Entomology doesn't 'cide' with pests

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Cody H. Ramirez
  • 509th Public Affairs Bomb Wing
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo.,- --  Since the beginning of civilization, there have been pests exploring in areas considered inconvenient or inaccessible to society. Pesticides, which can be traced more than 4,500 years ago when Sumerians used sulfur dust around crops, help control these situations. Entomologists, more commonly known as pest control, continue this tradition today.

Annoyances are inevitable, whether insects are devouring your kitchen's food supply, raccoons are ripping your trash bags apart or weeds are spreading like wildfire across your streets.

The 509th Civil Engineer Squadron entomology shop of two active-duty and two civilian employees prevent, control or exterminate arthropods, other animals and plants that affect the health and morale of base residents.

When the team receives a call that an annoying pest is causing mayhem, they go out and survey the area to determine where the pest is, what the problem is and what type of damage has been done.

"Finding out the cause is important, because we not only want to remove the problem, but keep it from happening," said Sergeant Kacprzyk. "If we know how it's happening, we can educate people on how to fix it."

Identification of the pest is typically done on scene. If the team can't readily identify an insect, a sample is collected and inspected under a microscope. Computer identification codes provide an exact determination of species. Finally, the team decides what type of control measure should be used.

"All measures taken do not present risks toward human or environmental health," said Tech. Sgt. Bryon J. Kacprzyk, NCO in charge of entomology. "We make a decision to benefit everyone involved, including the animal."

The team also performs monthly inspections of all base food facilities to ensure pests aren't populating in those areas. If there is a potential risk, the facility manager is notified and asked to correct the problem that could attract pests.

"We ensure the facilities are pest free and sanitation is up to par," he said. "If possible, we try to prevent the problem before it even starts."

Spot treatment is the typical cure for those facilities with minor pest problems. Buildings are closed when mass-scale treatment is needed.

"Keeping pests away from food removes the chance of disease," Sergeant Holcombe said.

Whether a home cost $1 million or $100,000, pests can find their way in, said Sergeant Kacprzyk. General pests such as roaches, ants and spiders, along with household pets, are all handled by the Entomology shop.

"We set traps throughout the base to catch raccoons, skunks, possums or whatever the pest might be," he said.

With the base sitting on nearly 5,000 acres, weeds are also a common problem.

"We use herbicides on the weeds around the base-perimeter fence and everything inside," Sergeant Kacprzyk said. "We remove weeds from the parking lots, sidewalks and the entire flight line."

"The removal of weeds not only lowers the chance of foreign object damage to aircraft, but also improves security by clearing vision through fencing and prevents the break-up of concrete," said Staff Sgt. Linnea M. Holcombe, 509th CES Entomology specialist said.

Ensuring all their work is accurate, Air Force Entomologists attend a six-week technical school at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, where they are taught the chemical make-up of pesticides, knowledge and safety and pesticide dispersal equipment. They also learn how to identify arthropods, animals and plants, along with how to survey and control them.

"We recertify every three years to keep our pesticide license," Sergeant Holcombe said.

With the proper prevention, control or extermination of pests the entomology shop not only maintains the base, but Team Whiteman's morale.