Pest Control is the management of unwanted organisms in order to protect people, property and the environment. It includes a wide range of techniques for removing or preventing an infestation such as baits and traps, habitat modification, physical removal or chemical controls. Pests are organisms that cause damage to crops, plants or livestock and can also pose a health risk to humans. Examples include rodents, insects and weeds.
Rodents such as rats and mice can carry and transmit diseases such as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, Leptospirosis and Plague. They can also cause structural damage by chewing through wires, pipes and walls. Rodents and insects are the most common pests in homes and commercial premises. They can also cause significant financial losses by contaminating food and products, disrupting production and causing loss of reputation or customer confidence.
The primary goal of Pest Contro is to keep the number of pests below an acceptable level. There are three stages in this process: prevention – keeping pests from getting into the environment; suppression – reducing pest numbers to an acceptable level; and eradication – eliminating the pest completely. It is important to remember that controlling pests should always be carried out with as little harm to non-target plants, animals and people as possible.
There are many different methods of pest control and the most appropriate one depends on the specific situation. Some of the most commonly used tactics include:
Preventative measures can often be more effective than pesticides, particularly in domestic settings. It is essential to regularly check your house or business for signs of pests and to make any necessary repairs before they get out of hand. For example, sealing gaps in woodwork and installing screens on windows and doors can help prevent ant or cockroach infestations. Similarly, making sure that rubbish is not left piled up where pests can access it can prevent them from nesting in it.
Some pests can be controlled using natural enemies such as parasites, predators or pathogens. This type of pest control is generally considered as environmentally friendly but there can be a time lag between the increase in the population of the natural enemy and the reduction in the number of pests. In some cases, the natural enemies may be supplemented by biological control agents such as pheromones or juvenile hormones.
Pesticides can be effective in some situations but care must be taken to choose the right product and to apply it correctly. If a pesticide does not work it is important to understand why and to try a different tactic. It is also important to note that pests can develop resistance to chemicals.
Many pests can be controlled without the use of chemicals and there are a growing number of companies who specialise in non-chemical pest control. These companies can provide advice on how to maintain a pest-free environment and offer a range of services such as sanitisation and fumigation. It is often a good idea for new homeowners to have their properties inspected for pests and for businesses to consider regular pest control to prevent the problem from getting out of hand.