When should you use Pest Control?
You only need it when a pest is causing more damage than you can bear. There are three types of pest control: prevention, suppression, and eradication. Prevention is a less expensive option than treatment, and it can prevent future problems from occurring. Suppression focuses on reducing pest populations, while eradication eradicates entire populations. The right pest control method for your home or business will depend on the type of pest you have, and your budget.
Non-toxic methods
While toxins such as insecticides are a common response to pest problems, there are other safer ways to deal with them. These non-toxic methods include traps that utilize heat and light to attract fleas from as far away as 30 feet. After the fleas have been trapped, the glue keeps them from escaping. The best part is that these pest control methods are quick and easy to implement.
Insecticides are particularly dangerous for children, as they crawl around in contaminated areas and pick up the residue. Some children may ingest the chemicals, so limiting their exposure to them can greatly improve their health. Toxic chemicals can cause birth defects, nerve disorders, and even cancer. People with certain respiratory conditions or allergies may be particularly vulnerable to toxic chemicals, which is why non-toxic methods of pest control are preferred.
Biological methods
Biological methods for pest control are not always as effective as chemical or mechanical methods. However, they can still be effective in some situations. For example, some diseases that affect insects can be controlled with natural enemies. For instance, certain nematode species can carry diseases that reduce their growth, decrease reproduction, or even kill them. These diseases can spread naturally in insect populations. The use of these methods has been effective in several countries, such as the Netherlands and Great Britain.
Natural enemies are beneficial to the environment, and these organisms help limit the densities of potential pests. However, the use of pesticides has destroyed many of these organisms, making pest control with natural enemies essential. Natural enemies of pests include predators, parasitoids, and pathogens that reduce the damage caused by secondary pest species. Biological methods for pest control to reduce the use of pesticides, and they increase the survival of beneficial insects.
Action thresholds
In the context of pest control, the action threshold is the level of treatment needed to eradicate a certain number of pests. In agriculture, action thresholds are set when an infestation threatens a crop’s profitability and reputation. In the home, an action threshold for ants might be five, or more, but for a single ant on a kitchen counter, the action threshold might be a few inches high. If you’re not sure which threshold is right for you, here are some criteria to consider when choosing a pest control treatment.
To determine an appropriate threshold for a particular pest, first determine its density. For example, if there is only one cockroach in your home, a bait station may be sufficient. But if there are 30 cockroaches, you’ll need to apply additional insecticides, caulk cracks, and clean up the area thoroughly. These thresholds may be called compound thresholds and they differ according to the pest’s level of infestation.
