Pest Control and Pesticide Use in Hospitals in Poland

Abstract

An assessment of the occurrence and control of pests in hospitals in Poland was carried out in the years 2003–04. The results were also compared with those from a preliminary evaluation carried out in the years 1990–95. The 2003/04 study showed a lower level of infestation in the hospitals examined than previously. The predominant insect pest species was still the German cockroach (Blattella germanica (Linnaeus)), followed by the oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis L.) and the Pharaoh's ant (Monomorium pharaonis). The use of insect control agents containing permethrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin and bendiocarb was lower by comparison with the previous study. One reason for this could be that the pesticides were less efficient controls due by the development of resistance. In 2004 respondents noted that alternative formulations as baits, traps, gel baits (containing hydramethylnon, imidacloprid, chlorpyriphos) were used more often than before.