Rodents such as mice and rats can chew wires, damage walls and crops and introduce diseases such as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, Leptospirosis, Plague and Salmonella.

Pest control begins with correct identification of the pest. Monitoring can include scouting or trapping to find out how many pests are present and when they will reach damaging numbers. Contact Exceed Pest Control now!

Pests are organisms that damage or spoil food, property and/or other materials. They also displace native plant species and disrupt terrestrial or aquatic ecosystems. Pests are organisms such as insects, bacteria, fungi, nematodes, rodents, birds, weeds and vertebrates (fish, reptiles, amphibians and mammals). While some pest populations rise and fall naturally, others can be managed through prevention, suppression or elimination.

The first step in pest control is to prevent infestation by removing the food, water and shelter that attracts them. This includes keeping trash cans closed and removing them regularly, washing food containers before placing them in the garbage, and keeping wood piles away from the home. It is also important to repair leaky plumbing and to avoid allowing water to collect in basements or crawl spaces.

Another way to prevent pest problems is to regularly inspect the interior and exterior of the house for pest entry points. Look for signs of pest activity such as droppings, gnaw marks or nests and make sure doors and windows are closed properly. Gaps in the foundation, loose siding, roof and utility lines should be patched or filled when discovered.

A preventative maintenance program should include a regular inspection of collections and storage areas to identify problem areas, i.e., boxes, cases and other containers that provide convenient hiding places for pests, as well as poor ventilation. A good storage program should allow for easy identification and removal of pests from these areas.

Preventive measures can include increased sanitation, cleaning of affected artifacts and low or high temperature exposure as well as controlled atmosphere fumigation and the use of pesticides. When pesticides are used, it is important to follow all label directions and warnings carefully. It is also important to keep in mind that pesticides are only effective if the correct application technique is used. If possible, traps and bait stations should be used to capture pests rather than spraying. This can be a safer alternative, especially if children and pets are present. When the use of pesticides is unavoidable, the use of ready-to-use pesticides is preferred. This can reduce the potential for accidental poisonings and minimize the environmental impact.

Suppression

For situations in which prevention is not possible or is not working, controlling pests by suppression is an option. In this approach, the goal is to keep pest populations low enough that they don’t cause unacceptable damage to the environment or human interests. Control methods vary, but can include natural, biological, chemical and mechanical controls.

Natural controls, such as weather or topography, restrict the number and location of pests by limiting the habitats they can live in. Biological controls use the predatory, parasitic or pathogenic powers of natural enemies to reduce pest populations. Chemical controls often rely on synthetic materials to kill pests or alter the conditions they need to thrive. Mechanical and physical controls physically remove or block the pests from the area.

Generally, pests can only grow and reproduce as long as their food, water and shelter supplies last. These supplies may be limited by environmental factors such as weather or topography, or biotic factors like overwintering sites or competition with other organisms for these resources. Frequent removal of weeds, keeping the growing environment clean and reducing areas where pests can hide will help prevent pest infestations.

Pests can be controlled in enclosed spaces such as greenhouses and indoor plants, but are most difficult to eradicate from open outdoor environments like citrus groves. Some pests have a zero threshold, meaning that they cannot be present in certain environments due to the severe health, environmental or economic damage they will cause. In these cases, eradication is the goal of pest control.

Pesticides are used to kill pests by targeting specific tissues in the plant. These tissues can be the leaves, stems, fruits, roots or seeds of the plant. Different pests require specific targets, so choosing the right pesticide is important. The effectiveness of pesticides depends on the concentration and application method. Typically, spraying the entire plant with a broad-spectrum insecticide will result in dilution of the desired product and other unwanted effects. This is why it’s important to select the best pesticide for the situation, and use fewer chemicals as much as possible.

Eradication

A pest is any organism that negatively impacts human activities, often by spreading disease, spoiling food, destroying gardens or damaging property. They may also contaminate food, spread allergens (like cockroaches, flies and mice), cause asthma or other respiratory problems, and stain and ruin clothing, shoes, carpets and furniture. Some pests are also unpleasant to live with because of their appearance, aggressive behavior or strong odors.

Eradication is the goal of pest control, but it can be a challenge. Pesticides can create resistance in insects and other pests, which increases the difficulty of getting rid of them. Rotating pesticides and using non-toxic alternatives like nematodes can help limit resistance development.

The word eradicate has a long history, dating back to the 16th century and originating in the Latin verb eradicare, which means “to uproot.” Its use in English developed metaphorically as a way to remove something like a weed by its roots—an approach that can be used at home to eliminate pests from garden beds and around homes.

Keeping indoors clean is one of the most effective ways to prevent pest infestation. Store food in sealed containers, keep garbage cans closed and remove waste from the house regularly. In the yard, get rid of woodpiles and fallen limbs that could provide hiding places for rodents. Remove weeds and keep plants trimmed back.

Clutter provides places for pests to breed and hide, and it can attract ants and other insects. Eliminate discarded items such as paper bags, tin cans and old torn boxes. Keep kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms as clean as possible, and remove clutter that can hold crumbs, spilled food or trash.

The most important thing to do in preventing pests is to remove their sources of food, water and shelter. Get rid of weeds that grow around the house, and seal any cracks or holes in the walls. Keep garbage cans closed and sealed, and don’t leave out pet food or water outside.

Monitoring

Whether you are trying to comply with third party certification standards or just make sure pest control measures are working, the monitoring of pest numbers and damage should be an important part of your management plan. In order to monitor effectively, it is important to choose the right metrics based on your goals. Some metrics are best used to track changes in pest populations over time, while others can help you identify problem areas and determine the effectiveness of a particular treatment.

The goal of pest monitoring is to assess the level of pest infestation and its impact on plant health and product quality. It is a key component of proactive pest management programs and enables you to decide on the appropriate action levels for your pest control strategy.

Depending on your needs, this may include tracking changes in pest numbers or conducting surveys to gauge the extent of infestation and damage. For example, if a survey shows that German cockroaches are overpopulating your facility, you can use this data to decide if a targeted treatment is required.

Another useful metric is to track the number of traps and baits set. Using a chart to compare this data over time can allow you to see whether your control tactics are working, and can also alert you to potential problems. For example, if trap counts increase rapidly for a certain species but the number of baits has not increased, you might be missing a critical feeding site.

Monitoring also involves scouting to look for and identify pests. This can be done by visual inspection or by collecting samples and analyzing them for signs of pest activity such as frass (excrement), egg sacs, nids, or feeding damage. The scouting process should take into account the crop development stage, and focus on areas most susceptible to economic damage. For example, pulse crops are most at risk during the vegetative phase and at budding onwards.

Scouting requires a variety of tools, including a flashlight to help you reach dark, secluded locations where pests hide or seek shelter. A magnifier is also very helpful in enabling you to identify nids and egg sacs and to confirm pest presence or absence. It is also advisable to carry a range of hand tools that can be used for proofing or exclusion, such as screwdrivers and pliers, so you are prepared to reinforce physical barriers to entry or to repair harborage points in a hurry.