Identification Establishment of threshold levels

Public Health Significance of Urban Pests 547 In summary, the aims of this first component of IPM are to: • develop a site-specific inspection process • conduct the inspection to determine the presence of insects and rodents.

15.1.2.2. Identification

The purpose of identification is to accurately identify pests and conditions that can sup- port pests present at a specific site. The identification process is as follows. Insect and rodent specimens are collected and positively identified by field technicians, personnel with technical training or both. Information about where the specimen was collected and signs of an active infestation are documented and used to aid positive identification. Pest-control measures should not be implemented until a knowledgeable professional identifies the pest. Identifying the pest provides useful information about pest biology, preferred habitat and life-cycle. If positive identification is not possible in the field, a trained technical expert examines spe- cimens. In addition, the field technician identifies conditions that support or encourage pest activity; the goal is to identify the root causes of pests and their activity that can be corrected by different control measures, to provide a permanent solution to the existing issue while acting to prevent infestations in the future. In summary, the aims of this second component of IPM are to: • obtain positive identification of pests of concern at the site; and • understand the biology of the identified pest and identify conditions conducive to the survival and growth of the pest population.

15.1.2.3. Establishment of threshold levels

T he purpose of establishing threshold levels is to provide a site-specific insect- and rodent-population level that can be tolerated on the basis of aesthetic, economic, legal and health concerns. Control measures are implemented when the population exceeds the established threshold. The process of establishing threshold levels is as follows. Information collected in the inspection and identification steps is used to determine population levels and set action thresholds. When establishing a threshold, data on vector-borne infection and disease in the human population, along with information on the presence of pathogens in the rodent and insect populations, should also be considered. Depending on local circumstances, the action threshold for pests with the potential to cause concern, transmit disease or cause injury may be very low. For example, a single human case of HPS in an urban environ- ment may cause public concern and require the implementation of community-wide control measures. It should be noted that in most settings where people are present, the tolerance of pests is zero, so the threshold level is one single specimen of a particular pest species or population being considered. This is also true of heavily regulated industries, such as restaurants and food plants, where regulations prohibit any evidence of pests, even if the pests have not infested human food. Integrated pest management 546 1992; United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 1992; Mörner, Bos Fredrix, 2002; Dreyer et al., 2005. WHO, through the adoption of World Health Assembly resolution 50.13 in 1997, called on Member States to “control vector-borne diseases through the promotion of integra- ted pest management”. The concepts of IPM are part of the Global strategic framework for integrated vector management WH O Strategy Development and Monitoring for Parasitic Diseases and Vector Control Team, 2004.

15.1.2. Components and tools of IPM