Fumigation Alternatives

Eco-Friendly Pest Solutions From McCloud Services

Due to environmental safety and other client concerns, McCloud Services offers alternatives to fumigation. We’re proud to provide pest management solutions for our clients that, while highly effective, are environmentally friendly and in line with our own Environmental Statement. Our alternatives to fumigation include:

• Temperature modification

• Inert gases

• ULV treatments

• Pheromone mating disruption program

Improved sanitation, in some cases, several of these strategies will be used in conjunction with one another.

Heat

Heat may be used for structural disinfestation, typically in situations where stored product beetles are residing in structural elements or equipment inside buildings. Because the required temperatures may alter product quality and it may be difficult to reach target temperatures due to insulation properties of the product, heat isn’t suited for commodity or product fumigation. It’s also not well suited for insect pests which are highly mobile, like cockroaches, which may escape heat treated areas.
Target temperatures of 125° – 130°F will be required for site control. Suitability of the structure and structural contents will be examined prior to the heat treatment.

ULV Treatment & National Organic Program Products

Repeated applications of non-residual insecticides can be helpful in reducing pest populations. However, these treatments have limited penetration capabilities and, therefore, aren’t considered stand alone strategies for insect management. ULV space treatments may be used in conjunction with other methods to remove inaccessible stages. Products listed under the National Organic Program, such as non-synergized pyrethrins, are available and can be helpful in reducing pest populations where fumigants aren’t an option under organic inspection programs. A variety of other materials, such as synergized pyrethrins and Vapona, can be used in non-organic certified sites.

Pheromone Mating Disruption Programs

Mating disruption products work by saturating an environment in mating pheromones to confuse insects and prevent successful mating. Currently, this strategy is available for Indianmeal moths. The adult males expend their energy seeking artificial pheromones and never successfully mate. This product is well suited for sensitive sites where pesticide use may be objectionable, or sites where small numbers of Indianmeal moths may be tolerated, like seed warehouses.

Improved Sanitation

Some food processors have eliminated the need for fumigation by finding the hidden sources of the stored product pests and removing them. Although this strategy may not be feasible for all processors, it should be explored. McCloud’s pest management staff can inspect your facility and help to identify possible pest harborages which require additional cleaning and/or repairs.

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