Pest control measures prevent pests from causing unacceptable damage or injury. The levels at which pest action is required are based on aesthetic, health, and economic factors.
Nonchemical controls include removing food, water, and shelter, cleaning up spills, and adjusting ventilation. Biological control agents like nematodes and fish that prey on pests are also available. Click https://www.rodentretreattexas.com/ to learn more.
Pests carry disease-causing organisms and allergens that can threaten human health and safety. Many also cause structural damage that decreases a property’s value and leads to costly repairs. Routine pest control reduces these problems and offers peace of mind.
Prevention is the first step in any pest control program. It involves reducing or eliminating factors that encourage pests to exist, such as food, water, and shelter. It also includes avoiding overcrowding, keeping storage areas clean and sanitized, and frequently moving trash to outside containers. Preventive measures also include fixing leaky pipes, securing doors and windows, and using dehumidifiers in damp areas.
Clutter provides places for pests to hide or breed, so it is important to get rid of it regularly. Also, storing foods in airtight containers and sealing garbage bins can help prevent pest infestations. It is also a good idea to check all food packages and boxes before purchasing to ensure that they do not contain insects or rodents.
Keeping areas clear of brush and debris can help control roaches, fleas, beetles and other common pests. Stacks of paper and cardboard can also attract pests, so it is important to keep these in designated areas or discard them regularly. Sealing cracks and crevices with caulk can also discourage pests from entering buildings. Using screens on doors and windows can also be helpful, especially in hot climates.
Natural enemies of pests, such as parasites and predators, can be used to control their populations. These can be introduced into a field, landscape or other site to supplement or replace pesticides and other management methods. The goal of biological control is not eradication; instead, it is to increase the number of natural enemies to keep pest numbers in check.
Some pests require constant monitoring to determine their presence and the extent of their damage, whereas others may be considered “sporadic” or only need to be controlled periodically. This monitoring can be done by examining sites regularly, identifying the pests present and assessing their damage.
Some sites are suitable for only one kind of pest, whereas others are more suitable for several kinds. The type of pest that is most appropriate for a given site depends on the environment, available food and water, competition from other species and human activity in the area.
Suppression
Pests are undesirable organisms (insects, bacteria, fungi, viruses, nematodes, weeds, or vertebrate animals) that damage or devalue crops, food supplies, forests, lawns, gardens, structures, and homes. They also disrupt ecosystems and displace desirable organisms.
Preventive tactics prevent pests from gaining a foothold and damaging plants or property. They may include regularly cleaning areas where pests are likely to live, removing debris that provides hiding places, and stopping the transport of firewood that has been infested with wood-eating insects or pathogens.
Suppression tactics limit the number of pests to an acceptable level by restricting their activity or reducing their population growth. They may include scouting and monitoring, physically excluding or enclosing a problem area, and using cultural methods to reduce pest problems. They may also involve introducing or releasing natural enemies, which are organisms that naturally control pest populations or their damage. Examples of biological control agents are predators, parasitoids, and pathogens.
Chemical control agents are used only when the need arises after careful evaluation of pest infestations and their possible effects on beneficial organisms, soil health, and environmental quality. They are applied only when the likelihood of harm to people, property, or the environment is high and the risks of applying pesticides have been assessed (see Threshold-based decision making on the Monitoring page). Chemical controls include spraying with insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, or other chemicals.
Integrated pest management (IPM) is an ecosystem-based approach that includes prevention, suppression, and treatment. Its aim is to reduce pests and their damage to an acceptable level through a variety of techniques including habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and use of resistant varieties of plants and trees. IPM uses pesticides only when monitoring indicates they are needed, according to established guidelines, and treatments are made with the goal of removing only the target organism.
The use of IPM techniques can help reduce pesticide costs, improve human and animal health, and minimize impacts on non-target organisms and the environment. Remember to always read and follow product labels and personal protective equipment when handling any type of pesticide. For more information on IPM, visit the EPA’s IPM webpage.
Detection
Detecting pest problems early can mitigate damage and save time and money. However, since many pests are active at night or when people aren’t around to see them, they can quickly build up high populations before being noticed. One of the goals of pest control is devising a method to monitor for these pests so they can be discovered before they cause serious problems.
Regularly examining a facility’s interior for signs of pests is an essential element of monitoring. Rodents and insects often leave a trail of droppings, which can be easy to spot. In addition, a quick tour can also highlight the presence of nests and breeding areas. Look under desks and sinks for rat or mouse droppings, and search the ceilings and rafters of buildings for bird nests.
Odors can also be an indicator of pests. For example, the smell of rotting food or urine can indicate a rodent problem. Cockroaches emit a distinctive, musty odor when they’re infesting homes. Other odors that may indicate pests include foul-smelling mold, which can be caused by excessive moisture, and the sweet, fruity scent of cockroaches as they’re crawling through sugary foods in cabinets or pantries.
A flashlight and a long-handled mirror are useful tools for inspecting difficult to reach places such as behind and under equipment, in shelves, and in the cracks of walls. A magnifier is also helpful to identify insect parts, frass (excrement), and other evidence of pest infestation.
A pest can be any animal that can reasonably be expected to cause biological or physical contamination of food, spoilage of products, injury to health, or direct damage to property. This includes rats, mice, other rodents; ants, termites, and wood-destroying beetles; cockroaches, flies, grasshoppers, and caterpillars; birds; and seagulls. There are three types of pests: continuous pests, which arc nearly always present and require ongoing control; sporadic or migratory pests, which may be intermittently present; and potential pests, which do not currently pose a threat but may become problematic under certain circumstances. All three types of pests must be controlled to protect public health, safety, and the environment.
Treatment
Pests can cause many problems including contamination of food products, physical damage to structures and personal items, and spread of disease through their feces and saliva. Some pests are frightening or grotesque in appearance, while others bite or sting, like earwigs, fleas, cockroaches, house centipedes and bees. Others stain or smell, such as boxelder bugs and pine seed bugs. Many also carry diseases, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and intestinal worms.
Regular inspections and treatments prevent serious pest problems from occurring or escalating. In addition, pest control reduces the risk of exposure to allergens and toxins and preserves the value of property.
When pests reach unacceptable levels, a treatment plan is needed to eliminate them. Integrated pest management (IPM) uses nonchemical methods to manage pests by targeting their behavior, habitat and food sources. It uses monitoring to determine if a pest population is out of control and then combines biological, cultural, structural and chemical controls to stop or at least slow the pests’ progress. Chemicals are used only when necessary and always in a manner that minimizes risks to people, beneficial insects, animals and the environment.
Some pests can be controlled with baits, traps, and sprays that don’t use harmful chemicals. If you choose to use these, read and follow the product labels carefully.
Other pests can be controlled with biological agents such as nematodes, which are engineered microorganisms that are applied directly to the soil to suppress insect populations. The soil must be moist and aerated for nematodes to work.
Chemical pesticides are often used to address severe pest infestations or when other methods don’t work. They are designed to kill only the targeted pests and usually have a low impact on non-target organisms. However, some types of pesticides may harm pets or people if ingested or touched. To help protect your family, always follow label instructions and avoid using more than the recommended amount of a pesticide.
Keep in mind, it may take a while for you to see results after pest control services are completed. For instance, if you’ve had an infestation of ants or cockroaches treated, it may take a few days or weeks for the pests to completely disappear.
