Pest Control Springfield MO includes methods of keeping pests from damaging structures, such as physical exclusion, pest-proofing, and chemical applications.
Physical exclusion can include traps, screens, barriers, and fences. This can also include trimming bushes and trees to prevent pests from accessing buildings.
Chemical applications can include sprays for cracks and crevices, granular treatments and baits. Be sure to use only pesticides registered for use in homes and read all label instructions carefully.
Prevention
Pests are more than just a nuisance; they can damage property, contaminate food and spread disease. Pest control starts with prevention, and prevention strategies are based on an understanding of pest biology, ecology and behavior. Prevention also depends on the application of sound sanitation practices and careful use of pest control materials.
The goal of pest management should be to reduce the number of pests to a level that is acceptable. This is often accomplished through the use of an integrated pest management (IPM) program. IPM programs are designed to reduce the need for pesticides by using biological controls, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and crop selection. Chemical control methods may be used to supplement these efforts when needed. When pesticides are used, they are applied with an eye toward minimizing risks to human health, beneficial organisms and the environment.
Outdoors, the best way to prevent pests is to eliminate things that attract them. This includes removing debris and piles of wood around the house, keeping shrubs and tree limbs away from the roofline, and making sure door and window screens are in good condition.
Inside, keep counters and floors clean, and sanitize kitchen utensils after each use. Make sure garbage is taken out regularly and that trash cans have tight-fitting lids. Avoid leaving pet food or water out, and keep feeders out of the way of children and pets. Repair leaking pipes and faucets and maintain air conditioning units to keep humidity at levels that are unfavorable for most pests.
Pests are often found in commercial and industrial settings, where they can cause problems by contaminating products or causing physical damage to buildings and equipment. Preventing pests in these environments is more challenging but can be accomplished through sanitation practices and the careful use of pest control materials. Eradication is rarely the objective of a pest management program, except in cases where a foreign species has been accidentally introduced and is not under control. This is usually done by eradication programs supported by the government. Examples include the eradication programs for Mediterranean fruit fly, gypsy moth and fire ants.
Suppression
Prevention tactics keep pests from entering or establishing in an area, while suppression methods restrict their population growth once they are present. These methods may include inspections, identifying conditions that support pest development and selecting appropriate management actions. Some preventive measures are relatively simple – closing cracks in walls, cleaning up trash near buildings or eliminating the availability of food sources for pests. Others, like limiting the transfer of firewood from areas that may harbor tree-killing insects and pathogens, require more effort.
Keeping pest populations at a low level is the goal of most pest control operations. This is particularly important in indoor settings where there are zero tolerance levels for certain pests, such as bacteria in operating rooms and other sterile areas of health care facilities. Prevention and suppression tactics are commonly used in such situations as well as in greenhouses, schools, food processing and preparation, and office buildings.
Many pest problems can be managed with a combination of preventive and suppression tactics. For example, a grower can use netting and screens to stop insect pests from infesting crops; or mulch can inhibit weed growth and limit water retention, thus creating unfavorable conditions for disease pests. Cultural practices, such as plowing and crop rotation, and sanitary practices, such as cleaning of greenhouse and tillage equipment can also deprive pests of their favorable environment and help limit their establishment.
Physical barriers, such as fences and traps, can be employed to block pests from entering an area. Other devices can be used to alter the environment, such as radiation, temperature manipulation and electrical controls. Chemicals can also be used to alter the environment, such as pheromones (natural insect attractants) and repellents (including odorless compounds that mimic the odors of desirable plants).
When all other strategies fail, pesticides are often the last resort for controlling pests. It is important that pesticides be used responsibly and in accordance with label directions, to avoid damage to humans, pets, livestock and beneficial organisms. When pesticides are used, good personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential to limit the chances of exposure and subsequent health problems.
Eradication
The goal of eradication is to eliminate the presence of a pest. It is a rare goal in outdoor situations, where prevention and suppression are more often the goals. However, in enclosed areas such as dwellings; schools; office buildings; and health care, food processing, and food preparation facilities; eradication is the desired outcome.
To eradicate a pest, it is necessary to deny them the things they need to survive. This includes denying them shelter, food, water, and reproductive sites. Often this can be done by eliminating sources of contamination or by physically removing the pests. For example, a roach problem can be eliminated by sealing cracks and crevices around the house, replacing decaying wood, and placing tight-fitting screens on windows and doors.
Other pest control methods involve the use of chemicals to kill or repel the pests. These methods can be dangerous and should only be used by qualified individuals. If you choose to use chemical pesticides, make sure that you read and follow the label instructions carefully. Whenever possible, try to use non-chemical methods of pest control, such as baits, pheromone traps, and mousetraps.
In addition, try to prevent pests from entering your home by repairing cracks and crevices around doors and windows, using sweeps and astragals to fill gaps under doors, and putting metal mesh over drain holes in sinks and tubs. IPM also suggests that you store foods in airtight containers and keep pet food, garbage, and compost bins tightly closed.
Another option is fumigation, which involves spraying the entire structure with a powerful pesticide to kill and repel any pests inside. This is a drastic measure and should only be used as a last resort when other methods of pest control fail.
Eradication is a long-term process and is expensive. A cost-benefit analysis is required to determine whether eradication should be undertaken. The benefits of eradication should be measured in terms of future infections and vaccination costs, which can then be discounted to arrive at the net social benefit.
Many eradication programs have failed, and the reasons vary. In some cases, failure to achieve the desired result is due to the development of resistance to the pesticide used. The resistance may occur in the target pest itself or in other organisms that share the environment. In other cases, the pesticide may be applied too lightly or at a time when the pest is not vulnerable.
Treatment
If prevention and suppression fail to control pests, there is always the option of treatment. The goal of treatment is to reduce the level of a pest to an acceptable one without harming non-target organisms or the environment. This often involves the use of biological, chemical, or a combination of methods. Biological controls include releasing more of a pest’s natural enemies, such as predators and parasites, or altering the pest’s behavior, such as using sterile males or pheromones. Chemical controls include applying a pesticide that kills or disrupts the target pest. This can be done with baits or sprays.
Ideally, any pest problem should be dealt with before it gets out of hand. In homes, this means regularly sealing food, cleaning counters and floors, keeping indoor and outdoor areas clean, and storing garbage in sealed containers. Performing regular inspections of the home, including doors and windows, for cracks and holes that could allow pests to enter, and fixing leaky plumbing are important preventive measures.
Businesses and institutions can also take preventive measures to lessen the occurrence of pest infestations. These may include removing food from open storage and storing it in sealed containers, ensuring trash is promptly removed and stored in tightly-sealed bins, maintaining clean equipment, and inspecting the facility for signs of pests, such as rodent droppings or gnawed food packaging.
Pests can cause a variety of problems, from lending a property an unsightly appearance to damaging or contaminating products. They can also spread diseases, such as vector-borne ones (like West Nile virus or rabies), or may even pose a sanitary risk through microbial contamination.
Preventing pest infestation is the best way to maintain a safe and healthy work and living environment. However, for some, it is not practical or possible to prevent all pests from entering. When this is the case, it is essential to know when to apply control measures and how to do so effectively. Identifying the type of pest, understanding its life cycle, and determining the extent of the problem are key to choosing the best treatment method.