Category: Pest Control

Commercial Pest Control: Maintaining a Hygienic Environment for Businesses

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Simi Valley Pest Control is an ongoing process to prevent or reduce unwanted organisms that damage or spoil crops, property, and/or people. Control options include exclusion, barriers, traps, spraying and baits.

Prevention is best when a pest’s population can be monitored and thresholds established. Scouting and monitoring activities can provide clues as to when action may be required.

Prevention is a broad term that describes a strategy to avoid pest infestations by using best practices to reduce the need for treatment. It is usually a much cheaper and less time-consuming approach than pest control once an infestation occurs. Prevention also helps reduce the risk of re-infestations and the need for more drastic and often costly treatments.

Preventive strategies include monitoring, inspection, sanitation and cleaning, exclusion and physical barriers. They may involve establishing a protocol for staff to inspect incoming shipments for pests, determining what areas of a facility need to be wet washed rather than dry washed to avoid moisture seeking pests such as cockroaches and flies or using screens and traps to physically block pests from entering buildings. It is also important to understand a pest’s lifespan and life cycle so that preventive measures can be targeted at the proper stages of their development.

In outdoor environments, some plants, animals and structures are naturally resistant to certain pests. This resistance is a result of the presence of natural chemicals that deter or inhibit a pest from attacking its host and developing to harmful levels. The weather also affects pest populations directly or indirectly by changing normal patterns of plant growth, reproduction and movement. Birds, reptiles and other predatory species, parasitic organisms and disease pathogens naturally suppress or eliminate pest populations.

Many pests are drawn to warm, moist areas where they can hide or spawn. Preventive measures include sealing cracks and crevices, repairing window and door seals, storing food in airtight containers, sweeping up crumbs and wiping down surfaces to eliminate sticky residues that attract pests. Adding dehumidifiers to damp areas can be helpful in reducing the conditions that promote pest activity.

Suppression

Suppression refers to reducing pest populations below an acceptable level, usually through natural enemies. Accurate pest identification is critical to the success of any pest control strategy. Incorrect identification can lead to unnecessary use of chemicals, reducing both cost and effectiveness.

In general, predators and parasitoids regulate insect pest populations in nature by reducing the number of insects that reach maturity and reproduce. However, different natural enemy guilds have varying effects on pest populations because they target different life stages. For example, parasitoids may target the early larval stage while ground-dwelling predators prey on mature adults. This means that the overall impact of natural enemies on a pest population is less than the sum of their individual, complementary effects.

A recent study using data from the U.S. National Science Foundation-funded Kellogg Biological Station Long-Term Ecological Research sites found that natural insect suppression gains a significant boost when agricultural landscapes include a high proportion of natural, non-crop habitat. The study also suggests that a variety of management practices could be used to improve the performance of natural enemies in agricultural settings.

Threshold levels for pests must be determined prior to taking action, based on esthetic or economic considerations or on the potential health impacts of certain pests. For instance, most people are willing to tolerate a small number of rodents in their homes, but will take action if they scavenge enough food to threaten the health of their pets or children.

Monitoring of insect, weed, mollusk and vertebrate pests is usually done through trapping or by scouting. For microbial pests, such as bacteria, fungi and viruses, monitoring often focuses on identifying the presence of the organism, along with factors that can influence its growth or spread. These factors may include environmental conditions, such as temperature and moisture.

Eradication

Pest control is the management of pests (rodents, ants, cockroaches and termites) in order to protect people, animals, plants and property. It includes any action taken to remove or destroy these creatures, including using baits and traps, spraying chemicals, and physical removal or destruction. Pests cause disease, loss of food or crops, damage buildings and other structures, and eat away at the foundations and other parts of the home or business. They also spoil flowers, kill livestock and other valuable crops. They are the source of a variety of diseases including Plague, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, Lassa Fever, Salmonellosis, and Leptospirosis.

Eradication is the elimination of a species from an area to the point that recolonization is unlikely. It is a difficult and expensive proposition and, to date, only two species have been eradicated: screwworms and cattle ticks. Cost-benefit analyses of eradication programs often suffer from biases that underestimate costs and overestimate benefits.

Chemicals used in pest control may be poisonous or highly toxic, and can harm humans, pets, livestock, and other living things if not handled correctly. They can also be dangerous to the environment and cause soil and water pollution. In addition, over time pests can develop immunity to the chemicals and become resistant.

The natural or organic method of pest control uses natural products to prevent and eliminate pests. This is usually cheaper than the chemical pest control option, and it is safer for human and animal health as well as the environment. This is a slower process than the chemical option, and it takes more work to maintain, but it is effective in the long run. In addition, this approach can be more environmentally friendly if implemented correctly.

Mechanical or Physical Controls

In some cases, pests can be controlled by using mechanical or physical controls. This can involve traps that catch and kill the pests or barriers that prevent them from accessing plants. Barriers can include tarps, fences, or screens that keep pests out of areas. Traps can include sticky or pheromone traps that lure and capture pests, which then die or become unable to reproduce.

For instance, if an apple orchard is being impacted by codling moth, banding trees with burlap might be a simple solution. However, the effort and cost to implement such tactics for a large commercial orchard may make this a less desirable option. Similarly, spraying the ground with diatomaceous earth might be an effective way to control leafminers on a small scale but not so much on a large area of landscape.

When prevention and suppression are not feasible, a variety of cultural, biological, and chemical controls can be implemented to reduce the level of pest activity to an acceptable threshold. Monitoring and scouting are key to these approaches. They must accurately identify the pest and host, determine the level of economic or aesthetic injury, and then decide on a treatment strategy.

Integrated pest management (IPM) strategies consider the whole system when making these decisions, including weeds, disease organisms, and mammal predators that can help manage insect populations. These strategies can also include the use of biological controls, such as parasitoids or nematodes, that disrupt the normal relationship between a pest and its host plant. This approach can be an economical and environmentally sound alternative to chemical pest control. It can be as simple as releasing ladybugs to feed on aphids or more complex, like a microbe-based solution engineered from bacteria.

Biological Control

Biological control is the use of living organisms (predators, parasitoids, nematodes or pathogens) to reduce pest animal and plant populations to noneconomically important levels. Biological control is an integral part of integrated pest management. It relies on natural ecological interactions of predation, parasitism, disease and competition. The term “biological control” is often used interchangeably with “biological pest management.”

A variety of biological agents are available for controlling insects, weeds, plant-parasitic nematodes and vertebrates. Some, such as bacteria and viruses, can suppress growth or cause death in the target organism. Others, such as fungi and spores, infect the insect or weed with special structures that penetrate the cuticle or cell walls.

Most biocontrol agents are native to the area where they are used. They are carefully tested and evaluated by subject-matter experts to ensure they can effectively control the target pests in an environment similar to that of their native range. These steps are often lengthy and expensive.

There are two primary methods of using biological control – conservation and augmentation. In the conservation approach, the goal is to encourage and enhance resident natural enemies in order to reduce pest densities naturally. In augmentation, biological control agents are introduced or released in greater numbers than would normally occur in nature. For example, a predator or parasitoid may be released in high quantities to quickly depress a pest population, or fungi or nematodes may be released at rates of millions or even billions per acre to control a soil-dwelling insect pest.

Biological controls have been slow to be adopted in the National Capital Region because of the more rigorous process for obtaining approval to use them than that of pesticides. However, the NPS Integrated Pest Management Program is working to lessen this paperwork burden and is holding webinars to educate park managers about biocontrols.

Identifying and Controlling Pests

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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.

Pest Control – Insects in Your Area and How to Get Rid of Them

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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.