Pests are annoying, but they can also damage property and contaminate food and other daily-use items. They can even worsen health conditions like asthma.
Monitoring is the first step in determining whether a pest population can be tolerated or if control is necessary. This information helps determine the best management strategies. Contact Treasure Valley Pest Control now!
Pest identification is the first step in any IPM program. Knowing what you’re dealing with allows you to tailor your control strategy and minimize damage, especially to crops, gardens and collection items. It also helps you to make informed decisions about whether or not pests are a problem that needs control, and if control is needed, the best methods for eliminating them.
The first step in pest identification is to look for physical evidence of the pests themselves. For example, rodents leave visible droppings around food sources, as well as in dark places like basements and crawl spaces. These droppings are a good indication that you have a rodent infestation in the house, and that it may be causing other damage to your home, too. Insects leave similar physical evidence behind in the form of wing casings or discarded exoskeletons. These can help you identify the insect and determine what type of insecticide to use to get rid of them.
You can also check for signs of pests by observing their behavior and looking at where they live, such as their nests or tucked away hiding spots. This can be a great way to spot them before they make their way into your home. Another way to look for pests is by examining your yard or garden for the presence of their eggs or feces. If you see these in or around the garden, it is time to call a professional for a pest control plan.
If you can’t find any physical evidence of pests in the house, but you’re noticing that your skin has become itchier lately, you might be suffering from bug bites. This is a sign of a pest infestation, and it’s important to get the bugs under control before they spread throughout your body.
To help you learn to recognize common home invaders, NPMA has put together an online pest and insect identification guide. It includes photos and information about ants, roaches, bed bugs, flies, termites and more. Just click on the pest you suspect you’re dealing with to see more about it.
Pest Prevention
Pests are undesirable organisms (insects, bacteria, fungi, viruses, nematodes, rodents, weeds and vertebrate animals) that damage, devalue or destroy agricultural crops, food stores, human dwellings and gardens. They also displace native plant species and negatively impact ecosystems.
Whether or not action is needed to control a pest depends on its impact and the risks it poses. Pests can cause expensive property damage to homes and businesses, contaminate food and other daily-use items, spread disease, harm pets and even worsen some health conditions like asthma. Rodents, for example, can chew through wood, drywall and electrical wiring in residential and commercial buildings, while mosquitoes, fleas, ticks and cockroaches can spread serious diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus and the bubonic plague.
Before deciding to take any action, the first step is to find out more about the pest. Learn about its life cycle, habitat and feeding habits, then determine its potential to cause harm. Some pests are easier to tolerate than others, depending on their impact and the extent of the threat they pose.
A pest infestation can happen quickly, so early detection is vital. Routine inspections should be performed to identify and correct potential pest entryways into buildings. Screens on windows and doors, caulking and plastering are inexpensive ways to prevent pests from entering indoors. Regular cleaning of kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms can also reduce the risk of pests taking up residence in these areas.
Eliminate sources of food, water and shelter for pests by keeping garbage cans tightly closed, removing trash regularly and fixing leaky plumbing. Regularly clean and sanitize surfaces where pests gather, such as kitchen counters and floors, furniture, mattresses and rugs. Ensure that all food is stored in pest-proof containers, and keep pet foods and water away from humans. In addition, regularly perform visual inspections for cracks and holes that could allow pests to enter the home. These can be easily patched and filled with caulking or putty. This will help to limit the use of more intrusive methods of pest control. If your pest problem gets out of hand, contact a professional to get the help you need.
Pest Control Methods
The goal of pest control is to reduce the number of pests to a level that is acceptable, either through suppression or prevention. Both approaches may be necessary to achieve this, with preventive methods usually coming before chemical controls. Preventive practices include cultural practices, physical methods such as barriers and traps, and biological methods such as cultivating competitive plants or using soil solarization or heat treatments.
Pests can create many problems, including food and water contamination and disease. They also degrade property and cause economic losses. In addition, some of them are dangerous to humans. For example, rodents can spread diseases such as salmonella or rat-bite fever, and their droppings can lead to respiratory illness. Cockroaches, rats, and mice can carry parasites that pose health risks for people who are allergic to them.
Observing a pest problem and identifying the type of pest are important steps in determining whether pest control is needed. Monitoring may involve counting the number of pests, examining damage to crops or properties, or assessing the presence of harmful organisms like pathogens. Understanding the pest’s biology and behavior can help determine its tolerance levels, its ability to cause harm, and the best control methods.
For example, the life cycle of a particular insect, its feeding habits, its temperature thresholds, and its ability to fly or penetrate packaging are important considerations when selecting the best control method.
Physical or mechanical methods can be used to prevent or remove pests, such as knocking aphids off plants with water or using sticky barriers to trap them, or sealing gaps and cracks to keep out rodents. Netting and metal shields can be used to keep birds away from fruit crops, while traps and electrical light barriers are effective against insects.
If the need for pest control is decided upon, it’s important to use the least toxic, yet effective, materials available. Chemicals should always be a last resort, and only when the problem is severe enough to warrant treatment. Before a chemical is applied, a trained pest control technician should carefully examine the environment and the pest to come up with a targeted treatment plan that will be effective.
Pest Control Cost
Pest control costs may seem high at first glance, especially if you consider the benefits that come with having a pest-free home or business. Pests not only damage property, but they can also spread diseases that cause serious health problems. Pest control services help eradicate these organisms before they cause any harm and provide peace of mind for you and your family or employees.
Generally speaking, the cost of pest control is dependent on the type of pest you’re dealing with and how extensive the infestation is. Some pests are more difficult and time-consuming to exterminate than others, and this can drive up the price. Some pests can even be deadly, so it’s important to hire professionals trained in the correct methods and products to ensure you get rid of them safely and effectively.
The frequency of pest control visits will also affect the price. Some companies offer one-time services, while others have monthly plans or annual preventive maintenance. The former is usually cheaper, but it’s also important to know that it’s less effective than regular preventive services.
It’s also important to note that the overall pest control price will depend on what kind of supplies and equipment the company will use. This includes everything from basic traps and baits to sprayers and foamers. It also includes safety gear such as coveralls, breathing masks, and protective goggles.
Another important factor to consider is the size of your property. The more square footage you have, the more expensive your pest control will be. The same goes for the number of rooms and bathrooms in your home, as this will influence how much treatment is required to get rid of the pests.
In addition, if you’re dealing with any animal issues, such as raccoons or bats, these will add to the cost of your pest control service. For example, raccoon removal can cost between $350 and $600, while professional bat removal can cost upwards of $450. Overall, though, the investment of hiring a pest control service is worth it in order to have a safe and healthy living space.
