IPM : Publications : 1999 Annual Report : Improving Urban Pest Management

1999 Integrated Pest Management Annual Report

Improving Urban Pest Management

In Chicago and 20 suburban communities, methyl parathion, a highly toxic insecticide used primarily for certain field crop insect pests, was illegally sprayed in homes and sold to residents for the control of cockroaches from 1992 to 1997.

More than 900 of these homes have been sampled for insecticidal residues, and 100 homes have required extensive interior demolition and reconstruction. Involved in this regulatory investigation was the use of pesticide wipe sampling and analysis, urinanalysis of residents, relocation of families, location of temporary housing, and renovation of homes. Over $10 million has been spent on these remediation efforts.

University of Illinois Extension responded to this situation by providing educational programs designed to prevent this tragedy from ever occurring again. News releases and brochures that describe appropriate cockroach management strategies were distributed. Also, educational programs were delivered to representatives from many groups and organizations, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US–EPA); State of Illinois Department of Public Health; Cook County Department of Public Health; Chicago Housing Authority; and the Chicago Departments of Public Health, Environment, and Consumer Services. The educational programs were taught by cooperating instructors from the US–EPA, U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Safer Pest Control Project, and University of Illinois Extension.

Roach tool kit
The tool kit used to
control roaches through
IPM contains a caulking
gun, caulk, duct tape,
and steel wool for sealing
cracks and crevices;
clothespins for sealing
food packages; and
chemical resistant gloves
for handling the included
cockroach bait.

Educators at the programs were provided with fact sheets, English and Spanish brochures on cockroach management, flip charts, and IPM tool kits for demonstrations. These materials were designed for use by the educators as they teach members of the general public. The IPM tool kits were funded by the University of Illinois Extension IPM Program and contained materials to demonstrate the exclusion of cockroaches through caulking, taping, and using steel wool. Bait stations also were included in the kits, and their proper use was demonstrated.

Contacts:

Phil Nixon, p-nixon1@uiuc.edu,
NRES

Rhonda Ferree, r-ferree@uiuc.edu,
Extension

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