Pest control is the activity of attempting to manage pests to acceptable levels. It can be done by preventing them, attacking them directly or by controlling their numbers. The goal is to cause as little harm as possible to the environment and humans. Pests can be bacteria, viruses, fungi, or insects as described in chetspest.com. A pest can cause damage to crops, forests, landscapes, buildings, or food supplies. It may also spread disease or cause other problems. There are different kinds of pests: continuous – those that are always present and need regular control; sporadic - those that appear occasionally and need occasional control; and migratory - those that move between sites for breeding or feeding. The best way to reduce the risk of pests is to prevent them, but when this is not possible, the following steps are important: Monitor pests and their damage to determine whether they can be tolerated. This is usually done by scouting or counting them. It is also helpful to know what they are eating and where they are living so that controls can be developed. Monitoring allows us to determine if we have a problem that requires action, such as: Prevent pests from entering your property by sealing their entry points. Clutter provides places for pests to breed and hide, and can make it harder to find them when they are trying to nest or get into your home. It is important to remove their food sources and shelters too. Caulking cracks and crevices, putting down screens on doors and windows, and using steel wool in holes in walls can all help to stop pests from getting into your house or garden. Use traps, baits and physical barriers to keep pests out of your property. This includes things like rodent bait stations and traps, removing their food sources, and closing up places where they can enter. This can be done with physical barriers as well, like putting up fences and screens, and by creating a barrier to their breeding ground with things like gravel, mulch, or compost. Attack the pests with chemical means when preventive methods are not effective or if they reach unacceptable levels. When doing this, try to choose products that are low-risk for people and the environment. chetspest.com shows products that have a low risk to people. Read the product label carefully and follow all directions for application. Avoid spraying in areas that are easily disturbed, and apply a small amount of the product, rather than large amounts, to ensure that the product is effectively used. There are a number of ways to do this, such as by mixing and applying natural pest repellents or plant growth regulators, or by using biological controls, which are organisms that kill or prevent the development of harmful organisms. These are often effective and safe for the environment, as long as they are correctly applied. More info on pest control can be obtained here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pest_control
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Pests are organisms that damage or spoil crops, food, living spaces or material possessions as clearly described in chetspest.com. In some cases, they can also carry diseases harmful to humans and animals. The control of pests may be attempted through exclusion or quarantine, repulsion, physical removal or chemical means. The first step in pest control is identification. This includes determining the pest’s preferred feeding and breeding areas, as well as its behavior as it moves through each season. It is also important to know the pest’s life cycle and the conditions that favor its presence as a pest, so that the pest can be prevented from damaging crops and causing other problems in the environment. Eradication is rarely attempted in outdoor pest situations, because it can be nearly impossible to achieve. In enclosed environments like homes and offices, however, eradication is more realistic. Many pests are able to breed and live in confined spaces, and they can be controlled more easily. Prevention is the best way to control pests. It involves eliminating the conditions that make them thrive and providing barriers to their entry and spread. This can include cleaning high-volume areas like public eating areas and kitchenettes, where crumbs and scraps tend to build up daily. Regular garbage disposal is essential because overripe fruit and other rotting materials attract flies, rodents and cockroaches. Repairing cracks and holes around the exterior of buildings is another important measure, because some pests enter through these openings. There are a number of relatively safe chemicals available to control pests as seen in this website, including baits and sprays. These products are generally formulated to be as non-toxic as possible, and they should be used according to the label instructions. It is always a good idea to consult the local cooperative extension service office for recommendations appropriate to the area. Biological controls can also be used to manage some pests, especially in agriculture. These are based on the use of natural enemies of the pests. Suitable natural enemies are found, studied and collected, and then released with careful attention to the timing of enemy and pest life cycles. This can be done either in fields where the pests are a problem, or in gardens or other landscapes. If all preventive steps fail to control a pest, some chemical measures may be required. The choice of tactic depends on the kind and amount of control needed, the environmental impact of the chemicals, and the safety of people and pets. It is always a good idea to attempt the least toxic method, and to observe any local, State or Federal pesticide regulations. More info on pest control is provided here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_pest_control Pest control refers to a range of activities that aim to reduce the number of pests in a given area or to stop them from damaging plants and/or buildings. These activities can include prevention, exclusion, biological control and the use of pesticides. In some cases, the ultimate goal may be to eradicate a particular pest species from an environment. This is a difficult task and is often only attempted when an imported pest poses a serious threat to the environment or human health (for example, the Mediterranean fruit fly, gypsy moth and fire ant). Eradication of pests in enclosed areas is less difficult than in outdoor environments because they are usually smaller and less complex. These services can be provided by Tampa Pest Control & Termite Exterminator Service. Step 1 - Find out about the pest: what it does, where it lives, how it is spread, how often it comes into a home and the damage it causes. This information highlights the pest's vulnerabilities and helps us to decide whether we need to take action. It also allows us to choose the most effective management strategies. Identifying the pest is a key first step before applying any controls, especially if a chemical is going to be used. This requires a good understanding of the pest's biology and ecology as well as a keen eye. Many pests are very small and can be difficult to see. It is a good idea to invest in a hand lens with at least 10X magnification to aid in identification. 57 Point Inspection are excellent ways for pest identification. Before using any pesticides in the house, remove food and utensils from kitchen benches and close doors where possible. Use baits or traps rather than sprays where possible, and always read and follow the label instructions. Be sure to keep children and pets away from treated areas and always wear protective clothing when handling chemicals. When using surface sprays, try to target them into out-of-the-way spaces such as skirting boards and corners. Step 2 - Learn about the pest: what it does, where and when it goes, how it gets into your home and the damage it causes. This information helps us to determine if we need to take action and how to proceed. It also allows us to decide whether we can tolerate the pest, or if it is a problem that needs to be controlled. Use barriers to prevent pests from getting into your home: install screens on windows and keep doors closed; patch and seal any cracks or holes in walls, floors and roof; regularly inspect your exterior for signs of infestation and repair them as soon as you can. Use natural pest control methods before resorting to chemicals: plant pheromones to attract the males of the pest so they can be confused and prevented from mating; juvenile hormones to keep immature insects from maturing into the normal adult form. Biological pest control also involves the use of natural enemies of the pest: parasites, predators and pathogens. Get more details on pest control here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_pest_management |