The first step in Treasure Valley Pest Control is to accurately identify the pest. This involves examining the pest’s physical features and life cycle.
Biological pest control relies on natural enemies (parasites, predators, and pathogens) to injure or consume target pests. Chemical pest control uses natural or synthetic chemicals to directly impact pest populations.
The best way to control pests is to prevent them from getting into a home or office. This means taking steps to block entry and harborage areas. It also involves cleaning and sanitizing as needed to eliminate food crumbs, standing water and other attractants that can lead to pest infestation.
The first step is to take an honest assessment of the problem. It’s not uncommon for homeowners to spray, bomb and poison their homes without considering what the problem actually is. A few flies or rodents here and there don’t necessarily indicate a serious infestation; they may be passing through. However, a few months later, when those same pests are everywhere, it is likely a serious issue.
A licensed professional can help assess the problem and implement long-term preventive pest control measures. This includes identifying the specific pests and their preferred entry points into a facility, developing a comprehensive preventive program that combines physical, biological and chemical controls, and monitoring the results for effectiveness.
Pest prevention programs should be customized for each building and its environment. They should include advice on sanitation products and practices, hot spots to watch, tips on how to spot problems early and recommended maintenance tasks that can shut down pest entry points. They should be based on Integrated Pest Management, known as IPM.
IPM aims to eliminate the need for toxic pesticides. When these are necessary, they are used in a targeted manner and only as a last resort, always in combination with other control methods. For example, a professional will use traps and baits as much as possible, along with less toxic dusts such as boric acid, for general pest control. Foggers and insecticides should be used sparingly, and only by a licensed professional.
Maintaining a clean, hygienic environment is the primary pest control method, and everyone can do their part. Residents should keep food and trash in containers with tight lids, remove piles of leafy debris and other potential nesting sites, wash linens on a regular basis, vacuum frequently and clean rugs and mats regularly to prevent fleas and other pests from making themselves at home.
Suppression
When pest populations are above damaging or intolerable levels, control measures must be taken. There are many ways to suppress pests: cultural practices, physical barriers, biological controls and chemical pesticides. Each of these approaches has its own benefits and risks, and each must be considered with regards to the particular pest problem and the limits placed on the area that needs to be controlled, the tolerance for injury and the impacts of the suppression tactics themselves.
Prevention involves making the environment unsuitable for pests by depriving them of food, water or shelter. This includes disposing of waste regularly, reducing clutter and keeping areas clear. For outdoor spaces, this can include clearing brush and other hiding places for vermin. Indoors, it means avoiding foods that attract pests, such as sweets or grease. For plants, it may mean planting them in a way that prevents them from being shaded or exposed to wind or rain.
Control methods in this category can include physical traps, netting and decoys to scare or confuse pests. They can also involve changing the environment to make it unsuitable, for example by adding a mulch to a garden or greenhouse, steam sterilizing soil, or blocking entry with screens or netting. Chemicals are used to kill or repel pests, including pesticides that are designed to target specific types of insects or vertebrates. They are generally quicker and easier to use than physical or biological controls, but their effects can be short-lived, requiring repeated applications.
Biological control is the use of natural enemies — parasites, predators, pathogens and herbivores — to reduce the population of pests. This can be achieved through importing natural enemies from their locations of origin, or through “classical” biological control, which sees governments sponsor expeditions to find and bring back naturally occurring natural enemies of a pest species.
Some fungi and bacteria, such as nematodes, are also used to suppress insect populations. These organisms are engineered into a biological pesticide that’s then sprayed on the plant or soil. It’s important that the nematodes be introduced under good conditions: the soil must be moist but aerated, and spraying should be done in the evening when temperatures are lower.
Detection
Detection of pests is important, as it helps focus prevention efforts and identify pest control problems. It is also the first step in implementing pest management programs. The goal is to minimize the presence of unwanted organisms by preventing their access to food, water, and shelter while maintaining a safe and healthy environment. This can be accomplished by establishing a system of preventive measures indoors and outdoors, such as sealing entry points, practicing garden hygiene, maintaining good sanitation, removing standing water, and using physical barriers.
Some pests can be avoided or controlled by applying cultural methods such as removal of a chronically infested plant species or variety and switching to an alternate host; or through the use of biological control agents, which are organisms that naturally attack or prey on certain types of pests. For example, predator insects or mites can be used to control fleas and aphids on vegetables. If a problem cannot be resolved by these non-chemical means, then chemical controls can be employed.
Pests can be detected by observing their damage to or interactions with a plant or structure. For instance, a gnawed wire can lead to an electrical problem and/or fire, while termite activity can weaken the structural integrity of a building or create woodpiles that are attractive to rodents. Other signs of pest activity include scurrying or scratching sounds, which may indicate the presence of rodents.
A statewide network of traps is maintained to detect unwanted pests before they become established in agriculture. These include exotic fruit flies (especially the invasive Bactrocera, Dacus, and Ceratitis species), Japanese beetle, light brown apple moth, khapra beetle, flighted spongy moth, and European corn borer.
A new homeowner can be a proactive participant in pest control by inspecting the property before purchasing it. Look for ant hills, rodent droppings or tracks in the yard and/or basement, termite mud tubes, a brown lawn, spider webs, holes in walls or attics, and sawdust piles. Bringing a flashlight on a house tour can help reveal scurrying noises caused by shy pests and other hints of trouble, such as a musty odor or insulation piles.
Treatment
Once a pest problem has been detected, control methods must be applied. These are usually aimed at prevention and suppression but may also include eradication. It is important that the methods used cause as little harm to humans and other organisms as possible, and only when it is necessary and reasonable to do so. This can be achieved by focusing on the source of the infestation and not just killing the pests themselves.
Some of the most common pests include fleas, ants, mosquitoes, rodents and cockroaches. These pests carry disease and can damage property, contaminate food and cause discomfort and distress to people. They can also spread allergens, such as cockroach droppings which can trigger asthma attacks in susceptible individuals.
To prevent pest infestations, it is important to seal entry points, clean up spills and crumbs promptly and store food in airtight containers. Also make sure to dispose of garbage regularly and reduce clutter or areas where pests can hide. It is also advisable to control moisture levels by addressing leaks and using dehumidifiers.
Biological and cultural controls can sometimes be used instead of or in combination with chemical controls to manage pest populations. These methods involve introducing other organisms that control the pest or its offspring, such as natural predators or parasites. This can be achieved by introducing other species into an environment or by altering the environment in some way such as by pruning back bushes or sealing trash cans.
When it comes to chemical pest control, it is essential that the correct product is chosen and used correctly to minimise exposure and risk. The label of a pesticide contains valuable information and instructions on how to use it properly. Ideally, it should be read before the pesticide is ever purchased and used.
Whenever a chemical is applied, it should always be done in a well ventilated area and only where it is necessary. It is important to protect surfaces from damage by covering them with plastic sheets or other protective material where appropriate. In addition, it is a good idea to remove clothes, children’s toys, jewellery and toiletries before treating rooms and storing them away in airtight containers. This will prevent them from absorbing the sprayed chemicals.