ABSTRACT
Surveys were conducted in New Jersey, Tennessee, Indiana and Arizona in collaboration with low-income housing agency to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on pest control practices and pest infestations in five states. In total, 39 completed surveys were received. Survey data indicates the majority (77 percent) of housing agencies used contracted pest control services. Only 11 percent of surveyed agencies used in-house staff to deal with pest issues. In-house staff are familiar with the properties and residents. Using in-house licensed staff to manage pest issues has several advantages: it saves the cost of staff escorting contractors one to two days a month in each property;it is more flexible than hiring a con-tractor for scheduling, treating emergency complaints and planning follow-up in-spections and re-treatments;and it is likely much cheaper for in-house staff to conduct nonchemical control procedures such as rodent proofing, decluttering or cleaning compared to contracted services. This study found evidence of decreased pest control cost due at least partially to reduced service visits as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Seventy-six percent of surveyed agencies experienced changes in scheduled services, and all of the changes were pandemic-related policy changes implemented by the housing agencies. The current contracted services generally met the expectations of the housing agencies. Housing managers and residents believe that lack of resident cooperation and property maintenance are responsible for high pest prevalence or control failures. There were increased pest complaints (except bed bugs) and infestations in low-income housing with the greatest increase associated with cockroaches. Despite the continued high pest infestation rates, the current pest control contracts meet the housing agencies' expectations. There remains a strong need to educate housing agency personnel and residents to help them adopt more effective pest management policies and contracts and to reduce the indoor pest infestations significantly.