Rodents, insects and other pests cause a lot of damage to property. They also carry diseases and contaminate food and other daily-use items.
Monitoring is the first step in controlling pests. It includes identification and assessment of pest populations. This information helps determine whether control is needed and what methods should be used. Contact Pezz Pest Control now!
An Integrated Pest Management program uses monitoring, identification and decision-making to control pests through nonchemical methods. The program starts with preventive steps and moves to more aggressive options when those are ineffective. This is a sustainable method of managing pests that is designed to reduce risks to people, crops and the environment. It is the most environmentally sensitive and least costly option for pest control.
IPM begins with a thorough inspection of a home or business to identify the pests and their damage, then looks at environmental factors that can limit their growth and development. This can include soil preparation techniques, crop rotations, using disease-resistant plants, caulking cracks in structures and keeping tools clean. This approach can eliminate the need for chemical treatments by making the environment unfavorable to the pests and reducing their impact on our lives.
If prevention and other less risky options are ineffective, IPM programs evaluate the pest population level and the amount of injury to the plant to determine if the pests need treatment. The program then selects the proper insecticide and applies it according to established guidelines to avoid damaging people, other organisms or the environment. IPM programs also use pathogenic microorganisms, such as viruses and bacteria, to infect pests and cause them to die. These are used sparingly and are only a small portion of the overall pest management plan.
IPM is a process that can be used to control all types of pests in urban, agricultural and wildland areas. It is recommended by the University of California Statewide IPM Program and the Federal Integrated Pest Management Coordinating Committee.
It provides a common-sense, cost effective and environmentally sensitive way of managing pests that can be used in all types of buildings and homes. It is an alternative to spraying for every pest sighting and should be considered by anyone who is concerned about the health of their family, employees or customers. A well-trained pest management professional can implement IPM in homes and businesses without the need for harmful chemical spraying. The key is a detailed inspection and the ability to identify the pests, their damage and what makes them tick.
Biological Control
Biological control uses natural organisms, such as predators, parasitoids and disease pathogens, to suppress pest populations and damage. They can be used to replace or reduce the use of chemical pesticides. Biological control tactics vary depending on the crop, environmental conditions and pest life cycle. They may involve the importation and release of exotic “natural enemies” (classical biological control), conservation of resident or introduced natural enemies, or supplemental releases of native natural enemies such as predators and parasitoids.
Many plant pests – including insects, mites, nematodes and fungi – are controlled by natural enemies in nature. The challenge is to identify these natural enemies and introduce them into a cropping system in sufficient numbers to prevent or disrupt the pest population. This is commonly known as biocontrol.
Importation of natural enemies, also referred to as classical biological control, is the most common and time-consuming form of biocontrol. The natural enemy is chosen from its country of origin based on its relationship with the imported pest and its history in that region. It is then subjected to a rigorous quarantine process to ensure that no undesirable species are accidentally introduced with it (such as hyperparasitoids) and that it will successfully suppress the pest.
A less costly and time-consuming alternative to classical biological control is to bolster natural enemy populations that are present in the field or in adjacent crops. This can be done through supplemental release or by modifying the cropping system to favor or augment the activity of the natural enemy. For example, supplemental releases of the parasitoid Encarsia formosa are used to control greenhouse whitefly and periodic releases of the predatory wasp Phytoseiulus persimilis control two-spotted spider mite.
The success of any biological control program depends on how it is incorporated into the overall IPM program. The types and timing of chemical pesticide applications can have a direct impact on the success of biological control, as they can directly kill or inhibit the growth and activity of the natural enemy, or indirectly by killing or reducing the population of the host plant upon which the natural enemy feeds. It is important that growers carefully review the list of chemicals approved for use in IPM programs and select those with a lower risk of harming beneficial insects and their natural enemies.
Pesticides
Pesticides are chemicals developed to repel, control or kill pests. They are used in agriculture, homes and public spaces to protect plants, animals and people from unwanted organisms. There are over 17,000 registered pesticides in the United States, including herbicides (weed killers), insecticides (bug sprays) and fungicides. Each type of pesticide works differently and has different effects. There are also many ways pesticides can harm the environment and human health, which is why proper pesticide use is essential.
Pesticide effectiveness depends on how much of the chemical is exposed to a person or animal, how long the exposure lasts and what organ the chemical enters the body through. The best way to reduce the risk of pesticide-related illnesses is to read and follow product labels.
Many common pesticides contain a combination of chemicals, such as an insecticide and a herbicide, to maximize their efficacy. Some are more harmful than others, so it is important to choose the right one for each situation.
The most commonly used types of pesticides include insecticides, herbicides and fungicides. Insecticides kill or debilitate insects, while herbicides remove unwanted weeds. Fungicides prevent or control fungi, which can damage crops and food stores. There are more than 2,000 registered pesticides in Canada, and each has its own risk level. For example, a few common organophosphate pesticides can cause nerve disorders, especially when ingested or inhaled over prolonged periods of time.
Chemicals in the organochlorine family were once the most popular and effective pesticides, but they are being phased out due to their toxic effects on humans and the environment. Other families of pesticides are less persistent in soil and water, but still pose some risks to the environment.
Biological controls can be incorporated into each of these types of pesticides to decrease the amount of chemicals needed. The most common example is the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which produces a toxin that destroys caterpillars. Bt can be found in a number of commercial pesticides and is used to manage more than 400 insect species without harming people or pets.
Pesticides are regulated at federal, provincial and territorial levels. Provincial and territorial governments are responsible for issuing permits, responding to spills and incidents and regulating the sale, storage, transportation and disposal of pesticides.
Prevention
Obviously, the best way to control pests is not to allow them into your home in the first place. Prevention is a combination of techniques, including cleaning and sanitation (to remove food sources), sealing entry points, removing water sources, and reducing shelter. This approach is more sustainable in the long run, especially as pests develop resistance to many chemical treatments.
Prevention methods can be used for both indoor and outdoor spaces. In homes, keeping kitchen and bathroom areas scrupulously clean can reduce the attractiveness of these spaces to insects and rodents. Sealing windows and doors is another simple measure that can keep pests out. Garbage should be removed regularly and stored in tightly sealed trash cans. Water sources should be closed up or drained when not in use, and leaks should be fixed promptly. Landscaping should be trimmed to eliminate places where pests can hide or nest, and standing water should be eliminated as well.
In retail and hospitality environments, storing foods in protected containers can be an effective deterrent to pests. In addition, preventing spills and crumbs can help minimize problems caused by pests such as rats, which gnaw on wires and may spread diseases like salmonellosis and leptospirosis. Mosquitoes and cockroaches can also cause health issues, including allergic reactions in humans.
Pests are a part of nature, but they can cause significant problems in human communities as they reproduce, destroy and consume resources. While eradication is an option in some outdoor situations, the goal is usually more likely prevention and suppression.
A pest problem can be prevented by regularly inspecting the environment for potential pest entryways – such as cracks in the foundation, loose siding, and utility lines – and by blocking them with caulk or other materials. The pesticides that are used should be targeted to the particular species being controlled and applied according to established guidelines. In addition, they should be used sparingly to limit environmental impact. The goal is to control pests and their damage without harming other organisms, a process known as integrated pest management. IPM is a good choice for organic and sustainable gardening, and it can also be useful in urban settings where pesticides are often used for insect control.