Pest control involves reducing a pest population to an acceptable level with minimal harm to the environment, people or their pets. Prevention includes removing food, water and shelter.
Chemical methods include herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. Biological methods use predators, parasitic wasps and nematodes that target specific species of insects and grubs. Contact Bed Bug Control Boise now!
Pest identification is the process of determining the pest that’s causing problems on a farm, landscape, home or building. Correct identification is important because it helps determine whether the pest can be tolerated or if it requires control. It also helps select the most effective and safest methods for controlling the pest.
Some of the most common pests include ants, rats, cockroaches, mice, bed bugs, termites, and flies. Each one of these pests requires a different method for removal and extermination. For this reason, it’s important for homeowners to recognize the signs of a pest infestation and to act promptly when they notice them.
The first sign of a pest problem is seeing pests in the home or on the property. This could include the sighting of a mouse in the pantry or a roach crawling on a counter. The presence of a rodent is usually more conspicuous, as the animal will leave gnaw marks and holes on furniture and fabrics. The odor of mouse droppings is often a telltale clue of a pest problem, as is the musty, sweet smell of cockroach feces.
Often, a pest infestation is difficult to detect unless you are looking for it. For example, a wasp’s nest at the edge of a roof or shed may be easily missed by a homeowner who doesn’t look up. Rodents can cause severe damage to homes and buildings, as well as spread 33 types of viral and bacterial diseases. For this reason, it’s important to keep an eye out for gnaw marks on woodwork and fabric, scurrying sounds in the ceiling or walls, and holes and tears in fabrics.
Another way to identify a pest is to locate and eliminate its breeding site. This can include removing pet feces, properly disposing of food scraps and cleaning garbage cans regularly. In some cases, such as with cluster flies, the location may be hard to find, but it can be found by checking for a warm area such as an attic or wall void where the insects overwinter.
Some pests are controlled by introducing predatory species or parasitoids into the environment. For instance, braconid wasps were introduced to Hawaii to control the oriental fruit fly. The wasps parasitized the fly larvae and ultimately caused their death.
Pest Prevention
Pests are undesirable organisms such as insects, fungi, nematodes, bacteria, plants and vertebrate animals that damage or devalue crops, food stores, lawns, gardens, homes, buildings and other structures, degrade terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, displace desirable plant species, and/or pose health and safety risks for people and pets. Pests can also introduce and spread diseases, viruses and other harmful pathogens or parasites.
Unlike disease-causing parasites and pathogens, which are a serious concern for public health, most pests are primarily a nuisance. They damage property, disrupt normal activities and can create health risks for building occupants through their droppings or nesting materials.
Most pest problems occur in residential and commercial buildings. Enclosed environments are more difficult to control than outdoor areas. In these settings, most pests are managed through preventive methods rather than eradication. However, if pests threaten the safety of human residents or cause significant property damage, they may be considered to be an infestation and may require immediate action.
Preventive measures may include the following:
Keep garbage receptacles closed and trash disposed of regularly to reduce attractants. Clean up discarded pet food, rat droppings and other litter regularly to keep rodent populations under control. Use drain cleaners to prevent the buildup of pest-attracting fecal matter in sink drains.
Learn as much as possible about the pest in your environment. Understand its biology, life cycle, ecology, behavior and habits. This information can help you predict whether the pest will be a problem, what steps might be taken to avoid it and when action is necessary.
Understanding the effect of natural forces on pests can help you decide if an insecticide is needed or if there are nonchemical options that could be used. For example, if pests are driven by climate and the availability of food, water and shelter, you can take steps to limit their numbers, such as caulking cracks and crevices around kitchen cabinets and baseboards or filling in holes with steel wool or other materials. Before applying any pesticide, read the label carefully and consult NMSU guidance documents to ensure that the product is safe and effective for the application site, the target organisms, humans and the environment.
Pest Control Methods
The goal of pest control is to prevent, reduce or eliminate unwanted organisms. The best method for achieving this depends on the kind of pest and its environment. Control measures can include physical removal, quarantine, repulsion, exclusion, or chemical control products.
Before attempting any pest control measure, monitor the population of the pest in your field or garden to determine whether the problem has reached unacceptable levels. Monitoring insect, insect-like, mollusk and vertebrate pests usually involves trapping or scouting. Monitoring weed pests generally involves visual inspection, while monitoring microbial and disease pests usually requires laboratory analysis of soil or plant tissue.
When you have determined that pest numbers are high enough to warrant action, consider the amount of harm they cause and the risk to humans or other animals, plants or property. You also want to consider the costs and benefits of controlling the pests. The information you gather from monitoring, along with knowledge about the pest’s life cycle and biology, will help you choose the most effective management strategy.
Preventing pests from invading or building up to unacceptable populations starts with eliminating their food, water and shelter sources. This might include removing or modifying buildings, clearing away debris that provides hiding places for pests, and regularly emptying or cleaning containers that hold standing water. It might also mean sealing or covering food, storing it in plastic containers, and removing or reducing the available habitat.
Barriers and exclusion methods can keep pests out of structures, such as installing door sweeps, sealing cracks and crevices, and using traps or baits to kill or repel them. Chemicals can also be used as a last resort, but should always be used with caution and in conjunction with other preventive methods. For example, surface sprays such as fly spray can be effective if applied correctly. They should be used in out-of-the-way areas such as skirting boards, where they can target pests that creep or crawl through open spaces.
Eradication is a rare goal in outdoor pest situations, but it may be attempted when a particular species has invaded an area and is causing unacceptable damage. The success of eradication attempts, however, often depends on the ability to manipulate environmental factors that influence pest populations, such as climate, natural enemies, barriers, food sources, and availability of shelter.
Pest Control Companies
Pest control companies use the skills, resources and experience to remove pests from a residential or commercial property. They may also offer prevention services to prevent the return of pests once an infestation has been eliminated. They typically offer both chemical and non-chemical methods to eliminate pests and may employ a combination of these treatments. They are trained to recognize signs of pests in the home and can provide detailed information about what types of treatment might be most effective.
Many pests become more of a nuisance the longer they are allowed to remain in the home. Some, like termites and rodents, cause structural damage, while others, such as flies, wasps and drain flies, can cause health problems like worsened allergies or moldy fruits and vegetables. Pest control professionals can identify and address infestations quickly to prevent them from spreading.
When choosing a pest control company, consumers should ask the company to provide them with references. It is also important to find out if the company is licensed to apply pesticides and what type of license they have. For example, in New York, a pest control company must have a certified commercial pesticide applicator or licensed technician supervise their applicators. Consumers should also contact the EPA or state department of agriculture to see if any complaints have been filed against the company or its applicators.
Some pest control companies specialize in specific areas, such as cockroaches or rodents. Others have a wider range of expertise, such as removing wasps and hornets from homes or sealing the home to prevent ants and other pests from entering. Experienced companies can offer a more comprehensive solution and have the knowledge and equipment to tackle even the most difficult or persistent infestations.
A business should develop marketing tactics that highlight their expertise and ability to help customers solve their pest problems. Case studies detailing the results of different pests and treatments are useful marketing tools for a pest control company. These can be displayed on a website or shared on social media. In addition, partnering with product manufacturers can provide additional marketing clout and support.