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Base entomologists reduce pests, related risks

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Samantha Krolikowski
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  With eight- legged creatures spinning webs in the middle of the night just to leave a silky surprise in a vacant doorway and six- legged creatures with wings buzzing around base to pester and sometimes sting or bite people, the entomology flight is helping with the day-to-day scenarios that might pester a person's well-being and potentially disrupt base operations.

According to Senior Airman Rachael Escobedo, 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron entomologist journeyman, the entomology flight aims to prevent pests within base infrastructure, mitigate related public health concerns and decrease the amount of bird airstrikes and animal strikes.

Entomology, the study of insects, is much more than just dealing with bug problems.
One of the largest missions of Fairchild's entomology professionals is to prevent pests or animals that have the potential to carry diseases, like mosquitoes and ticks, from populating the base and affecting people, said Escobedo.

Entomology plays an active role in the Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard program by eliminating the food source that attracts animals that are hazardous to air operations, like birds.

The goal of BASH is to preserve the warfighting capabilities through the reduction of wildlife hazards to aircraft operations.

Another large problem people have been reporting recently is wasps. Base entomologists have been setting up wasp traps and removing wasp nests, but maintaining a clean work area can help.

"A tip to preventing a wasp problem is sanitation," said Escobedo. "Sanitation in work areas also helps with animal control."

For more information on pest control or the entomology flight call the 92nd CES customer service desk at 509-247-2302.