Pest Control is the process of dealing with unwanted organisms that harm plants, animals or humans. This can include preventing, suppressing or eradicating them.
Pest control methods should cause the least amount of harm to other organisms, including beneficial ones and the environment. They should also be used when they are needed and only to the extent necessary. Contact Pest Control Woodland Hills CA now!
Pest identification is the first step in a successful pest control program. Correct identification provides information about a pest’s biology, life cycle, food sources, and preferred environmental and harborage conditions. It also helps determine if a pest can be tolerated or if it warrants control. Identifying a pest allows for proper timing of management tactics to ensure that they are effective, yet cause minimum harm to the environment and collections.
For example, if you think that you have a drugstore beetle (Stegobium panaceum) in your collection, the correct identification can help you find out if it is indeed a pest or if there are two different species living side by side. In either case, you will need to monitor the population of the two different beetles. If the population of one is significantly greater than that of the other, you will need to take action. Similarly, if one species has a high tolerance of certain conditions that another does not, you may need to modify the conditions to reduce the population of the more tolerant species.
In addition, a good identification can aid in developing preventative measures for pests. For example, if you know that a particular pest is sensitive to sunlight, you can use this information to design a physical barrier around your collection to deter the pest from reaching it. This could include awnings, shade screens or even landscaping that would block the pest’s access to light.
Identification can be done by examining a physical specimen or by photographing and sending the image to a pest identification service. MMPC’s free Pest ID Center can provide results in just two hours or less for physical specimens sent through the mail, uploaded to our website, or submitted during normal business hours by telephone.
Biological pest control methods are the most environmentally safe and least expensive ways to manage pests in museums. However, they do require inspection to look for possible points of entry, nesting areas and feeding sites. Ideally, this will be done as part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that includes monitoring, housekeeping, and proper storage practices, in addition to preventative treatment strategies.
Pest Prevention
A pest prevention program focuses on the early detection of pests and the taking of steps to prevent their presence or recurrence. It usually involves building physical barriers, such as caulking openings, and removing food, water and shelter from the area. It may also include modifying landscapes to reduce rodent nesting and removing discarded materials that might attract pests. It may also involve reducing moisture levels in areas that are conducive to pest activity, such as by using dehumidifiers or installing gutter systems.
Biological control uses natural enemies of pests such as parasites, predators and pathogens to reduce the population. It is not eradication, because there will often be a time lag between the increase in the population of a pest and the corresponding increase in the number of its natural enemies. It may also use the introduction of chemicals that interfere with pest reproduction, such as pheromones and juvenile hormones.
The best and most cost-effective form of pest control is preventative, rather than curative. A preventative program usually involves routine inspections to identify and repair possible entry points for pests. It may also entail maintaining sanitation and hygiene standards, including thorough cleaning of floors and surfaces where pests are likely to come in contact. It may also include putting out baits or traps for the pests, and limiting access to items that they might use for food and water, such as trash cans.
Plant and QA managers can save money by investing in a preventative program rather than reacting after the pests have already caused problems. It can also help them avoid product recalls and the loss of revenue resulting from having products rejected by customers due to pest problems.
Pests such as flies, ants and rodents can cause damage and health issues for a facility and its occupants. In addition, a facility can lose its reputation when customers are turned off by reports of pest problems. For these reasons, pest prevention programs are worth the investment for any facility. They can be even more important for manufacturers and food producers, who have a responsibility to their customers to provide safe and clean products.
Pest Control Methods
Pests are organisms such as rodents, insects, fungi, nematodes, birds and vertebrate animals that damage or spoil crops, landscapes, buildings or other property. They also destroy terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, displace native species and alter environmental conditions. Ideally, pests are identified and controlled before they cause significant damage. Pest control methods aim to eliminate or prevent pests while minimizing the use of harmful chemicals and the destruction of non-target organisms.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an environmentally responsible approach to pest management that relies on monitoring for pests and their damage, then using the least hazardous pest control techniques in a timely manner. IPM methods include natural, biological, mechanical and chemical controls. Natural controls such as weather or topography limit the number of pests by influencing their habitats, food sources and movement. Biological controls such as natural enemies or parasitoids injure or consume target pests to manage their populations. Cultural practices modify the environment to make it less suitable for pests and more supportive of desirable species. Chemical controls are used only when monitoring indicates that they are needed, and applied according to strict guidelines in order to minimize risks to humans, the environment and pets.
Preventive measures reduce the conditions that promote pest infestations, such as frequently cleaning areas where pests live and storing food in tightly-sealed containers. Suppression methods restrict pest activity and prevent population growth, such as removing weeds in fields or destroying crop residues that may harbor pests. Eradication measures eliminate existing pest populations, such as fumigation in a building or the spraying of an entire garden with a targeted pesticide.
Crawling pests include rodents and insects such as ants, centipedes, spiders, millipedes and beetles. They can damage or destroy plants, contaminate food and transmit diseases to humans. They can be controlled by traps, bait stations or barriers such as screens or fencing that exclude them from buildings and gardens. Physical controls include mulches, steam sterilization of soil and other methods that kill or block pests. These types of methods can be effective on a continuous basis or may need to be implemented only when conditions favor pests, such as a plant disease or insect overpopulation.
Pesticides
Pesticides kill germs, insects, weeds, rodents, mildew and other undesirable organisms. They can be used in a variety of ways: baits, traps, and sprays are just a few examples. They can be effective if other preventive methods aren’t possible, but they carry the potential to harm the environment as well as people and pets. If they are absolutely necessary, use them sparingly and carefully to minimize risks.
The type of pesticide you choose depends on the problem. Consult your local cooperative extension service office for recommendations suitable for your area. Before using any pesticide, read and follow the label’s directions and safety warnings. Try to use ready-to-use products that don’t require mixing; this will reduce your risk of exposure during application. Avoid spraying during windy conditions, as pesticides can drift off target and cause harm. Use a nozzle with a shut-off valve to control overspray, and apply at ground level rather than spraying overhead, to reduce the amount of pesticide that is carried off the site by wind.
If any pesticide gets on your skin or in your eyes, immediately flush with water and seek medical help. Inhaling fumes or touching contaminated clothing can also affect your health, so be sure to work in a well-ventilated area and have protective equipment available when needed. Wear rubber gloves when handling chemicals and wash clothes that have come into contact with pesticides, as soon as possible, separate from other laundry.
Some pesticides, especially those that act on nerve impulse transmission or the enzyme system that regulates acetylcholine, can be harmful to human beings and other mammals. These include organochlorine, carbamate and organophosphate pesticides, which are being phased out or restricted because of their toxicity to humans. Many newer pesticides are safer to use. They are less toxic to animals and humans and break down more quickly in the environment.
The form that a pesticide takes (solid, liquid, powder or spray) will influence how it enters the body and interacts with cells. For example, sprays that are sprayed into the air can penetrate the lungs and enter the bloodstream. If you suspect that any family member has been poisoned by a pesticide, call a poison control center right away. Have the pesticide container and first aid instructions with you, and follow the poison control center’s directions.
