Many plants and trees are seriously damaged by insects, and some, like cicadas, carry diseases that can spread to humans. Other pests are merely annoying.
Action thresholds have been set for many pests, indicating levels of damage beyond which people must take action. Prevention and suppression are generally the goals of pest control, with eradication rarely attempted. Contact Pest Control Keller TX now!
Pest identification is the first step in developing a good pest control strategy. The correct identification of the pest allows the establishment of basic information such as its life cycle, damage it causes and its preferred habitat.
Proper identification of a pest can also help to reduce the need for pesticides, or to use them at lower concentrations. It is often possible to modify the site conditions that support high pest populations, for example decreasing shade or relative humidity or denying access to food, water and shelter.
Many pests undergo changes in appearance during different stages of their lives, and a good pest inspector can spot these changes. A weed seedling looks very different from its mature plant counterpart, and an immature caterpillar can look quite a bit like a beetle. This makes it very important to identify pests correctly so that management tactics can be matched to the most susceptible stage of the pest’s life cycle.
To effectively identify a pest, it is helpful to have some of the following tools:
a Flashlight – This can be extremely useful when searching for and identifying signs of infestation in dark or secluded areas where most pests seek shelter. a Magnifier – This can be used to examine small cracks and crevices where pests may hide. It is especially helpful in examining the inside of fruit and vegetable crops for evidence of pests.
Reference Books or Websites – There are many printed and online guides available to aid in the identification of pests. However, it is recommended that these resources be used only after checking them against a few other sources to ensure accuracy.
It is also important to note that most of the time, a pest can be controlled without the use of any chemicals at all. Some examples of non-chemical methods of pest control include removing or repairing damaged structures, increasing air circulation in buildings, reducing humidity, destroying egg clutches, removing the host plant, destroying pupal skins, and a variety of other techniques. This is why it is very important to properly identify a pest before applying any controls that could potentially be harmful to the environment or humans.
Pest Prevention
Pest prevention focuses on keeping pest populations at low levels to prevent them from causing unacceptable harm. It often includes suppression and other control methods once a problem has already occurred.
Pests are usually present at some level in all natural environments, but prevention helps to keep their numbers from building up to a point where harm is caused. This is the most important part of any pest control program.
A well-designed prevention program may include a combination of tactics including:
Removing food and water sources can help reduce pest infestations. This can include storing food in containers that seal tightly, and removing garbage regularly from buildings. Fixing leaky pipes and ensuring gutters are cleared of debris can also eliminate pest habitats.
Clutter can offer places for pests to hide and breed, so it is important to declutter spaces. This means stacking hay bales or other materials away from structures, storing trash in sealed bins, and avoiding leaving out pet food and water.
Many pests have natural enemies that help control their numbers. These natural enemies can be predatory species, parasites, or pathogens that naturally attack or kill pests. These natural controls are best used in conjunction with other control measures, such as pheromones and sterile insect release programs.
Weather conditions also affect pest activity and their ability to reproduce. For example, some plant-eating pests only damage crops during certain windows of growth. If a farmer misses this window, they may experience higher pest pressure than other farmers in the area.
Pests can also be controlled by planting resistant varieties of plants or materials, if available. Resistant varieties are less prone to being damaged or destroyed by pests, and they can be used as a substitute for vulnerable types.
Building owners, facility and QA managers, residents and others can also play a role in pest prevention by reporting maintenance problems promptly, cleaning up litter and debris and keeping garbage receptacles away from building entrances. They should also make sure doors and windows close securely and that screens are in good repair.
Pest Control Methods
The goal of pest control methods is to use the right tactics to prevent or eliminate pests. The tactics you choose depend on the type of pest and the environment in which you’re working. Indoor areas, such as dwellings; schools, offices and commercial buildings; and health care, food processing or preparation facilities are often easier to control than outdoor spaces. Whether the problem is rodents chewing through electrical wires, mosquitoes spreading diseases or cockroaches leaving droppings behind, pests cause damage and can pose health hazards for people, pets and livestock.
Physical barriers, such as screens, netting and traps, block pests from accessing areas or making it difficult for them to join existing populations. Traps are most useful when you know the pest’s preferred route so that you can place them along the path, such as a rat trap in a crawl space. These methods typically do not involve chemicals.
Biological pest control involves the introduction of organisms that naturally prey on or parasitize a particular pest, such as predators, herbivores and pathogens. Classically, these organisms are bred in the laboratory and then released into the environment where they are expected to breed and establish themselves, providing long-term control.
Chemical pest control includes the use of synthetic or natural compounds that repel or kill pests, such as herbicides, fungicides and insecticides. These compounds are usually more effective than physical controls, but they can also present environmental and human health risks upon exposure.
Eradication is rarely the goal of pest control in outdoor settings, but it is sometimes attempted when a pest causes unacceptable harm or is out of control, such as with Mediterranean fruit fly and gypsy moth infestations. In enclosed areas, such as operating rooms in hospitals or sterile areas of food preparation and storage facilities, the tolerance level for pests is generally zero, and routine control measures are used to keep them at bay.
Any treatment method must be considered within the larger context of the system in which the pest exists. Even organic chemicals can have adverse impacts on the living and nonliving parts of the environment, and anything that kills or repels pests is by definition toxic to humans. Unless you carefully consider the entire ecosystem and its interconnected systems, your pest control efforts may fail.
Pesticides
A pesticide is any substance or mixture that kills or repels a pest (such as insects, rodents and weeds), modifies the growth of a plant or controls fungus. Pesticides are usually chemicals but can also include certain natural products such as oils, plants or bacteria. They can be sold at lawn and garden centers, hardware stores and even grocery stores under the name “pest control.”
Typically, there are three different categories of pesticides: insecticides, herbicides and fungicides. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages for controlling a particular type of pest. Insecticides are typically the most acutely toxic, attacking the brain and nervous system of the pest being targeted. Herbicides are generally less toxic and more widely used than insecticides, but can still have significant impacts on humans and other animals if they come into contact with them. Fungicides are often the least toxic of all pesticides and can be useful in controlling a wide range of problems, including mildews and molds.
All pesticides have the potential to be dangerous if not applied correctly or if they are exposed to other environmental factors, such as wind, rain or sunlight. They can also harm pets and children if they are not stored properly. Always read the label and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on proper use, storage and safety precautions.
It is always best to eliminate abiotic conditions that can cause pests before resorting to using chemical pesticides. This can be done by improving planting and establishment techniques, mowing, watering, fertilization and mulching practices. Soil tests can help to identify deficiencies that can be corrected with amendments.
When a pesticide is necessary, it should be used only when the problem cannot be controlled with other methods. Avoid spraying near sensitive areas, such as water sources or wells, playgrounds, schools and beehives. Many states have laws against applying some pesticides within a specified distance of these areas.
Always wear protective clothing, such as rubber gloves and a mask, when working with pesticides. Store pesticides in their original containers, away from food, pet feed and fertilizers, in a locked shed or cabinet out of the reach of children and pets. After using pesticides, be sure to clean and rinse your clothing and tools in a safe area, such as a sink or bathtub, and properly dispose of the empty containers.
