News Search

Entomologists: keeping the pests away

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Daniel Phelps
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Airman 1st Class Marc 'Anthony Gilliam and Senior Airman Terrence Murray, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron entomologists, jumped into their work vehicles to drive into base housing to respond to a work order. A customer that was allergic to wasps had made a call to get rid of a wasp problem they were having.

After they arrived at the home, Airman Murray sprayed dust into some crevices in the house to kill off the wasps. Once that was done, Airman Gilliam started up the engine for the chemical sprayer to ward off any other potential pests that might show up at the house.

The 20th CES entomologists are responsible for health inspections, ridding the base of pests, picking up road kill, trapping stray animals, and eliminating any pests in the way of the Air Force mission, said Airman Gilliam.

They inspect different areas on base according to their regular work program such as the Child Development Center, the dining facility, the kitchens and the commissary, said Airman Gilliam. Entomologists are also in charge of all the base lakes and Wateree Recreation Area. All of their other work is done as customers call-in and by work orders.

Health is the number one reason for why they do their job; to make sure that the disease factor is controlled, added Airman Gilliam.

"You don't want to go to the CDC and drop your kid off, thinking that it's (the CDC) clean," said Airman Murray, "then it turns out they've got roaches. We make sure that's not a problem."

Another part of their job is to brief the commander about the different pests in a certain location, added Airman Gilliam.

"For example, once a bird got caught in a jet engine and brought down a plane," explained Airman Gilliam.

Occasionally, the entomologists have to do research to get rid of certain pests, noted Airman Gilliam.

"Sometimes we'll come across a new species we haven't dealt with before," he said, "so we'll have to do some research to find out how to get rid of it."

Preventative measures are also taken for pests on base, said Airman Murray. For example, while he's out taking care of a wasp problem, he'll also spray for roaches, ants, fleas and other bugs.

"Shaw's main problems during the summer are weeds and fire ants," he commented.

Some of the other preventive measures they take on base are setting traps for coyotes and spraying for weeds on the flight line, said Airman Gilliam. They also spray mosquito larvacide around the base as well.

Airman Murray takes pleasure in knowing he makes a difference for people; "Say an Airman is deployed, and their wife and kids are stuck at home. We get a lot of jobs like that. She's not going to be able to go into the vent and take the bird nest out."

"Entomology is a different kind of job," concluded Airman Gilliam, "you don't see it every day. Very few in the Air Force can say they've done this kind of job."