Pest Control Ballwin MO uses natural, biological, chemical, and cultural controls to reduce the population of unwanted organisms. Some environmental factors limit the growth of some pests; for example, topography restricts the distribution of many species.
Identifying pests is the first step in developing an effective control strategy. Threshold-based decision-making relates to scouting and monitoring; for example, a few wasps flying around a house may not warrant action, but an increasing number could indicate a problem.
Pest identification is an important first step in any pest control program. Accurate pest identification can help determine the need for pest control by allowing the user to understand the biology and life cycle of the pest, such as how fast they grow and reproduce, their food sources, habitats, etc. This information will help to direct management tactics that are effective and will minimize any negative impact to the environment or people.
A pest must be identified in order to decide if its population is reaching unacceptable levels. The thresholds that are set for pests differ among different plants, animals and microorganisms. In addition, many pests have several generations per year, which means that they can quickly reach damaging levels.
The following steps can be taken to identify a potential pest:
Look for the pests in the environment. Take note of the pest characteristics, such as size, shape and color, wings, antennae, legs and feet, and whether it has a tail. If the pest is found indoors, make a note of where it is located and any other observations, such as odors or where it was seen in the house.
Use a pest guide or pest identification website to compare the pest characteristics to those in the pest guide or website. Click the category that best matches the pest characteristics to view a list of possible species. Use the links in the pest description to learn more about that particular species, including habits, threats, signs of an infestation, habitats, and control methods.
If the pest is still not identified, ask a colleague or contact your commodity or industry organization, Cooperative Extension agent or State land grant university for assistance. Often, a professional can help to solve pest problems quickly and efficiently. They may also have access to more sophisticated tools and techniques that are not available to the general public or may offer services that are unavailable in the local area. Pest control professionals can also be more cost-effective than homeowners trying to control pests themselves. They can often provide multiple options for controlling the pests, such as biological control agents, physical controls, and chemical controls.
Pest Prevention
Pests can spread diseases, contaminate food and damage property. Regular pest control prevents this, allowing businesses to stay open and customers to feel safe. In homes, pests can also cause respiratory problems and aggravate allergies.
An initial inspection is a key component of preventive pest control. During this process, trained technicians will identify potential entry points, nesting sites and signs of pest activity. This information will help determine the need for further action.
When the inspection identifies a pest problem, the technician will assess the severity and recommend an appropriate treatment plan. Treatment options include pesticides, baits, traps and structural modifications. Pesticides are generally used when other methods are ineffective, or if the threat to people, pets and/or plants is high enough.
A common approach to pest control is integrated pest management (IPM). This involves monitoring and scouting to determine the number of pests and their hosts, and identifying economic or aesthetic injury thresholds. The thresholds are then used to guide decisions about whether or not to use chemical controls. When IPM is used, chemicals are usually selected which kill only the pests and not their beneficial counterparts, and which target specific stages in a pest’s life cycle.
Structural prevention is another important method of preventing pests from entering buildings. This can include sealing cracks and crevices, and fitting all windows and doors with screens. It can also involve implementing a cleaning schedule, and reducing the amount of clutter in the building, which can provide pests with hiding places.
Pests are often attracted to moist areas, so it is important to minimize moisture levels in buildings. This can be done by repairing leaky pipes, and by installing dehumidifiers in basements or crawl spaces. It is also a good idea to check for any damp spots in walls and around the foundations of the building, and to repair these as needed.
It is also a good idea to remove sources of food, water and shelter for pests, such as storing food in sealed containers, and regularly removing garbage. This can be supplemented by installing door sweeps and weather stripping, and by reducing clutter in the home or business. Biological controls, such as the introduction of natural enemies (parasites, predators and pathogens), can be used to supplement these preventive measures.
Pest Control Methods
Pest control methods are designed to prevent or reduce the number of pests below an unacceptable level. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies consider the life cycle of the pest, damage caused, natural enemies, effects of weather, and other factors when choosing the best tactics to suppress pests.
Preventive steps reduce the need for pesticides by making the environment less appealing to pests. Eliminating food sources by cleaning cluttered areas, keeping garbage bins covered, and regularly picking up fallen leaves and other debris can help deter many pests. Using caulking and steel wool to close off entry points and block gaps can also help deter pests.
Scouting and monitoring for pests is essential, and should be done routinely, anywhere from daily to weekly depending on the environment and type of pest. This includes looking under and around things like tree trunks, in bushes, behind and underneath windows, and at bait stations. This allows pests to be detected before they become an infestation and also gives the opportunity to respond quickly when a pest problem is noticed.
The most common physical pest control is to use traps and baits, which are designed to lure and kill the pest. These can be as simple as placing a sticky trap near the source of a pest, or more complex, such as setting baits to catch and kill an entire pest population. Other physical pest controls include crop rotation, planting tolerant crops; adjusting plant spacing to reduce pests; using mulches and other soil amendments to improve the environment for desirable plants; and implementing good sanitation practices, such as removing trash often and regularly, and improving storage, handling, and transportation of goods.
Biological pest control leverages natural predators and pathogens to manage pest populations, rather than directly attacking them with chemicals. This can be as straightforward as releasing ladybugs to eat aphids or as complex as introducing bacteria that will kill caterpillars, such as Bacillus thuringiensis.
Some people choose to use pesticides in their gardens and homes. When this is the case, it is important to know how and when to apply these products correctly. Always follow product labels, and never use a pesticide in a way that is not directed. In addition, people should always avoid overusing pesticides, as long-term exposure can be harmful to humans and the environment.
Pesticides
Pesticides are chemical compounds or biological agents that prevent, incapacitate, or kill unwanted organisms, including plants, animals and disease vectors. They are often used when other control measures have failed. Chemicals can be used to control weeds, insects, rodents, nematodes and fungus. Pesticides are generally grouped into families of chemicals that act in similar ways on the targeted organisms. The active ingredients in a pesticide are usually combined with other materials called inert ingredients to form the complete product. Pesticides are available in liquid, solid and gaseous forms.
Most pesticides are manufactured synthetically but some are natural, such as copper sulfate (destroys fungus) and Bt toxin (effective against certain insect larvae and produced by bacteria). The organic pesticides are generally less toxic to people, plants, and other microorganisms than the synthetic ones.
All pesticides must be carefully screened to ensure that they meet strict safety standards before they can be sold. They are approved for use by the Environmental Protection Agency and must have a label showing the type of pest they can be used against, how it is to be applied and its hazards. A pesticide’s effectiveness is determined by the ability to kill or control a specific organism at the correct stage of its life cycle, without adversely impacting other organisms.
The failure of a pesticide does not necessarily mean that it is ineffective; the pest may have evolved resistance to the chemical, or the pesticide might be used too sparingly. Overuse of pesticides can lead to the emergence of secondary pests, and can adversely affect nontarget organisms that eat or come into contact with contaminated plants or insects. Pesticides can also be carried away from their intended area by stormwater runoff, where they can affect water quality and cause unintended consequences.
A well-designed pesticide should be used at the lowest possible level to achieve desirable results, and should always be combined with other management methods. Properly applying a pesticide is important, and is dependent on several factors, such as the targeted organism, the timing of the application, and the method of spraying or drenching.