Pests can spread diseases to your family, pets, and livestock and cause property damage. Pest control specialists can identify infestation hot spots and create treatment plans to solve the problem permanently.
Some pests are continuous and require regular control, while others are sporadic or cyclical and may require only periodic control. Threshold levels at which action should be taken have been established for many pests. Click https://seasidepest.ca/ to learn more.
The insect kingdom comprises more than 1.5 million species, about 80% of the planet’s animal life. Insects are the base of complex ecosystem food webs in agricultural, natural, and urban environments. They decompose and recycle nutrients, disperse seeds, maintain soil structure and fertility, and control populations of predators, parasitoids, and disease agents.
Insects are vital to plant production and a major food source for other organisms, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and arthropods. They also serve as pollinators, critical to the reproduction of many flowering plants. Insects are also important predators and may act as disease vectors.
A typical insect has six legs, three body segments (head, thorax and abdomen) and two antennae. They eat by sucking with mouthparts that vary from simple tubular mouthparts for drinking nectar to chewing foraging mouthparts used in feeding on leaves and other parts of the plant. Some insects pierce the skin of other animals to feed, while others bite or pinch. Some insects have hard’shell-like’ bodies, while others are soft and delicate.
Many insects are considered beneficial in their role as predators, pollinators or parasitoids, but some cause damage to crops or gardens. Pests are a natural part of any ecosystem, but there are ways to minimize their impact.
The goal of pest control should be to protect people, pets and property, but not disrupt other organisms in the ecosystem. If you choose to use pesticides, it is best to apply them early in an outbreak before they get out of hand. Chemicals build up in the environment, causing long-term exposure that can reduce wildlife and human health benefits and alter the functioning of ecosystems.
Insects can be controlled by introducing beneficial insects to the garden, using organic control methods such as row covers or spraying with a non-toxic, systemic insecticide. Systemic insecticides such as neem oil or pyrethrum, which are absorbed through the roots of the plant, have lower toxicity to earthworms and other organisms in the soil and less risk for transfer to people and pets.
Rodents
Rodents are closely related to mice and squirrels, and can be found in all areas of the world where food, water and shelter are available. They are extremely adaptable and can live in almost any environment, including the inside walls of houses and buildings. Because they are such prolific pests, they pose a serious threat to human health and safety, as well as property damage. Their gnawing causes extensive damage to structures, and they carry many diseases that can be spread through contact.
Rats and mice contaminate food, and they can cause significant damage by chewing on wires and wood and plaster materials. They also leave droppings that can contaminate living and working areas. They are known to spread numerous illnesses, such as rabies, hantavirus, plague, salmonella poisoning, ringworm, murine typhus and leptospirosis. They also deplete native animal species, and they can destroy crops, grain silos, warehouses and homes.
Rodent problems are often more difficult to solve than insect infestations, because rodents can hide behind wall voids, attics and soffits. In addition, they can gnaw through wiring, insulation and plaster to gain entry into building interiors. Fortunately, there are several methods of rodent control, including exclusion and traps.
A good mouse and rat control program includes sanitation, trapping, baits and rodenticides. In addition, a thorough inspection is required to identify the source of the problem and the type of rat or mouse that has invaded. Inspections should include listening to scratching noises, looking for droppings and gnaw marks, and watching for grease marks (darker oil stains) on surfaces.
Snap traps and cage traps are commonly used to control rodent populations, but electronic traps that kill by electrocution can also be effective for existing rat populations in buildings or residential structures. In order to get the best results, traps must be checked frequently, and dead rats should be removed promptly. Disposable gloves are recommended when handling rodent traps.
Fumigation is an option in situations of serious infestations or when other treatments are unsuccessful, but it requires extensive work to prepare the space and can be hazardous for people and pets. Proper use of this method can be very effective, but it should only be used by qualified professionals.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are parasitic insects of the genus Cimex that feed on blood, usually during sleep. They do not spread disease but their bites can cause skin rashes, psychological effects and allergic symptoms. Preventing infestations is a major focus of pest control for this pest. Taking precautions when visiting sites or traveling on means of transport that are known to be infested can help prevent bringing home bed bugs. Putting clothes in a dryer after leaving an infested site and sealing or wrapping suitcases in plastic can also reduce the likelihood of bringing home pests.
If possible, use a certified bed bug-safe mattress encasement or cover. Sealing crevices with caulk or other materials can also help. Using interceptor traps (see below) under beds and furniture can help as well, but these traps should be checked and cleaned regularly (every week or so) to ensure they are working. If the traps are not working, then they should be replaced with new ones.
Vacuuming daily can be useful in preventing the spread of bed bugs as well. When inspecting, be sure to vacuum all seams and crevices of mattresses, beds, nightstands, dressers, sofas and chairs. Also check under and around cushions; behind wood molding at ceiling-wall junctures; along baseboards; inside clocks, TVs, smoke detectors and phone chargers; and under loose wallpaper and clutter.
If necessary, a professional should be called to do a thorough inspection and treatment of infested areas. The office in your area can help select and apply effective treatments, which are safe for both people and pets, and legal for homeowners (see What’s Legal, What’s Not Legal). Rubbing alcohol, kerosene, gasoline and “bug bombs” should never be used to try to control bed bugs as these can harm people and pets and can easily ignite.
Caregivers, firefighters and other service workers sometimes are required to enter infested dwellings, which can increase the risk of bringing home bed bugs. The service workers should be notified that there may be bed bugs in the dwelling, and they should take steps to protect themselves while providing care or services.
Wasps
Insect populations have been declining for years, and many ecosystems are struggling as a result. In order to restore healthy insect populations, it is essential that we utilize natural pest control options. One such approach is the use of social wasps. Despite their unpleasant reputation, these insects can be effective in the fight against pests.
The majority of wasps are predatory and help control the populations of other insects that can damage crops. This makes them valuable contributors to pest control and a useful tool in sustainable agriculture. In addition, certain wasp species can also serve as pollinators and contribute to plant reproduction.
However, when wasps become too overpopulated or are introduced to new environments, they can be a nuisance and pose a risk to human safety. This is especially true when nests are located in human-made structures like attics, eaves, and garages.
In these instances, a wasps’ aggression can become a serious threat to humans. Their stings can be particularly painful and even life-threatening, depending on the individual and their circumstances. It is therefore important to be aware of the dangers of wasp nests and take steps to prevent them.
To avoid a wasps’ wrath, try to stay away from their nests and their territories. When approached, a wasp may feel threatened and sting, so it is best to be calm and slowly move away from the area. Unless it is necessary, avoid swatting or hitting the wasps as this may cause them to release a scent marker that attracts more nestmates as reinforcements.
Additionally, if you have a tree that attracts wasps and other pests, regularly inspect it for signs of sap leakage and promptly address any issues. This will help keep wasps and other pests away from your home, preventing them from becoming a nuisance.