Record Keeping to Assist IPM Activities
Record field
Location
Purpose
Trap locations must be located on a floor plan. Trap locations may be permanent or temporary. Pests are often associated with specific habitats in buildings. Location data help define hot-spots and sources, or show if there are low levels of pests distributed throughout the space. Relate visual inspection locations to cabinet numbers, collection elements, room numbers, windowsills, lighting runs, etc.
Record field
Trap type
Purpose
Type of trap, brand, design, baits, etc. can all have a bearing on their effectiveness against different organisms. Recording this information can show trends and guide future trap choices and use.
Record field
Trap ID
Purpose
Each trap can be given a marked "serial number" to permanently distinguish it from others in a database. Trap ID is necessary if traps are collected in a sweep, bagged, frozen (to kill insects), and examined later at a convenient time and location.
Record field
Date trap laid and removed
Purpose
The period of trapping is a sample in time. This information is essential for presenting a time series showing annual fluctuations or trends.
Record field
Affected objects
Purpose
Discovered by visual inspection. Identification of affected objects will guide the delivery of remedial treatment to affected objects.
Record field
Treatment
Purpose
Record treatment type, protocol, cost in time and money, and dates. Ensures the problem has been addressed and satisfies conservation ethics. Allows check on effectiveness.
Record field
Pests
Purpose
List the pest and non-pest organisms found, and their stage of development (e.g. larvae, adult). Use a level of identification that reveals the risks each pest presents to the collection. This list is useful when proposing effective remedial actions.
Record field
Count
Purpose
List the numbers of each pest found, dead or alive. Over time, this information gives a picture of the intensity of a current infestation and the "normal" level of pest activity, once control measures are in place.
Record field
Comment
Purpose
Note if the trap has been tampered with, odd occurrences, etc.
Record field
Observer
Purpose
Useful in larger organizations to know who did the documentation.
CCI Technical Bulletin Nº 29.