Pests die in hidden areas throughout the house, often leaving behind odors. Often, you’ll notice these odors when you least expect them.
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Pest identification is the process of determining what type of organism is damaging plants or buildings. It is an important step in IPM because it enables the selection of control measures that are appropriate for the identified problem. For example, different species of insects have different feeding habits that affect plant growth and development. Some have chewing mouthparts that damage or destroy leaves, flowers or fruit. Others have sucking mouthparts that pierce or suck out plant juices or sap. In addition, different pests attack crops at specific times of year or in particular environmental conditions.
Having an accurate pest identification can reduce the amount of time and money spent on pest control. It can also help prevent the unintentional application of pesticides to non-target organisms and minimize the risk of injury to people or the environment.
If you are unsure of the identity of a pest, contact your local County Extension Office or other pest management professional for assistance. A fee may be charged for some identification services.
Insects, weeds and vertebrates can be difficult to identify, but careful observation usually reveals clues that will lead to the correct diagnosis. For instance, some pests leave characteristic damage to their host plants, and observing that damage can help you identify the pest. The more you know about a pest, including its life cycle, habitat requirements, and timing of occurrence and reproduction, the easier it is to control it.
Taking a digital photo of a suspected insect pest, especially one with unique markings or color, can be helpful for future reference. Many insect species look similar, so being able to refer back to a photo can save you time in the field and avoid misidentifying an insect species.
Physical barriers can often prevent the movement of pests to or from your property. For example, sticky bands can stop some pests from crawling up the trunks of trees. You can also use barriers to block the movement of weeds into gardens or lawns. It is also important to read pesticide labels carefully and understand the location where a product can be used, as this can vary between different products.
Pest Control Methods
When pests make their way into your home, they can bring germs and potential health hazards with them. The most important step in controlling pests is to eliminate their food, shelter and water sources. The best ways to do this are through preventive measures, such as cleaning up spills and crumbs right away, and ensuring that all doors and windows have screens. You should also clean all surfaces frequently to get rid of accumulated crumbs and other debris that might attract pests. Keeping clutter to a minimum and checking and repairing cracks and holes can also help keep pests out of your house.
Physical or mechanical pest control methods include traps, netting, metal shields, and screens that block or restrict pests from entering buildings or gardens. Heat, radiation, and electricity may be used to kill or deter certain pests. Physical controls can also alter the environment, limiting pests’ access to food, water, or roosting sites. For example, drier ground and air conditions limit the spread of many soil-damaging fungi. In addition, mountainous areas often restrict the movement of pests.
Chemical pest control includes the use of various types of insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. These chemicals disrupt the nervous systems, metabolisms, or reproduction of pests, causing them to die or deterring their growth. Chemicals can be delivered by spraying, dusting, dipping, or injecting.
Biological or organic pest control uses natural predators and parasites to reduce pest populations without using chemical compounds. For example, introducing ladybugs into an aphid-infested garden can control the aphid population. This type of pest control also uses pathogens to infect and destroy insects or other pests, reducing their numbers without harming healthy plants or animals.
An integrated pest management program, or IPM, is a system of prevention, detection, and treatment that includes all the methods listed above. IPM programs are designed to cause the least amount of damage to an ecosystem. They are usually divided into three parts: prevention – stopping pests from becoming a problem; suppression – reducing a pest infestation to an acceptable level; and eradication – killing the pests themselves.
Pesticides
Pesticides are chemicals of plant, animal or synthetic origin manufactured to kill or repel pests–insects, weeds, fungus or rodents that damage crops or other plants or interfere with our enjoyment of nature. They are used to protect crops, food and property from harm caused by the pests or their eggs or larvae.
There are hundreds of different pesticide products on the market, each designed for a specific use. They are available in liquid, powder and gaseous forms. Liquid formulations include suspensions (flowables), solutions, emulsifiable concentrates, microencapsulated suspensions and aerosols. Powder formulations include dusts, granules and wettable powders. Granules are typically designed to be applied in a granular spread. They also come in dry flowables, baits and tablets. Liquid pesticides can be applied as sprays, fogs, mists or drenches. Gaseous pesticides are called fumigants.
Some pesticides may also be labeled as fungicides, herbicides or rodenticides, depending on their chemical composition and target organism. A fungicide is used to control fungus that causes diseases on plants or in animals. An herbicide is used to control unwanted vegetation, either a specific weed or the entire field of plants. A rodenticide is used to kill rats, mice and other rodents.
When using pesticides, always follow the directions on the product label. This will minimize the risk of injury or illness to people, pets and native wildlife. Use only the amount needed to achieve a good result. Using too much is illegal, environmentally hazardous and can leave residues on food, soil or water that are toxic to wildlife. Residues can also contaminate other crops or water supplies.
Poisoning from exposure to pesticides can occur immediately after a single exposure (acute poisoning) or gradually over time through repeated exposures over an extended period of time (chronic poisoning). Symptoms of poisoning depend on the type of pesticide and how much was ingested or inhaled.
When mixing or applying a pesticide, wear the protective clothing suggested on the product label and do so in a well-ventilated area. Remove birds, fish tanks and other animals from treated areas and cover or relocate them before spraying or dusting. Ensure that children cannot access pesticides by locking them in a safe place.
Prevention
The primary way to prevent pests is by removing their food, water and shelter. This is called cultural pest control. It includes such basic things as destroying pest nests and creating barriers that stop pests from getting where they want to go.
In the home, this can include cleaning up crumbs, stacks of papers and other debris that pests are attracted to. It can also mean putting trash in sealed, rodent-proof containers and regularly taking them out. It can also mean preventing moisture build-up by fixing leaky pipes and sweeping up puddles.
On a farm, cultural pest control can involve things like obstructive landscaping that stops animals from accessing crops or planting specific crops that are detested by pests. It can also include diversionary elements, such as a large scrap wood pile that draws pests away from crop areas.
Other forms of prevention include:
- Keeping the area around a house clear of clutter.
- Trimming back shrubs and other vegetation that can provide pests with easy access to houses and buildings.
- Placing screens on windows and doors.
It can also mean keeping the outside of a house and building free from places where pests can hide, such as under tree limbs, overhangs and the roofline.
Regular scouting and monitoring of the property for signs of pests can help keep pesticide use to a minimum, as it allows the pest control company to treat only problem areas and avoid spraying unnecessarily. This is especially important for those looking to use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques.
The best way to learn more about pest control methods is by talking with a professional who is licensed and trained in this field. There are many different ways to find a qualified pest control technician, including by checking references from other customers and viewing online reviews.
A good pest control company will be honest about its abilities and methods. It will not try to sell an expensive treatment plan before first identifying the pest, its source and its infestation level. It will then recommend the most cost effective treatment method for the situation.