Pest control is the action of keeping unwanted organisms from damaging property or posing a health threat. These actions may involve monitoring, identifying, and controlling pest populations. Contact Pest Control Coquitlam, BC, now!
The most effective control methods are preventive. This includes keeping pests out by removing food, water, and shelter. This can be accomplished through pest proofing, repairing leaky pipes, and regularly eliminating garbage. It can also include traps, baits, and crack and crevice treatments.
Pest infestations can cause a variety of problems for both homes and businesses, from the discomfort of fleas or cockroaches to direct damage to structures. They can also pose a health risk, with roaches and rodents carrying bacteria that can cause diseases like salmonella. In addition, their droppings can contaminate food and create unpleasant odors.
Most pests invade buildings primarily for water, food and shelter. Therefore, reducing or eliminating their sources of these needs is key to prevention. This can include sealing cracks and openings, keeping garbage cans tightly closed, storing food in airtight containers, and cleaning up the yard. Leaving piles of trash, dead limbs, or wood scraps lying around can provide easy access for mice and other pests. It is also important to keep grass and bushes well-trimmed and avoid over-watering, which can lead to standing water that provides a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests.
Clutter and overcrowded spaces make it easier for pests to hide and move about, so reducing clutter in kitchens, offices, and other areas can help deter infestations. Ensure counters, sinks and other areas are cleaned regularly and kept free of crumbs or spills. Keep garbage cans closed at all times and be sure to take out trash often enough so that it doesn’t build up.
Maintaining the exterior of a building is important, as well. Keep bushes and grass trimmed back, and keep all woodpiles away from the building, as they can serve as a hiding place for termites and other pests. Inspect windows and doors for cracks, and make sure to use screens on all exterior openings. Repair leaky pipes and faucets, and keep the temperature in your home or office at a reasonable level to prevent high humidity, which can attract pests.
Although many people may try DIY sprays and at-home remedies, it is generally best to leave pest control to professionals, as long-term exposure to most chemical products can be harmful to humans and pets. In addition, using these sprays can actually make an infestation problem worse by exposing the population to new chemical residues or attracting other pests that are not currently present.
Suppression
Pests can cause damage to plants, crops, buildings and structures. They also contaminate food and make people sick. They can also irritate allergies and asthma. It’s important to know how to reduce pest problems and keep them from getting out of hand. Pest control is a team effort. Building owners, managers, supers and residents all have a part to play in keeping the environment safe and comfortable for everyone.
The first step is to try to reduce pest numbers by using nonchemical methods. This might include cleaning or altering the environment to make it less attractive or accessible to pests, such as reducing clutter, sealing cracks and crevices, and removing places where food is stored.
If prevention fails, there are many ways to use chemical products for suppression. Baits (including roach motels and rodent “bait stations”), traps, pheromones (natural scents that elicit a response from a pest in very low concentrations) and insecticides can all be used to kill pests. The key to success with any chemical is proper application. Read and follow the product label – it has valuable information on how to use the pesticide safely.
After corrective steps are taken, it is vital to monitor pest numbers and damage on a regular basis. This will help to determine if additional or different suppression tactics are needed. It will also be helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of preventive and nonchemical management methods.
A natural force that influences all organisms, including pests, is the climate. Changes in temperature, rainfall and sunlight can alter insect populations by affecting the food supply or providing more favorable conditions for growth.
Some insects and rodents are migratory or cyclical, so they may require only occasional control. Other pests are continuous or invasive, and must be controlled on an ongoing basis. The most effective controls are preventive and nonchemical, but if necessary, pesticides should be used sparingly and carefully. Always use the least toxic pesticide available and consider other options, such as pheromones or traps. The key is to identify the pest, learn about its life cycle and biology, and select the most appropriate control method.
Detection
As the first step in a pest control program, detection involves looking for and identifying pests. This process is usually done through a combination of trapping, scouting, and visual inspections. Detection is the first step in developing a management strategy for a pest problem; it also helps to identify which preventative steps are working and which ones need to be improved.
Some pests, like roaches or mice, can cause significant health risks and property damage that may make them indispensible. However, if they are only present in small numbers or are limited to a specific area of the building, it might be possible to live with them.
It is important to recognize the top five signs of pest infestations to be able to take prompt action to stop them from progressing. These include:
Food Sources
Pests need food, water and shelter to survive. Even the most pristine homes inadvertently provide these resources by leaving crumbs, un-sealed containers of pet food or bottled drinks, and open items such as paper bags and cardboard boxes.
Odors
The presence of certain pests can often be detected through distinctive odors. These odors might be musty, damp or musky, and can signal the presence of rodents, termites, cockroaches or fungus. Observing where these odors are coming from can help to pinpoint the location of the pests.
Decreased Artifact Integrity
A deterioration in the condition of an artifact due to the direct or indirect actions of a pest should be considered a serious concern and a reason for taking control measures. This might be in the form of damage, contamination or a change in appearance of the artifact.
Continual Monitoring
Monitoring can include a wide range of activities depending on the pest type and the environment. Insects, insect-like pests, mollusks and vertebrates are typically monitored through trapping or scouting, while weed pests are surveyed by visually inspecting areas. Monitoring can also include checking environmental conditions such as temperature, moisture and humidity, which can affect pest populations. Monitoring can also involve recording pest populations, which will help to predict when a pest might reach an unacceptable level of harm.
Eradication
Pest control involves managing the population of a pest in a way that minimizes harm to people and property. Pests can be bacteria, fungus, birds, weeds, rodents, invertebrates like mites and nematodes or insects such as ants, ticks and fleas. They may cause damage to crops, structures or property and spread diseases.
Integrated pest management (IPM) seeks to avoid use of harsh chemical controls whenever possible. When pesticides are used, they should be targeted to specific pest stages and areas, and rotated over time to reduce the risk of resistance development. IPM also encourages the use of natural enemies to control pests, such as introducing predators or parasites.
Threshold-based decision-making focuses on scouting and monitoring to determine whether or not a pest problem exists. For example, a few silverfish in the house may not warrant calling an exterminator, but if you see a wave of flies, it’s time to break out the flyswatter.
IPM includes the use of physical barriers to prevent pests from entering an area, such as fences and netting. Trap crops, such as zinnias to attract Japanese beetles, can also be used to help exclude pests from gardens and crop fields. Physical trapping methods, such as sticky cards and mousetraps, can be used to capture pests for humane killing or removal.
Another option is to change the habitat of a pest, such as by providing alternative food sources or watering sites to deter it. Changing the soil pH can also disrupt the pest’s root systems, leading to a decline in its numbers.
Chemical treatments can be an important part of pest control, but only when other strategies fail. If you choose to use chemicals, ask the pest control operator to describe their product and its purpose, and follow their instructions carefully for application, storage, and disposal. Always read the label on any pesticide you buy, and keep a record of the product name and EPA registration number.
Clean up after pest control to prevent new pests from finding their way in. Eliminate crumbs, twigs, leaf litter and other debris that pests hide under. Keep a vacuum, bucket, mop and scouring pad handy for quickly removing spills and spots left by pests before they can dry.