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Thousands of ravens roosting on 500kV power lines in Montana leave droppings that, when combined with moisture, conduct electricity and cause power outages. NorthWestern Energy solved the issue through a three-part strategy: using silicone-coated insulators, cleaning towers of bird waste, and installing selective perch deterrents. The problem, first observed in winter 2016–2017, was documented and published in 2020.
Download FileA pest controller in Bolton reports a significant rise in rat infestations due to post-lockdown changes in waste management and feeding habits, with increased calls from homes and gardens where food sources and shelter have been left unattended.
Download FileChicago ranked No. 1 on Orkin's Top 50 Rattiest Cities List for the sixth consecutive year, based on rodent treatments performed from September 1, 2019, to August 31, 2020. Baltimore entered the Top 10 at No. 8, while San Diego rose to No. 19. The list highlights increased rodent visibility due to pandemic-related food waste changes and recommends preventive measures for homeowners.
Download FileC Tech Corporation presented a paper at the 12th Agricultural Film Conference in Barcelona, Spain, discussing environmentally friendly additives that make agricultural films pest repellent, improve crop yield, and are compatible with film polymers without harmful environmental impacts. The session highlighted the benefits of these additives over conventional toxic pesticides, with a focus on sustainable agricultural practices.
Download FileIn the last three months, an estimated 500 million bees have died in four Brazilian states due to pesticide exposure, particularly from neonicotinoids and Fipronil used in soybean farming. The deaths have sparked concern among beekeepers and researchers over the impact on pollination, food security, and the broader ecosystem.
Download FileA study by the University of Neuchâtel found pesticide residues, including neonicotinoids, in 93% of organic farms and 80% of ecological compensation areas in Switzerland, despite these areas prohibiting synthetic insecticides. Residues were detected in soil and plant samples from 62 farms across the Swiss Plateau, with potential impacts on pollinators like bumblebees. The Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture notes that three of the five substances identified are now banned.
Download FileThe European Union has banned chlorothalonil, the most widely used pesticide in the UK, due to concerns over its potential harm to human health and wildlife. Safety officials found that breakdown products of the chemical may damage DNA and pose a high risk to amphibians and fish. Research also links chlorothalonil to declines in bumblebee populations. The ban, based on a review by the European Food Safety Authority (Efsa), will enter into force in late May 2019.
Download FileTwo young men, Ananta Khedkar and Raju Beldar, were found dead in their room in Dhankawadi, Pune, allegedly due to inhaling pesticide fumes from a recent pest control treatment. They had returned to their room the day before their deaths and were discovered lifeless when the canteen manager checked on them.
Download FileUpshur County has approved a plan to install pigeon spike strips around the dome and cupola of the 1899 courthouse to prevent damage from pigeon droppings, which are acidic and causing deterioration. Previous efforts, such as a noise machine, have failed. The county is seeking bids for the project, with a request for proposals due February 12, 2019.
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