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Every week, the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) publishes a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). Its meant mostly for doctors, public health practitioners, epidemiologists, and other scientists. Its not something you read over dinner for light entertainment. Unless, you know, youre a bug nerd like me.

Last week I noticed this interesting story in the MMWR:

Notes from the Field: Acute Illness Associated with Use of Pest Strips Seven U.S. States and Canada, 20002013. CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), January 17, 2014 / 63(02);42-43

Dichlorvos-impregnated strips (2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate, or DDVP pest strips) were first registered in 1954 under the trade name Vapona by Shell Chemical Company. These pest strips have been used by entomologists, museums, and other conservators for museum fumigation for decades.

DDVP is highly volatile, so does an excellent job of diffusing through an enclosed space. Ill repeat Highly Volatile. A block of DDVP emits vapors that repel and kill insects within 1,200 cubic feet for up to 4 months. Its a strong smell that makes me nostalgic. Its the smell of museum specimens and unopened cabinets of curiosities. Its the smell of old insect collections.

Its the smell of death and beautiful dead things.

DDVP kills insects so well because it is one of the last organophosphate pesticides still available for indoor use in the US. Organophosphates can be dangerous, and misuse can result in ending up on your back twitching like a dying roach.

Organophosphates kill bugs by preventing nerve cells from turning stimulating signals off. They block the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, which is present in all animal nervous systems. Overstimulating nerve cells this way leads to tremors, paralysis, and death. Fortunately, the amount of DVPP it takes to kill an insect is small compared to what it takes to cause symptoms in humans.

The critical safety element is how you use this pesticide. The CDC Report suggests thats where the problem lies. Thirty-one cases were reported to The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) sentinel system of acute dichlorvos pest striprelated illness between 2000 and 2013. That might not seem like a lot, but in the words of the study lead author, Dr. Rebecca Tsai, its definitely an underestimate of what is happening. The sentinel system has just 12 participating U.S. states. Of that small subsample of states, only those cases reported to State Public Health Departments are known about by the CDC.

Twenty (65%) of the 31 cases involved using DDVP incorrectly and in violation of the instructions and safety labels. As someone whos been trained to only use DDVP with eye protection, gloves, and a respirator if in an enclosed space, this is chilling to read:

Here is the original post:
CDC Warning on Misuse of Pest Strips

1080 and the 'Battle for Our Birds' - experts respond

The Government is launching New Zealand's largest-ever species protection programme, increasing the use of aerial 1080 to control pests and protect native wildlife.

Minister for the Environment Dr Nick Smith announced details of the 'Battle for Our Birds' programme last night.

The programme will increase pest control in 35 forests to protect 12 native species, largely using 1080. These increases will see up to 500,000 further hectares of DOC land treated. The assault on predators such as rats and stoats is spurred by a projected increase in predator populations due to mast year -- an event in which high beech tree seeding boosts predator numbers.

According to DOC, in 2000 a widespread beech mast and resulting predator plague wiped out the local mhua population in the Marlborough Sounds.

Further links include Dr Nick Smith's full speech to the Nelson Rotary Club, maps of the targeted areas and more information on 1080 and mast events from DOC.

Dr Andrea Byrom, Portfolio Leader: Managing Invasive Weeds, Pests & Diseases, Landcare Research, comments:

"There is no doubt that pest numbers - particularly rats and mice - will explode this year (sometimes called an 'irruption') in response to the phenomenal mast (high seed production) year we are likely to experience throughout the South Island and parts of the North Island. In places that are not protected from predators, many of our iconic native birds, lizards, frogs, weta and snails will continue to decline. With the pest control plan outlined for the 35 sites around the country, these species will have a chance. In the short term, preventing the irruption will enable these species to successfully breed and thrive in the absence of pests during the next breeding season. In the long term, DOC's proposed plan will prevent localised or even national extinctions of taonga species like mohua in high-priority areas.

"The planned drops will be enough to 'hold the line' and get a 'pulse' of breeding and recruitment through the coming year for native species in the targeted areas. After a 1080 drop, a few possums, rats, stoats and mice will survive, and their numbers will slowly begin to build up again over the next few years. DOC will very likely want to re-treat some areas when the next mast year occurs (usually 3-5 years' time), again to prevent the pest irruptions. The science on this is very clear, although there are some differences between podocarp forests and beech forests in the way these species interact, which affects the timing of their future irruptions.

"In non-targeted areas with no 1080, there will be two kinds of impacts on our native fauna. There will be the direct impact of predation on the species I mentioned above. There is also the indirect impact of competition: the predators will chomp their way through the seeds, fruits and invertebrates that are food for native birds and lizards. The net result is a 'step-wise' decline in the areas that are not protected by 1080. Of course, there are a lot of passionate keen people out there doing pest control using ground-based methods, but these tend to be smaller areas compared to the larger areas that can be covered by aerial 1080."

Read more:
1080 and the 'Battle for Our Birds' - experts respond

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