Effective pest control means keeping harmful insects, weeds, and rodents at bay without resorting to harsh chemicals. This means being proactive, learning about pest habits and habitats, and taking steps to reduce their food supply, water sources, and shelter.
Before any pest control measures are taken, the extent of a problem must be evaluated. Pests must be classified as continuous, sporadic, or migratory to determine how often they should be controlled and the type of control needed. In general, it is best to eliminate a pest when it threatens human health or property rather than merely controlling them for their destructiveness.
Physical traps and barriers can be used to prevent effective pest control London from entering a facility. These are most effective with pests that move about in predictable ways, such as cockroaches that squeeze underneath doorways to enter homes. A door sweep can seal the gap, preventing entry. Barrier sprays can create a chemical boundary that repels and deter pests, as can caulking or other forms of exclusion.
Proper waste management is another important preventive measure. Tightly sealed garbage cans and proper disposal of food scraps can greatly reduce pest access to the food they need for survival. Regular inspections and sealing of cracks, crevices, and other entry points can also keep pests out of buildings. Landscaping maintenance such as trimming bushes, removing brush piles, and avoiding the accumulation of debris can help keep pest pathways away from buildings.
Insects, weeds, and rodents can all carry disease-causing microorganisms that can affect humans and animals. When a pest infests a home or business, it can spread disease-causing organisms through bites, droppings, and other methods of transmission. Eliminating a pest infestation as quickly as possible reduces the risk of exposure to these dangerous organisms.
Pesticides can be used to control pests but should be used only when necessary and in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations. Care must be taken to choose the least hazardous pesticides compatible with the specific control method used. Pesticides should never be used when they might expose people or pets to harm, and they should always be applied under conditions that will minimize their impact on the environment.
Many pests are beneficial in some way and should not be eliminated completely. Some, such as ladybugs and frogs, keep populations of destructive pests at low levels. Some plants, trees, and shrubs are more resistant to pest damage than others. Using resistant varieties, where available, can lessen the need for pesticides.
IPM programs also include introducing natural predators and parasites that attack and kill pests or limit their damage. Spiders, lacewings, and praying mantises all prey on pests that can hurt gardens. Rolly pollies and nematodes, which are microscopic worms that live in the soil, help maintain healthy plants by eating decaying matter and reducing aphid populations. In addition to incorporating natural pest predators and parasites, IPM programs may use natural insecticides such as neem oil or horticultural oils to control certain pests.