A Pest Control Primer
What is pest control?
The question does seem a bit silly; a simple definition is there in the name, pest control is the control of pests. But that is just too broad a definition, because the term pest control covers multiple fields and a wide range of practices. Some of these are performed by the consumer, others are left to licensed professionals, like us. You may have never thought of it this way, but pulling weeds from your garden is actually a form of pest control.
With that said, let’s get into what we mean when we use the term pest control. We’ll do so by starting from the top and narrowing our focus as we dig deeper, making distinctions between different types of pest control along the way.
What are pests?
Pests are organisms that have a negative impact on the the lives of people. Some pests threaten the production of crops or ornamental plants. Others cause damage to the structures people inhabit. And of course there are those that are a health risk, whether directly or indirectly, to people and their pets. Lastly, some pests are just a nuisance. We deal primarily with those that fall into the last two categories, which include various insects, arachnids, and rodents.
It is also important to point out that not all insects are pests. You’re probably not upset when a lady bug lands on you, whether or not you are aware of the service they provide eating aphids from your garden. Surely you are aware of the crucial role pollinators, such as butterflies and honeybees, play in the ecosystem. We’d go so far as to say that, in many cases, the scary looking spider on your front porch is doing you a service more than it is posing a threat.
What are the different types of pest control?
Pest control can be broken down into two major categories, agricultural and structural. Agricultural pest control is focused on pests that threaten crops and ornamental plants, including lawn and turf. Examples include cutworms, cinch bugs, gophers and moles.
Structural pest control targets pests that may invade households or other structures. This includes various arachnids, insects, and rodents. In terms of the licensing and regulation of professional pest controllers, a special subcategory exists for those pests considered wood destroying organisms (WDO). This includes termites and certain fungi. Structural pest control of non-WDO is referred to as general pest control. This is the type of pest control we engage in.
What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?
Whether it is mentioned or not, most pest control professionals follow the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The aim of IPM is to reach an effective balance between treatment and non-treatment measures to reach a desired level of control over a select population of targeted pests, while limiting impact on the local ecosystem. This is achieved through a partnership between pest control professionals and the consumer. Integrated Pest Management programs, and pest control programs in general, typically consist of four basic components:
Action thresholds — This is essentially determining at what point, and to what degree, pest control action is required. Seeing one cricket, for instance, does not really warrant the spray of an entire property.
Monitoring and Identification — As we touched on above, not all the critters you see are pests. Some are crucial to the success of an ecosystem. It is important to correctly identify pests and areas of concern so that proper control measures can be taken.
Preventative Measures — This is the part of a pest control program that requires the most participation from the consumer. Preventative measures include structural maintenance and sanitation practices that can help reduce the level of pest activity by removing conditions that are conducive to pest populations. When your pest control professional asks you to replace a damaged vent screen or maintain your plants in a particular way, it is likely for this reason and best to heed their advice.
Control — Sometimes preventative measures are not sufficient enough to keep pest activity below established action thresholds. When this is the case and proper identification has been made control can be approached in various ways. Most commonly pest controllers use mechanical or chemical controls, such as traps, baits, and sprays to reduce the level of pest activity.
What can I do to prevent pests in and around my home or work place?
To answer this question it is best to think about the pests you are trying to avoid as the biological creatures they are. No matter what the pest is, it has the same basic needs as nearly all life; that is food, water, and protection/shelter. There may be wide differences in preference and level of necessity, but all organisms require these basics to survive and produce future generations.
Structural preventative measures — The best way to keep pests out of your home or business is to be sure there is no way for them to enter.
Check doors for gaps and install weather stripping or door sweeps where needed.
Check window, attic, and crawl space vent screens for holes and repair or replace where necessary.
Check and seal the places where plumbing, electrical, gas, cable, etc. lines pass through exterior walls.
Seal gaps in block walls and concrete to prevent harborage in these areas.
Keep trees and plants trimmed to prevent contact with the structure.
Sanitary preventative measures — Generally speaking, the cleaner the better. That seems obvious, but here are some things that might overlooked.
Keep pet foods stored in hard plastic containers, storing or discarding food after your pet has finished eating.
Keep watering to a minimum; you can maintain the health of your lawn, garden, and indoor plants without excessive watering.
A little extra effort in landscaping can go a long way.
Keeping hedges and other bushes trimmed a few inches above the ground makes it easier to remove and discard plant refuse that may otherwise collect and rot, creating a conducive environment for various pests.
Pick up fallen fruit on a regular basis.
Keep your lawn well manicured.
Keep the inside of your home tidy, as if you were trying to impress someone important to you!
What other important things are there to note?
We recognize that keeping your space free from pests requires a lot of effort and sometimes it is impossible to do without professional help. So our last bit of advice is to remember you can always contact us when you need help. We are more than happy to provide you with tips to resolve your pest issues on your own. Of course we’re here to assist you when the problem calls for more.
