Clutter provides places for pests to breed and hide, so remove things like stacks of newspapers or magazines. Changes in the environment, such as altering water and light levels or introducing a new food source, sometimes help to control pests.

Identifying the pest is key to tailoring the control method. A few house centipede sightings probably won’t prompt a treatment, but a colony will require more action. Reach out to Treasure Valley Pest Control for expert assistance.

Biological control uses natural enemies, such as predators, parasitoids, pathogens and competitors, to limit pest populations. This method of pest control uses nature’s own systems to inhibit pest species, and is often an integral part of integrated pest management (IPM) programs. Unlike chemical pesticides, biological control agents rarely cause harm to non-target organisms and have minimal impact on ecosystems. Additionally, pests are less likely to develop resistance to biological control agents as they do to chemical pesticides.

The most common types of biological controls include pathogens and parasitoids. Pathogens are bacteria, fungi or viruses that infect and kill insect pests by attacking their cells, slowing their growth or reproduction, or killing them. Parasitoids are insects that imbed themselves in and feed upon the body of a host insect, killing it. The resulting implosion of the insect’s exoskeleton releases the pest’s internal organs, causing it to die.

Other forms of biological control involve introducing beneficial insects into an environment, such as predatory birds and bees. Alternatively, natural enemies are mass-reared in insectaries and then introduced into an area where they do not occur naturally or where their population is too low to suppress a pest infestation. This method of biological control is called augmentative biology.

Because the success of biological control depends on a match between the natural enemy and the pest species, care must be taken to ensure that the correct “enemy” is selected for each individual pest problem. Biological control agents are specialized, and many require extensive studies in their native habitats to identify the best candidate species for a specific pest. In addition, the release of a biological control agent into a new environment must be carefully controlled to avoid any unwanted side effects.

Because natural enemies are living organisms with needs of their own, they need habitat that is suitable for their survival and reproduction. Providing shelter, food or water for them can improve their chances of survival and increase the effectiveness of their biological control activities. To encourage the presence of these natural enemies, gardeners can provide the habitat needed by planting plants that are useful to them.

Pesticides

A pesticide is any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, killing, destroying, mitigating, removing or repelling any pest. Pesticides are chemical compounds designed to kill organisms that harm crops, plants and livestock. They are used in agriculture, forestry, horticulture and in residential and commercial lawn care to reduce pest populations to manageable levels. Pesticides are regulated by federal, provincial and municipal governments through various acts, regulations, guidelines, directives and bylaws. In Canada, the federal Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) sets standards for the safe use of pesticides. The PMRA also ensures that pesticide products are effective and do what they claim on their labels.

Pesticides are toxic and pose risks to humans, pets, other plants and the environment if they come into contact with them. The risk posed by a particular pesticide depends on its toxicity and the amount of exposure to which an individual or the environment is exposed. A high level of exposure, even for a short time, will result in more significant injury than a low level of exposure over an extended period of time.

Whenever possible, preventive non-chemical measures should be used to reduce the need for pesticides. These measures include:

Soil tests to determine nutrient and fertility levels. Planting high-quality seed or sod free of perennial weeds and disease. Adequate irrigation and mulching to reduce competition from weeds and other plants. Regular scouting and physical barriers like netting to detect pests.

In addition, avoid the temptation to use pesticides unless they are absolutely necessary and always follow proper application techniques. Use the lowest-risk pesticides possible, and use them as a last resort. When applying pesticides, be sure to follow a complete integrated pest management (IPM) plan that includes preventive non-chemical tactics.

There are a wide variety of pesticides on the market to control insects, fungus and other undesirable organisms. Some examples include insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and rodenticides. Other types of pesticides are ovicidise, which destroys egg masses, plant growth regulators, pheromones that attract or repel insects and other organisms, wood preservatives that protect against insect and fungus damage and synergists that increase the effectiveness of other pesticides. These products are available in liquid, solid and gaseous forms. They are also formulated in various ways: biodegradable, which break down quickly, or persistent, which may take months or years to break down.

Eco-Friendly Solutions

In an age when sustainability is a growing concern, there is a move towards more eco-friendly solutions for pest control. These techniques strike a balance between effective pest management and environmental responsibility, and Dr. Death Pest Control is on the forefront of this movement, offering an example of how businesses can make a difference.

Unlike traditional chemical pesticides, these organic options don’t have the same negative impacts on humans, the environment, or non-targeted species. They also tend to be less harmful to the beneficial insects and organisms that help to keep pest populations under control.

Some of the most popular options include physical barriers and traps, which can be effective at deterring pests from entering a property without introducing dangerous chemicals into the environment. Screens on windows and doors, caulking cracks, and removing food sources can all be used to prevent pests from entering buildings or yards, and simple traps such as sticky traps and pheromone traps can be effective in capturing rodents and insects.

Another option is to use herbal remedies and natural oils to repel pests. Neem oil and diatomaceous earth are both effective at preventing insect infestations, and essential oils such as lemongrass oil and eucalyptus oil can be used to repel mosquitoes, ants, and other common pests.

Biological controls are often more effective than chemical pesticides at managing pest populations. Introducing natural predators or parasites can quickly reduce pest numbers, for example, by introducing ladybugs to a garden to control aphids. These methods are typically safer for the environment, humans, and pets than chemical pesticides, and can be effective in home gardens as well as commercial agricultural settings.

The overuse of traditional chemical pesticides can lead to the development of resistant pest populations, making it more difficult to control an infestation over time. Organic pesticides, on the other hand, are more likely to target a specific pest through multiple modes of action and are less likely to cause resistance over time.

Traditional chemical pesticides can have damaging effects on the soil, water, and plants of a local ecosystem, as they can seep into the ground and disperse into the air. They can also have adverse health effects on people, including breathing difficulties and skin rashes. Organic pesticides have a much more limited impact on the environment and can be safely used in homes and businesses.

Natural Forces

The goal of natural forces is to use organisms that occur naturally in the landscape, including predators, parasitoids, and pathogens, to control pests without damaging the ecosystem. These include insects, vertebrates, nematodes, and plant disease organisms. These methods can be used preventively or reactively, and are often considered part of integrated pest management (IPM) programs.

Natural enemies of insects, such as lacewings, lady beetles, and entomopathogenic nematodes, can be purchased and released in large numbers (inundative release) to manage insect pest populations. Biological augmentation may also involve changing the environment to improve the effectiveness of a natural enemy, for example, by providing food sources for predators or by increasing shelter and protection from weeds.

Many organic products are effective in managing some pests, but it is important to correctly classify the pest before attempting any remedies. Different solutions repel or kill specific pests; trying to throw a solution at a problem you don’t understand will only waste money and potentially harm beneficial insects and the ecosystem.

It is also crucial to monitor pests and their damage. Overuse of pesticides in the past resulted in the development of resistant organisms, so it is critical to only use pesticides when necessary. When using pesticides, follow label directions and be sure to only use a small amount.

A healthy landscape contains a diversity of species and is less likely to suffer severe pest outbreaks. Recognizing that pests are a normal part of the ecosystem, instead of fighting them every step of the way, will allow plants to stabilize at an optimal level and resist major stresses.

Incorporating multiple management options into your landscape will reduce the need for chemical controls. Changing irrigation practices to reduce water and fertilizer runoff, planting trees that reduce soil erosion, and utilizing herbicide-free mulches can all reduce the need for pesticides.