Arcopestology /
Exclusion
"Arcopestology" is defined as the study of
architecture in relation to pest control. It does not exist
as a word in the dictionary. It is a concept that blends
well with innovative pest management (IPM) programs. It
requires knowing the behavior of all pests, and predicting
ahead of time how to head off a pest infestation or
invasion.
Architectural engineers rarely give
thought to pest problems when designing a structure,
landscaping, lighting or the thousands of items that go into
a building.
How are Pests Getting into the Building?
Eliminating pest access to the inside of the building is one
of the most basic and important
IPM practices. The outside of buildings should be inspected
carefully to determine any potential
entry points for pests.
The most common pest entry routes include:
- Open doors. Sometimes people prop doors open, allowing
easy access for pests. Always keep doors
closed when not in use, especially kitchen doors or other
entry points near dumpsters.
- Doors that don't seal. This is often a primary means of
pest entry. A door that is closed to us
may present no obstacle for a pest. A mouse can easily
squeeze through a small 1/4-inch opening
and an insect pest can gain access if you can see light
under a door from the inside. Finding
crickets, ground beetles, millipedes, sow bugs, and similar
insects inside is a common symptom
of doors that don't seal.
- Other openings from outside. Gaps around pipes, conduit
lines, and ventilation ducts are also
common entry routes for pests. All of these should be
properly installed and sealed tightly
with the proper sealant material.
- Open windows. All windows should have screens if they are
used for ventilation.
The simple goal of this division is pest exclusion.
Protecting a building structure from the exterior will
prevent rodent access to the interior. An
example of this would be door sweeps. The reduction
of incoming pests and sealing of access to interior pest
populations will place increased stress on existing pest
populations. The sealing of accessible openings within a
building structure will include the following;
The screening of infrequently used
drains that often dry up will prevent insects and other
pests from accessing the interior of the building.
- Prevention
of pests proliferation
within a building.
- Reduction of incoming pests.
- Seal accessible openings.
- Screen infrequently used drains.
Copper
meshing for sealing rodent entry points; use it in all kinds
of openings to keep out all kinds of pests. When tightly
packed into a gap, cracks or small holes, around conduits
and plumbing lines the copper mesh resists being pulled out.
It makes exclusion work a lot easier. This is a permanent
product because it is pure copper. Its interlocked loops
can't be pulled apart like steel wool. It can be tacked in,
staple it or glue it into the hardest to get at openings.
