For example, rodents chew tin and lead, destroying building structures and contaminating food. They also cause fires by gnawing electrical wires and spread diseases such as salmonella, murine typhus and plague.
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Whether the pest is an insect, weed, plant disease or vertebrate animal, correct identification is a critical step in developing an effective integrated pest management (IPM) strategy. Misidentifying pests can result in improper control tactics that not only waste time and money but may also cause harm to people, pets, or the environment.
Insects and other pests can be identified by observing their physical characteristics, damage symptoms on the host plant, or signs of larval feeding. It is important to be able to distinguish between pests and beneficial insects so that the latter can be protected. Similarly, it is essential to understand the biology of a pest so that control methods can be tailored to its behavior and natural enemies.
A pest’s physical characteristics can reveal its favored food sources, damage-causing activities, habitat requirements and time of occurrence. Once a pest is correctly identified, scouting and monitoring routines can be developed to assess the problem before it becomes too serious.
Most pests have certain “windows of opportunity” during their life cycle when they are most vulnerable to control. Insects, for example, are easiest to control when they are in the egg or larval stage. Weeds are usually most susceptible to eradication when they are in the seedling stage or early in the season, while diseases are most easily controlled before symptoms begin to show on hosts.
Species of pests may look different at various stages in their life cycle, making them difficult to identify. For this reason, a specimen should be submitted to a specialist for identification to species whenever possible. Specialists are typically able to make an ID from a well-defined digital image but will require an actual specimen for confirmation. Ideally, an adult specimen should be submitted for better identification, as immature forms are often mistaken for non-pest insects.
While many pests can be identified using common resources, a specialist is the best resource for accurate identification to order. This is especially true for biological control agents, such as Bacillus thuringiensis, which must be used at exactly the right order to be effective.
Pest Prevention
The primary goal of pest control is to stop the spread of pests, which can include organisms like weeds that compete with crops for resources and diseases that can harm plants. Some pests, such as certain viruses and bacteria, can also cause disease in humans and animals. Generally, pests are considered harmful when they are at a level that disrupts human activities or causes other unfavorable consequences.
In some situations, it may be possible to prevent pest infestations before they occur. For example, some plant diseases occur only under certain environmental conditions, so they can be prevented by providing the proper soil, climate, and other environmental factors. Preventing a pest problem may also be possible by identifying and eliminating the conditions that encourage it.
Some pests, such as mice and rats, can create serious health issues by contaminating food or spreading diseases through their droppings. Preventing these pests requires removing the food, water and shelter they need to survive, such as by securing food in sealed containers or reducing clutter around the premises.
Establishing a pest prevention program is a great way to reduce the risk of infestations. In facilities, vigilance in checking incoming shipments for pests, adopting cleaning practices that do not attract pests and establishing regular maintenance tasks, keeping garbage receptacles away from the building, sealing all cracks and other entry points, and conducting periodic wellness checks of the facility can help minimize pest problems.
Integrated pest management (IPM) focuses on preventing infestations, with pesticides used as a last resort, to reduce the need for frequent and costly pesticide applications. IPM is an environmentally friendly approach that has been shown to cut pest removal costs and pest complaints by one-third or more. Before using any pest control product, it is important to read the label and follow all directions, including those for personal protective equipment, pesticide cleanup, and application restrictions. NMSU’s IPM guidance documents can be useful in developing pest prevention strategies.
Pest Control Methods
A pest control strategy must include physical, biological, and chemical techniques. This includes knowing the difference between a pest and a beneficial organism, and when to use different control methods. It also involves understanding the whole system in which the pest exists and how the control method you choose will affect the environment, other living organisms, and human health and safety.
The goals of pest control are prevention, suppression, and eradication. Prevention is the best goal to strive for, and it can be achieved by keeping food in sealed containers, removing garbage regularly, caulking cracks, and fitting door and window screens. It is also important to keep the area around your home or business clean, so that pests have fewer places to breed and hide.
Biological pest control involves using natural enemies and parasites to manage pest populations. It can be done by releasing predatory insects or mites to kill existing pests or deter new ones from entering the area. This is a common method used by gardeners to control weeds and by farmers to control nematodes and diseases in crops.
Chemical pest control is a last resort, and only qualified pest control technicians should use this type of control. Chemicals are poisonous and can be harmful to humans, animals, and plants. They can be used to kill or repel pests, and are usually applied as a powder, liquid, or gas. They can be used indoors or out, and can be taken up by plants or absorbed through the soil to kill weeds.
IPM programs focus on managing a crop, lawn, or indoor space to prevent pests from becoming problems. They may include cultural practices, such as mowing at the right height or planting pest-resistant varieties, or they may use environmental controls, such as watering, mulching, and crop rotation.
IPM programs are designed to be effective and cost-efficient. They can help reduce pesticide use by preventing pests from becoming problems in the first place, and by using less toxic chemicals when they are needed. They also make sure that the right amount of pesticide is used, so that it does not harm the ecosystem in which it operates and poses no risk to people or pets.
Pest Control Maintenance
A pest infestation is more than just an annoyance; it can cause property damage and even lead to health issues. Getting a pest control service on a regular basis is more effective than waiting until you have a major problem. This prevents pests from breeding and causing more damage to your home or business.
Routine pest control also disrupts pests’ life cycles and prevents them from becoming resistant to treatment. This significantly reduces the likelihood of a recurrence of an infestation, making routine pest control an important investment for your home or business.
Many pests reproduce very quickly, meaning that an unchecked problem can get out of hand before you know it. If you have a pest problem that goes untreated, it can cost you more money in the long run because of property damage and repair costs. If you have a pest control plan in place, it can help to reduce the risk of these problems and save you money.
It is easier to get your pest control treatments done on a regular basis than it is to deal with an infestation once it has already happened. Pest infestations can be time consuming, and they often require your attention away from other tasks that need to get done. With a regular pest control maintenance schedule, you can eliminate the threat of pests before they have a chance to take over your space.
Another benefit of pest control maintenance is that it can help to keep your family or customers safe from pest-related diseases and health problems. Some pests, such as rodents, can carry bacteria and viruses that can make people sick. Others, like cockroaches, can trigger asthma or other respiratory conditions in people who suffer from these ailments. With a pest control maintenance plan in place, you can prevent these problems from occurring in your home or business.
Pest maintenance programs can also save you money in the long run by reducing premature wear and tear on your home or business. Some pests, such as ants and termites, can cause structural damage that requires costly repairs. Pest maintenance programs can help to prevent these problems by addressing things that attract them, such as moisture issues and openings around windows and doors.