Avoid being swarmed, call pest management

Published July 14, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Mikaley Towle
99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The room is dark and littered with shadows, the cool air offers relief from the sweltering heat outside and the sound of silence echoes throughout the vast room.

The room is bare of any human presence; however, lurking in the shadows are some unwanted houseguests that roam around when nobody is home. When the lights turn on they are sent scurrying -- some on six, others on eight legs.

Most pests at Nellis Air Force Base are found year round. During the spring to fall seasons, people can usually spot more roaches, bees and weeds; but in the cooler winter months, inside pests like ants and roaches are more commonly seen.

"Here at Nellis AFB we perform pest control for all sorts of pests like ants, bees, rats, snakes and birds," said Staff Sgt. Jonathan Crespillo, 99th Civil Engineer Squadron pest management NCO in charge. "We also spray herbicides base wide, including the flightline, to help control the growth of weeds."

Other tasks they are assigned include capturing stray and endangered animals on base and implementing the bird aircraft strike hazard program.

"Depending on what animal it is, we take it to the proper animal shelter or hospital," said Crespillo. "We never know where or what kind of jobs we are going to have when we come in to work. We shoot pigeons with pellet rifles as part of the BASH program to help control the bird population and reduce aircraft damage."

During these blistering months, uninvited pests and stray animals might try to stay cool by making your home their new home.

Crespillo has advice to offer those wanting to keep these intruders out.

"The most important step in pest control is sanitation," he said. "This includes keeping the floors, walls and furniture clean, along with regularly emptying out the trash and properly storing your food."

The busiest time of the year for pest management is from the start of spring until the end of summer.

"During this time of year we'll get approximately 12 to 15 calls call a day," said Michael Williams-Smith, 99th CES pest management foreman. "We are only responsible for base buildings and temporary lodging facilities. Those residing in base housing have a pest control contractor they can contact for help or a go to the self-help store if they choose to tackle the issue themselves."

Crespillo also said that pest management always has someone on standby for emergency calls and all non-emergency calls will be handled the next duty day.

To get in contact with the standby technician, call the base fire department at 702-652-9630.