
New Barrier Blocks Pesky BeetlesBy Tara
Weaver-Missick July 26, 1999Poultry farmers may no longer have to worry about replacing beetle-damaged
hen house roofs, thanks to a new invention called BEETLBAR, developed by
Agricultural Research Service scientists
in Gainesville, Fla. BEETLBAR is a non-toxic physical barrier that prevents crawling insects from
boring into wooden structures. Two insects in particular pose problems for
poultry farmersdarkling beetles, also called lesser mealworms, and hide
beetles. The larvae of these beetles develop in poultry litter and manure under
high-rise poultry houses. Floor-reared birds feed on migrating beetles, which
can harbor Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, tapeworms
and avian leukosis virusleading to major economic losses for farmers. This new plastic barrier, developed by research chemist David A. Carlson and research entomologist Christopher J. Geden, can be placed around trees, poultry house foundations, and a variety of residential, commercial, industrial and farm buildings. Carlson and Geden are with the ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomologys Mosquito and Fly Research Unit. Beetle larvae usually migrate from litter and crawl up walls and posts into
ceiling insulation, burrowing holes and causing major structural damage in
timbers. BEETLBARs slick surface prevents this migration. In Georgia and
Virginia alone, annual losses from these insects are estimated at $9.8 and
$15.9 million, respectively. Carlson says the new barrier is strong, long-lasting, lightweight, and easy
to apply and clean. He says a major advantage of using BEETLBAR is that it
reduces pesticides needed to control litter beetles. Another advantage of this new barrier is it will save poultry farmers money
in losses from beetle-damaged broiler houses that cost thousands of dollars
more to heat and cool than non- damaged houses. Beetle damaged insulation can
cost more than $30,000 a house. Carlson and Geden have filed for a patent on
this new invention. ARS is the U.S. Department of
Agricultures chief scientific research agency. Scientific contacts: David A. Carlson and Christopher J. Geden, Mosquito and Fly Research Unit, ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, Fla., (phone) 352-374-5931, (fax) 352-374-5922, [email protected] (Carlson), [email protected] (Geden). U.S. Department of Agriculture | |