Pest control services provide preventative methods to keep unwanted pests from entering the property. These methods include environmental modifications, sealing entry points, and removing attractive food and water sources.
In some situations, the seriousness of the infestation may require the use of an approved pesticide. The pest technician should always discuss this with the property owner and receive consent before treating. Contact Nature Shield Pest Solutions now!
Whether the pest in question is an insect, weed, plant disease, or vertebrate animal, correct identification is essential to determining the best pest control solutions. Misidentification of pests may lead to inappropriate control tactics that are costly and often ineffective. Incorrect identification can also lead to unnecessary risk of damage or harm to the environment, humans, and other organisms.
Identifying pests at the species level provides critical information about their biology, including what foods they consume and what environmental and harborage conditions they prefer. It also allows for the proper selection of cultural practices, tools and pesticides for use in control efforts. In many cases, specific characteristics such as the shape of wings, color and shape of body parts or a combination of traits help to distinguish different species of the same pest.
Insect pests, for example, vary greatly in their feeding habits and impact on crop yields. They may also have different natural enemy complexes or host plants. It is therefore essential to identify them down to the species level.
Pests also undergo significant changes in appearance during their life cycle. It is important to know if you are dealing with an egg, larva or adult form of the pest in order to time management tactics appropriately.
It is often helpful to develop a reference library of pest identification books and guides that contain colored photographs of the most common pests found in your region. In addition, contact your county extension service or a pest management professional for assistance in identifying the pest in question.
When choosing a pest control company, be sure to check their history and read reviews from past customers. Ask about their philosophy and approach to pest control. Many companies employ a strategy called Integrated Pest Management, which considers pest behavior and habitat when creating treatment plans. This helps to create long-term prevention while keeping people, animals and the environment safe. Regardless of the method of control chosen, make sure it is approved by your state’s pesticide regulatory agency. It is also a good idea to verify that the company you hire is licensed and insured.
Pest Prevention
Taking preventive measures is a cost-effective way to reduce the likelihood of pest infestations. Pests like cockroaches and mice can cause diseases that impact people’s health, and their droppings can trigger asthma or allergies. Preventive pest control involves preventing their access to food, water, and shelter in the first place. This is accomplished by modifying cleaning and sanitation practices and sealing off potential entry points into a building. This is often a more cost-effective option than treating an already established pest problem, because it doesn’t involve paying for treatment, repairs and cleanups.
Most pests are attracted to food, and most buildings are designed to offer a steady supply of it, so keeping the kitchen clean is important. Putting away dirty dishes right after use and sanitizing counters and sinks is also helpful in reducing pest attraction. Food should be stored in sealed containers to keep it fresh and protected from pests. The outside of a building should be regularly checked for possible entryways and screened to keep out rodents. Cracks in the foundation, loose siding, and eaves should be patched as soon as they are discovered to limit pest entry.
A good pest management program will be flexible, and allow for different methods to be used at various times, depending on the situation. This includes implementing what is called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). This is a holistic approach to pest control that uses non-pesticide methods first, and only resorts to chemicals when necessary. This allows the environment to heal, and minimizes risks to beneficial insects and animals.
Employee training is another important element of a pest prevention strategy. This helps employees understand why certain procedures are in place and how they can help support the pest prevention goals of a company. This will make it easier to secure buy-in and help employees feel comfortable with their role in a pest prevention plan. The more the staff is supportive of a program, the more likely it will succeed. For new construction projects, incorporating the guidelines of a pest prevention program into the design process can save money and improve indoor air quality for the entire life of the building.
Pesticide Application
Pesticides are useful in controlling pests, but they can also harm people, pets, crops, and the environment if not applied correctly. To ensure optimum results, you must always read the label and use the pesticide for the specific purpose and site listed on the label.
You must know the life cycle of your pest to determine which product is best suited for it, and what type of equipment you will need to apply the chemical. If you choose to use an in-house sprayer, make sure it can handle the volume of chemicals you will be using. For example, a thermal fogger may not be suitable for application of a fungal biopesticide that requires high temperatures to kill the spores.
If you have to purchase pesticides, look for the least toxic products that are effective against your pest problem. A good resource for identifying effective, least-toxic control methods and pesticides is the University of California’s Pest Notes series available at Cooperative Extension offices or on the UC Statewide IPM Program Web site.
When handling any type of pesticide, you must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as rubber gloves, eye protection, and a mask. You should also take precautions to limit environmental exposure such as covering soil and water with plastic or mulch, and disposing of pesticide residues in accordance with the label instructions.
You should also only mix the amount of pesticide you will be using at a time, and never store unused pesticides for future use. Some chemicals degrade with prolonged contact, and others are flammable or corrosive.
Lastly, the most effective way to use a pesticide is by contact, which means that the pesticide must touch the insect in order to kill it. This requires knowledge of migration timelines, pest feeding habits, and whether the pest will escape through air or water. This is why it is important to spray only at the target area and not a wider area, especially during windy conditions.
It is important to note that many pesticides drift from their intended targets due to factors such as wind and prevailing weather patterns. If this occurs, other areas can be contaminated by the chemicals, and people in those areas may be exposed to risky doses.
Termite Control
If you suspect a termite problem, it’s important to consult an experienced pest control company as soon as possible. Early treatment will prevent more serious problems, reduce costs, and minimize damage to your home or business. Preventive measures include keeping an 18 inch gap between soil and wood components, ensuring that gutters and downspouts are diverting water away from the foundation, sealing cracks in concrete foundations where utilities pass through walls, and regularly inspecting exposed wood areas.
Several types of treatment are available to eliminate existing termites and prevent future infestations. Soil-applied barriers are effective in preventing new termite activity, with some products offering protection for up to 12 years. These are typically applied by digging a trench around the home and then applying liquid termiticide. The chemicals are absorbed through the soil and provide an invisible barrier that kills the termites as they travel between the colony and your structure.
Other treatments are applied directly to wood in and around the house. Surface sprays and foams can both kill existing termites and soak into the wood to prevent future problems, but they require direct access to infested wood which can be difficult. Injected foams are more effective on existing structures as they can reach smaller cracks and crevices that other sprays cannot.
A final option is fumigation, which requires a tent covering the entire structure and involves the use of sulfuryl fluoride (Vikane) or methyl bromide gas to quickly kill all existing termites and other pests. Fumigation is a good choice for large infestations or when other treatments are ineffective.
Alternatives to traditional pesticides include natural and eco-friendly methods such as the application of beneficial nematodes or orange oil. These methods can vary in cost, depending on the products used and the area of your property that needs treating. Consult with a pest control professional to determine the best options for your situation and get accurate price estimates. It’s also important to be sure any pest control company you work with is licensed in your state and has a copy of their pesticide license certificate. It will contain clear instructions for safe usage, and outlines any potential hazards.