Pro Tips On Proper Pest Control Techniques
Most of the animal and plant species that share our world do not make a nuisance of themselves. Many are beneficial, such as ants and termites, when they do not interfere with human property and activities. In fact, less than 1 percent of all species are pests that negatively affect our lives by invading our space, damaging our property and threatening our health.
Pro Tips On Proper Pest Control Techniques
Pest tolerance in crop land is usually based on the cost of control. Sometimes pests can be numerous and do considerable damage to a crop before the cost of that damage outweighs the cost of control. However, we are less tolerant of pests in the urban environment. Most of us are very concerned upon finding insects living with us, so much that the presence of a single cockroach or flea will prompt pest control in the home.
Structural pest control decisions are sometimes based more on emotion than economy. After all, fear of arthropods (insects, spiders and their kin) is our third most common fear (behind public speaking and heights), and spiders are the second most feared animal (behind snakes).
While fear, often unfounded, can sometimes be the stimulus for initiating pest control services, some pests do pose a very real threat to humans. Health concerns associated with structural pests include venomous stings and bites in addition to the transmission of diseases including food poisoning, allergies and Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Pests also can have a psychological impact on us, for example, from the unsettling feeling of knowing (or suspecting) you are living with insects, spiders, rats or mice.
Pest control is like visiting the doctor: To prescribe effective treatment, your physician must correctly diagnose the problem, and determine the extent of the injury as well as the potential for further injury. The doctor must then use this information, along with knowledge of applicable treatments available for that particular condition. He/she must then consider which treatment(s) is best. In pest control, we call this process Integrated Pest Management (IPM), the foundation of successful pest control. Using IPM, we first identify the pest and gather information about the infestation. Then we choose the best method(s) of control for the situation, after considering the safety, effectiveness, environmental effects and cost of each method.
The selection and proper use of pesticides is your responsibility. All pesticide applicators must assume responsibility for, and are liable for, their actions. Understandably, many people do not want this responsibility, and/or do not or cannot invest the necessary time, effort and expense. Moreover, control of some pests, such as termites, can be labor-intensive, complicated, and best left to professionals.
Can the inspector answer your questions? Did he/she fully explain everything about the proposed service? Did the service details seem vague or generic, or specifically designed to solve your pest problems? Also, did the inspector seem to be in a hurry? Did he/she pressure you to act quickly? Termites, for example, consume wood very slowly, so there is plenty of time to make an informed decision. Only in situations where pests pose a threat to human health is there an immediate need for pest control.
That depends on your situation and the type of pest involved. Some pests can be controlled by a single service. Others may take months, or even longer. Once your pest problems are eliminated, you may opt to retain periodic service, but that service should focus on inspection and spot treatment of pests if and where they are discovered, rather than routine pesticide application.
You can compare your insect to the pictures on our Identifying bed bugs Web page or show it to your local extension agent. (Extension agents are trained in pest control issues and know your local area.)
Be comprehensive in your approach. Try other things first. Integrated pest management (IPM) techniques may reduce the number of bed bugs and limit your contact with pesticides. If pesticides are needed, always follow label directions or hire a professional. There is help available to learn about treatment options. (4 pp, 480 K, About PDF)
Some plants are known to be good insect repellents. These provide a green pest control alternative to traditional chemical methods. Plant any of these varieties around your home for a natural remedy to some common pests.
Knowledge is power so do some research and learn what the most common pests are in your area and what kind of damage or threat they cause. Pests vary by location and different treatments are required for each of them. Proper identification is key to proper treatment.
While some household pests are dangerous to your health (like rodents and roaches) or can cause significant damage to your home (such as termites), others are actually quite beneficial to have around, especially if you have a garden. Ladybugs eat aphids and are great for the garden. Green lacewings eat aphids and spider mites. Ground beetles eat slugs and caterpillars. Bats (as long as they are outdoors and not inside your home) eat and control the populations of mosquitoes and many other insect species. These beneficial pests are a great natural pesticide to use in place of chemical products.
Sometimes an infestation can be beyond the scope of DIY pest control methods. In these circumstances it is best to call a professional who can properly identify the pest you are dealing with and provide proper treatment, as well as ongoing prevention techniques you can use at home.
Pest problems arise from time to time that may require you to seek help controlling the pest from a professional. It can be daunting to choose a pest control company. Don't rush into a decision. Consider talking with several companies before deciding on one. Even if your pest problem is urgent, take time to look for a reputable and knowledgeable company that meets your standards.
Successful pest control will require communication and cooperation between you and the company. Ask questions and make sure you understand the treatment and your responsibilities in making the treatment a success. Contact the company or your state pesticide regulatory agency promptly to report any problems.
In these cases, cockroach pest control operators will apply treatments outside, too. That could make the process a bit longer and more expensive but it would be a lot more difficult to handle on your own.
Some companies bundle their roach services into general pest control plans. That could increase the price (maybe unnecessarily). They might also offer ongoing plans, with monthly or quarterly treatments that could cost $100 each.
Trying your own DIY techniques: It might sound like a good idea to add some of your own pest control methods on top of what the service provider did. However, over-applying things like bait can make them ineffective.
Rodent pest problems are a year-round occurrence. Being proactive about your rodent pest problems can improve your quality of life in a big way. Contact Pro Active Pest Control to take care of existing pests, establish an effective pest barrier around your home, and maintain it through regular treatments. We provide Roseville pest control, El Dorado Hills pest control, Lincoln pest control, Rancho Cordova pest control, as well as provide pest control throughout the Greater Sacramento area.
This National Pest Management Month, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) is calling attention to the essential services pest control professionals provide and applauding their steadfast commitment to ensuring our homes and businesses remain protected.
Nearly all industries have been impacted by the rollercoaster that has been the COVID-19 pandemic. In spring of 2020, many businesses had to lay off staff due to mandated closures and now most are struggling to recruit new employees to fill roles as they reopen. Because of this, many commercial businesses have been forced to work with a smaller staff than they would have previously. Unfortunately for facility managers, pest populations did not stop growing during the pandemic and still pose a significant threat to commercial businesses, making it imperative to keep pest control top of mind.
Even in these unusual times, maintaining proper pest control practices is vital to the survival of all commercial businesses. These practices can help prevent infestations, saving on costs and precious manpower. NPMA recommends facility managers and their teams take the following steps to prevent pest infestations when they are working with reduced staff:
Many pests, including flies, rodents and ants, are attracted to food. If they can source food from your business, there is a higher chance that their populations can survive and grow into a larger issue. For some pests, cardboard boxes are also an appetizing meal! Eliminate potential food sources by properly disposing of garbage into sealed receptacles, cleaning high traffic areas and storing any food products in tightly sealed containers.
While commercial businesses may have smaller staffs than usual, working with a licensed pest control professional can help lighten the load. Professional pest control was deemed an essential service during the COVID-19 pandemic by the United States Department of Homeland Security, allowing companies to continue their vital work. NPMA recommends that businesses collaborate with a pest control company to develop an integrated pest management plan (IPM). An IPM plan is a comprehensive pest control method that that focuses on three basic techniques: inspection, identification and treatment by a pest control professional. This method will help ensure pests are properly controlled and deterred in a commercial business setting.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has presented countless challenges for commercial businesses, maintaining a firm pest control plan does not have to be a struggle. Even with a reduced number of employees, any business can take small steps to effectively prevent pests from infiltrating their facility.