18. Application, Equipment and devices

What is delivery Form?

Delivery form is t he physical way a pesticide is delivered to the pest or treatment area.

How is a delivery form different from a formulation?

Formulation = what physical form the pesticide product is manufactured and supplied in.
Delivery form = how the pesticide reaches the pest or treatment area.

Example:

SC = formulation
Liquid spray = delivery form

That example would be worth adding because it makes the distinction immediately obvious.

List the 7 common ways pesticides can be delivered

1. Liquid sprays

2. Dusts

3. Aerosols

4. Foams

5. Ready-to-use granules

6. Baits

7. Fumigants — delivered as a gas or vapour

Liquid Sprays

1. What it is
2. Where/why it is used
3. Main advantage

Liquid sprays

What it is:
Pesticide applied as a liquid spray.

Where/why used:
Used for large surfaces, exterior treatments, spot treatments and crack-and-crevice treatments where permitted by the label.

Main advantage:
Provides fast, even coverage over large areas, and some products leave a residual after drying.

Dusts

1. What it is
2. Where/why it is used
3. Main advantage

What it is:
Pesticide applied as fine dry particles.

Where/why used:
Used in cracks, crevices, wall voids, roof voids and other protected harbourages, especially where liquids are unsuitable.

Main advantage:
Can reach narrow, dry or inaccessible spaces and may remain effective while dry and undisturbed.

Aerosols

1. What it is
2. Where/why it is used
3. Main advantage

What it is:
Pesticide released as very fine droplets from a pressurised system.

Where/why used:
Used for direct treatment, flushing pests from harbourages, small voids and labelled space treatments.

Main advantage:
Produces fine droplets that can reach small or difficult areas and can provide rapid knockdown with suitable products.

Foams

1. What it is
2. Where/why it is used
3. Main advantage

What it is:
Pesticide carried in an expanding foam.

Where/why used:
Used in wall voids, cavities and other enclosed or difficult-to-reach spaces.

Main advantage:
The foam expands, spreads and clings inside irregular spaces where a normal liquid spray may drain away.

Ready-to-use granules

1. What it is
2. Where/why it is used
3. Main advantage

What it is:
Pesticide carried in dry solid granules applied directly.

Where/why used:
Used mainly on soil, lawns, garden beds and exterior areas where permitted by the label.

Main advantage:
Easy to spread evenly over ground surfaces without mixing with water.

Baits

1. What it is
2. Where/why it is used
3. Main advantage

What it is:
Pesticide incorporated into food or another attractive bait material.

Where/why used:
Used when the pest can be encouraged to find and consume the pesticide.

Main advantage:
Allows targeted control using small amounts of pesticide, and some baits can be carried or transferred within social pest populations.

Fumigants

1. What it is
2. Where/why it is used
3. Main advantage

What it is:
Pesticide released as a toxic gas or vapour.

Where/why used:
Used in sealed structures, chambers or commodities to reach deeply hidden pests.

Main advantage:
Gas can penetrate cracks, materials and enclosed spaces that ordinary treatments may not reach.

What is Bait

Attractive material containing a pesticide that the pest consumes

What is a bait station?

A protective container that holds bait. It does not necessarily trap the pest.

What is a ready-to-use bait station?

A bait station supplied with the bait already enclosed inside.

What is a refillable bait station?

A reusable station into which approved bait is placed or replaced.

What is a baited trap?

A mechanical trap that uses food or another lure to attract the pest.

What is palatability?

How readily a pest accepts and eats the bait.

What is trophallaxis?

The transfer of food between members of a social insect colony, particularly ants and termites.

What is horizontal/secondary transfer?

The movement of pesticide from one pest to another after the first pest contacts or consumes it.

What does tamper-resistant mean?

Designed to restrict access to bait by children, pets and non-target animals.

Why are bait stations used?

• Protect the bait from weather, dirt and contamination

• Reduce access by children, pets and non-target animals

• Keep bait in a controlled location along pest travel routes

• Allow bait to be checked, replaced and monitored

• Help make baiting safer and more organised

What determines whether baiting will be successful?

• Correct bait — suitable for the pest and its feeding preference

• Correct placement — close to harbourages, trails or feeding areas

• Freshness — bait remains attractive and uncontaminated

• Monitoring — check consumption/activity and replace or adjust bait when needed

Name the 5 main types of bait used in pest control

• Gel or paste bait

• Liquid bait

• Granular insect bait

• Rodent bait

• Termite cellulose bait

What are the 2 main types of bait stations?

• Ready-to-use bait station — supplied with the bait already enclosed inside.

• Refillable bait station — reusable station where approved bait is added or replaced.

What is gel or paste bait?

A moist, ready-to-use bait containing pesticide that is placed in small spots near pest harbourages and travel routes.
Mainly used for ants and cockroaches.

What is liquid bait?

A liquid food bait containing pesticide, usually placed in a dispenser or bait station.
Mainly used for sweet-feeding ants and some cockroaches.

What is granular insect bait?

A dry, edible granular bait containing pesticide that pests find and consume.
Used mainly for ants, cockroaches, flies and other labelled insects.

What is rodent bait?

A food-based bait containing rodenticide designed to be eaten by rats or mice.
It may come as blocks, soft bait, paste, pellets or treated grain and is usually placed in a secured bait station.

What is termite cellulose bait?

A cellulose-based bait containing a slow-acting pesticide that termites feed on and carry through the colony.
It is placed in above-ground or in-ground termite bait stations.

List the steps to take in making baiting successful

• Correctly identify the pest and its feeding preference

• Place bait close to harbourages/trails/feeding areas

• Use multiple small placements of bait for insects

• Reduce completion food and water

• Keep bait fresh and replace bait that has been eaten/dried out or contaminated

• Do not contaminate bait with repellent spray, strong cleaners or odours

• Protect bait from children/pets/non target animals

• Record bait stations and inspect consumption and pest activity

What is application Method

Application method describes where and how the pesticide is placed

Name the 6 application method (Types of pesticide treatments)

Direct Treatment

General surface/broadcast treatment

Spot treatment

Crack and Crevice treatment

void Treatment

Perimeter/barrier or band treatment

Direct treatment

What it is:

used when…..

Direct treatment

What it is:
Pesticide is applied directly onto a visible pest or nest.

When/why used:
Used when the pest is exposed and immediate control is required.

General surface / broadcast treatment

What it is:

used when…..

What it is:
Pesticide is applied evenly over a larger labelled surface.

When/why used:
Used when pests travel, rest or harbour across a broad area and wider residual coverage is needed.

Spot Treatment

What it is:

Used when….

What it is:
Pesticide is applied to one small, specific area of pest activity.

When/why used:
Used when treatment is only needed in a localised problem area, reducing unnecessary pesticide use.

Crack-and-crevice treatment

What it is:

Used where…

What it is:
A small amount of pesticide is placed inside narrow cracks, gaps and joints.

When/why used:
Used where pests hide, travel or enter through narrow spaces.

Void treatment

What it is:

Used when…

What it is:
Pesticide is placed inside an enclosed structural cavity, such as a wall or roof void.

When/why used:
Used when pests are hidden inside spaces that cannot be reached by normal surface treatment.

Perimeter / barrier / band treatment

What is it?

Used to…

What it is:
Pesticide is applied as a continuous treated strip around the outside of a structure or area.

When/why used:
Used to intercept pests travelling toward or entering a building.

What is application equipment?

It is Equipment used to place pesticide in the correct location, at the correct rate and with the required coverage.

What are the 7 main equipment types

Hand-compression

Backpack sprayer

powered sprayer

Bait gun / syringe

Duster

Granule spreader / shaker

Foam applicator

What is a Hand-compression sprayer and what is it used for

A small manually pressurised sprayer used for indoor, spot, crack-and-crevice and smaller exterior treatments.

What is a Backpack sprayer and what is it used for

A sprayer carried on the back used for larger exterior areas, vegetation, lawns and perimeter treatments.

What is a powered sprayer and what is it used for

A motor-driven sprayer used to apply larger volumes over large treatment areas.

What is a Bait gun / syringe and what is it used for

A device Used to apply small, controlled amounts of gel or paste bait into harbourages and pest travel areas.

What is a Duster and what is it used for

A hand or powered device Used to apply a light layer of pesticide dust into cracks, voids and other dry harbourages.

What is a Foam applicator and what is it used for

A device Used to carry pesticide in expanding foam into enclosed or difficult-to-reach spaces.

What is a Granule spreader / shaker and what is it used for

A device Used to distribute granular pesticide evenly over soil, lawns or other labelled areas.

List 4 Application Accessory equipment used in pest control

Application Accessories

• Fan nozzle — Produces a wide spray pattern for surface and perimeter treatments.

• Pin-stream / crack-and-crevice tip — Produces a narrow directed stream for precise application.

• Extension wand — Extends the applicator’s reach into high or difficult-to-access areas.

• Injection tip — Delivers pesticide through drilled holes or into enclosed spaces.

What are the main inspection and support tools used in pest control?

1. Torch — Provides light for inspecting dark areas and harbourages.

2. Head torch — Provides hands-free lighting during inspections and treatments.

3. Ladder — Provides access to roof voids, eaves and elevated areas.

4. Inspection mirror — Allows inspection behind and underneath difficult-to-see areas.

5. Borescope / inspection camera — Allows inspection inside wall voids and enclosed spaces.

6. Moisture meter — Detects moisture that may indicate pest-conducive conditions.

7. Tape measure — Measures treatment areas and distances for application calculations.

8. Measuring jug / cylinder — Accurately measures pesticide concentrate and water.

9. Cobweb duster / web brush — Removes spider webs and egg sacs, usually from high surfaces.

10. Camera / phone — Records pest evidence, treatment areas and photos for reports.

What are insect traps and monitoring devices used for?

They are used to detect, monitor, capture or kill insects.

What is a monitoring device?

A device used to detect pest presence, location and activity over time.

What is a control trap?

A device used to capture or kill pests to help reduce their numbers.

Name the 8 common devices used as monitor devices or/and control traps for pest control.

1. Insect sticky trap or glue board

2. Pheromone or attractant trap

3. Insect light trap - ILT

4. Fly Trap

5. Bed-Bug interceptor

6. Mosquito Trap

7. Ovitrap

8. Termite monitoring station

What is an insect sticky trap / glue board?

A sticky surface used to capture crawling insects and monitor where activity is occurring.

Commonly used for: cockroaches and other crawling insects

What is a pheromone or attractant trap?

A trap containing a lure that attracts particular pests, helping detect and monitor them.

Commonly used for: moths, stored-product beetles and other insects

What is an insect light trap (ILT)?

A device that uses UV light to attract flying insects, which are then captured or killed.

Commonly used for: flies and moths

What is a fly trap?

A trap designed specifically to attract and capture flies, using sticky surfaces, bait or other attractants.

Important: strongly attractive outdoor traps should be placed away from doors and occupied areas so they don't draw flies toward the building.

What is a bed-bug interceptor?

A pitfall device placed under furniture legs that captures bed bugs travelling between the floor and furniture.

What is a mosquito trap?

A device that uses cues such as CO₂, light, heat or odour to attract and monitor adult mosquitoes.

What is an ovitrap?

A small container or surface designed to attract egg-laying mosquitoes so their activity can be detected.

What is a termite monitoring station?

A station containing non-toxic monitoring material used to detect termite feeding and activity.

Do trap counts show the exact pest population?

No. Trap counts show relative pest activity, not the exact number of pests present.

Does zero pests caught mean no pests are present?

No. A zero catch may be caused by trap location, pest behaviour, temperature, competing food or other factors.

What is the simple pest-monitoring process?

Place traps in likely pest areas, check them regularly, record what is caught, compare results over time, and adjust treatment if needed.

What is a rodent trap used for?

A rodent trap provides non-chemical control by capturing or killing rodents and gives direct evidence of rodent activity.

List the 6 main control rodent device traps

1. Snap Trap

2. Enclosed snap trap

3. Electronic Snap Trap

4. Multiple-Caach Trap

5. Live-capture trap

6. Rodent Glue Board Trap

What is a snap trap?

A spring-loaded trap designed to kill a rat or mouse rapidly.

It’s the main mechanical rodent control trap

Important: Use the correct size for rats or mice.

What is an enclosed snap trap?

A snap trap placed inside protective housing to reduce access by children, pets and non-target animals.

The housing also protects the trap from Dust/Weather

What is an electronic rodent trap?

An enclosed trap that kills a rodent using an electrical charge.

Usually used in dry indoor locations.

Some models provide capture indicator

What is a multiple-catch trap?

A trap designed to capture more than one rodent before it needs resetting.

Most commonly used on mice

What is a live-capture trap?

A trap that captures a rodent without immediately killing it.

It requires frequent checking and appropriate handling.

Generally not used for routine pest control as they create animal welfare problems

What is a rodent glue board?

An adhesive board that captures a rodent alive by sticking it to the surface.

It can cause prolonged distress and is not preferred for routine rodent control.

List the three types of rodent monitoring devices

Non-toxic monitoring Block

Tracking card or non-toxic tracking material

Electronic Monitoring sensor

What is a non-toxic monitoring block?

A food-based block containing no rodenticide, used to detect rodent activity from feeding or gnawing marks.

What is rodent tracking material?

A non-toxic material or card used to detect footprints, tail marks or movement along rodent runways.

What is an electronic monitoring sensor?

A device that detects rodent movement, entry or trap activation and may send a remote alert.

What is the difference between bait, a trap, trap station, bait station and monitoring station?

Bait — food or other attractive material containing a pesticide that the rodent eats.

Trap — captures or kills a rodent.

Trap station — protective housing containing a mechanical trap.

Bait station — protective container that holds rodenticide bait.

Monitoring station — contains non-toxic monitoring material or a sensor used to detect rodent activity.

Where should rodent traps be placed?

Place traps:

• Along walls and runways

• Near harbourages and fresh signs

• Where rodents are likely to travel

Where appropriate, position the trigger end toward the wall.

Why use several rodent traps?

Using several traps increases the chance of intercepting rodents along their travel routes and improves control.

What is pre-baiting?

Placing bait on an unset trap for a short period so rodents become comfortable feeding from it before the trap is activated.

Mainly useful where rodents are wary of unfamiliar objects

What is the basic rodent trapping process?

Locate activity → select the correct trap → place and protect it → check and record results → complete exclusion

What Queensland animal-welfare rule applies when controlling pest rodents?

Rodent control must be carried out in a way that causes the animal as little pain as is reasonable.

Can prohibited traps be used in Queensland?

No. A trap prescribed as a prohibited trap must not be used.

Are rodent glue boards a preferred control method?

No. Rodent glue boards can cause prolonged suffering and should not be a routine rodent-control method.

Is a pest-management licence required to use rodenticide professionally in Queensland?

Yes. A pest-management business using pesticide/rodenticide to control rodents must have the appropriate licensed pest-management technician.

What determines how rodenticide bait must be used?

The approved pesticide label.