Pest Control – Prevention, Suppression and Eradication

Pest Control involves using natural, biological, chemical, cultural, and mechanical controls to reduce pest populations to an acceptable level. Prevention is the main goal but sometimes suppression and eradication are also necessary.

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Pests are undesirable organisms (insects, fungus, bacteria, nematodes, weeds, viruses or vertebrate animals) that damage or devalue agricultural crops and human structures, displace native species, disrupt terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and threaten human health. They also can contaminate food, cause or worsen allergies, disturb sleeping patterns and transmit disease. Pest control methods are grouped into three categories: prevention, suppression and eradication.

Prevention focuses on foreseeing potential pest problems and taking steps to mitigate them before they arise. This includes inspections of potential entry points such as cracks, crevices and holes and modification of the environment to prevent insect nesting. It also entails regular cleaning, disposal of garbage and compost and keeping plants trimmed and away from buildings.

Chemical Chemical pest control involves using solutions that irritate or repel organisms, or kill them. It’s quicker and more effective than biological pest control, but can pose a health and environmental risk to people and pets. Common examples include scented products that repel insects, traps for rodents and insecticides that poison insects.

Structural Prevention

Pests often enter homes through small gaps and cracks, so it’s important to caulk these areas as part of your prevention strategy. It’s also a good idea to regularly check for and seal leaking windows, doors, and pipes.

Eliminating the food and water sources that attract pests is another effective preventive measure. Store food in sealed containers and make sure to keep garbage bins tightly closed. A well-maintained compost pile can provide a good alternative to garbage, but it’s important to keep it far from the house and to regularly remove rotting material to prevent an infestation of pests.

Clutter and clutter provide hiding places for pests and shelter, so get rid of things like stacks of newspapers and magazines. Also, don’t forget to take out your trash and recycling regularly and be aware of your local waste collection day. Regular maintenance, prompt repair of leaky plumbing and maintaining a dry atmosphere are other ways to reduce the chances of an unwanted pest invasion. Then, you can enjoy your home knowing it’s safe and secure from pesky invaders!

Suppression

Often, when preventing pests fails or is not practical due to economics, environmental considerations or the scale of the problem, suppression becomes the focus. Generally, this involves keeping pest numbers below damaging or intolerable levels with physical, chemical or biological control measures.

Biological controls are organisms that injure or consume target pests or parasitize them. This group includes natural enemies that occur naturally in the environment (predators, parasitoids and disease pathogens) or are imported and introduced to the growing area to supplement native populations. These predators, parasitoids and disease pathogens typically attack one or a few closely related species, allowing them to be selective in their prey choices. Examples of natural enemies are tachinid flies, trichogramma wasps, braconid wasps, ichneumonid wasps and scale parasitoids.

Predators of insects are the most common form of biological control in agriculture and gardening. These include birds, reptiles and amphibians, mammals and fish that feed on many different species of insects. Also included in this category are aphid parasitoids and certain nematodes. These parasitoids lay eggs inside the eggs, larvae or pupae of pests, resulting in their destruction. Predatory mites and fungus pathogens are also used as biological pest control, attacking the root systems of plant-feeding pests to kill them.

Because natural enemies are living organisms with their own food and shelter needs, providing them with the right conditions is important for successful use of this pest control method. For example, planting weeds that provide a source of nectar or other materials for natural enemies will help them survive and keep pest populations down.

Agricultural, garden and greenhouse growers often augment natural enemy populations by collecting them from the wild or from other locations where they are abundant. This process is called “additional release.” To be successful, the collection of these organisms must be done at a time in the natural enemy and pest life cycles when they will be most effective.

Chemical control methods are generally only used when the use of preventive measures is not possible or is not cost-effective. These substances can be added to the soil, water or plants to deter pests by changing their odors, textures or color. They can also be sprayed on the plant surface to irritate or poison them. The effectiveness of chemical pesticides is limited by their toxicity to other organisms, especially natural enemies. It is important to understand the impact of the chemicals you use and to select the least-toxic pesticides when using them in your field or garden.

Eradication

Pests can create health risks, tarnishes business reputations and lead to significant financial loss. Addressing pest problems is a multifaceted undertaking that requires diligence, teamwork and a comprehensive approach. By addressing all aspects of pest management, including planning, establishing a management team, implementing environmental controls, using chemicals wisely and conducting regular monitoring, businesses can create environments that are unattractive to pests and optimal for productivity.

Biological control involves the use of a pest’s natural enemies, such as predators and parasites, to reduce pest populations and damage. This technique can be supplemented by introducing more enemies into the area, or by applying certain biological control products, such as sterile males and juvenile hormones. However, this method is not considered eradication because there is often a lag between when the pest population increases and when the enemy numbers catch up.

Eliminating pests from a property completely is an extremely difficult task. This is why prevention and suppression are so important. It is also why pesticides should be used only as a last resort, and never as an overall treatment. It is very important to understand how pesticides are designed to work and to follow the label instructions precisely. Also, it is critical to avoid overuse of pesticides, which can have adverse environmental impacts, and always take steps to protect the safety of pets and children.

Clutter provides hiding and breeding spaces for pests, so remove sources of food, water and shelter. Store garbage in tightly-covered containers and dispose of it regularly. Keep the kitchen and bathrooms clean, especially by wiping surfaces with a disinfectant cleaner on a regular basis. Eliminate moisture sources by fixing leaky plumbing and avoiding allowing water to collect in trays under plants or in the sink. Store items away from the walls and floors, as pests may be hidden in cracks or crevices.

Keeping the exterior of your home and business as clean as possible is another great way to make your property less attractive to pests. Caulk any cracks or holes and keep the outside of your home free from clutter. Also, if you have a septic system, keep the tank lid closed and don’t overfill it.

Treatment

Many pests carry diseases that can impact your health. Some of these pests include cockroaches, which can spread germs and trigger allergies and asthma; rats and mice, which can damage your home and cause disease; and mosquitoes, which can spread the deadly Zika virus and West Nile Virus. Pest control services keep these pests away from your home and property to protect your family’s health and wellbeing.

In addition to treating infestations, pest control services often incorporate preventive measures. These may include sealing entry points, installing barriers, or providing recommendations for minimizing attractants. During an initial inspection, your technician will identify potential problem areas like leaky plumbing, cracked foundations, open spaces around doors and windows, and crawlspaces. These problem areas are not only inviting to pests, but can lead to increased utility bills, deterioration of your home’s structure, and excessive wear on HVAC systems. Identifying these issues early and taking action can help avoid expensive repair costs in the future.

Treatment of pest problems usually involves the use of chemicals called pesticides. These are designed to poison or otherwise harm the pests that come into contact with them, and are generally applied via spraying, baiting, dusting, or trapping. Only trained and licensed pest control technicians should have access to chemical pesticides, as they are well-versed in their safe application and how to minimize exposure to humans.

Regular follow-up visits are also important for pest control. These may be scheduled monthly, quarterly, or annually depending on your needs and the severity of the infestation. Regular monitoring helps ensure that the treatment is working and that new pests are not able to get into your home.

All Things Pest Control conducts treatments both indoors and outdoors to provide a protective barrier against pests. We apply interior and exterior spraying, baiting, and dusting, as required by the specific pest. We also take care to protect non-target species, such as your pets and children, during and after the treatment.

It is important to remove food, cooking utensils and other personal items from the area being treated prior to treatment. This will help the spray bind to the pests and minimise your family’s exposure. It is also recommended that you do not mop floors after treatment, especially around skirting and kick boards at the wall edge, to allow the product to bind to surfaces and prevent re-infestation.