Pests are any organism that spoils or damages crops, plants or structures. They can also contaminate food with disease-causing bacteria, fungi or parasites.
Learn to recognize your pests and the conditions that favor their presence. Preventative actions can include removing their food, water or shelter, and fixing leaky pipes. Reach out to Pest Control Coquitlam BC for expert assistance.
Insects and rodents that invade homes and workplaces create a health risk by contaminating food, damaging property and spreading diseases like hantavirus, leptospirosis and Salmonella. They also aggravate allergies and asthma, as do the chemicals used to kill them. The best way to prevent pest problems is by removing their food and water sources, shelter and breeding grounds. Regularly cleaning up crumbs, securing trash bins and eliminating indoor and outdoor clutter can prevent pests from finding hiding spots. Checking for cracks in walls and rips in screens, as well as keeping grass and other outdoor vegetation cut low to discourage rodents from nesting, is also helpful.
In addition, preventing pest infestations can be accomplished by recognizing and responding to seasonal variations in pest populations. Some pests, such as rats and mice, are more active in winter while cockroaches, ants and mosquitoes may increase in number during summer. Certain environmental factors, such as water availability, temperature and humidity, can also influence pest populations.
Using the principles of integrated pest management (IPM), which emphasizes treating only for observed pest problems, can also help limit the need for pesticides. Choosing nonchemical control methods, such as baits and traps, can be an effective first step in pest control. When pesticides are used, they should always be carefully applied to minimize exposure to people and pets. Never use foggers or bombs to spray pesticides, as these can contaminate the air and cling to carpets and other surfaces, where they can cause a variety of health problems.
In addition, residents can play a role in pest control by reporting maintenance problems to building owners or managers. Also, by properly storing or sealing foods and disposing of them promptly in outside dumpsters, they can help reduce pest populations. Finally, by avoiding contact with plant disease organisms, they can help protect desirable plants from pests that could harm them. This prevents the need for unnecessary pesticide application and reduces pesticide contamination of food.
Suppression
Pests are undesirable organisms, such as insects, bacteria, fungi, nematodes, weeds, viruses, or vertebrate animals, that harm humans or human interests (EPA, 2014). In addition to damaging plants and spoiling crops, pests can also degrade and displace native plant species, and disturb and alter the natural environment.
There are three stages in pest control: prevention, suppression, and eradication. Preventive measures are economical and environmentally responsible methods that reduce or eliminate conditions that promote pest infestations. For example, regularly cleaning areas where pests are likely to live or hide prevents their growth. Suppression methods restrict the activity of pests or their population growth, such as by using traps to catch rodents and by spraying a pesticide to kill them. Eradication methods destroy an entire pest population.
Integrated pest management (IPM) strategies are designed to minimize the use of pesticides. When pesticides are used, they are applied only after monitoring indicates that they are needed according to established guidelines. These chemical options are usually last resort treatments, and they must be carefully selected to minimize risks to humans, beneficial organisms, and the environment.
When all other options fail, pests can be controlled with physical or mechanical controls that kill them directly or make the environment unsuitable for them. Some examples include physical barriers like screens and netting to keep animals out, steam sterilization of soil for disease control, mulches for weed and erosion control, or traps to kill rodents.
Another option is to introduce organisms that naturally suppress or kill the pests through predation, parasitism, herbivory, or other natural mechanisms. This method of pest control is called biological control, and it may be carried out on an individual species basis or in a community-based approach. It can also involve introducing predatory or parasitic plants, fungi, or microbes that target only the pest and do not affect other organisms in the community.
Some pests are persistent and cannot be eliminated completely. The most serious of these are continuous pests, which arc nearly always present and require regular control; sporadic or cyclical pests, which require treatment periodically or on an intermittent basis; and potential pests, which do not pose a threat under normal conditions but can become problematic in certain circumstances.
Eradication
Pests can cause damage to crops, buildings and homes. They can also spread diseases. The best way to prevent pest infestations is to take proactive steps, like eliminating their food sources. Using repellents is another important part of preventive pest control.
When prevention methods don’t work, it’s time for eradication. This is one of the more drastic forms of pest control, and it involves spraying the premises with chemicals that kill or deter the pests. This method can carry health risks, so it’s typically used in extreme situations or in conjunction with other methods.
A more sustainable option is to introduce natural enemies into an area to help control a specific pest population. This is called biological pest control, and it has been around for centuries. For example, farmers used ants to control mite populations in orange groves in ancient China. In more modern times, researchers have developed a wide range of predatory arthropods to control pests in agricultural fields and other types of gardens (Letourneau et al., 2009).
Eliminating the conditions that attract pests can also help. For example, storing foods in sealed containers and regularly cleaning the kitchen can discourage pests from entering the house. Also, removing clutter can make it harder for pests to find food, water and shelter. Regularly vacuuming and mopping the floors can reduce the buildup of dirt, which can attract pests. It is also a good idea to fix leaky plumbing and to clean out trash cans so that they don’t become breeding grounds for pests.
Chemicals can be effective in the eradication of pests, but it’s important to use them carefully. If you hire a pest control company to use chemicals in your home, ask about their environmental practices. Also, ask the company to provide you with information about the pesticide they are using, such as its EPA registration number and its Material Safety Data Sheet.
Keeping pests out of the house is usually as simple as modifying the entry points. This can be as easy as putting screens on windows or repairing torn door screens. It’s also a good idea to inspect the exterior of your home regularly for cracks, holes, loose siding and other areas that can let in pests.
Monitoring
Pest control is a crucial part of facilities management, because unwanted insects and rodents can cause damage to property. Moreover, they can spread diseases and contaminate food. A reliable facility management company can help you with pest control by conducting regular inspections and developing a treatment plan that suits your needs. They can also provide advice on how to prevent pests from recurring.
There are many different methods of pest control, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Some are more effective than others, and some require more time to get results. For example, trapping is more effective for cockroaches than spraying. Some methods are also more environmentally friendly than others. For instance, the use of pheromones to lure rodents is less toxic than using chemicals.
When selecting a pest control company, make sure to research the company’s reputation, experience, licensing, and range of services. Look for companies with positive customer reviews and certifications from reputable organizations. In addition, they should have a commitment to safety and sustainability. You should also request a consultation and obtain multiple quotes before making a decision.
Once a pest problem has been addressed, it’s important to monitor the situation to ensure that the infestation is gone. This step is especially critical for commercial properties, where pests can negatively impact the image of a business or brand.
Monitoring can be done in a number of ways, including scouting, trapping, and visual inspection. It’s also important to monitor environmental conditions, such as temperature and moisture levels. These factors can influence whether a pest population will reach threshold levels and warrant control efforts.
A pest control program must be a collaboration between a food manufacturer and its pest control contractor or internal employees, who should receive appropriate training. This approach is referred to as integrated pest management and includes four key components; the activities of neighboring properties; the factory environment; raw materials quality control; and pest monitoring. The company should establish a system of inspecting the factory and recording any action taken to deter or destroy pests. In addition, it should implement strict stock rotation to limit the chance of an undetected pest infestation.