Pests can contaminate food and other daily-use items, causing illness or worsening existing medical conditions. Always choose pest control methods that are least invasive to people and pets.
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Correct identification is the first step to successful control, whether it’s an insect, disease, weed, or vertebrate pest. Most pest management strategies are more effective if the specific species is identified and the life cycle is understood. In addition, knowledge about a pest’s biology helps pinpoint its weaknesses.
It also enables the development of an IPM plan to reduce the need for toxic chemicals. For example, knowing that a particular pest is attracted to certain odors can help design a trap or lure. The optimum time of year to treat a pest and the best method of application can also be determined.
Incorrect identification can lead to poorly chosen control tactics that are ineffective and costly to apply. For instance, treating chrysanthemum leafminers for their damage to bedding plants will be useless because insects are most susceptible during a different life cycle stage.
The proper use of controls will not only save money and resources but also minimize risks to people and the environment. For example, many pests are attracted to a variety of odors that can be used to lure them away from sensitive areas where they may damage plants or spread diseases. Rodents, for example, can carry and spread a number of viruses and bacteria through their droppings. The proper control of a rodent problem can prevent the transmission of these diseases to other plants, humans and animals.
Identifying pests is not always easy. Many pests go through significant changes in appearance as they develop from eggs, larvae, nymphs and adults. This can make them look very similar to other organisms. Also, some pests are sporadic and only appear at certain times of the year.
It is important to find a reliable source for identification when it is not possible to identify a pest visually. A good place to start is a pest identification guide from your local Cooperative Extension Service or a professional pest management specialist. There are also many online resources for pest identification. However, be aware that some online sources provide incorrect information.
Pesticides
A pesticide is a chemical or biological agent that prevents, destroys or repels a pest. It is used to protect crops, livestock and property and reduce health risks for people and animals. Common pesticides include insecticides to kill insects, herbicides to control weeds, rodenticides to kill rodents and fungicides to control fungal diseases. Pesticides can be in the form of a solid, liquid, powder or spray and are regulated by state, tribal and federal environmental statutes governing air and water quality.
Pesticides are often marketed as effective and safe, but the risk of adverse effects depends on how and where they are used. Proper storage and handling of pesticides minimizes these risks. Pesticides should be stored in a cool, dry place away from children and pets and away from sources of fire or heat. They should never be mixed together, as this can create an unexpected and potentially dangerous chemical reaction. Pesticides should be purchased in a small amount and only used as directed on the product label.
Most pesticides are toxic to humans if ingested or inhaled, but not all. Chronic exposure can result in cancers, birth defects and preterm labor, reproductive and immune system problems, neurological issues, brain disorders and endocrine disruption. Acute exposures may cause headaches, dizziness, muscular twitching and weakness, nausea, rashes and burns.
Many homeowners use pesticides without thinking of the impact on the environment or their families’ health. Homeowners who are concerned about their safety should choose low-toxic, natural methods of pest control such as nontoxic bacterial sprays. These products can be purchased from garden centers or online and have a minimal environmental impact.
Improper pesticide use and disposal results in environmental pollution caused by the transfer and degradation of chemicals to non-target plants, soil, water and air. In addition, chemical residues can migrate from the target plant and reach other environmental media or human food through adsorption, leaching, volatilization, wind drift or runoff. Sterilizers are another type of pesticide that eliminates microorganisms by using extreme heat and pressure. These types of pesticides are considered to be less hazardous than other pesticides, as they only remove pathogens and do not affect other species.
Prevention
The best way to handle pests is to prevent them from ever entering your home. Keeping windows and doors shut, regularly cleaning out gutters and sanitizing crawl spaces can help keep pests away. Regular interior and exterior inspections of the house can also identify potential pest entryways and allow you to close or patch them before a pest infestation takes hold.
Pests like rodents and cockroaches pose serious health risks to people and pets. They carry disease, contaminate food and can cause allergic reactions or worsen asthma symptoms. Pest control techniques such as trapping and exclusion can reduce these health risks.
Regular inspections by an experienced pest control professional can help you take the steps needed to prevent pest infestations. Inspections should include a check for the presence of potential pests, entry points into a building and conditions that attract them such as weeds, moisture and garbage. Inspections can also include a check for damage to a building’s structure or roof and the condition of woodpiles, mulch, retaining walls and garden areas.
Preventative treatment by a pest control specialist is the most effective method of pest control, keeping pests and their damage at bay. Prevention includes a combination of barrier treatments, baits and other pest management techniques. Preventative treatment can be less expensive in the long run than reactive pest control.
In general, pest control strategies are divided into prevention, suppression and eradication. Prevention is to stop a pest from becoming a problem; suppression is to bring existing populations down to an acceptable level; and eradication is to destroy all of a pest’s population.
Many types of pests can be predicted and prevented if you know what their habits are, such as their life cycles. Knowledge of a pest’s lifespan, growth stages and movement patterns can help you anticipate when it will become a problem and what methods may be best to control it.
Some pests are hard to predict. In these cases, you should be able to recognize problems such as droppings, smear marks and foul odors, and follow correct sanitation procedures to deter them from coming into the building.
Treatment
Pest control is the action taken to eliminate unwanted organisms such as cockroaches, termites and ants. This is a vital step in hygiene management as these organisms can cause damage to property and also pose health risks. Pests can spread disease, spoil food and contaminate water supplies and plants. Control methods can include exclusion, repulsion, physical removal, chemical spraying and baiting.
Some of the most common pests are rodents, insects and weeds. All of these organisms have their own role to play in ecology, but when they interfere with people’s lives and the environment it becomes a problem. Pests can cause damage to buildings, contaminate food, and infect humans or animals with diseases such as salmonella and E coli.
Preventive steps can be as simple as storing food in sealed containers and keeping rubbish bins tightly closed. Checking for and sealing leaks and openings around pipes can prevent the entry of pests. Regularly clearing away clutter that provides places for pests to breed, hide and feed can help too.
If prevention techniques fail, it may be necessary to use a pesticide. It is important to choose a pesticide that is specifically designed for the type of insect or rodent you are trying to eliminate. Always read the label carefully and follow the instructions exactly. Some pesticides can harm other creatures such as birds or mammals, and even people if used incorrectly.
In addition, over treating and prolonged use of pesticides can lead to a build-up of resistance in pests which can make them harder to treat in the future. Depending on the type of pest, it is sometimes easier to deter them from coming back by removing what they find appealing in the first place rather than continually treating them once they have invaded.
It is also worth remembering that pests are very clever and can often find ways into your home despite preventative measures. They may be able to sneak through fly screens, enter your home through cracks under doors or even up drains. You should also avoid mopping the floors before and after pest treatment. This will create a dry surface that the pesticide can more easily bond to. Surface sprays are best applied to out-of-the-way areas such as skirting boards.