Nature Wars IIISS 310Spring 2000Prof. Alan RudyQuestions? Main Points?

4/20/00

Ch.3: Relatively Harmless CreaturesCockroachesConserving Nature but not at home?Structural Pest Controllers– Exterminators or Guardians of Health?• Fleas• Rats/mice• Mosquitoes• Termites

– Sanitation + IPM far better than chemicals or utterly “natural” controls

Ch.3: Relatively Harmless Cockroaches?Ancient (like grasshoppers,

mantids, crickets and termites).4000 species - 4 main pest speciesFlat, greasy, flee from lightOmnivorous scavengersFecund --> High reproductive ratesNOT A SERIOUS HEALTH THREAT– Allergies usually worst.

A couple? Who cares.

Ch.3: Relatively Harmless Cockroaches IIWhen is an infestation bad enough

to implement control measures?Can low levels be tolerated or

accepted?Are chemicals necessary?Are slower, apparently more

expensive (short term), methods feasible?

Ch.3: Relatively Harmless Cockroaches IIIWinston claims most chemicals

highly tested. IBT scandal...Do we trust testers, often

companies.Do we, and others, understand

labels and safety measures?Why do agricultural chemicals and

practices get more scrutiny than home chemicals and practices?

Ch.3: Relatively Harmless Cockroaches IVHow do we evaluate household

chemical danger for humans?Problems with, and difficulty of,

social epidemiology. Problems of, and difficulties with,

pesticide resistance.– Esp. for cockroaches, where

resistance to one chemical may impart resistance to others as well.

Ch.3: Relatively Harmless Cockroaches VRotate chemicals often?How about non-pesticide methods?– 1) Know your species, habitat,

preferences– 2) Be clean, store food and garbage in

sealed containers, eliminate standing water.

– 3) Selective and specific chemical baits, traps and chemical applications.• Diatomaceous earth, boric acid first.

Ch.3: Relatively Harmless Cockroaches VIKey: consumers must demand IPM

not chemical extermination.Industry must serve clients who want

extermination and or apparent cost-cutting and time saving methods.

IPM = professionalization/better training. but also long-term, sustained and regular maintenance and testing.

Ch.3: Relatively Harmless Cockroaches VIINeed better gov’t regulation,

certification, training and renewal schedules.

Need better understanding of short-term penny-wisdom being long-term pound foolish.

Very nice summary on p.58

Ch.4: WeedsHumans thrive everywhere and make

their own surroundings, even novel ecosystems like cities and suburbs.

Urbanism makes weeds in both their plant, animal and bird incarnations.

Urban nature is a hybrid place and climate, groomed, sanitized, and simplified: more about “feeling” than “nature.”

Ch.4: Weeds IIPigeons:– check out those many diseases (61)

Geese–mean, stinky, slimy, sick birds

Mike Mackintosh– seeks diversified urban ecologies as a

means of controlling pest populations and the reduction of pest being generated by urbanism.

Ch.4: Weeds IIIBirds and Aircraft/AirportsAirports often placed near marshy

bird-intensive habitats -- ooops.Marsh, complex, diverse ecology

that Winston calls balanced.Airport, simplified, reduced

diversity ecology that Winston calls disrupted.

Ch.4: Weeds IVTo legally control bird populations:–Mowing– Draining– Garbage Removal– Different Noises– Spikes– Hotfoot–Move nests– Raptor releases.

Ch.4: Weeds VRats– lean, mean, gnawing machines– quick, tough, and hard to kill– carry a whole host of diseases and

disease vectors– cause fires by gnawing cables

Buildings can be rat-proofed but it isn’t easy

Anti-coagulants --> resistance

Ch.4: Weeds VICoyotes– classic mammalian generalist with

high reproduction rates and smarts– kill far fewer pets than cars

Raccoons–move to cities when habitat destroyed

and when transplanted for sporty hunting.

– RabiesBeaver, Deer, Squirrels, Rabbits.

Ch.4: Weeds VILawns!Greatest advertizing campaign

EVERQuote on p. 76Naturescaping for diversityWildlife corridorsDiversity, Conservation and

Stewardship.