The first step in pest control is monitoring. A few ants or mice now and then don’t necessarily warrant action, but an increase in sightings should.
Physical and biological controls kill or block pests from entering buildings, containers, and the environment. Nematodes that prey on harmful soil insects like grubs and caterpillar larvae are an example of this type of control. Contact Abbotsford Pest Control now!
Spraying pesticides involves releasing chemicals targeted at pests in and around your property. It is usually applied as a coarse, low-pressure spray to areas where pests hide or breed, such as cracks, crevices, or along skirting boards. This is the most common method for control of cockroaches, ants, fleas, flies and other insects. Outdoor spraying is best done during spring, when most pests are at their most active. Sprays should be aimed at the target pest to avoid harming non-target species and other people, pets or plants. It is also important to choose a calm, overcast day for outdoor applications, to minimize unintended effects.
It is important to thoroughly read the product label before using any pesticide. Only use products designed for the specific pest you are targeting and apply the amount indicated on the label, as applying more will not improve results and may be dangerous to people or pets. Keep children and pets away from treated areas until the spray is dry. It is a good idea to remove pet food, water bowls and other items from treated rooms, as well as covering or removing bird cages and fish tanks.
Preventive methods should always be tried first to prevent the need for spraying. This includes removing sources of food, water and shelter for pests, such as stacks of rubbish or old newspapers, which provide places for them to breed and hide. It is also important to fix leaks, and to seal any entry points in your house or sheds.
Gaseous Extermination
A popular alternative to liquid treatments, fumigation involves completely filling an area with gaseous pesticides or fumigants to suffocate or poison pests. Fumigation can be used to treat buildings (structural fumigation), soil, grain and produce. It is also often employed during the shipment of goods, as a way to prevent the transfer of unwanted organisms to other locations (container fumigation).
There are several different types of fumigants that can be used, depending on the type of pest that needs to be treated and the environmental considerations. Examples include methyl bromide, phosphine and sulfuryl fluoride, which are all effective in treating drywood termites; aluminium phosphide, which can be used to control a variety of insects that attack stored products; and hydramethylnon, which can treat social pests such as cockroaches.
Liquid treatments have the advantage of being able to reach hard-to-reach areas, such as the cracks and crevices of walls. However, they require that the infestation be visible and accessible to the treatment agent, which may not always be feasible. In addition, incorrect or improper handling of liquid treatments can result in extreme damage to property and even injury or death to humans and pets.
Biological pest control methods rely on the natural population of predators and pathogens to reduce the number of unwanted organisms. These strategies can be highly effective in keeping pest populations under control, but they are only one part of a holistic approach to pest management.
Bait Stations
Bait stations are a popular and effective way to eradicate rodents such as rats and mice. They can be used alone or alongside other control methods, such as mechanical and glue traps. These boxes can contain solid or liquid bait, and they typically have a lock to prevent children and pets from accessing them. This can reduce the risk of poisoned bait being consumed by non-target animals.
Rodents are attracted to homes and businesses because they offer shelter from changing outdoor temperatures, food and water sources, and security from predators. Once a rat or mouse enters a home, it can multiply extremely quickly. It’s important to treat the problem as soon as you notice signs of it, in order to protect your property from damage and contamination.
Using rodent bait stations is an easy, cost-effective and safe way to do this. They can be purchased from many hardware stores and farm supply stores. They are also available from some pest control services. You can also make your own bait station, although these may not be as sturdy or durable as the ones you can purchase. Whether you choose a refillable bait station or a disposable one, they should be placed where rodents are most active around your property. They can be set outdoors as well, but it is advisable to place them indoors near the entry points of your house, such as walls or dark corners.
Traps
Many common pests of plants can be monitored and managed using traps. A trap is a container or card with a sticky surface that attracts and holds the pest. There are numerous commercial traps that can be purchased for different pests. Some use a color attractant (blue for thrips, for example) while others are made of pheromones or other attractants that will capture certain insects. Some of these traps are self-contained and eliminate the need to handle pests.
Yellow sticky cards (commonly 3 x 5 inches or larger) can be used to monitor flying pests such as fungus gnats and thrips. These traps help identify areas of high insect abundance and the predominant direction from which adults are migrating into crops. Comparisons of trap counts between sample dates can also indicate whether or not an insecticide application has had a significant effect on adult population density.
Double-sided clear tape traps (available at stationery stores) are effective for monitoring crawlers such as armored scale insects and foliar-feeding mealybugs. They are especially useful in early spring, when the mobile first-instar nymphs of Sternorrhyncha are moving toward new growth to feed. Traps can be placed at the base of trees and around infested plants to quickly determine the need for contact insecticide applications.
Eradication
The aim of eradication is to cause as little harm as possible to the non-target organisms, while achieving complete or near-complete extinction of the pest. The terms exterminate, extirpate and eradicate are synonymous; they mean to drive something out of existence (as a species, a family or an idea) or to remove it completely from its location.
A successful eradication programme requires planning, monitoring and surveillance. It should start with a delimiting survey, which may be carried out initially or to confirm earlier surveys. Surveillance should continue in accordance with the eradication plan and may include a pathway analysis, inspection of clonally or contact-linked material, trapping and aerial observation. It may also involve inquiries to growers and those responsible for storage and handling facilities, as well as the general public.
An eradication campaign should be initiated before the extent of an infestation reaches a critical threshold and be conducted at local or regional levels rather than at national or international scales. This has been shown to increase the probability of success and reduce the time needed for the pest to be eradicated.
The factors that influence the outcome of an eradication campaign vary between species and locations. They are categorised into those that cannot be changed by the managing authorities, and those that can. The latter have been placed at the top of the classification tree and the former at the bottom.
Integrated Pest Management
Integrated pest management (IPM) is an ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on long-term prevention of pests or their damage through a combination of techniques, including biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices and use of resistant varieties. It uses monitoring to assess pest populations and to determine if and when action is needed. Treatments are based on the best available information and minimize risks to people, beneficial insects and the environment.
To be successful, an IPM program needs to involve multiple partners and stakeholders. These include State and Federal agricultural, environmental/non-governmental, and educational organizations; nursery, greenhouse, vegetable and fruit growers; landscapers and grounds keepers; pest control product manufacturers; and the general public. IPM programs must also provide education and training through field and regional workshops and meetings; workshops and conferences; publications; and other media.
By focusing on preventing pest infestations and using chemicals only as a last resort, IPM programs can reduce costs and save time in the field or in the office. They can also help to protect human health, the environment and non-target organisms. For building residents and tenants, IPM can lower maintenance costs by reducing the need for chemical pesticides and improving building conditions that attract and support pests. It can also cut pest complaints by 90 percent. For more information, see Pest Management for Building Residents and Tenants.