Pest control in public institutions.

After the spraying of insecticides against cockroaches in a kindergarten insecticide residues were detected over several months in spite of extensive decontamination. This prompted measurements in a home for asylum seekers, where insect pests had been controlled regularly by a commercial firm; here the presence of various biocides was demonstrated. As the insecticides could not be sufficiently decontaminated, the further administration was discontinued and instead cockroach traps and baits were set up. This alternative method which was well accepted by the inhabitants of the home as well as the administrative staff was subsequently successfully employed in other public institutions, e.g. a school and another kindergarten. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.