The Levelland City Council held a regular meeting Monday evening which covered an update regarding the infestation and investigation into the Red Flour Beetle, a budget workshop and approval of ordinances.
Similar to prior meetings this month, Kaufman Addition residents continued to voice their frustrations and concerns regarding the beetle.
Spearheading the updates has been Hockley County Emergency Management Coordinator Cole Kirkland who gave the public and council another update into the investigation of the beetle infestation.
It was mentioned in an emergency notification message August 16, that the City of Levelland and Texas Agri-Life entomologists were able to conduct sample testing for Red Flour Beetles at all three facilities within the industrial rail park area.
It was added that preliminary results of the tests indicated that there are Flour Beetles present at all three facilities.
During the meeting, Kirkland announced that all three facilities have 10 days from the Monday meeting to effectively abate the nuisance.
Any facility that does not comply will be subject to the maximum fine which is $2,000 per day for every day after the 10-day period that the nuisance remains.
During the report, Kirkland fielded questions from council and the public and highlighted the report does not denote a source for the infestation directly, it only shows facilities at the rail park to have the highest concentration of the Red Flour Beetles.
Similar to the previous meetings, Kirkland explained if this infestation has been ongoing this long there will likely be secondary and even tertiary sources that will need to be handled.
Kirkland suggested policy changes in regards to pest management requirements for businesses within industrial zones, something that will be pursued over the next year or so.
Accountability has been a common demand amongst citizens who have had to deal with the infestation demanding it from both Penny Newman and the city.
Suggestions from citizens calling for an entire ban regarding almond hulls within the city has been ongoing.
Kirkland added that more hulls are expected to be brought in by Penny Newman with another shipment in September.
City Attorney Matt Wade stated that legally the city was doing everything they could. Wade was asked what would happen if Penny Newman ignored the fine and continued to store the contaminated hulls in their facility. He stated there was no more legal action the city could take and everything from that point must be handled in a private court of law.
With Penny Newman being a privately owned business further legal action will have to be taken by private citizens, according to Wade.
Moving forward in time, the Agri-Life Extension’s Office held a Red Flour Beetle training seminar Thursday evening at the Mallet Event Center.
The seminar went over the control and elimination, as well as preventative measures for the beetles, and is free to attend.
With the Texas Agri-Life Extension receiving numerous calls for support, it was decided that a community meeting in the form of a seminar was needed.
Hockley County Extension Agent Kerry Siders reminding everyone that Texas Agri-Life extension has no regulatory abilities, and are an educational office only.
Dr. Pat Porter, Extension Entomologist from Lubbock was present and led the conversation with what was done in regard to testing in the facilities at the industrial park. Dr. Porter added that steps were being taken to mitigate them.
Currently, Titan Lansing has cleared their property of any cotton seed that was harboring the insects, but found that moving the piles of seed agitated the bugs, causing them to migrate in mass.
ADM and Penny Newman facilities both still have cotton seed or almond hulls on site, with ADM planning on finishing the movement of the product by next month, and Penny Newman developing treat-in-place procedures.
Dr. Porter was very clear that Red Flour Beetles, when properly identified and treated are an easy pest to control, the facilities simply need to have pest control plans in place. If they do it correctly, they can store their product with no risk of beetle infestation.
It was stated that the Red Flour Beetle is one of the most common pests in Texas, has always been in the area, and will always be to some extent.
Insect abatement programs are looked at favorably by the panel, who are confident the core issue will be resolved. Dr. Puckett also prepared a presentation on the beetles, their food sources, and how to stop them.
Dr. Puckett advised caution when using online sources for any information about best control as the internet is rife with misinformation. Instead, he offered up some recommended reading in the form of the Mallis Handbook of Pest Control.
Walking through the Red Flour Beetles habits and habitats, Dr. Puckett explained their usual food sources consist of flour, cereals, dry beans, peas, dried fruits or spices, shelled nuts and chocolates.
According to Dr. Puckett, as normally if you disrupt the beetles live cycle the issue is usually handled in a week or two.
Dr. Puckett suggested that there may not be developing larvae in the Kaufman Addition homes at all, but the populations could be recharged nightly by migrating beetles from the main source. Once the main source is handled, relief should be eminent, however, keeping the home secure from any further incursions becomes pivotal. Sealing or caulking homes ranging from windows to plumbing penetrations as well as application of an outdoor contact insecticide is suggested.
Resources such as his slide show, as well as recorded video of the presentation are expected to be available in the coming days. Dr. Puckett provided his contact information, insisting that anyone with any concerns or problems reach out to him as he follows the issue closely. His contact information is rpuck@tamu.edu or 979-458-0853.