Author: Wallis Coleman

Identifying and monitoring pests helps you decide whether they can be tolerated or should be controlled. This information also enables you to select the best management methods and time of application.

Keep clutter to a minimum to reduce places for pests to hide. Remove trash regularly and store it in tightly sealed containers. Contact Coquitlam Pest Control now!

Insects are among the most common pests people encounter, especially in residential settings. They may also be a problem in food processing or catering businesses, where pest control specialists are called out to deal with infestations of cockroaches, bedbugs, flies, and wasps.

Pesticides, which kill insects on contact, can be used to control many types of insect pests. These can be granulated or spray-on chemicals and are usually specific for the type of pest to which they are targeted. However, these substances may harm other insects and animals that are not pests, so they must be used carefully and sparingly.

Other insect pest control methods involve predators and parasitoids, which feed on or otherwise harm pests. Predators and parasitoids can include birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, mammals, other vertebrates, and wellness such as spiders, lacewings, and ladybugs.

Pheromones can also be useful in controlling insect populations. Manmade pheromones, for example, can confuse male and female insects, preventing mating and reducing population levels.

Other natural pest control methods include nematodes, which are tiny microorganisms that can help suppress insect populations by attacking them from within. These are applied to the soil, and insects die from internal infection when ingesting them. However, nematodes require proper working conditions, and they take time to establish themselves in the soil.

Integrated pest management is another important way to reduce the need for chemical pest control. This involves carefully monitoring pest problems and preventative measures such as removing food, water and shelter sources for the pests. It also includes scouting, which is the regular searching for, identification and assessment of pests and the damage they are doing. This information helps determine when action should be taken. For example, seeing a few wasps around the house may not warrant an immediate response, but seeing them every day in increasing numbers probably does. A pest control specialist can advise on what physical, biological, and chemical controls will best manage the situation.

Rodents

Rodents are warm-blooded mammals that, like humans, can be found throughout the world. Their oversized front teeth are specially adapted for chewing, and they cause a great deal of damage in and around homes. They are also carriers of a wide variety of disease organisms and pose a serious threat to people, pets, and livestock.

The best way to prevent rodent infestations is through pest control. A thorough inspection can identify the species of rodent, where they are nesting, and what factors are attracting them to your building or property. This information is used to develop a comprehensive rodent strategy that eliminates them and reduces their numbers and will be tailored to your individual needs.

Preventing rodents requires depriving them of food, water, shelter and access to your home or business. Inspections should include examining the outside of structures for entry points and sealing them with caulking, steel wool, or other materials as needed. Inside the house, garbage cans should be tightly closed and compost piles turned regularly, to prevent rodents from gaining easy access. All doors should be properly sealed with sweeps and door sweeps, and clogged drains should be repaired.

Rats are a particular problem in upstate New York, where they are attracted to food sources including citrus, avocados, and other fruits as well as nuts and seeds. These plants are also a source of shelter for rats, which often enter houses through small holes. A good sanitation program is essential to help reduce rat populations, and may include keeping food in closed containers (rats are attracted to pet food, garbage cans, bird feeders), removing stale or damaged foods from the kitchen, keeping wood piles elevated 18 inches off the ground, and maintaining proper landscaping.

Proper trapping techniques are also important. Traditional snap traps work well for rodents such as rats, but the kind of bait, trap placement and location must be carefully considered to ensure success. Since rodents are primarily nut and seed eaters, peanut butter, hazelnut spread or other similar products are commonly used baits. It is also a good idea to use gloves when handling traps, as rodents are able to detect the smell of human scent and will avoid traps that have been handled by humans.

Birds

Birds are often perceived as cute and desirable, but they can be a big problem for businesses. Their droppings tarnish company images, pose a slipping hazard and are the source of more than 60 diseases that can make employees and customers sick. And they are a constant nuisance – cleaning up after them costs time and money.

There are a number of ways to deter birds, but only some are effective at controlling a population without killing them. Spikes, netting and wires are physical deterrents that prevent birds from landing where they are not wanted. Deterrents can also include sonic units that broadcast frightening predator calls to birds, or ultrasonic frequencies that are irritating for them but not to humans. Plastic decoys of owls, hawks and snakes can be effective as well. But they must be moved regularly, or the birds will become accustomed to them.

Some deterrents use scent or taste to keep birds away. Products like turf aversion, goose repellent and fogging agents deter pest birds by making the area smell or taste unpleasant to them.

A good PCO will use a mix of deterrents to control birds in a building, depending on the specific situation. For example, a company with an outdoor break room may need to discourage people from feeding birds, while a business with a rooftop roosting site will want to use sonic and deterrent devices.

The best way to control birds is by exclusion, which prevents them from settling in an area. This is a longer-term solution that requires more expertise to implement and maintain, but it provides the greatest peace of mind for business owners.

Exclusion methods include spikes, netting and wires to block the access of birds to ledges, sills, overhangs, roof areas and HVAC units. Other solutions include sonic and acoustic units that emit distress signals to birds, as well as non-lethal gels and electronic devices that deter them without harming them. Regular sanitation programs to remove food and nests can also help reduce the numbers of unwanted birds. By using a variety of these techniques, a PCO can create an attractive and safe environment for his or her building’s tenants and customers.

Other Animals

Pest control includes not only insect and rodent infestations, but also nuisance birds and other mammals. Zoos, like any other animal facility, must take measures to prevent pest populations from building up to unacceptable levels. A variety of pest control techniques are used, but the most important of these is prevention. Prevention focuses on assessing the environment for areas where pests might breed, feed, or lay eggs, then removing or preventing access to those places.

Some animals are naturally effective pest control agents, and can be used to help manage the pest population in a safe and humane manner. These include cats, dogs, raccoons, opossums and skunks. When these animals can be enticed to stay away from homes, they can be an effective deterrent against pests like termites and mice, preventing them from chewing through wires and insulation.

In addition to these natural predators, some species of bats are extremely helpful in pest control. These nocturnal creatures are often associated with scary images, but they play an essential role in the ecosystem by pollinating plants and spreading seeds. They also consume large amounts of insects, especially mosquitoes, greatly reducing their numbers and the risk of disease transmission.

The goal of pest control is to reduce or eliminate the number of pests to an acceptable level without harming beneficial wildlife and the environment. The best way to achieve this goal is through integrated pest management (IPM), which involves assessing the problem, determining appropriate expertise, devising a plan, implementing the plan and continuously evaluating and improving the program.

There are many ways to help prevent pests in the first place, including keeping garbage cans tightly closed and not overflowing, securing trash bags and keeping areas clean of food scraps. Regularly checking for aphids, flies, fruit flies and other insects on trees and shrubs, as well as assessing soil conditions to make sure there are no standing water or other moisture sources, is a great start. Finally, some simple, household products can be used for insect control in the home – a line of cream of tartar, red chili powder, paprika or dried peppermint will keep ants at bay.

Learn about the pests in your area and the options to control them. Clutter creates places where pests can breed and hide. Store food in sealed containers and remove garbage regularly. Contact Nature Shield Pest Solutions now!

Pests can gnaw on wires and damage furnishings, spreading diseases such as hantavirus, leptospirosis, salmonella, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis. Control methods include scouting, pheromones, and mating disruption.

Despite being most familiar with them as pests or disease carriers, insects are a very important group of organisms. They pollinate plants, produce useful substances such as honey and silk, control pests, and act as scavengers. Insects are amazingly adaptable and occur in almost every environment on earth, including the polar regions and deserts. Their body is made up of three distinct areas: the head or thorax and abdomen, and most have two antennae. They are cold-blooded and have compound eyes and other sense organs.

Behavior ranges from the inert parasitic forms that lie in the nutrient bloodstream of their hosts and extract nutrients by absorption to predatory beetles, such as the ladybug species Adalia bipunctata, that devour aphids by catching them with their specialized mouthparts. Other beneficial insect assassins include the mite species Hypoaspis miles, which feeds on thrips and other mites that damage crops; the cabbage maggot Chrysomyza hortorum, which is very effective in controlling caterpillars of brassica plants; and the wireworm moth larval cystopteron, which is very effective at controlling wireworms in fields and greenhouses.

Many gardeners and farmers are now turning to the use of biological pest control. This involves introducing predatory or parasitic insects that naturally exist in the ecosystem and rapidly reduce the population of a targeted pest. There are a few snags with this approach, though. For example, if the introduced insect species also feeds on other native insects, it could result in non-target attacks that aren’t desirable.

Rodents

Rodents like mice and rats are one of the most problematic pests that humans have to deal with. These rodents carry dangerous diseases that can be spread to people, including rabies, rat bite fever, hantavirus, salmonella food poisoning and leptospirosis. They are also capable of transmitting established pathogens from contaminated areas to uncontaminated ones via their feet, droppings, fur and urine. They gnaw and chew through many different materials, including paper, fabrics and plastic. They also tamper with and damage wires and eat drywall, insulation and wood.

Rodents invade buildings looking for food, water and shelter. They are opportunistic feeders, and will eat nearly anything in their path including grains, fruits, vegetables and dry goods like cereals. To help prevent a rodent infestation, keep food in tightly-sealed containers and sweep up crumbs. Make sure garbage cans are emptied often, and install rodent-proof lids on them.

The best way to protect a facility is to work with an experienced pest control company that can provide comprehensive and tailored solutions. Identifying signs of rodents in a building is also essential, such as rodent pellet-like droppings, gnaw marks and burrows. Regular inspections can help ensure that a building is free of rodents, and will also allow for early detection and intervention to minimize damages caused by these pests. This can be a crucial step in protecting patients and employees and avoiding expensive property repairs.

Bedbugs

Bedbugs, which belong to the genus Cimex, are blood-eating insects that tend to bite humans at night while they sleep. They are tiny and wingless, and their bites often look like rows of tiny reddish-brown dots. Bed bugs can spread from person to person by crawling or hitching rides on clothes, luggage, and other belongings. Their feeding can cause skin rashes and psychological effects, and they can also trigger allergic reactions in some people.

The best way to avoid bedbugs is to clean frequently, especially when guests come to visit. Wash bedding, curtains, and other fabrics in hot water and dry them on the highest dryer setting. Throw away infested stuffed animals, shoes, and other items that can’t be washed. Vacuum your mattress and the area around it every day, including windows and molding, and seal the vacuum bag in a plastic trash container and dispose of it outdoors immediately afterward. Use a brush attachment to scrub the seams and crevices of your mattress, and purchase covers that fit over mattresses and box springs, which can help prevent bedbugs from entering or escaping.

When you suspect an infestation, look for dark spots on your mattress or bedding, whitish eggshells, and reddish-brown fecal droppings. Inspect the cracks and crevices of your box spring, bed frame and headboard, and inspect nearby furniture such as nightstands and dressers. Foggers, also known as bug bombs, don’t usually work against bedbugs and may be toxic to humans if used incorrectly.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches scavenge in dirty environments and can mechanically transfer disease organisms on their legs and bodies to food, utensils, and surfaces. They can also introduce pathogens into water systems by contaminating pipes and damp spaces. These pests can aggravate allergies and asthma in susceptible individuals, especially when their droppings or shed skins are airborne.

These scavenging insects enter homes and buildings in search of food, moisture, and warmth. They typically gain entry through cracks and crevices, loose-fitting doors and windows, or open utility openings. Caulking and sealing these entry points can help prevent cockroach infestations.

Regular cleaning, prompt wiping of spills, and transferring garbage outdoors into roach-proof receptacles can make it more difficult for cockroaches to live in your home. Regularly vacuuming carpeting and removing soiled linens can also reduce the cockroach population. Store food and pantry items in tightly sealed containers, and rinse and sanitize cans and bottles before placing them in the trash. Repairing leaky faucets can reduce moisture conditions that promote cockroach growth.

Many types of insecticides are available for controlling cockroaches. Pest control professionals apply these products, which may come as liquid or aerosol sprays, in areas where cockroaches are commonly found. These treatments may also include bait stations, which are placed in strategic locations and contain a growth regulator or insecticide. The cockroaches are attracted to the bait, ingest it, and die or become unable to reproduce.

Wasps

Wasps are an important part of our ecosystem as they are significant pollinators and also feed on nuisance insects that harm plants. But they can be bothersome when their nests are built near people and pets. While the stings of wasps are painful, they don’t kill humans unless provoked.

Some wasps are social insects and build nests in colonies consisting of queens and workers. These are commonly seen as yellow jackets, hornets and paper wasps. Others, like the mud dauber, are solitary and build a small mud “hut” on stucco walls. If you see these little huts, look for a hole on the bottom and top. This is where the wasp egg has hatched and molted through to the adult stage.

The best way to control wasps around your home or garden is to eliminate their food sources. This means fixing any leaking pipes or drains, and cleaning containers and surfaces where sugary residues may collect.

Parasitic wasps are a valuable tool in pest control as they seek out hard-to-reach pests, such as aphids on vegetable crops or caterpillars in tree foliage. Once found, a parasitic wasp will lay her eggs inside the host insect. Once the larvae are developed, they will consume and kill their host insect and then eat their way out of its empty shell before pupating or cocooning. This reduces the need for chemical pesticides and preserves the integrity of natural ecosystems.

Ants

Ants have a wide range of roles in ecosystems and are important to humans as scavengers, in seed dispersal and even in soil structure. But they can also be pests in the home and garden, especially when they swarm in food preparation areas or nest near doors and windows. Identifying and managing pest ants can be accomplished with barrier, perimeter or bait treatments.

The type of ant you have determines the best control methods. Look for enclosed, tamper-resistant bait traps that have a premixed food with the pesticide. Worker ants take the bait back to their colony and feed it to the queen, killing the entire nest. Choose baits that contain hydramethylnon, boric acid, fipronil, or sulfluramid. Avoid sprays, bombs/foggers and liquid concentrates; they can irritate lungs and leave chemical residues indoors.

A remarkable thing about ants is their ability to communicate with each other using pheromones (chemical signals that ants leave behind). This is how the ant “tells” her sister how far away the next meal is, and whether she should help.

Farmers around the world use pesticides to increase crop yields by reducing the number of insects that eat or damage crops. But a growing body of research is showing that ants may be just as effective, or better, at killing the pests than commercial chemicals. So, researchers are studying how ants can be used as natural pesticides on farms.