Equipment for Detecting Pests
Detection equipment
Magnifying loupe
Purpose and use
Discerns characteristics of small insects and helps distinguish between moulds and dirt. 7–20 × magnification is useful.
Detection equipment
Powerful flashlight
Purpose and use
Illuminates dark areas, objects under loupe. Use raking light to create shadows that will help reveal insect bodies and rodent droppings.
Detection equipment
Tweezers, spatula
Purpose and use
Use to pick up samples without damaging them or exposing yourself to hazards.
Detection equipment
Small clear containers, bags
Purpose and use
Use to store and annotate samples of insects or other signs of infestation for reference, or later to confirm identity.
Detection equipment
Permanent fine marker
Purpose and use
Use to label containers with location, date, object contained, and other useful data.
Detection equipment
Ultraviolet lamp and UV protective goggles
Purpose and use
Use small battery-powered UV light unit to reveal rodent urine trails. Use protective goggles and do not unduly expose skin to UV.
Detection equipment
Rodent traps
Purpose and use
Place in key locations; check frequently fora ctivity. Reset trap after a rodent is captured.
Detection equipment
Insect traps
Purpose and use
Place in key locations, check frequently for activity. Replace regularly after insects are first found on trap (prevents dead insects being used as a food source for dermestid larvae) or when fouled.
Detection equipment
Identification guides
Purpose and use
Consult the Bibliography for suggested texts, acquire locally useful guides and identification keys, and make your own general collection of identified pest and non-pest species.
CCI Technical Bulletin Nº 29.