Pest Control team takes care of 'bees'ness

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Emily A. Bradley
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  Cockroaches, ants, snakes and rats can find way into buildings by eating through walls and crawling through tiny spaces. Once they are inside workspace and homes, the pests can multiply and colonize.

Offices and homes on Andersen are vulnerable to getting visits from these creepy crawlers. 36th Civil Engineering Squadron Pest Management Airmen help control the pests by conducting inspections at food facilities and catching and relocating feral and stray animals to nearby animal shelters.

"The purpose of pest management is to stop the distraction of people completing their mission," said Senior Airman Terrance Stewart, 36th CES NCO in charge of pest management. "It's hard to concentrate on what you're doing with a big spider crawling across your desk."

As soon as people notice a problem and they do not want it to get out of control, pest management should be called, Stewart said.

When a problem is reported, the team of Airmen finds and treats the source of the invasion. Their goal is to try to put a stop to the pests before it turns into an infestation. Every pest is different and requires different techniques for being exterminated, often being treated through the applications of pesticides and various traps.

After an affected building is treated, the pest management team relies on the customers to ensure the building remains clean so pests are not tempted to re-emerge by the smells of rotting garbage and old coffee among other aromas.

"Customers have to help us help them," Stewart said. "If they do not take out their garbage and throw away old food, the creepy crawlers will find their way in."

Another issue pest control manages is the removal of stray, feral and deceased animals. When an animal is reported to be on base without any supervision or control, it is captured without any harm and relocated an animal shelter.

"Pest Management Airmen do not perform any executions and treat the animals with the utmost respect," Stewart said. "We take care of the animals while they are at the shop and make sure we feed them."

When an animal is found deceased, exterminators dispose of the carcasses cautiously and in accordance with public health policies.

"There will always be bugs and animals, and it's a constant battle every day," Stewart said.

For more information on pest control or to put in a workorder, call the 36th CES customer service desk at 366-2916.