Pest control strategies are designed to reduce the number of pests below an acceptable level. The goal is to avoid unnecessary harm to plants, animals and people.
The environment must be evaluated to determine the best method of Pest Control Columbia MO. This includes the life cycle, damage potential, natural enemies and the weather.
Biological
Biological pest control involves the use of living organisms to suppress or kill undesirable insects, mites, fungi, weeds, pathogens and other organisms that damage crops, landscapes, turfgrasses and ornamentals. The time honored approaches of importing, releasing and conserving natural enemies are constantly being refined and improved to better fit modern production practices.
Importation (also called classical or traditional biological control) involves the search and purchase of natural enemy species of exotic (non-native) origin to suppress an exotic pest that is now in a new environment. This requires government sponsored expeditions to the pest’s country of origin to find and bring back natural enemies that will effectively control the pest once they are established in the new environment. Examples of classical biological control include decapitating flies and flea beetles introduced to control fire ants and stem borers and herbivorous nematodes introduced to control alligator weed.
Released at a critical point in the season, augmentative biological control involves introducing predators and parasitoids in numbers that are intended to quickly overwhelm the pest population. This is most often practiced in greenhouses and some vegetable and field crop fields where pest populations are high. Examples of augmentative biological control are the use of trichogramma in tomato fields and thrips in strawberry fields.
Unlike conventional pesticides, which can disrupt the balance of life in the ecosystem they affect, biological control agents are often considered “friendly” because they aren’t harmful to non-target species and have little or no adverse environmental impacts. However, the use of natural enemies can be complicated by factors such as pesticide resistance, inability to predict population growth and climatic conditions that influence pest population dynamics. Using biological control agents also requires proper placement, monitoring and timing to ensure success. In addition, ensuring the natural enemy population is large enough to suppress the pest population usually requires multiple releases of the biological control agent throughout the season. This is known as a “pulse” or “spray” program and can be effective when used in combination with other pest management techniques. For example, a pulse of parasitoids can be followed by a spray application of a bacterium that targets caterpillars in order to prevent them from maturing and producing damaging egg masses.
Physical
As the name suggests, physical pest control involves removing or blocking the entry of pests into a home, business or garden. This can be as simple as sealing cracks and putting up fences or trapping and killing pests and relocating them. It is a common part of hygiene management and can be used in food processing establishments to keep the environment safe for staff and customers.
Rodents, birds and insects can be particularly problematic in commercial environments, as they may spread diseases, contaminate water or strip insulation. In addition to this, they can cause damage to buildings and disrupt work routines. It is therefore important to contact a pest control company at the first sign of infestation, as they will be able to use a range of techniques to remove the pests and prevent them from returning.
One of the most common methods is removing or blocking their access to food sources, such as by using temperature control or trapping. This can be combined with introducing natural enemies, such as parasites or predators into the ecosystem to make pests more manageable. This is a delicate process that must be carefully considered to ensure it does not have unintended consequences. Suitable natural enemies must be found, studied and collected before being released into the environment, with attention to their life cycles, in order to have maximum impact.
Chemical pest control is effective, particularly for larger infestations and can offer quicker results than other methods, but can also be harmful to the environment if it is overused or misused. It is also possible for pests to build resistance to chemicals, so it should be used sparingly and in conjunction with other methods.
It is important to remember that pesticides are a last resort for pest control, and it is essential to always follow the advice on the label when applying them. It is also a good idea to refer to the Woody Ornamental Insect, Mite and Disease Management Guide by Penn State Extension or another current reference for a list of approved products for your area.
Chemical
Pesticides are a quick and easy way to achieve effective results against many common pests. They are used in the form of sprays, baits, or traps and work by targeting the nervous system of the pest and killing it. They are available in both organic and non-organic forms. The latter are a more environmentally friendly alternative, but they take longer to work and can be less effective against larger pests, such as rodents.
The main drawback to chemical methods is that repeated use can lead to pest resistance. This is a result of the fact that pests can develop mutations that alter their genetic code. The use of pesticides can also have collateral effects on wildlife and damage the environment. Using pest control chemicals responsibly, however, can mitigate these risks.
When applying pesticides, it is important to follow the label instructions carefully. This is to ensure the safe application of the product and to minimize the risk of harming people, pets, or the environment. Choosing products with low toxicity levels and a short expiration date is another good idea.
A common pesticide is permethrin, which is available in granules to treat garden pests such as slugs and snails. It is also used in the form of sprays to treat aphids and other insect pests on fruit, vegetable and commercial crops. Other commonly used chemicals include pyrethroids, which are synthetic versions of the natural pesticide pyrethrins. These are often combined with piperonyl butoxide (PBO), a synergist that makes the pyrethroids up to ten times more effective.
In the home, surface sprays can be applied in out-of-the-way areas, such as along skirting boards, to target pests such as flies and mice. When applying these sprays, it is important to remove food and cooking utensils from the area. It is also a good idea to leave the room while the spray takes effect.
A more extreme method of chemical pest control is fumigation. This involves sealing a building or structure and filling it with pesticide to kill all the pests inside. Other types of fumigation include ultra-low volume (ULV) fogging, which is used in the same way but on a smaller scale.
Other
Various methods can be used to prevent pests, such as rodents, birds and insects that damage or spoil buildings and crops. These pests may also pose a health risk or cause other problems, such as contamination of food, water or medical supplies. They can also spread diseases to humans and animals, or disrupt natural ecosystems. Control measures include exclusion or quarantine, repulsion, physical removal, biological control and chemical treatment.
Pests often develop under particular conditions, such as excessive moisture or light, and these can be controlled by changing environmental factors. For example, reducing the amount of water in a soil decreases its humidity and makes it less attractive to insect larvae. Preventative techniques can include crop rotation and planting resistant varieties, while adjusting irrigation practices can reduce disease risks.
Birds, amphibians and other animal species feed on pests or parasitize them and can control their populations. Other organisms, such as nematodes and mycoplasmas, can suppress pest populations by attacking or infecting them. In addition, the use of pheromones can manipulate the behavior of some insects and plants.
The physical control of pests includes traps, screens, barriers, fences and other devices that physically separate or confine them. Often, this is an effective way to control insects and rodents. For example, caulking cracks can deter rodents from entering homes and businesses.
Other physical controls include removing their food, water and shelter sources. For example, food should be stored in sealed containers, and garbage should be disposed of regularly. It is also advisable to clean up cluttered areas, as they provide ideal hiding places for pests.
Chemical pesticides are a common form of pest control and come in sprays, powders, dusts and baits. They are typically designed to target a specific pest type, killing them or preventing reproduction. They can be applied manually or with the help of machinery. While effective, they are often toxic to people and animals if misused and must be used properly to ensure they don’t enter the environment or contaminate water runoff or other parts of the landscape. This is why many people prefer to use preventive strategies and employ pesticides only as a last resort.
