This tactic is most commonly used by gardeners seeking to control a pest population without the use of chemicals. One of the most popular applications of this method is the use of ladybugs to control, or remove, aphid infestations. However, introducing large numbers of a foreign species to an area can have the opposite effect as well.
The best example of this is the giant cane toad in Australia. This species of toad was introduced to the country in order to reduce the population of cane beetles which were destroying crops. The toads did not reduce the beetle population as expected. Instead, they bred uncontrollably and have become a major ecological issue in their own right.
Another popular natural pest control method used by gardeners is the use of beneficial microorganisms on plants. Unlike the use of natural predators, using microorganisms to control pests is a preemptive method. When a helpful microorganism is in a symbiotic relationship with a plant, it will actively protect the plant by deterring pests and destroying harmful bacteria and fungi.
Physical pest control methods rely on the trapping, killing, and removal of both insect and rodent pests. Most of the methods listed below will work in your home and garden, but they are more suited to homesteads and small farms.
When looking for a place to infest, pests prefer to hide in a place that provides food and a safe breeding ground. Eliminating one, or both, of these factors will greatly increase your chances of removing pests. The best way of getting rid of breeding grounds in your home is to keep your home clean, dry, and warm. Maintaining a hygienic home and regularly cleaning dark, damp areas will severely limit the housing options for pests in your home.
Using poison bait is a popular and highly effective method of pest control and there are many pest-specific poisons to choose from. Pest control poison normally comes in one of two states. The first is in the form of granules and the second is a gel or jelly. Regardless of the type, poisoned bait is placed in areas that show signs of pest activity and will either be eaten directly or carried back to the nest.
If you have young children or pets, make sure that they cannot access any area where the poison is in use. Some commercial poisons can lead to serious health issues if ingested.
Field burning is a traditional pest control measure used by farmers internationally. Fire is used to burn away debris, as well as the top layer of soil with the aim of destroying pest populations. This method of pest control has fallen out of favour in recent decades since fire kills beneficial insects along with the pests and can have a negative impact on the soil. Another reason is that the effectiveness of modern pesticides is now significantly better.
Trap cropping is a method of pest control which involves the planting of a decoy crop to which the pests are more attracted to. The main goal of this method is to trap pests in the decoy field in order to make extermination easier. However, large-scale farmers have found this method to be inefficient as the pests tend to make their way back to the main crop. As such, trap cropping may be more efficient if used in small homesteads or as a means to keep pests away from a personal vegetable garden. Here are some example plants that work best to attract different pests:
Using physical traps to control pests is possibly the most recognisable pest control measures. Traps range in complexity (from simple fly paper to more complex baited traps) and they are mostly used to deal with rodents, birds, other small animals, and insects. As with the previously mentioned methods, trap placement should be focused in areas that show signs of pest activity. One major downside to using traps is that you have to check them regularly in order to remove any creature that has been caught, as well as to replace or reset the used traps.
The use of natural predators and microorganisms is a reactive rather than a preventive measure, so there is more time for the infestation to grow.
The most effective and widely used types of pest control is the use of chemical pesticides. Due to their reliability, there are several types of pesticide available to tackle rodent and insect infestations. Regardless of which type of pesticide is being used, it is always important to read and follow the instructions carefully since most of them are highly toxic.
As the name suggests, insecticides are chemical products designed to kill insects, such as ants, cockroaches, and flies. Most commercially available insecticides are either spray- or granule-based and, while both will kill insects, they each have a particular area of expertise.
Granulated insecticides are excellent for dealing with pests, such as ants and any other pests that build nests in hard-to-reach areas or actively scavenge for food. The granules are mistaken as food and are carried back into the nest, or are just eaten directly. The poison is usually fast-acting, so most insects die shortly after ingesting it.
Sprays, are best used against flying pests and biting pests, such as fleas. Most insects will die within minutes of coming into contact with an insecticide spray, but some stubborn bugs may make you spray the area multiple times before giving up.
Rodenticides are a highly lethal type of pesticide, more commonly known as rat poison. They are much stronger than the other pesticides due to the caution that rodents show when they encounter a suspicious food source.Due to this need for increased lethality, rodenticides are effective against all mammals when ingested. This includes rats control, cats, dogs, and other scavengers. Since rat poison is so toxic and poses a threat to other animals, a lot of companies now prefer to use a baited trap box, rather than poison pellets.As with insecticides, you should always read and follow the instructions given by the manufacturer to keep your pets and children safe.
Fogging pest control is another alternative against adult flying insects such as mosquitoes, flies, moths or flying ants. This method is applied by a special ULV fogging machine through the infested areas. It’s called ULV(ultra-low volume), as it spreads a very small amount of insecticides. The advantage of the fogging pest control method is that it’s considered to be environmentally friendly, it’s odourless and doesn’t leave any residues that are difficult to be cleaned.
A chemical-free option that has been gaining popularity in the field of pest control. This method is used to deal with infestations caused by fleas, bed bugs, and other insects. During a heat treatment service, the infested area will be gradually heated to a temperature of 55-60°C. The rising temperature will eliminate the creepy crawlies at every stage of development (eggs, larvae, and adults). This is a great option if you have children or pets and are not keen on the idea of scattering poison throughout your home.
If you have noticed signs of pest activity or a developing infestation in your home, contact us here to receive a quote from our Fantastic pest control experts. Deciding on whether to use natural or chemical methods when dealing with pests can be difficult. To help you make this decision a little bit easier, we have listed the pros and cons of both options so that you can choose the best method for your situation.
Bangalore Pest ControlRegardless of which method you choose to deal with common pests, remember the following guidelines for using pesticides safely:
Make sure that there are no other people or animals nearby while you are spraying the pesticide;
Open all doors and windows after the treatment to air your home and get rid of any lingering chemical smells;
Do not let other people or animals into the treated area for as much time as it is stated in the instructions.
So there we have it, your guide to the different pest control methods. Now that you have armed yourself with this pest-fighting knowledge, you can confidently tackle common pests. Contact us today via phone, live chat or email for a quote from our pest removal experts and let us take care of the creepy crawlies for you.
Before jumping into our step by step guide for how to do your own pest control treatment, we encourage you to pause briefly to consider whether or not doing your own pest control is right for you. At Pest Supply HQ, we are committed to helping individuals make high quality, safe, educated pest control applications using professional-grade pest control products. We also recognize that just because you can do something, doesn't necessarily or always mean you should, and doing your own pest control may not be right for everybody. The reality is that not everyone may be willing or able to adequately equip or prepare themselves to be able to make pest control treatments safely, effectively, and environmentally conscientiously.
With that in mind, here are a few questions before you begin a DIY pest control treatment:
With that in mind, here are a few questions before you begin a DIY pest control treatment:
Are you treating in order to eliminate an existing pest problem, or as a means of preventative pest control?
The approach and process of getting rid of existing pest populations is generally far more targeted than general preventative pest control treatments, which are geared towards maintaining an overall pest-free environment. If you are dealing with an active pest infestation, it's a good idea to spend some time researching the particular type of pest to determine which products and treatment approaches are likely to work best. Pest Supply HQ offers a full slate of Pest Control Guides and How-To Articles with information and guidance on how to treat many types of common pests. If you are unsure how to proceed, we also offer free email and phone support to help keep you on the right track. In some instances, it may be advisable to seek the services of a professional exterminator. Pest Supply HQ has relationships with pest professionals all over the country and we would be happy to connect you to one in your area, if necessary.
Are you intending to do your own pest control treatments on an ongoing basis, or is this a one time, live-in-the-moment kind of mission? Remember that short-term pest control strategies almost always yield short term pest protection results, whether using a professional exterminator or doing your own pest control services. Do you have, or are you willing to invest in various pest control application equipment? Some pesticide products (such as pesticide concentrates) require specialized equipment to properly and safely apply, while other pesticides come in ready-to-use formulations such as baits, aerosols, or foams.
Your do-it-yourself pest control strategy will to some extent be dictated by which pesticide application equipment you may have at your disposal. At a minimum, those serious about a long-term approach to doing their own pest control should consider a one gallon pesticide sprayer (or something similar) that allows them to make exterior spray applications around the foundation of the home.
Keep in mind that all pesticides, by definition, are toxic. Regardless of which pesticide products or pesticide formulations you choose to use, you will want to make sure you and those around you are shielded from exposure. Chemical resistant gloves, protective eyewear, and a respirator are the bare minimum for most pesticide applications.
It goes without saying that the best approach to maintaining a pest-free environment is to keep pests from ever showing up in the first place. And the best way to do this is to eliminate any factors or conducive conditions that might lend themselves to a pest population. On the inside, sanitation is the key. On the outside, keeping the environment free from debris and pest harborage areas is also critical. If the environment inside the home is cluttered and unsanitary, and the environment outside the home is overgrown and unkempt, any type of pest control treatment is likely to have a limited impact. Before you begin to do your own pest control treatment, be sure to clean inside the home and modify the exterior environment around it.
Ultimately, how you choose to set up your own pest control program will be entirely up to you. Our recommendation at a bare minimum is a monthly comprehensive pest inspection accompanied with consistent, routine applications as warranted.
The foundation of doing your own pest control service is going to center around routine, monthly (or more often) inspections around the exterior of the home. Your inspections will determine what kind of pesticide treatments, if any, may be necessary. It can be easy to forget that pesticide applications in the absence of pests serve no meaningful purpose. Hopefully your objective is not to turn your entire yard into a dead zone incapable of sustaining any life forms, but rather simply to provide a pest-free environment for you and your family to enjoy. Only a tiny fraction of life forms in the environment rise to the level of becoming pests, and responsible pest control efforts should reflect this conscientious approach.
During your inspections, look for evidence of pest activity in areas of concern, with special attention given to around doors, windows, utility penetrations, settlement cracks, eaves, and other potential points of entry into the home. Inspect gutters and downspouts to make sure they are functioning properly and are free of debris. Check to make sure all foliage is being maintained, with no branches or limbs making any contact with the home or the roofline above. Inspect water spigots and sprinkler systems for blockages, backups, and leaks. Inspect bushes and trees for insect populations, and pay special attention to the areas around tree trunks which often become harboring areas for many species of ants and other insects.
