[SOS-PCA] Proper Use of Pest Strips

[Riibe, Lindsey]

Hi All,

A quick reminder that all seed collections must be fumigated with pest
strips prior to shipping to Bend (or other partner cleaning facilities).
No-Pest Strips are available over-the-counter, but Dichlorvos
(2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate, or DDVP) is a neuro toxin and must
be used appropriately. Please fumigate your seeds for 24-48 hours in a
storage container with a lid in an UNoccupied room/closet, limit your
exposure and wear gloves when handling the pest strips. Pest strips last 4+
months - so you can re-use the strips throughout the collecting season but
please buy new strips each year.

Some key label points to remember about pest strips (modified from report
by Texas A&M):

   - Do not over-apply.  One 16 gm strip is sufficient for treating 100 to
   200 cubic feet.  Having said that, do you know how to estimate cubic feet?
   A typical 6' by 12' by 8' walk-in closet is approximately 575 cubic feet (a
   simple multiplication of length x width x height) and would require 3 to 5
   strips--6 would be an over-application. *Cut strips in quarters (or
   smaller as appropriate for dimensions) for fumigating in rubber tubs, bins,
   trash cans or other storage containers with lids. Please use gloves when
   handling the pest strips! *
   - Around the home*/office*, strips may only be used in closets,
   wardrobes and cupboards, storage units, garages, attics or crawl spaces.
   Other sites outside the house/office are also listed on the label.
   - Do not use in kitchens or food prep or storage areas where unwrapped
   food may be exposed.  Kitchen utensils should not contact the strips.
   - Pets and children should not play or sleep where strips are in use, *nor
   should the strips be used in any room where humans are likely to spend more
   than four hours a day*. An important sidenote here: most of the
   illnesses (65%) reported in the CDC paper occurred when exposures exceeded
   four hours per day. *Please do not fumigate seed collections in an
   occupied room at your field office! *

For more information on the use and misuse of pest strips check out this
recent Wired Article: CDC Warning on Misuse of Pest Strips
<https://www.wired.com/2014/01/cdc-warning-misuse-pest-strips/>

Thank you for all your hard work!

Lindsey Riibe
Bureau of Land Management
Plant Conservation Program Assistant
503-808-6230

National Seed Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration
<https://www.blm.gov/programs/natural-resources/native-plant-communities/national-seed-strategy>
Plant Conservation Alliance <http://www.plantconservationalliance.org/>
Seeds of Success
<https://www.blm.gov/programs/natural-resources/native-plant-communities/native-plant-and-seed-material-development/collection>
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