Pest control removes vermin like rodents, cockroaches, termites, bed bugs, and poisonous spiders.
Pests are a natural part of the environment, and if they’re not controlled, they can cause damage to humans, animals, homes, and other structures.
Various strategies include prevention, suppression, and eradication of pests. These methods help keep them at a reasonable level so that they don’t cause too much trouble.
Table of Contents
Heat
Thermal pest control is a safe and effective alternative to traditional insecticides. It is ecologically friendly and is an excellent option for people with children, pets, or health conditions that make them sensitive to chemicals.
Pests are highly dependent on their surroundings and can become active at temperatures ranging from +15degC to +35degC. However, their die temperature will depend on their ‘genetic’ heat tolerance.
It means it’s essential to consider the temperature when planning a pest control strategy. The temperature should be high enough to kill the pests but not so hot that they can escape. In addition, the temperature must be evenly distributed throughout the area.
Insecticides
Pest management is an ecosystem-based strategy using biological, cultural, physical/mechanical, and chemical tools to control pests and minimize economic, health, and environmental risks.
Insecticides are chemicals used to kill or repel insects. They are applied in different formulations and delivery systems (e.g., sprays, baits, slow-release diffusion) that influence their transport and chemical transformation.
Insecticides are frequently applied to land used for agriculture, forestry, and urban land uses to control pests. These applied chemicals may be transported atmospherically in spray drift and enter streams via stormwater runoff, leakage, or leaching into groundwater.
Insecticide exposures often come in waves of varied sizes, depending on the application technique and pace, the amount of drainage, and the features of the surrounding terrain. Stream samples may not reflect the total insecticide exposure because they are frequently collected at intervals.
Baits
Insect baits are a type of pesticide made up of some food product. The food is often a cereal base and has been combined with a toxicant or insect growth regulator (IGR).
Baits are most commonly used for controlling social insects such as ants, wasps, termites, and cockroaches. They work by causing foraging insects to pick up food and carry it back to the colony.
When appropriately applied, baits can effectively and selectively control these insects. They can be more environmentally friendly and less dangerous to people and pets than traditional spraying methods.
Chemicals
Pesticides kill or affect pests and weeds in different ways. Some are merely repellent, while others interfere with weed photosynthesis or insect molting.
Some are broad spectrum and affect many organisms (e.g., many insects), while some are narrow spectrum and target specific kinds of organisms. Nevertheless, it can help you choose the most appropriate product for your IPM strategy.
Regardless of the chemical used, there are many things to remember when using pesticides. The most important is to follow the directions on the label.
Cold
During the cold months, pests can go dormant or migrate south. But some problems prefer to spend the winter inside their home, where they can find food and warmth.
Cockroaches, rodents, and flies are among the familiar creatures that seek shelter during cold weather. They can hide in nooks and crannies and often enter your house through cracks.
Insects are naturally cold-blooded, meaning their body temperature adapts to changing temperatures. When the temperatures drop, insects enter a dormant stage called diapause, allowing them to survive.
During this period, they can burrow under piles of snow and other debris to protect themselves from the cold weather. This process can last until the temperatures warm up again, allowing them to re-emerge in spring.
