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Environmental Health Science · 400 Level
This is the complete lecture note for EHS 419 Pest and Vector Management, prepared for Environmental Health Science students at 400 Level. You can read it online below, open it in the full viewer, or download the PDF for offline study. It pairs with the course's video lectures, so you can read and watch together.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS EHS 419 Pest and Vector Management Series 1 Introduction to Pests, Vectors, and Pest Ecology Part 1 Introduction to Pests and Vectors • 1.1: Definitions of pests, vectors, and related terms • 1.2: Distinguishing pests from vectors • 1.3: Roles of pests in disease causation Part 2 Pest Ecology and Characteristics • 2.1: Pest ecology: habitats, life cycles, and interactions • 2.2: Characteristics of pests of public health importance • 2.3: Diseases associated with pests Part 3 Classification of Vectors and Pests • 3.1: Types and classification of vectors • 3.2: Classification of public health pests • 3.3: Assessment of pest and vector status in a given environment Introduction Pests and vectors are part of our everyday environment, yet their impact on public health can be profound. From mosquitoes transmitting malaria to rodents spreading leptospirosis, these organisms influence human wellbeing in ways that demand careful study and management. Understanding their ecology, characteristics, and classification provides the foundation for effective pest and vector control, which is why this Series is a crucial starting point in the course. The aim of this Series is to introduce you to the fundamental concepts of pests, vectors, and pest ecology, and to equip you with the knowledge needed to distinguish between them, describe their roles in disease causation, and assess their status in different environments.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS We shall commence this Series by exploring the definitions of pests and vectors, clarifying related terms, and distinguishing between them. Then, we will move on to pest ecology, examining habitats, life cycles, and the characteristics of pests of public health importance, including the diseases they may cause. Finally, we will wrap up by considering the classification of vectors and pests, and how their status can be evaluated in a given environment. This progression will provide you with a clear and structured understanding of the basics of pest and vector management. Series Learning Outcomes Upon completing this Series, you should be able to: • define the terms pest, vector, and related concepts in public health, • explain the distinction between pests and vectors, • describe the roles of pests in disease causation, • analyse the ecological characteristics of pests, including habitats and life cycles, • explain the characteristics of pests of public health importance, • identify diseases associated with pests, • classify vectors into recognised categories, • classify public health pests using appropriate criteria, and • evaluate pest and vector status in a given environment. Part 1 Introduction to Pests and Vectors 1.1 Definitions of pests, vectors, and related terms A pest is any organism that causes harm to humans, animals, crops, or the environment by damaging property, spreading disease, or creating nuisance. In public health, pests include insects, rodents, and other organisms that negatively affect human wellbeing. A vector is an organism, often an arthropod, that transmits pathogens from one host to another, thereby playing a direct role in disease transmission. Related terms such as pesticide (a chemical substance used to kill or control pests) and pest management (the systematic approach to controlling pests) are central to this field. Fill in the blank: A vector is an organism that __________ pathogens from one host to another.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS 1.2 Distinguishing pests from vectors While pests and vectors are often discussed together, they are not identical. Pests may simply cause nuisance or damage, such as termites destroying wooden structures, whereas vectors specifically transmit pathogens, such as mosquitoes carrying malaria parasites. Some organisms can be both pests and vectors, depending on their role in a given context. For example, rats are pests when they damage food supplies, but they are vectors when they spread diseases like leptospirosis. Fill in the blank: Mosquitoes are considered __________ when they transmit malaria parasites.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Caption: Box 1.1 Distinction between pests and vectors Feature Pest Vector Primary Harm Causes damage to crops, property, or livestock; causes nuisance; may transmit germs. Transmits infectious pathogens (viruses, bacteria, parasites) between hosts. Mode of Action Directly damages resources (e.g., feeding on crops, tunneling through wood). Carries pathogens internally (biological vector) or externally (mechanical vector) during movement or feeding. Scope Broader term. Includes insects, mites, nematodes, weeds, rodents, birds, etc. Specific role, typically an arthropod (e.g., mosquito, tick, fly) or rodent. Examples Termites (wood damage), Weeds (crop competition), Aphids (sap feeding), Rats (food destruction). Mosquitoes (Malaria, Dengue), Ticks (Lyme disease), Tsetse flies (Sleeping sickness), Rats/Fleas (Plague). 1.3 Roles of pests in disease causation Pests play significant roles in disease causation. They may act as mechanical transmitters, carrying pathogens on their bodies without being infected themselves, or as biological transmitters, where the pathogen develops or multiplies inside the pest before transmission. For instance, houseflies can mechanically transmit bacteria by contaminating food, while mosquitoes biologically transmit malaria parasites. Understanding these roles is essential for designing effective control strategies. Fill in the blank: Houseflies transmit pathogens mechanically, while mosquitoes transmit pathogens __________.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Pilot questions 1 1. Define the term pest in public health. 2. A vector is an organism that __________ pathogens from one host to another. 3. Give one example of an organism that can be both a pest and a vector. 4. Mosquitoes are considered __________ when they transmit malaria parasites. 5. Distinguish between mechanical and biological transmission of pathogens.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Part 2 Pest Ecology and Characteristics 2.1 Pest ecology: habitats, life cycles, and interactions Pest ecology refers to the study of how pests interact with their environment, including their habitats, life cycles, and relationships with other organisms. Habitats may include human dwellings, agricultural fields, or natural ecosystems, depending on the pest species. The life cycle of a pest describes the stages it passes through from birth to maturity, often influencing when and how control measures are most effective. Interactions with other organisms, such as predators, hosts, and competitors, also determine pest survival and spread. Fill in the blank: The study of how pests interact with their environment, including habitats and life cycles, is called pest __________.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS 2.2 Characteristics of pests of public health importance Pests of public health importance share certain characteristics that make them significant. These include their ability to reproduce rapidly, adapt to diverse environments, and spread pathogens. Many pests are resilient, surviving in harsh conditions and resisting control measures. Their close association with humans, whether through food, water, or shelter, increases their potential to cause harm. Fill in the blank: Pests of public health importance often reproduce __________ and adapt to diverse environments.
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