The Basics of Pest Control

The purpose of pest control is to keep pests from damaging crops, buildings or possessions. It involves a combination of prevention, suppression and eradication. Prevention includes avoiding conditions that favour pests and removing or modifying their food, water and shelter sources. Suppression means reducing a pest population to an acceptable level. Eradication means destroying an entire pest population. The most effective and environmentally friendly approach to pest removal company combined with biological or physical controls.

What are biological methods of pest control?

Preventing a pest infestation can be difficult and time consuming. The first step is to identify the pest (identification guides are available). Once you know what you are dealing with, preventative steps can be taken such as removing certain types of food from the home that will attract the pest (overripe fruit will draw flys; unsealed grains will attract moths; pet droppings will encourage fleas) or cleaning certain areas that are infested (vacuuming carpet for fleas; washing bedding and curtains in hot soapy water for mites).

Other environmental conditions affect pest populations: climate influences their activity and growth rate; natural barriers (mountains, bodies of water) restrict the spread of some pests; predators and parasites — including bird, reptile, fish and insect-like organisms — reduce their numbers; and pathogens destroy or suppress some pest species.

When prevention and physical controls are ineffective or impractical, chemical pesticides may be used. However, pesticides should be selected and used carefully to minimise harm to humans, pets and other plants. Ideally, only a small amount of any pesticide should be used. Pesticides can be toxic to the environment, too, if they enter bodies of water or if they are washed into air or soil.

 

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