Pest control is the effort to prevent or remove unwanted organisms from a natural environment. Pest control methods include biological, chemical, cultural and physical/mechanical controls.
Pests are undesirable organisms that damage or devalue human resources (food, plants, soil, clothing, etc). Organisms rise to the level of being considered a pest when they escape normal control by natural regulating agents. Click Here to learn more.
Identifying pests correctly is an essential step in pest management. It allows us to determine a pest’s life cycle, preferred food sources and environmental conditions, which are all important factors when deciding on control methods. It also allows for correct timing of treatments; misidentifying a pest can make a treatment ineffective.
Incorrect identification can lead to unneeded use of pesticides, which not only threaten the collection but can cause harm to humans and pets as well. A pest’s appearance changes during the course of its life cycle, and it is not always easy to tell one species from another. Many insect pests have distinct physical forms at different stages, and it is important to distinguish between the adult, larval and egg stages.
Pests can be insects, mammals, birds, plants or other organisms that reduce the availability, quality or value of a human resource. Pest damage can be caused by a number of things, including nonliving agents like weather extremes, air pollutants and improper fertilization, or by living organisms such as disease vectors, predators and parasitoids.
Most pests can be controlled through cultural and physical methods, excluding or repelling them rather than using chemical agents. Cultural pest management practices include sanitation, adherence to garbage disposal and storage procedures, recording and monitoring pest sightings and maintenance and cleaning schedules. Physical controls include establishing physical barriers (e.g., netting or screens for trees), removing harborage areas and food sources, and manual removal of pests with sticky cards, traps, animal traps, hand picking, and the use of swatters.
The goal of biological pest control is to introduce or enhance a pest’s natural enemies. This is a method of pest management that can be used to control both insects and weeds, and it can be very effective in the short term, particularly against new exotic pests. It is also the safest method of controlling pests because it does not involve the introduction of foreign chemicals. Biological pest control is most often accomplished by importing natural enemies from their areas of origin, but other techniques, such as releasing beneficial mites to control citrus thrips in California or introducing nematodes to kill invasive plant scales in Washington, are also used.
Pest Prevention
Pests can cause significant problems for home and business owners. They can damage buildings, stock and merchandise. They can also impact on people’s health by contaminating food and carrying bacteria, mites or other parasites. Pests can be very difficult to get rid of and need to be dealt with as quickly and efficiently as possible to reduce ongoing maintenance costs, damage and loss of reputation.
Pest control is about preventing pests and their damage to humans, crops, plants, property and personal belongings by using cultural, physical/mechanical or chemical means. In most cases, prevention is cheaper than treatment.
Preventing pests involves identifying what attracts them and removing the food, water or shelter they need to survive. This can include good sanitation, keeping rubbish bins closed and disposed of regularly, removing weeds, planting resistant or attractive plant species, mulching, avoiding over-watering, fixing leaks, using dehumidifiers in damp areas and using barriers to prevent pest access such as fences and insect netting.
If preventive measures fail to work, treatments may be needed to control the pest population. This is usually done on an emergency basis as and when the infestation occurs, rather than being part of a routine pest management programme. Treatments can include spraying, baiting or trapping to kill the pests and their offspring. When treating, it is important to clear away any items that could be harmed by the chemicals used. It is also important to close or cover any open windows and doors to prevent the spread of the pests.
The most effective pest control methods use the least amount of chemicals. Often, they are cultural (like changing the rotation of brassicas in the garden to disrupt the harlequin beetle life cycle) or physical/mechanical (removing damaged foliage or using bug netting over sensitive plants).
When selecting pest control measures, it is important to evaluate the situation and environmental conditions that led to the pest problem. This will help to ensure that the chosen method is appropriate and the most cost-effective. It is also important to identify the pest correctly to be sure that the correct management technique is being applied – for example, knowing that fleas are attracted to unwashed clothing will encourage you to wash your clothes more frequently.
Pesticides
Each year, more than a billion pounds of pesticides are applied in home gardens, parks and farms to control unwanted plants, insects, diseases and other organisms that are considered pests. These chemicals are categorized as insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and rodenticides. Some are incorporated into the plant while others are sprayed on the surface of the soil or in the air. Other sprays include desiccants, disinfectants and sanitizers that promote drying or kill disease-producing microorganisms on inanimate objects, and fumigants which produce gas or vapor to destroy pests.
There are both organic and synthetic pesticides, though many are based on naturally occurring substances like plant oils and minerals. Natural pesticides may be more environmentally friendly than their synthetic counterparts, but both can still cause adverse effects if they are not used correctly. It is important to read the label on every pesticide product and follow the EPA’s guidelines for safe use.
Pesticides can have detrimental effects on the environment by contaminating water sources through runoff and leaching, killing or poisoning wildlife and entering human food chains. They can also affect non-target organisms such as beneficial insects and other plants through resistance, bioaccumulation or exposure to toxic residues.
For example, the neonicotinoid insecticides have been linked to the decline of pollinator populations such as bees and butterflies. Many pesticides have been shown to be carcinogenic and neurotoxic to humans and animals, which is why the EPA regulates their use and manufacture.
Some natural pesticides are effective, and include horticultural oils and soap sprays that are formulated to target soft-bodied insects like caterpillars or aphids, and natural, plant-derived fungicides such as pyrethrum or neem oil. Other effective options are nematicides and microbial pesticides such as Bt.
In addition to natural pesticides, learn about and support initiatives to reduce the use of conventional chemical pesticides. Many communities have neighbor and occupant notification laws that require residents to be notified of pesticide applications, and you can find out more about community efforts by speaking to your local health department or vector control agency.
Exterminators
In the past, exterminators often used harsh chemicals to quickly and temporarily eradicate pest infestations. But those chemicals were dangerous to people, pets, and the environment, and didn’t get to the root of the problem.
Nowadays, professional exterminators use a combination of methods and strategies to create long-term solutions for their clients. This includes the use of pesticides, traps, and bait stations, as well as routine spraying. They also identify the sources of pests, collaborating with their clients to make changes to outdoor environments that minimize their presence.
For example, they may recommend sanitation practices or structural repairs that decrease food or water supplies to pests. They may even instruct homeowners or businesses on how to remove attractants such as weeds, clutter, or woodpiles. In addition to residential properties, pest control technicians work in a variety of settings, including commercial, agricultural, and educational environments.
In these settings, they work with farmers and other agriculture professionals to manage pests in crops, vineyards, orchards, and livestock facilities. They also collaborate with golf courses, parks, and recreational areas to manage invasive wildlife such as mosquitoes and ticks.
Before applying pesticides, pest control specialists follow safety protocols to ensure the health and wellbeing of the public, their clients, and the environment. They also use proper mixing and application techniques to maximize the effectiveness of their treatments. They also ensure they’re adhering to product labels by inspecting and recording the type of pest they’re treating, the type of treatment, and the results of their efforts.
During the actual pest control process, the exterminator will spray chemical solutions, powders, or gases around or near the infested property to kill existing pests and prevent them from returning. They may also set traps and bait, or even employ fumigation in severe cases.
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