Gilbert Pest Control involves any activity that reduces the number of insects, weeds, or vertebrates that spoil or damage crops or other materials. Before choosing the right control tactic, evaluate the situation and environmental conditions that led to a pest infestation.

Monitor pest populations by trapping or scouting. Use resistant varieties of plants, wood, and other materials.

Identifying pests is one of the most important steps in pest control. It allows for implementing appropriate and effective management tactics that reduce financial and environmental damage. Accurate identification can also help reduce the reliance on broad-spectrum pesticides, which have detrimental effects on human and environmental health. Pest identification begins with careful inspection, which is sometimes aided by the use of specialized traps and monitoring techniques.

Incorrect pest identification can result in ineffective treatment methods, which waste time and money and may even allow the pest population to expand. This can be especially damaging for agricultural properties and landscapes. Mistakes are often made due to superficial similarities, such as immature forms of insects that look similar to each other or non-pest species that resemble pests. Incorrect identification can also lead to the misapplication of pesticides, which can be harmful for humans and pets, plants, and soil.

Proper pest identification is an essential component of integrated pest management (IPM), which seeks to minimize the need for chemical controls. It can be achieved by studying the biology of pests, their life cycles and reproductive habits, as well as their feeding and foraging behavior. This information will then be used to develop targeted treatment strategies that prevent the spread of pests.

Pest identification can be done using visual inspection, pheromone traps, and other specialized equipment. Taking the time to carefully examine the pest will provide valuable information about its physical characteristics, such as size, shape, and coloration. It will also aid in determining the type of pest, which will then be able to be placed in the correct category for proper pest management.

If the pest cannot be identified by using these tools, a sample should be collected for further examination. Carefully place the specimen in a clear jar or bag and seal it tightly. The specimen can then be sent to a specialized laboratory for additional testing. NPMA has provided resources to help individuals and pest control professionals with pest identification, including information about common mistakes that can be avoided, and the importance of considering pest biology.

Pesticides

Pesticides are chemicals that kill or repel certain forms of plant and animal life. They are used to protect crops, livestock, buildings and people. Pesticides include herbicides that destroy or control weeds, insecticides that kill or control a wide variety of insects, fungicides that prevent or kill mold and mildew, and rodenticides that eliminate mice and rats.

EPA regulates pesticide products to ensure that they are safe for humans, animals, plants and the environment. To be registered, a pesticide must go through an extensive review and approval process. The registration process includes testing the product to ensure it is effective and safe for human use, and a safety warning is required on the label.

Most pesticides are grouped into chemical families. Each family has active ingredients that act in a similar way on the targeted pest. For example, the organophosphate family of pesticides controls insects by interfering with nerve-impulse transmissions (by blocking an enzyme that regulates acetylcholine, one of the brain’s messenger chemicals). Each pesticide also has inert ingredients, which are non-active but essential to the formulation and delivery of the pesticide.

Some pesticides dissolve quickly in water or break down in the soil, while others linger for days or even longer. In addition, many older pesticides, such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and lindane, can persist in soil and water for long periods of time and accumulate in the food chain.

Because pesticides are dangerous to all living organisms, they must be handled carefully and disposed of properly. The risk of poisoning increases with repeated use unless alternative pest control measures are used in conjunction with chemical treatments.

Using integrated pest management (IPM) techniques helps reduce the need for pesticides and can improve crop yields, while minimizing environmental risks. IPM involves combining cultural, physical and biological pest controls, with an emphasis on prevention rather than control after the fact.

Some pesticides have negative impacts on pollinators, which can have far-reaching ecological consequences. EPA has developed a resource to help gardeners and homeowners reduce or avoid the use of pesticides that may harm pollinators.

Preventive Measures

The goal of preventive pest control is to reduce or eliminate the factors that attract pests to a property. It requires routine inspections to spot potential problems and taking steps to fix them before the problem becomes serious. This strategy can significantly reduce the need for costly and frequent pest treatment.

The following are some preventive measures:

1. Seal Cracks and Openings: Insects can enter a home through tiny gaps in walls, foundation, or around windows and doors. These can be sealed using caulking, expanding foam, or silicone sealants. 2. Remove Attractants: Keep food scraps, garbage, and woodpiles away from the house. Store compost in a well-ventilated bin with a lid and move outdoor trash to an outside dumpster regularly. Place bird feeders and baths away from the house, and water lawns in the morning rather than at night when nocturnal rodents and wildlife are seeking water and food.

3. Activate Natural Enemies: The natural environment contains many organisms that attack or suppress the growth of pests, including predatory insects, parasitic nematodes, and pathogens. The use of these natural enemies, when properly applied, can be more effective than chemicals in controlling pests.

4. Reduce the Size of the Pest Population: In many situations, it is necessary to take action when a pest population reaches an unacceptable level. This level is often determined by esthetic, health, or economic considerations. The use of pheromones, juvenile hormones, and other biocontrol techniques can be used to alter the behavior of insects to lower their populations.

5. Suppress and Prevent Future Infestations: This is the general objective in most pest control situations. Suppression is achieved by lowering the pest population to an acceptable level, and then keeping it below this threshold. This is accomplished by the use of a variety of control methods, and often includes both prevention and control tactics.

The use of preventive and active control tactics is generally less invasive than the use of chemical treatments, and can be much more environmentally friendly. If pesticides are used, they should be used sparingly and carefully and always in accordance with label directions. In addition, pesticides should be stored in a safe place where they can be easily controlled and monitored, and should not be sprayed in an area where children and pets are present.