Different Types of Pest Control

Pests can cause a lot of problems for businesses, homes and even public areas. They may carry bacteria, viruses and other diseases that can affect human health. They also destroy crops and damage buildings. Pest Control Services Whittier are designed to remove these unwanted creatures and prevent them from coming back. This is an essential service for anyone who owns a business that handles food, such as restaurants, grocery stores and warehouses. These companies use a variety of methods to keep pests away, including baits and traps, pheromones, biological controls and physical barriers.

The most important step in any pest control program is accurate identification. Knowing what you are dealing with makes it easier to tailor a control strategy, minimize off-target damage and avoid unnecessary risks. Accurate identification can be aided by studying the pest's life cycle and examining its physical characteristics. It is also important to consider what environment the pest will be found in and what factors influence its development, so that management techniques can be selected which will take those factors into consideration.

Some pests are more easily controlled than others. For example, if the pest infests a single field, it is often possible to simply change planting practices or use a repellent to eliminate the problem. This is called preventative or cultural pest control. It is usually a less expensive, more environmentally sound approach than extermination.

In other cases, eradication is the desired outcome, but this is usually not feasible for outdoor pests, especially those that are introduced or adapted to new environments. However, it is more feasible for indoor pests, such as Mediterranean fruit fly or gypsy moth. In such situations, it is necessary to evaluate the benefits and costs of eradication versus prevention and suppression.

Biological Control

Biological controls are organisms that manipulate a pest population without harming people or property. These include parasites (organisms that live on or in other organisms for the purpose of obtaining sustenance) and predators (organisms that kill other animals for food). Some examples of biological control strategies are the release of natural enemies into the environment, the introduction of pathogens, the production and release of sterile males, and the use of juvenile hormones.

Chemical Control

There are many types of chemicals used in pest control, from insecticides to fungicides and herbicides. Some are used as baits or traps, while others are sprayed on plants or surfaces to provide immediate relief from pest infestation. In any case, all pesticides should be carefully evaluated for environmental impact and properly applied, according to the label's instructions and safety warnings.

Rodents such as mice and rats chew on electrical wires and can cause serious property damage and fires. They can also transmit diseases such as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, leptospirosis, plague and salmonella. These problems can be prevented by keeping a clean facility or warehouse, following food storage guidelines and using rodent-resistant materials in construction.