiding places during a German
out. In the past, pyrethrin dust was the product of choice but the
price and inconvenience of use made this an unfavorable crack and crevice
product. Pyrethrin aerosols and Drione
Dust are now favored for flushing roaches out of hiding areas.
Pyrethrin aerosols are generally used for flushing roaches and other
pests. Drione Dust is also used for flushing but is often used as a
residual dust in cracks and crevices. Drione contains pyrethrins and
silica gel. Pyrethrins provide initial knock down of pests while giving a
flushing action. Silica gel is a low hazard material that provides a long
residual when applied to cracks and crevices, providing that the material is
kept dry. Moisture will severely harm the action of silica gel. When
applying Drione Dust or other insecticide dusts to these small areas, the use of
a Crusader Duster makes the job go
faster. This hand bellows duster helps in injecting small amounts of
product to small areas without making such a mess.
Besides inspection and flushing, crack and crevice tools are used to apply
longer acting products to areas where pests hide, forage for food, breed and
multiply or where they enter a building. Residual crack and crevices
products can be in several different forms. Aerosols such as CB Invader
and CB Airdevil are examples of residual crack and crevice products. The
difference between these products and pyrethrin products is mainly in how and
where they are used. While pyrethrins have a broader range of use (space
sprays, crack and crevices, etc.) Invader and Airdevil will leave a
residual. This is fine for many areas but more care should be taken with
any pesticide that leaves a residue that might harm people, pets or their food
when used improperly.
The use of foaming agents is becoming very popular in pest management
programs. Termitafoam is a material that
transforms insecticide solutions into a foam that resembles shaving cream in
texture. Using a foamer for application, treat wall voids and other inaccessible
areas with Demon EC, Cynoff
EC, Permethrin, Deltamethrin,
Boracare, Demand CS
or other insecticides.
Insect baits that are manufactured in granular form can be used in cracks and crevices. Maxforce FG is a granular bait that is used for control of ants, roaches and crickets. This is a small granule that can be applied with a hand bellows device such as a Crusader Duster. Niban FG is a boric acid bait that is formulated into very tiny particles. Use Niban FG for control of roaches, silverfish and ants. This bait is also applied to cracks and crevices with the use of a hand bellows duster.
Insect growth regulators (any of which is usually called an IGR) can now be used for cracks and crevices. Gentrol, Precor and Archer are growth regulators in concentrated form that can be used in a foamer, with the help of Termitafoam. Gentrol is also available in aerosol form. Gentrol Aerosol is designed for use in cracks and crevices, to aid in the control of roaches, certain pantry pests (stored product pests) and drain flies, fruit flies.