Control Biting Insects

EQUIPMENT NEEDED: 1-gallon or 2-gallon sprayer, ready-to-use insecticide, and individual repellents (DEET and permethrin). STEPS OF PERFORMANCE: MOSQUITOES:
STEP 1: Identify common mosquito-breeding areas: Mosquito landing counts and trapping. Standing water. Artificial water containers. STEP 2: Control: If possible, drain standing water. Empty artificial water containers. Avoid setting up bivouac sites near mosquito-breeding areas. Enforce individual use of DOD insect repellent systems (DEET on skin and permethrin on uniforms and bed nets). Have FST spray pesticide on adult mosquito-resting areas using 1-gallon or 2-gallon sprayer (see Task 2), if necessary.
FLEAS: STEP 1: Identify rodent infestations or the presence of wild or domestic cats and dogs in the unit area (rodents, cats, and dogs carry fleas). STEP 2: Control: Have service members in unit use individual DOD insect repellents. Exclude rodents and other wild animals from camps and buildings. Have FST spray pesticide, using 1-gallon or 2-gallon sprayer (see Task 2) around rodent burrows and harborage. DO NOT allow service members to keep “pet” animals. LICE: STEP 1: Identify lice infestation:
Head lice—look for lice and eggs attached to the hair, close to the scalp. Eggs are attached directly to the hairs. Crab lice—usually associated with the pubic area (groin), but can be found attached to other body hairs. The eggs are attached directly to the hair. Body lice—generally found in the seams of infested persons’ clothing. The eggs are attached to the fibers of the garments. Body lice tend to move to the body of the host only during the actual feeding process. STEP 2: Control: Refer individuals with lice infestation for medical treatment. Enforce high standards of personal hygiene. Require frequent showering and laundering of bedding and clothing (once a week at a minimum). To prevent body lice, enforce individual use of permethrin-treated battle dress uniform/cammies. Avoid sexual contact (for crab lice).
TICKS AND MITES: STEP 1: Identify tick-or mite-infested areas— Grassy areas. Animal trails or resting areas. Rodent burrows. STEP 2: Control: Avoid walking through tick-infested areas. Cut down vegetation in and around camps. Enforce individual use of DOD insect repellent. If necessary, have FST spray area with pesticide, using 1-gallon or 2-gallon sprayer to apply pesticide (see Task 2). Enforce a buddy system where troops perform checks not only on themselves but on their buddy as well. If ticks are found— Remove any attached ticks promptly and carefully without crushing, using gentle steady traction with forceps (tweezers) close to the skin to avoid leaving mouthparts in the skin; Protect hands with gloves, cloth or tissue when removing ticks from humans or animals; Ensure that the body of the tick is not separated from its head. NOTE Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and encephalitis can be contracted through tick bites. Beware of ticks when passing through the thick vegetation they may cling to. When cleaning host animals for food, or when gathering natural materials to construct a shelter, you must be on the lookout for them. Buddy checks are important. If diagnosed early, the diseases mentioned above can be cured. If not, they can lead to death. BITING FLIES:
STEP 1: Identify problems with biting flies and their breading sites. Moist soil near ponds and stream banks. Decaying vegetation and animal manure. Rodent burrows, rock walls, and cracks in walls of buildings. STEP 2: Control: Enforce use of DOD insect/arthropod repellents (DEET on the skin and permethrin on uniforms. Avoid areas with biting fly problems or breeding sites. FILTH FLIES:
STEP 1: Identify infestations and breeding areas, such as— Open latrines. Uncovered food and waste. Ground soaked with liquid kitchen waste or food scraps on wet soil. Animal barnyards near AO. STEP 2: Control: Remove, cover, or burn latrine waste. Keep food and waste covered. Use fly swatters for small to moderate numbers of filth flies. Only use the DOD-approved aerosol (Insecticide, d-Phenothrin, 2%, 12 ounce Aerosol, NSN 6840-01-412-4634) pesticide if large numbers of flies are in an enclosed area (do not use in food service operations). Ensure proper disposal of waste collection bags. Have FST use a 1-gallon or 2-gallon sprayer to spray pesticide on ground that is wet with kitchen waste, in field latrines, and on fly-resting sites (see Task 2). Use toxic fly baits. COCKROACHES: STEP 1: Identify cockroach infestations and breeding areas, such as— Food service areas. Latrines/shower facilities. Trash collection points. STEP 2: Control: Enforce good sanitation practices. Ensure proper collection and removal of food waste. Have FST use a 1-gallon or 2-gallon sprayer to spray pesticide as spot treatment in food service areas and as a residual spray to outside surfaces of buildings and trash collection points. SPIDERS:
STEP 1: Identify infestations of medically important spiders (black widow, tarantula, and brown recluse spider). NOTE Use caution when entering into and clearing out of old, infrequently used buildings. STEP 2: Control:
Eliminate unnecessary rubbish and other debris in the bivouac area. Have FST use a 1-gallon or 2-gallon sprayer (see Task 2) to spray around tents, field latrines, or other spider habitats. SCORPIONS and CENTIPEDES: STEP 1: Identify places where scorpions and centipedes are a problem.
Rocky areas. Inside of building. Tents. STEP 2: Control: Have FST use a 1-gallon or 2-gallon sprayer (see Task 2) on nesting sites around the entire tent or other structure, forming a band 2-feet high from the ground level. Saturate all cracks and crevices with insecticide. BEES, WASPS, AND ANTS: STEP 1: Identify places where these insects are a problem. Locate the nests.
STEP 2: Control: Educate troops to avoid nests. Have FST use a 1-gallon or 2-gallon sprayer (see Task 2) on the nesting sites. Use caution to avoid stings from disturbed insects. If the task is too great or too dangerous, contact PVNTMED personnel for assistance.