Pest Control involves the use of tactics to eliminate or deter pests such as rodents, insects, and weeds. Some of these methods include physical removal, repulsion and biological control. Biological control includes using organisms such as bacteria that kill mosquitoes and nematodes that attack rootworms and grubs. Click the Pest Control In Bakersfield to learn more.

Physical control methods include removing breeding grounds by cleaning up debris and closing entry points into structures. Other preventive measures include maintaining clean food areas and removing clutter that can provide hiding places for pests.

Pest infestations are not just unsightly, they can also cause health and structural issues for your property. Many pests are disease-carriers, and some, such as termites and cockroaches, can even damage your home and its foundation. Thankfully, preventative pest control can help to stop these unwanted guests before they have a chance to cause serious damage.

Preventative measures focus on reducing the availability of food, water and shelter for pests. This includes ensuring that outdoor garbage cans are securely sealed, and that bird feeders and baths are moved away from the house to reduce roosting sites for rodents. It is also important to ensure that sandboxes are properly enclosed and that compost piles are regularly turned and kept at least 18” from the foundation of the house.

Indoors, a preventative approach can include the use of traps and baits to remove pests from your premises. It can also involve ensuring that kitchen counters and cabinets are sealed, and that food is stored in containers with tight lids. It is also recommended to keep pet food and water inside the house, and not leave it outside. Regular cleaning and maintenance of your property can also be effective, including sealing cracks and crevices where pests may enter your home.

Another preventative measure is the removal of weeds and other plants that are known to provide shelter for pests. This is important in preserving the appearance of your home, and can also reduce the amount of work needed to maintain a garden.

Biological methods, which include the use of living organisms to control pests, are another way to prevent and suppress pests. This method is usually used in conjunction with other preventative measures, and can be useful in areas where spraying pesticides might not be an option.

Using preventative measures can not only save you money, but can also help to protect your family and pets from harmful chemicals. When pests are allowed to spread, they can cause costly damage to wood, fabric, linens and wiring. In addition, pests can carry diseases and contaminate food, making them a health hazard for your family.

Suppression

When pests are present and their presence is unavoidable, control measures may be used to reduce the population to a level below that which causes unacceptable damage. This is called suppression.

It is important to understand that control tactics can be employed on an ongoing basis, and they can be used in a way to minimize harm to the environment, workers, pets and livestock. It is also important to use these tactics in a manner that complies with local, state and federal laws.

Chemical – Pesticides can be effective for both suppression and prevention. It is critical to use a pesticide that has been approved for the specific crop you are managing and that you are qualified to handle. It is also very important to follow all instructions and warnings on the product label.

Physical and Mechanical – These methods eliminate the pest by physically or chemically making it impossible for entry, survival or reproduction. Some examples of this include setting traps and baits (rats, mice, ants, cockroaches, etc.), environmental manipulation (temperature, moisture and light), barriers, netting, sanitation, etc.

Biological – Birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish feed on some pests or kill them through parasitism or pathogens. This can be supplemented by releasing additional natural enemies or altering the pest through sterile males, pheromones or hormones.

Cultural – Cultural practices sometimes are used to prevent or suppress pests. These may include rotating crops, cultivating the soil, varying plant growth stages or timing, planting trap crops, adjusting row width, pruning, thinning and fertilizing.

The Economic Threshold Level, or ETL, is the number of pests at a certain stage of development that must be below a threshold before suppression action can begin. Using information about the life cycle of the pest, its damage to plants and crops, the costs of controls and crop prices, the ETL can be estimated.

When the ETL is determined, it should be periodically re-evaluated as conditions change. It is important to remember that pests can rebound quickly from suppression. Therefore, a continual effort must be made to keep the pest population below the ETL.

Prevention

Keeping pests away from homes and businesses is the most cost-effective way to control them. Prevention involves a combination of practical tips to keep pests out and treatments to eradicate them once they are present.

Preventative measures include identifying and eliminating conducive conditions that attract pests, such as food, water and shelter. It also includes regular inspections of property to detect pest activity and taking prompt action to prevent a pest problem from developing. This approach can significantly reduce the need for more drastic and expensive reactive treatments to eliminate pests once they are already causing damage or presenting a health threat.

Seal Gaps and Cracks: Caulking and sealing small gaps around doors and windows can prevent pests from entering a building. Caulking is also helpful in preventing moisture intrusion into crawl spaces and basements, which can promote mold and wood rot. It is important to regularly check these areas for cracks and gaps and promptly repair them.

Remove Food Sources: Keeping a clear path of sight on all floors can decrease the labor needed for inspection and detection of pest activity. In addition, storing food in airtight containers can help prevent pests from accessing it. Frequently removing garbage and ensuring that it is sealed can also deter pests from seeking food in homes.

Keep Moisture to a Minimum: Many pests are attracted to moist environments. Fixing leaking faucets, draining standing water, and using dehumidifiers in damp regions can help reduce their appeal.

Organize Storage Areas: Clutter provides places for pests to breed and hide, so keeping storage areas neat and organized can make it easier to find them. Regularly sweeping and vacuuming can also reduce their attractiveness.

Use Traps and Baits: These are an effective way to capture or kill pests, and can be a safe alternative to spraying chemicals. However, they should never be used as a substitute for a thorough cleaning, maintenance, and preventative program.

Pests cause more than just annoyance in homes and business; they can also threaten the safety of people and property. They may carry bacteria and diseases that can cause serious health problems, including hantavirus, leptospirosis, Salmonella, and more. Pests can also deteriorate materials and contaminate foods.

Eradication

Eradication measures for pest control aim to eliminate pests entirely. This is a difficult task, and is best accomplished when combined with other control methods as part of an integrated pest management plan.

When used to control weeds, plant diseases, or insect infestations, chemical pesticides are often the fastest and most effective way to manage these problems. However, chemicals can also cause harm if they are not properly mixed and applied or if a pest develops resistance. For this reason, it is important for technicians to follow pesticide labels and NMSU guidance documents and to continually educate themselves about best practices in pesticide application.

Biological pest control relies on natural enemies of the pest population to limit or control pest numbers. This can include introducing predators, parasites, or pathogens into the environment to kill or disrupt the pest population. Biological controls may also be augmented with techniques such as genetic manipulation (sterile males or juvenile hormones), or with chemicals that alter the pest’s physiology, such as pheromones or deterrents.

Insecticides are the most common chemical pest control agents. They are designed to kill or repel pests by affecting the organisms’ physiology, nervous system, or metabolism. However, a few pests have developed resistance to most insecticides. In addition, some insecticides have been found to pose a health risk to humans and the environment.

Other types of chemicals that are classified as pesticides include herbicides, fungicides, and larvicides. The use of these compounds to control pests is subject to strict federal, state, and local regulations. These regulations protect the environment, human health, and animal welfare while achieving pest control objectives.

If a pesticide fails to control a pest problem, it is important for technicians to analyze the situation to determine what went wrong. In many cases, the pest was not identified correctly or was in a life cycle stage or location where it was resistant to the pesticide. Incorrect doses, improper application technique, and weather conditions can also contribute to failure of pesticides. To prevent pesticide resistance, a rotation of several different types of pesticides should be employed.