Moody entomologists control creepy-crawlers

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- From squirrels and alligators to bedbugs and cockroaches, no pest is too big or too small for Moody's bug-guys.

The 23d Civil Engineer Squadron entomologists provide clean work centers and ensure safe food facilities by eradicating insects, relocating wildlife and implementing preventative measures in base facilities.

"Entomology promotes and supports military readiness and quality of life by reducing health factors and providing safe and healthy working conditions for all personnel on Moody," said John Eunice, 23d CES deputy base civil engineer. "They use safe, effective, and environmentally sound pest management programs to reduce pollution and other risk factors associated with pesticide use."

They keep the base clean and pest-free by performing extermination jobs against any type of pest in all non-privatized facilities on base.

"We perform pest control for all the facilities on base," said Bryon Kacprzyk, 23d CES pest management supervisor. "We never know what's going to happen or what kind of call we're going to get."

They collect specimen to identify pests before developing a control plan for proper extermination purposes when they receive these calls. Entomology is responsible for not only removing insects, but also relocating any type of wildlife on base.

"We could be called out to do an ant job or we could get called out to do something cool, like removing an [alligator]," said Kacprzyk, who has worked in entomology for nearly 20 years. "We are responsible for wildlife control. [For example], if anyone is having problems with squirrels or possums in their facilities, we set live traps to [capture,] transport and release [them] into a suitable habitat." 

Pest control ensures safety and cleanliness for the community by performing monthly pest management inspections in all the food facilities on base.

"We go into the facilities to search for any presence of roaches, ants or any other pest activity," said Kacprzyk. "We also inspect the structure itself within the kitchens to look for potential areas where pests might become a problem. We use a flashlight to look in the drains and behind the equipment for proper sanitation. Our purpose is to eliminate any potential problems."

Pest management works hand-in hand with the 23d Medical Group public health flight to ensure the cleanliness of all food facilities on base to include the Moody Field Club, the Spot, the Youth Center and many more.

Sanitation is the most affective measure in a food facility or even in a workplace to deter pests, according to Kacprzyk. To avoid infestations of insects or wildlife whether at home or in the workplace, eating should be condensed to one location and any trash should be taken out regularly.

Anyone searching for help with a pest problem may contact the 23d CES customer service at 229-257-3678.