Pest Control Methods

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Pests destroy crops, damage buildings and personal property, and carry diseases. Pest control methods include prevention, suppression and eradication.

scouting – regularly searching for, identifying and assessing pest numbers and damage. This includes monitoring for new pests and determining their tolerance levels (for example, seeing one or two house centipedes doesn’t warrant action). Click the Kansas City Pest Control to learn more.

Mechanical and physical controls kill or block pest populations directly or make the environment unsuitable for them. Examples include using traps for rodents, steam sterilizing soil, and barriers such as screens to keep birds out of gardens.

Pest Identification

Identifying pests is the first step in developing a pest management strategy. Whether you’re dealing with a weed, disease, insect, mite, rodent or vertebrate animal, accurate identification is critical for determining if action is needed and for selecting the most appropriate control tactics. It’s also important for ensuring that the correct pest species is targeted, because some pests are more susceptible to treatment than others.

In some cases, a precise pest identification may require consulting with an expert or sending samples to a specialized laboratory. However, most pests can be identified using simple guidelines. This will allow you to be prepared with the cultural practices, tools, or pesticides that are most suitable for controlling the identified problem.

Start by taking a close look at the pest and note its physical characteristics. Look at how many legs or wings it has, its size and shape, and its coloration. Then, compare the specimen to images in a pest guide. Click on the category that most closely matches the pest’s characteristics. The pest guide will provide information about the pest’s life cycle, behavior, habitat and food sources. It will also include a description of the signs and symptoms that might indicate an infestation and prevention or control measures.

If you are still unsure of the pest’s identity, contact a local County Extension office or pest management professional. They should be able to help you with an identification or refer you to a specialist who can. In some instances, a digital image of the pest may be sufficient for identification. In other cases, specialists will need a live specimen for confirmation.

Pests can vary in appearance depending on their stage of development or time of year. For example, a weed seedling will look very different than the mature plant. Insects will also change form as they develop from eggs to larvae to adults. This makes it especially important to accurately identify a pest, because pest management strategies should be timed to coincide with the most vulnerable stages of the pest’s life cycle.

It is also important to identify pests to order because some biological insecticides (like Bacillus thuringiensis) are activity-specific and will only be effective against certain orders of insects. Incorrect identification can lead to ineffective or even dangerous chemical treatments.

Pesticides

Pesticides are products that kill or repel certain organisms. They may be applied to plants, soil or air to prevent or control pests. They can also be used to destroy or remove debris caused by a pest. Almost any substance that is intentionally released into the environment to kill or control pests qualifies as a pesticide, including weed killers, herbicides, insecticides and even household products such as disinfectants and toilet bowl cleaners. Some pesticides are so toxic that they can also be harmful to humans, pets or livestock.

When choosing a pesticide, make sure that the product is registered for use in your area and that you understand its risks. Consult with your provincial or territorial environmental department for information.

Be aware that any type of pesticide application can leave residues that affect the health of adjacent plants or wildlife and that runoff can leach into waterways. Avoid excessive pesticide applications and always follow the directions on the label. Applying pesticides at rates greater than those recommended will not control the pest any faster and will waste chemicals, money and your time. Excessive use can also lead to the development of resistance in target insects.

Some types of pesticides, particularly organochlorine and organophosphates, are persistent in soil and food and can accumulate in human or animal bodies. They are generally being phased out or used only in critical applications. Other pesticides, such as pyrethrins and carbamates, break down more quickly and can be less hazardous to people and wildlife.

Beneficial organisms (predators, parasites and competitors) often keep pest populations below damaging levels. When these natural controls are removed by broad-spectrum, non-selective pesticides, primary and secondary pest populations usually rise to damaging levels at a much faster rate.

Consider using alternative methods of pest control, such as traps or bait stations for ants and wick or shielded applicators for some herbicides. Never store pesticides near food, feed or water for pets and children; if you must, store them in a locked shed or cabinet. Never spray during windy conditions, which can carry the pesticides away from their intended targets and into other areas where they are not wanted.

Biological Control

Biological control uses natural organisms—microorganisms, insects, and plants—to reduce pest populations by predation, parasitism, or pathogenicity. It is an essential component of integrated pest management (IPM) programs. Unlike chemical pesticides, biological products are safer for the environment, people, and pets. They also have a broader mode of action than chemical pesticides and are less likely to induce resistance in the pest population. PPQ supports the importation, screening, development, and release of biocontrol agents offshore to prevent the establishment or slow the spread of invasive pests that threaten crop production, environmental health, or food security.

A key to biological control success is the selection of the right organisms for a specific pest problem. This involves identifying and evaluating potential natural enemies from the pest’s native habitat and from similar habitats where it has established itself as a nuisance. PPQ scientists conduct this evaluation through extensive literature searches and consultations with subject-matter experts.

Once promising organisms are identified, the next step is to rear them in large enough numbers to be released into the field. This may involve a multistage process of testing and quarantine to ensure the organisms are safe and suitable for use. Once the organisms are ready, they can be incorporated into an IPM program and monitored for effectiveness.

For example, the parasitoid genus Encarsia formosa is used to control greenhouse whitefly. This predatory mite is introduced in a sachet, drenched on card, or placed in the growing area where it attacks incoming pests before they can develop and cause damage. Other microbial biological control products, such as Bacillus thuringiensis and nematodes, are applied to the soil or sprayed on the plant for a controlled release.

Invasive pests are becoming increasingly a concern for farmers because of their economic and ecological impacts on crops, wildlife, and human well-being. Increasingly, growers are turning to biological controls to increase sustainability and decrease the dependence on chemical pesticides that have adverse effects on the environment, people, and pets. PPQ scientists continue to identify new organisms that can be used as biocontrol agents and develop them into reliable tools for managing invasive pests.

Natural Forces

Biological control involves the use of organisms that naturally injure or consume target pests to manage their populations. It is a useful component of an integrated pest management (IPM) program and can be used in conjunction with other types of control methods, such as chemical, cultural, and physical.

In natural ecosystems, population and assemblage levels are controlled by bottom-up forces that are influenced by resource limitations (e.g., limited food supply). A pest can be controlled by predators that attack it directly or by pathogens that infect and destroy it. A variety of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and nematodes are natural enemies. Some of these are available as biological or microbial pesticides, including Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for caterpillar and beetle pests; entomopathogenic nematodes, such as Steinernema and Heterorhabditis; and nucleopolyhedrosis and granulosis viruses.

Predation is the primary natural control of many pests, such as birds, amphibians and reptiles, mammals, insects and arthropods, and aphids. Some of these predators have been released for pest control, such as lady beetles, green lacewings and their relatives, and flies that parasitize aphid mummies. Predation often is more effective than other natural controls, such as pathogens, at controlling aphids, and it can reduce the need for chemical control.

Another major natural control, parasitoids, infect and kill target pests by feeding on them or injecting toxins into their bodies. Common parasitoids include wasps, flies, dragonflies and damselflies, beetles, some thrips, true bugs, and mantids. Parasitic plants are also important, such as the genus Diabrotica that produces fungus-like extracts that deter some pests, such as caterpillars and cutworms.

Cultural and physical controls make the environment less hospitable for pests by making it more unsuitable for their growth or survival. This can include cultural practices such as planting in rows, avoiding over-watering and excessive fertilization, rotating crops and removing weeds to eliminate their food and shelter sources. In addition, traps, screens, barriers, fences, and mechanical devices such as nets, radiation, and electricity can be used to prevent pests or to limit their movement.

Effective Ant Control Strategies for Your Home

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Pest control is the process of reducing a pest population to an acceptable level using methods that cause minimal harm. Pests include rodents, birds, insects, and other organisms that damage or spoil crops and property or transmit disease to humans.

Prevent pests by removing their food, water, and shelter. Cover garbage and compost, remove weeds regularly, and fix leaky plumbing. Contact Trapping USA Animal Removal & Pest Control now!

In many situations, prevention is the best pest control strategy. This is especially true for outdoor areas where pests may cause damage and health problems. For example, rodents can chew wires, causing electrical failure and fires. They can also spread diseases such as Salmonellosis. Insects can contaminate food or cause allergic reactions.

Prevention involves identifying and correcting conditions that favor pest infestations. Some conditions are obvious and easy to change, such as using screens on windows and keeping doors shut. It is important to regularly inspect the interior and exterior of a building, paying close attention to cracks and holes in walls and floors. When these are found, they should be promptly sealed.

Other conditions that can be controlled are weather, moisture, and temperature. All of these factors affect the growth rate of plant-eating pests and the behavior and survival of their offspring. Weather conditions such as rain, freezing temperatures, and drought can kill or suppress pest populations. Moisture and humidity affect the ability of some pests to develop and reproduce.

The use of natural predators, parasites and pathogens to control pests is often the most effective approach to pest control. These organisms can be introduced to a pest population in a form that will not harm people or pets. They can be used in combination with other control methods or on their own.

Chemical controls can be effective in some situations, but they should be used with caution. Always follow the pesticide label’s instructions and safety warnings. Never spray directly onto furniture or in places where people eat, sleep or play. Use traps or baits instead of surface sprays whenever possible. Always apply baits or traps out of reach of children and pets, and do not place them in places where they can easily be tampered with.

In addition, keep food and utensils away from surfaces where pests might hide, such as under sinks and in cupboards. Clean up spills and crumbs as soon as they happen, and avoid leaving out garbage in bags or containers that might attract pests. Finally, remove overgrown landscaping that might give pests an easier way indoors.

Suppression

If pest populations have already reached damaging levels, suppression tactics are used to reduce them quickly. This is often done through chemical, biological or cultural control methods. Chemical controls can provide a rapid knock-down effect, while biological and cultural practices usually make the environment less favorable for pests or interfere with their ability to reproduce.

Some natural enemies can attack and kill pests directly through predation, parasitism, herbivory or pathogens. These are called biological control agents, and their use in an integrated pest management program depends on accurate identification of the pest to be controlled (to the species level). Some organisms, such as nematodes, can be effective against several different pests but must be specifically chosen to target the pests that occur in a particular area.

Many gardeners are seeking alternatives to pesticides because of the negative health effects and ecological concerns that surround their use. For example, some fungi can be engineered to form a biological insecticide that’s applied to the soil. When insects come into contact with the fungus, they ingest it and die.

Cultural controls interfere with pest reproduction by removing the habitat or food sources they need to survive and thrive. Plowing, crop rotation, removing old plant material and cleaning greenhouse and tillage equipment can all deprive pests of their environment or inhibit their movement between areas. Altering irrigation schedules can also help prevent wet, highly humid conditions that encourage disease pathogens to develop.

Mechanical and physical control methods involve devices or tools that physically remove or disrupt a pest population or its eggs, larvae, adult or other life stages. Traps, screens, barriers, fences, radiation and even electricity can be used to prevent or limit the movement of pests into an area or to interrupt their breeding.

Agricultural and organic growers are turning to biological pest control to reduce or eliminate the use of synthetic and systemic chemical pesticides. Beneficial nematodes, for instance, are a good tool to reduce thrips and whiteflies in vegetables and cutworms in turfgrass. However, these living organisms must be carefully chosen to target specific pests and to have sufficient numbers to rapidly suppress pest populations.

Eradication

When the goal is to eradicate pests, the approach must be aimed at removing the root cause of the problem. For example, killing all the ants in your house does no good if the ant hill where they came from is still nearby. In a similar manner, eliminating a plague of fleas may require fixing leaking pipes in the house or resolving other issues that make the area attractive to them.

The best way to do this is through “threshold-based decision making,” which is a form of scouting and monitoring. Noticing a few wasps flying around doesn’t merit taking action, but if you start seeing them in significant numbers every day, it might be time to investigate and find their nest.

Physical, biological, and chemical methods can be used to control pests. These include things like trap crops (such as zinnia for Japanese beetles) and altering irrigation practices to reduce the number of insects attracted to certain plants. In the case of chemicals, there are sprays that can be applied to kill and repel pests as well as baits and crack-and-crevice treatments. These are generally used only in extreme situations or when a particular pest can’t be controlled through other means.

It’s important to note that pesticides should only be used by qualified pest control professionals. They must have a license to apply them and be aware of the risks involved. Additionally, they must be able to provide a material safety data sheet for each chemical that they use.

If you have a pest problem, it’s tempting to reach for the weed killer or insecticide to get rid of them immediately. However, if you take a step back and try to figure out why they are there in the first place, you might be able to avoid using any chemicals at all.

For instance, if you have a lot of pests in your yard, it might be because of a lack of food, water and shelter for them. Make sure to remove these elements from the area as much as possible by fixing leaking pipes, trimming overgrown bushes and brush and sealing trash cans.

Monitoring

Pest control is the continuous effort to remove or prevent pests from impacting human health and safety, property, crops and production, the environment, or business operations. It includes a variety of strategies, including preventive tactics such as sanitation, training, and inspections; correcting conditions that make an area attractive or conducive to pests; exclusion methods such as screens, barriers, and traps; and chemical controls including insecticides, rodent baits, fungicides, and biological agents.

Monitoring is the key to a successful pest management program. It involves checking or scouting for pests to identify what kinds of pests are present, how many there are, and what damage they are doing. It also includes tracking environmental factors that influence pests such as weather and food or harborage availability. Monitoring can also help determine whether a pest infestation is at or near threshold levels and aid in selecting the proper control tactic.

Thresholds are the levels at which pest populations or conditions indicate that control is needed to prevent unacceptable injury or damage. Using monitoring information, thresholds help guide the choice and timing of control actions. Monitoring is also used to verify that the level of pests has decreased after treatment and to evaluate the effectiveness of control tactics.

In agriculture, monitoring usually is done by experienced crop scouts who walk through fields to look for pest activity and to evaluate the severity of any disease or weed outbreaks. This activity is important because it helps producers decide if and when to apply preventive or suppressive pest control measures and to ensure that the proper application rate of chemicals is achieved.

Monitoring in enclosed environments, such as in food processing and storage facilities, schools, offices, and health care facilities, often combines visual inspection with trapping and communication with staff that use the space. Some traps are “passive,” relying on the presence of pests to trigger them, while others have attractants such as baits or pheromones that exploit specific species behavior.

Other types of mechanical or physical controls kill or block pests or alter their environment, such as traps and barriers for rodents and weeds; steam sterilization of soil for diseases; or refrigeration or radiation for pathogens. Computer models sometimes can be useful in forecasting when pests are most likely to occur or reach critical numbers and guiding choices for monitoring, suppression, and control strategies.