Appendix D: Odor and Insect
Control Checklist

Odor

On many operations, odor is likely to be the number one community issue for both producers and the general public. Because people can detect a smell they find offensive, they assume there is an environmental problem. What are some perceptions of swine odor that your neighbors and members of your community may have?

Sources of Odor

The good news is that odor can be managed by reducing sources of odor. Decomposing manure is the most obvious source. Generally, decomposing manure that has undergone some type of anaerobic (without oxygen) breakdown has a more offensive odor than fresh manure. The actual odor is the result of the type of ration, animal metabolism, and environmental conditions in which manure is stored and spread. Decomposing feed and carcasses can also contribute to odor.

Dairy Farm Waste Management Odor Control Checklist
Source	Cause	BMPs to Minimize Odor	Site Specific Practices
Farmstead	Dairy production	Vegetative or wooded buffers Recommended best management practices Good judgment and common sense
Paved lots or barn alley surfaces	Wet manure-covered surfaces	Scrape or flush daily Promote drying with proper ventilation Routine checks and maintenance on waterers, hydrants, pipes, stock tanks
Bedded areas	Urine Partial microbial decomposition	Promote drying with proper ventilation Replace wet or manure-covered bedding
Manure dry stacks	Partial microbial decomposition	Provide liquid drainage for stored manure
Storage tank or basin surface	Partial microbial decomposition Mixing while filling Agitation when emptying	Bottom or mid-level loading Tank covers Basin surface mats of solids Minimize lot runoff and liquid additions Agitate only prior to manure removal Proven biological additives or oxidants
Settling basin surfaces	Partial microbial decomposition Mixing while filling Agitation when emptying	Liquid drainage from settled solids Remove solids regularly
Manure, slurry, or sludge spreader outlets	Agitation when spreading Volatile gas emissions	Soil injection of slurry/sludges Wash residual manure from spreader after use Proven biological additives or oxidants
Uncovered manure, slurry, or sludge on field surfaces	Volatile gas emissions while drying	Soil injection of slurry/sludges Soil incorporation within 48 hours Spread in thin uniform layers for rapid drying Proven biological additives or oxidants
Flush tanks	Agitation of recycled lagoon liquid while tanks are filling	Flush tank covers Extend fill lines to near bottom of tanks with anti-siphon vents
Outside drain collection or junction boxes	Agitation during wastewater conveyance	Box covers
Lift stations	Agitation during sump tank filling and drawdown	Sump tank covers
End of drainpipes at lagoon	Agitation during wastewater conveyance	Extend discharge point of pipes underneath lagoon liquid level
Lagoon surfaces	Volatile gas emission Biological mixing Agitation	Proper lagoon liquid capacity Correct lagoon startup procedures Minimum surface area-to-volume ratio Minimum agitation when pumping Mechanical aeration Proven biological additives
Irrigation sprinkler nozzles	High pressure agitation Wind drift	Irrigate on dry days with little or no wind Minimum recommended operating procedure Pump intake near lagoon liquid surface Pump from second-stage lagoon Flush residual manure from pipes at end of slurry/sludge pumpings
Dead animals	Carcass decomposition	Proper disposition of carcasses
Standing water around facilities	Improper drainage Microbial decomposition of organic matter	Grade and landscape such that water drains away from facilities
Mud tracked onto public roads from farm access	Poorly maintained access roads	Farm access road maintenance

Additional Information:	Available From :
Cattle Manure Management; .0200 Rule/BMP Packet	NCSU, County Extension Center
Dairy Educational Unit Manure Management System—Lake Wheeler Road Field Laboratory; EBAE 209-95	NCSU—BAE
Lagoon Design and Management for Livestock Manure Treatment and Storage; EBAE 103-83	NCSU—BAE
Management of Dairy Wastewater; EBAE 106-83	NCSU—BAE
Calibration of Manure and Wastewater Application Equipment; EBAE Fact Sheet	NCSU—BAE
Nuisance Concerns in Animal Manure Management: Odors and Flies; PRO107, 1995 Conference Proceedings	Florida Cooperative Extension

Swine Farm Waste Management Odor Control Checklist
Source	Cause	BMPs to Minimize Odor	Site Specific Practices
Farmstead	Swine production	Vegetative or wooded buffers Recommended best management practices Good judgment and common sense
Animal body surfaces	Dirty manure-covered animals	Dry floors
Floor surfaces	Wet manure-covered floors	Slotted floors Waterers located over slotted floors Feeders at high end of solid floors Scrape manure buildup from floors Underfloor ventilation for drying
Manure collection pits	Urine Partial microbial decomposition	Frequent manure removal by flush, pit recharge, or scrape Underfloor ventilation
Ventilation exhaust fans	Volatile gases Dust	Fan maintenance Efficient air movement
Indoor surfaces	Dust	Washdown between groups of animals Feed additives Feeder covers Feed delivery downspout extenders to feeder covers
Flush tanks	Agitation of recycled lagoon liquid while tanks are filling	Flush tank covers Extend fill lines to near bottom of tanks with anti-siphon vents
Flush alleys	Agitation during wastewater conveyance	Underfloor flush with underfloor ventilation
Pit recharge points	Agitation of recycled lagoon liquid while pits are filling	Extend recharge lines to near bottom of pits with anti-siphon vents
Lift stations	Agitation during sump tank filling and drawdown	Sump tank covers
Outside drain collection or junction boxes	Agitation during wastewater conveyance	Box covers
End of drainpipes at lagoon	Agitation during wastewater conveyance	Extend discharge point of pipes underneath lagoon liquid level
Lagoon surfaces	Volatile gas emissions Biological mixing Agitation	Proper lagoon liquid capacity Correct lagoon startup procedures Minimum surface area-to-volume ratio Minimum agitation when pumping Mechanical aeration Proven biological additives
Irrigation sprinkler nozzles	High pressure agitation Wind drift	Irrigate on dry days with little or no wind Minimum recommended operating pressure Pump intake near lagoon liquid surface Pump from second-stage lagoon
Storage tank or basin surface	Partial microbial decomposition Mixing while filling Agitation when emptying	Bottom or midlevel loading Tank covers Basin surface mats of solids Proven biological additives or oxidants
Settling basin surface	Partial microbial decomposition Mixing while filling Agitation when emptying	Extend drainpipe outlets underneath liquid level Remove settled solids regularly
Manure, slurry, or sludge spreader outlets	Agitation when spreading Volatile gas emissions	Soil injection of slurry/sludges Wash residual manure from spreader after use Proven biological additives or oxidants
Uncovered manure, slurry, or sludge on field surfaces	Volatile gas emissions while drying	Soil injection of slurry/sludges Soil incorporation within 48 hours Spread in thin uniform layers for rapid drying Proven biological additives or oxidants
Dead animals	Carcass decomposition	Proper disposition of carcasses
Dead animal disposal pits	Carcass decomposition	Complete covering of carcasses in burial pits Proper location/construction of disposal pits
Incinerators	Incomplete combustion	Secondary stack burners
Standing water around facilities	Improper drainage Microbial decomposition of organic matter	Grade and landscape such that water drains away from facilities
Manure tracked onto public roads from farm access	Poorly maintained access roads	Farm access road maintenance

Additional Information:	Available From:
Swine Manure Management; .0200 Rule/BMP Packet	NCSU, County Extension Center
Swine Production Farm Potential Odor Sources and Remedies; EBAE Fact Sheet	NCSU—BAE
Swine Production Facility Manure Management: Pit Recharge—Lagoon Treatment; EBAE 128-88	NCSU—BAE
Swine Production Facility Manure Management: Underfloor Flush—Lagoon Treatment; EBAE 129-88	NCSU—BAE
Lagoon Design and Management for Livestock Manure Treatment and Storage; EBAE 103-83	NCSU—BAE
Calibration of Manure and Wastewater Application Equipment; EBAE Fact Sheet	NCSU—BAE
Controlling Odors from Swine Buildings; PIH-33	NCSU—Swine Extension
Environmental Assurance Program; NPPC Manual	N.C. Pork Producers Assoc.
Options for Managing Odor; a report from the Swine Odor Task Force	NCSU Agricultural Communications
Nuisance Concerns in Animal Manure Management: Odors and Flies; PRO107, 1995 Conference Proceedings	Florida Cooperative Extension

Poultry Farm Waste Management Odor Control Checklist
Source	Cause	BMPs to Minimize Odor	Site Specific Practices
Farmstead	Poultry production	Vegetative or wooded buffers Recommended best management practices Good judgment and common sense
Floor surfaces (walk aisles)	Wet dirty surfaces	Scrape manure, dust, feathers into collection alleys Splash boards along upper ends of collection alleys Proper ventilation
Cage manure dropping boards	Manure-covered surfaces	Scrape manure into collection alleys
Manure collection alleys	Partial microbial decomposition	Frequent manure removal by flush or scrape Frequent checks and maintenance on waterers and water pipes
Ventilation exhaust fans	Volatile gases Dust	Fan maintenance Efficient air movement
Indoor surfaces	Dust	Vacuum or washdown between flocks
Manure conveyors	Partial microbial decomposition	Keep mechanical equipment in good repair Remove manure accumulations promptly
Storage tank or basin surface	Partial microbial decomposition Mixing while filling Agitation when emptying	Bottom or midlevel loading Tank covers Basin surface mats of solids Proven biological additives or oxidants
Manure slurry or sludge spreader outlets	Agitation when spreading Volatile gas emissions	Soil injection of slurry/sludges Wash residual manure from spreader after use Proven biological additives or oxidants
Uncovered manure slurry or sludge on field surfaces	Volatile gas emissions while drying	Soil injection of slurry/sludges Soil incorporation within 48 hours
Outside drain collection or junction boxes	Agitation during wastewater conveyance	Box covers
Lift stations	Agitation during sump tank filling and drawdown	Sump tank covers
End of drainpipes at lagoon	Agitation during wastewater conveyance	Extend discharge point of pipes underneath lagoon liquid level
Lagoon surfaces	Volatile gas emissions Biological mixing Agitation	Proper lagoon liquid capacity Correct lagoon startup procedures Minimum surface area-to-volume ratio Minimum agitation while pumping Mechanical aeration Proven biological additives
Irrigation sprinkler nozzles	High pressure agitation Wind drift	Irrigate on dry days with little or no wind Minimum recommended operating procedure Pump intake near lagoon liquid surface Pump from second-stage lagoon
Dead birds	Carcass decomposition	Proper disposition of carcasses
Dead bird disposal pits	Carcass decomposition	Complete covering of carcasses in burial pits Proper location/construction of disposal pits Disposal pit covers tight fitting
Standing water around facilities	Improper drainage Microbial decomposition of organic matter	Grade and landscape such that water drains away from facilities
Mud tracked onto public roads from farm access	Poorly maintained access roads	Farm access road maintenance

Additional Information:	Available From:
Poultry Manure Management; .0200 Rule/BMP Packet	NCSU, County Extension Center
Poultry Layer Production Facility Manure Management: High Rise, Deep Pit; EBAE 131-88	NCSU—BAE
Poultry Layer Production Facility Manure Management: Undercage Flush—Lagoon Treatment; EBAE 130-88	NCSU—BAE
Lagoon Design and Management for Livestock Manure Treatment and Storage; EBAE 103-83	NCSU—BAE
Calibration of Manure and Wastewater Application Equipment; EBAE Fact Sheet	NCSU—BAE
Proper Disposal of Dead Poultry; PS&T Guide No. 19	NCSU—Poultry Science
Nuisance Concerns in Animal Manure Management: Odors and Flies; PRO107, 1995 Conference Proceedings	Florida Cooperative Extension

Insect Control Checklist for Animal Operations
Source	Cause	BMPs to Control Insects	Site Specific Practices
Liquid Systems
Flush gutters	Accumulation of solids	Flush system is designed and operated sufficiently to remove accumulated solids from gutters as designed Remove bridging of accumulated solids at discharge
Lagoons and pits	Crusted solids	Maintain lagoons, settling basins and pits where pest breeding is apparent to minimize the crusting of solids to a depth of no more than 6 to 8 inches over more than 30 percent of surface
Excessive vegetative growth	Decaying vegetation	Maintain vegetative control along banks of lagoons and other impoundments to prevent accumulation of decaying vegetative matter along water’s edge on impoundment’s perimeter.
Dry Systems
Feeders	Feed spillage	Design, operate, and maintain feed systems (e.g., bunkers and troughs) to minimize the accumulation of decaying wastage Clean up spillage on a routine basis (e.g., 7- to 10-day interval during summer; 15- to 30-day interval during winter)
Feed storage	Accumulations of feed residues	Reduce moisture accumulation within and around immediate perimeter of feed storage areas by ensuring drainage is away from site and/or providing adequate containment (e.g., covered bin for brewer’s grain and similar high moisture grain products) Inspect for and remove or break up accumulated solids in filter strips around feed storage as needed
Animal holding areas	Accumulations of animal wastes and feed wastage	Eliminate low areas that trap moisture along fences and other locations where waste accumulates and disturbance by animals is minimal Maintain fence rows and filter strips around animal holding areas to minimize accumulations of wastes (i.e., inspect for and remove or break up accumulated solids as needed)
Dry manure handling systems	Accumulations of animal wastes	Remove spillage on a routine basis (e.g., 7- to 10-day interval during summer; 15- to 30-day interval during winter) where manure is loaded for land application or disposal Provide for adequate drainage around manure stockpiles Inspect for and remove or break up accumulated wastes in filter strips around stockpiles and manure handling areas as needed

For more information contact:

Cooperative Extension Service, Department of Entomology, Box 7613, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7613.

Copyright © NC State University Cooperative Extension Service
Site maintained by David Crouse and the Department of Soil Science
Last Modified: 29-Aug-2003

Appendix D: Odor and Insect Control Checklist

Odor

Sources of Odor

Appendix D: Odor and Insect
Control Checklist