Pests can transmit diseases, destroy crops and damage structures. They are expert at hiding and can multiply quickly if not dealt with promptly.
Threshold-based decision-making involves scouting and monitoring for pests, assessing their numbers and damage, and using control methods to reduce them to acceptable levels without causing unacceptable harm. Control methods include prevention, suppression, and eradication. Click the Thousand Oaks Pest Control to learn more.
An insecticide is a chemical substance that’s been formulated to kill or control insect pests. They can be used on crops, gardens and yards to protect them from diseases caused by insects. They can also be used on ornamental plants to eliminate pests that could damage them.
These compounds are typically formulated as liquid sprays, dusts, pastes, granules or baits. Liquid sprays are absorbed through the plant and then enter the leaves, stems and roots of the plant. They travel to other parts of the plant through the circulatory system and poison insects when ingested.
Dusts and granules are often applied directly to a surface the insect will walk or crawl over, while pastes and granules are usually deposited on some substance that lures the pest and then poisons it when it ingests it. Stomach poisons work by killing the insects after it is swallowed and may be formulated as liquids, powders or as baits.
The toxicity of most modern synthetic insecticides is high for most warm-blooded animals, including humans. They can be transported in water streams through nonpoint source pollution and eventually contaminate groundwater reserves. Runoff from treated areas, spills and leaks as well as evaporation and percolation in soil can transport them to nearby lakes, rivers, wetlands, underground sources of previously potable water and even the ocean.
Insecticides can also be absorbed by bees, other pollinators and wildlife that are exposed to them or that ingest contaminated food or water. This is known as “bee resistance,” and can result in a decline of the population of those organisms, as well as harming ecosystems. This is why it is so important to follow recommended label instructions and use integrated pest management techniques to minimize the use of these chemicals.
Nematodes
Nematodes are microscopic worm-like organisms that naturally occur in soil and water. Some species of nematode, called entomopathogenic nematodes, have a symbiotic relationship with specific bacteria that they use to kill their host insect pests. These nematodes are used as natural pest control in home lawns and gardens, turf, citrus, cranberries and mushrooms.
Most commercially available nematodes are suitable for controlling many common soil insect pests, including leatherjackets, ant eggs and larvae, chafer grubs, fruit flies, carrot root fly, onion fly, plantain worms, radish and turnip flea beetles, strawberry hornworms, slugs, potato beetles, and vine weevil larvae. Some nematodes are also suitable for controlling other insects and even nematode pests, such as the grub known as nematodestria cruciferae (commonly called radishe worms).
The nematodes you purchase will arrive in a bag or sealed tray, in granules or a sponge, and need to be mixed with water before application. Mix the material with your hands or with a utensil, such as a new paint stirrer, to ensure it is thoroughly blended. The nematodes do not need to be fully dissolved, but should form a thick slurry in the water.
After mixing, test the nematodes to make sure they are alive and ready for use. Put a small amount of the nematode solution on a petri dish or glass tray, and look at it under a microscope, using the camera on your smartphone, or by hand with a magnifying lens. If the nematodes are moving and shaped like curved letters, they are good to use. If they are arrow-shaped or unmoving, they’re dead and will not affect insect pests.
The success of nematode applications depends on a number of conditions, such as soil temperatures, the type and timing of application, and the specific nematode being used. In general, nematodes are most effective when applied to soil at temperatures below 95 degrees Fahrenheit in the morning or evening, and protected from direct sunlight, which damages them.
Baits
A bait is a food, or some substitute, used to lure something. In pest control, baits are generally used to draw pests into traps or other devices where they can be killed.
There are a number of different kinds of baits for rodents, ants and cockroaches. They are usually a combination of cellulose (plant fibers) combined with other ingredients that are toxic to the target pest. The baits are placed in containers like cylinder plastic boxes, or sometimes inside of termite tunnels. They are inspected and replaced regularly based on product recommendations or company protocol.
For rodents, baits are typically placed in locations where gnaw marks or grease smears have been noted on walls, cabinets or appliances. In some cases, rodents are able to chew through wires, which can lead to electrical fires in homes and apartments. One 1 oz bait block can kill 12 mice or rats, so these baits are very effective in controlling their populations.
Fishing baits are also commonly used in pest control, as well. These can include homemade or commercially-prepared baits that use cut up parts of slaughtered fish mixed with fresh blood and offals to attract large hypercarnivorous fishes, or “chum” made from various ingredient mixtures intended to attract opportunistic forage fish that are prey to the predatory fish.
Properly using pest control baits can be very effective in preserving farm productivity and ensuring healthy livestock. They can be safer than spraying chemicals, as they do not create any toxic drifts and target only the pests they are meant for. In addition, they often come in sealed bait stations that help prevent tampering and dust/debris buildup. However, it is important to always read and follow the instructions for each particular bait system as they may have different requirements.
Barriers
Barriers are a crucial part of IPM because they keep pests away from sensitive areas without the use of chemicals. They can be physical structures like fences or walls or chemical barriers such as termite liners and sprays. The type of barrier you choose depends on the pest and the area you are trying to protect.
Physical barriers prevent pests by blocking them from reaching sensitive areas, such as crops or buildings. They are most commonly used in agricultural settings to prevent damage from insects such as slugs, snails and beetles. These barriers can be made of a variety of materials, depending on the pest and the environment. Some examples include sticky barriers for trees, shield barriers to protect food crops and copper bands to repel slugs.
Chemical barriers are a common form of pest control and help to reduce the need for other pest management techniques. For example, termite liners are a type of chemical barrier that is inserted into the ground around a home during construction to stop future infestations by keeping termites away. These liners contain a termiticide that works both as a killer and a repellent to effectively block pests from entering the home.
These chemical barriers can also be applied to existing homes. Termite barrier treatments, such as Polyguard’s Particle Barrier, work to enhance PMPs’ existing toolbox and are designed to eliminate termites at the barrier level, reducing the need for additional chemicals and extending the life of the home.
While barrier treatments may help to prevent pests from entering your home, they are not a magic bullet. They are most effective against pests that crawl, such as ants and spiders, and they will not repel flying pests such as mosquitoes. Barrier treatments are also subject to environmental factors, including rain and UV exposure, which can shorten their lifespan. For this reason, pest experts recommend a comprehensive home care strategy that includes basic maintenance routines and strategic barrier treatment applications to best protect your home from pests.
Traps
A trap is a device that holds and then suddenly releases an object, typically a pest. In pest control, traps are used to contain and kill unwanted insects, rodents and other organisms that disrupt human activity or damage property.
Many modern homes are built with pest-proofing materials, but older buildings like brownstones often have gaps and cracks that can allow pests to enter. Using the proper tools, our NYC home pest control pros can effectively seal these openings.
Rodents such as cockroaches and mice can ruin your living spaces, affect indoor air quality and make asthma or allergies worse in people. These pests also contaminate food and can trigger allergic reactions in people with sensitivities to certain chemicals. The use of poisons to control these pests can be dangerous to people and pets, especially when if the poison is inhaled or ingested.
There are a number of different types of traps available to homeowners and businesses. Snap traps, for example, are one of the most common and effective ways to capture a mouse or rat. They can be set in a variety of places, including behind cabinets or under sinks.
Some people prefer to release trapped animals far away from their homes. But this isn’t always practical or humane. For example, releasing a captured mouse in Central Park would expose him to predators he is not used to and likely cause his death. It is also illegal to release rodents within New York City.
Pest infestations in a business can be costly, damaging your reputation and even shutting down operations. The skilled commercial pest control professionals at Standard can help you protect your business, customers and employees with a range of effective methods.