Vector Control and Pest Management Flashcards

Which rodent species is a primary reservoir and source of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in the western United States?

Answer: Deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus)

The deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) is the primary reservoir host of Sin Nombre virus, which causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in the western United States.

In environmental health inspections, what practice is most effective for preventing rodent entry into structures?

Answer: Exclusion — sealing all gaps and openings ≥ 1/4 inch in the structure's exterior

Exclusion is the most permanent and effective rodent control strategy, involving the physical sealing of all entry points ≥ 1/4 inch since mice can enter through very small gaps.

What is the significance of Aedes aegypti in public health?

Answer: It is the primary vector of dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever

Aedes aegypti is a highly competent vector responsible for transmitting dengue, Zika virus, chikungunya, and yellow fever, making it one of the most dangerous mosquitoes to public health.

Which life stage of mosquitoes is targeted by larvicides such as Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis)?

Answer: Larvae in aquatic habitats

Larvicides like Bti are applied to standing water to kill mosquito larvae before they develop into adult disease-transmitting mosquitoes.

What is the primary concern with cockroach infestations from an environmental health perspective?

Answer: They are associated with asthma, allergies, and mechanical transmission of pathogens

Cockroach allergens are a leading trigger of asthma and allergic reactions, particularly in children, and cockroaches can mechanically transmit pathogens including Salmonella and E. coli by contaminating food and surfaces.

Under the EPA Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), what is required before a pesticide can be legally sold or distributed in the United States?

Answer: EPA registration following safety and efficacy review

FIFRA requires that all pesticides undergo EPA registration, which involves a comprehensive review of the pesticide's safety, environmental fate, and efficacy data before it can be legally sold.