Identify the pests you’re dealing with and understand what methods are available to control them. For example, to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home, drain any puddles where they breed.

To catch a pest, you may need to use traps or bait stations that are strategically placed along a pest’s normal routes. Some physical pest control methods include barriers, exclusion and crack and crevice treatments. Keep reading the article below to Learn More.

Insects are the most diverse group of arthropod invertebrates with over a million described species. They are cold-blooded and do not have lungs, but most can fly and have compound eyes. They have a hard, protective exoskeleton and a body that is made up of three parts: the head, thorax and abdomen. They have six legs, two antennae, and a pair of wings.

In order to survive, insects use a variety of behavior strategies to attract or avoid predators. Some use a pheromone trail to mark their territory, others advertise by flashing a bright color, and still more imitate other insects in appearance or smell to trick predators into attacking the wrong species. Some insects are good pollinators, while others are destructive pests.

Pest identification is a key first step in effective pest control. Look for a variety of damage patterns and symptoms, including chewing (e.g., beetles, caterpillars), piercing/sucking (e.g., aphids, stink bugs) and defecating (e.g., thrips, mites).

Soil-dwelling insects can also be problems and tend to cause more serious plant damage than surface feeders. Examples include wireworms, white grubs and cutworms. Healthy, vigorous plants can usually outgrow a limited number of root-feeding insects, but a heavy infestation can limit or even kill crops.

Often, the best way to manage insect pests is with preventive methods such as row covers or cultivation of soil prior to planting. If prevention fails, a variety of granular insecticides are available for use on the soil surface or around the planting hole. Avoid systemic insecticides, which may poison beneficial insects in the surrounding area. For example, research has shown that imidacloprid sprayed on tomato plants can result in pathogenic fungi that kill the predatory ladybug Orius insidiosus and reduce the effectiveness of lacewing Chrysoperla carnea as a biocontrol of powdery mildew. These chemicals can also negatively affect earthworm populations, which are natural predators of thrips and other plant-feeding mites. This is known as a “spillover” effect. A safer alternative is the Sterile Insect Technique, or SIT, which is an environmentally friendly, weed-suppressing method of controlling certain insect pests by releasing sterile adults into the field.

Rodents

Rodents can cause problems for humans in a variety of ways. They destroy property, contaminate food supplies and spread diseases that affect people, pets and livestock. They also interfere with the production of crops, destroying or spoiling grains and other products. Rodents can even contribute to the extinction of species by carrying harmful parasites like fleas, ticks and mites.

The most common rodents are rats and mice, which may enter homes and other buildings in search of food and shelter. Usually, the first signs of rodent activity are rodent droppings and gnaw marks. The latter are typically found around the edges of a building or in hard-to-reach places such as behind walls and under floorboards. Their sharp incisors can also damage property by chewing through plastic, wires and insulation materials.

Because of their small size and fast breeding rates, rodents are among the most successful mammals on earth, populating every continent except Antarctica. They are also one of the most troublesome pests of human dwellings, causing destruction in homes, restaurants, stores and industrial facilities. Rodents can contaminate food and food processing equipment, cause structural damage by digging and burrowing and tamper with electrical systems in order to chew through wires.

Rats and mice are carriers of disease organisms that can pose a threat to humans, pets and livestock. Some of these diseases, such as hantavirus and leptospirosis, can be fatal. Others, such as salmonella and tapeworms, can be transmitted through direct contact or via contaminated food or water sources.

In agriculture, rodents are responsible for 5-10 percent of crop losses. The most significant loss comes from grain storage, where gnawing by rodents causes the contents of silos or bags to leak, as well as the support structures for bins and shelves to collapse.

The most effective way to control rodents is through preventative measures, such as improving sanitation and keeping buildings and their surroundings neat and tidy. Food should be stored in sealed containers to protect against rodent infestation, and trash should be regularly disposed of so that it does not provide a source of food or shelter. Other preventive measures include placing nontoxic monitoring bait blocks in tamper-resistant stations and visually inspecting vulnerable areas (e.g., custodial closets, food service areas, vending machines and garages) to detect and intercept rodents.

Bed Bugs

The nocturnal bed bug (Cimex lectularius or C. hepterus) is the most hated household pest among urban residents, causing itching, secondary infections, loss of sleep and psychological distress (1-8). Its impact was reduced significantly in America after the widespread use of synthetic insecticides during the 1940s and 1950s, but since then it has become the most difficult of all urban pests to control (2, 3, 5, 6). Increased international travel, pesticide resistance, climate change and changing lifestyles are leading factors in its resurgence (9-11).

These wingless insects feed on humans during the night (12-14), injecting saliva into sleeping hosts that contains anticoagulants that stop blood flow and prevent clotting. The bugs don’t bite, but their fecal spots, shed skins and a foul, rotting smell are telltale signs of an infestation (13).

Infestations of homes and apartments usually occur in beds or nearby upholstered furniture, including desk chairs and sofas. The bugs also live in stuffed animals and other toys, closets, dressers, wall hangings, wood paneling, door and window frames and cabinetry. In addition, if a person sleeps in an infested room at work, school, church, hospital or other public place during the day, he or she can unknowingly bring a few bugs home.

Heavy bed bug infestations can be difficult to control because the insects hide during the day and are most active at night when they seek host sleeping areas. Treatment is most effective if begun immediately after detection. Insecticides are most effective when used by licensed applicators, who have the knowledge and equipment to treat inaccessible places (e.g., behind baseboards). Over-the-counter total-release aerosol foggers are generally ineffective against bed bugs and may be harmful to people.

The best way to prevent a bed bug infestation is to keep bedding and furniture clean, especially after a host gets bed bugs, by washing items in hot water and running them through a dryer on the highest setting. Vacuuming regularly, especially around windows and molding, is also helpful. When discarded items (especially mattresses and box springs) are brought to the curb or trash container, bagging and/or marking them as infested helps prevent dislodging of bugs en route to the dump.

Other

Pests cause costly damage to property and human health. For example, rats gnawing on electrical wires can cause the circuit breakers to trip, leading to expensive repairs and loss of power. Cockroaches spread a variety of diseases that can make people sick, especially those with compromised immune systems.

There are many different types of pest control methods. Some are very effective and some are less so. The most effective approach is to prevent pests from entering a site or spreading in the first place. This is called “prevention.”

Physical pest control methods include barriers, traps and scouting. Barriers can be created with fences, netting or a combination of materials. Traps and bait stations can capture pests as they try to find food, water or shelter. These methods are a good choice for reducing pest populations in gardens and lawns, or to stop rodents from coming indoors.

Biological pest control uses predators, parasites, and pathogens to reduce the impact of pest insects. It requires extensive research into the biology of the pest and potential natural enemies, including their ecology and population dynamics. Once suitable natural enemies are found, they must be collected and carefully screened for pathogens and other contaminants before being released. They must also be introduced at a time when they will have the opportunity to successfully compete with the pest.

Chemical pest control is a last resort, and only used in very extreme situations. Pesticides can kill or repel pests and are available in many forms, from sprays to gels. Some people may be concerned about the use of chemicals around their homes, but most providers take precautions to minimize any risks.

The best way to deal with a pest problem is to work with a professional. They can offer advice about what steps to take and which products will be most effective for your situation. They can also advise about prevention techniques that will help keep pests away in the future. Taking a proactive approach can save you the cost of pest removal, repair and health expenses. It can also save you the inconvenience of dealing with pests.