What is Pest Control?
A pest is an organism that can cause ill effects on human health, ecology or economy. Some pests like birds may not cause extreme damage to health, ecology or economy but are a nuisance to live with. Pest control is the process of reducing or completely removing pests from where humans live.
Man has always fought pest infestations and has developed different methods to do so. Unfortunately, no one method fits all when it comes to controlling pests. Instead, different pests are controlled in different ways. Some pest control methods, such as those used for birds, aim to keep them off rather than killing them.
Pest control is about killing the pest and reducing the environmental factors that brought the problem in the first place. To pinpoint these factors, most pest experts carry out quick studies. However, it is only after careful evaluation that extermination is done. The results of the evaluation are also used to advise the client on how to keep off future infestation.
Pest Control Methods
Fogging and Fumigation
Fogging is the most effective method of killing flying insects such as mosquitoes in mass. The insecticide used in fogging is an effective pest control method for spraying in mosquito hiding places. While this method reduces the number of flying insects, it does not prevent them from coming back.
Poisoned Baits
Baiting is effective for pests such as rats, mice and snakes. However, it is less useful if other food sources are still available for the target pest. In addition, it can be slow as it depends on the pest eating the bait. Finally, some bait, especially those used for birds, do not kill but leave a bitter taste in their mouth.
Repellents
Repellents do not kill the pest; they are aimed at keeping them off. Mouse repellents are made of peppermint oil. Repellents for snakes are made of sulfur and are sprayed or applied on the fence to prevent them from coming in. Repellents have the disadvantage of working for a limited period.
Traps
Traps have been used efficiently to remove rats, mice, birds and snakes from home. Snap trap strikes the pest as it attempts to eat the bait. Glue traps have glue applied on a board such that when the pest is held. Some traps work slowly as typically; only one organism is caught at a time. The best traps are rolling log mousetraps.
As you can see, there are many methods of pest control. However, it is important to consult the services of a pest control expert. Here are the reasons why:
- They have the right technology and knowledge to eradicate pests.
- Professionals know about all the safety measures and carry protective garments with them.
- They advise you on how to prevent a recurrence.
- They know the effective way to eliminate pests effectively and cheaply.
When it comes to pests, time is always of the essence. The sooner you call an expert pest controller, the better. It could just cost you less if you call early. Whatever you do, you must hire a certified and qualified exterminator.
Pest control tips
Pests can attack your home at any time without any warning. Therefore, if you live in an area prone to pests, you need to know a few pest control tips as well as have a contact list of the best pest control companies in your area. Prevention and proper pest management after an attack is the best way to control pests.
Mosquito Control Tips
Most of the time, mosquitoes live in places where they breed. Therefore, the best way to control them is to destroy their habitats which are mostly damp. For example, you should ensure that the grass in your backyard is kept short. Also, do not let water accumulate in cans, buckets, tires or pots.
Mosquitos prefer living in dark places. They are mostly active and bite in the evening. Consequently, you should reduce the number of dark places in your yard. However, to kill many of these malaria-transmitting bugs in a short period, mosquito fogging is preferred. Fogging is the process of spraying mosquito hiding places with an insecticide that forms a thick cloud in the air.
Related posts:
Termite Control Tips
Termites are small insects that live together in colonies. They construct termite nests in which they live. Worker termites will once in a while leave the comfort of the termite hill in search of food. They are attracted to human homes. Therefore, homeowners should perform a regular termite inspection. They are also attracted to human homes by cellulose-containing items such as wood, paper and clothes.
The best way to prevent termites is to treat the soil before the home is built. After that, food remains should be properly disposed of. Pest control management experts should destroy termite hills to ensure that pheromones do not spread on your yard. Pheromone is a hormone produced by termites to helps others follow the trail.
Bedbug Control Tips
Bedbugs are carried from one place to another by humans or pets. Therefore, preventing bedbugs from entering your house is difficult as it would mean not allowing some people into your house, which would be discriminative. Control of bedbugs involves spraying them with pesticides or vacuuming them out of their hiding zones.
Contrary to popular belief, pest control service does not only involve eliminating the insect. Exterminators first inspect to find out the scope of the problem and select the best remedies. The next step is to implement the findings of the inspection, which usually includes killing the pests. The last step is to give you the advice you on how to prevent pest attack in future.
Every time you enter a new home, condo, or apartment, it is important to ensure fumigation is done. Fumigation is the process of spraying a home with recommended insecticides to kill pests. It works on a wide variety of pests such as cockroaches, flies, ticks and fleas.
As you can see, pest and insect control is a complex process that needs to be done carefully. It is therefore paramount that you choose a certified exterminator.
Pest control management tips
Some pests problems are minor, but others can grow to become quite serious infestations if left untreated. Mosquitoes, bed bugs and termites are among some of the more commonly noted pests in the city. Once a common problem around the world, bed bugs have not been a serious problem for many years. However, recent changes in the type and use of pesticides have helped the bed bug population get reestablished. News reports involving bed bug infestations of some of the fanciest hotels worldwide have travelers staying home.
Bed bugs are very tiny, to begin with, making them difficult to detect. They also have a very secretive nature and will hide rather than being detected. You can often find these pests in sleeping areas, such as sheets and blankets, mattress pads, and even the mattress itself.
Bites from these insects are moderately unpleasant. Victims are left feeling irritable and anxious. The most effective treatment for bed bugs is hiring a pest control company in Singapore to treat your residence.
Termites are one of the most costly pests a building can suffer. The subterranean insects enter your building from below ground and devour anything made of wood. This includes floor joists, supports, flooring, wall supports and ceilings. They can live within the walls and spaces of your home for months or years without you ever knowing they are there.
By the time you realize you have termites, significant damage to your property may have already occurred. One way to avoid this is with annual termite inspections. Early detection can prevent the damage from getting out of hand. However, if you discover that termites are present in your home, you will need the assistance of a trained professional. Treatment for termites may involve traps and bait stations and soil treatments and pesticides applied directly to the damaged areas that are accessible.
Mosquitos are one of the most annoying insects in Singapore. Capable of biting and leaving an irritating and itchy welt behind, they can also carry diseases, malaria and Lyme disease, to name two. Mosquitoes require standing water in which to lay their eggs. The eggs hatch and the larvae will live here until they are ready to fly. Many condominiums have places that are attractive to mosquitoes, such as ponds, pools, birdbaths and areas where rainwater can collect, such as planters, depressions in the soil and any container left outside that can hold water.
Treatment for mosquitoes at condominiums will include removal of all standing water and diligence in monitoring the area for the new instances of standing water. Also, mosquito fogging can be beneficial in reducing the number of adult mosquitoes in the area. Between these two treatments, mosquitoes around the condominium can be greatly reduced, and the activities enjoyed in the outdoor areas can be resumed.
Types of Pest Control Services
Many types of pests invade your home, office or outdoor living spaces. Some are simply a nuisance, but others can cause serious damage to property or bring health risks with them. Your best defense is to get the proper pest control service to battle the problem.
Termite Control
Termites are subterranean insects that feed on wood. They burrow through the soil until they find a source, often the footings and supports of a structure. Once inside, they will chew their way through anything made of wood. Treatment is applied on contact where the nest can be located. Soil treatments are also applied upon discovery and then annually to keep termites out. Bait stations can also be installed to minimize the risk of termite infestation for currently termite-free structures.
Related post: What Does A Termite Nest Look Like?
Roof Treatment
Any number of insects can roof their home, from wasps and bees to woodworms and stink bugs. Each causes its own set of concerns for the property owner. When bees become a problem, the only option is bee removal. Some may even go undetected unless you spend any time on the roof yourself. A professional pest control technician can check your roof, eaves and siding for signs of insect infestation and treat it accordingly. If you want your roof treated, be sure to inform the technician before he makes the trip to your home, as not all services have ladders equipped on their trucks.
Soil Treatment and Corrective Treatment
Soil-borne insects like termites and ants, to name a few, can invade your building from underneath. By the time you discover they are present, a complex network of tunnels and nests have been established. Soil treatment is one way to rid your home or business of these pests and prevent more from entering. It forms a protective barrier around the structure that the insect must pass through to gain entry, and when it does, it is killed.
Hornet and Bee Hive Control
A beehive or hornet’s nest can certainly present problems for people who live near it. While most bees take a live-and-let-live approach to life, hornets are much more ornery. If either of these insects builds a nest close to or inside your home, you will need a professional to move it for you. Many pest services can relocate a beehive to a safer area, restoring safety to you and your neighbors around your home or business. It is much safer to let a professional handle this than to try to do it yourself.
Housefly Control
There are thousands of types of flies, and many can become pests in the home. Flytraps, sticky paper and lures can be helpful but not if the problem is severe. Houseflies can be annoying and can ruin food stores when they breed. In some cases, the best defense is to use foggers and other commercial-grade pesticides to combat the invasion. A professional pest control expert will know the best type of pesticide to use for the type of flies troubling you.
Rodent Control
Mice, rats, rodents and even rabbits and moles can be problematic in several ways. Inside they can destroy fabrics and paper products to make bedding, eat food you have left out, leave behind feces and chew on your walls and wiring. Outside they can eat your garden items and undermine your gardens and lawns with their tunneling and hutches. Qualified pest control personnel can set perimeter bait stations to help keep pests from getting inside your home. Once inside, they can treat your home so that pests are killed quickly.
Cockroach Control
Cockroaches are resilient and fast breeders. At the first sign of these insidious pests, you should contact professional help. These insects can live almost anywhere and can be very challenging to eradicate. It often takes several months of repeated treatments to fully wipe them out. Over the counter, treatments do very little to clear your building of cockroaches which is why you should seek professional assistance as early as possible.
Ant Control
Ants are an annoyance but one you don’t have to live with. They seldom set up their nests inside your home or business, but their scouts and workers can make your life miserable as they search for food and carry away whatever they find. They also tend to congregate in damp areas as they like to be close to water. Keeping food securely covered and trash emptied can help, but if the problem persists, you may need the added protection of any bait stations from a professional pest control company.
Mosquito Control
Controlling mosquitoes is one of the most difficult tasks for a property owner because these insects don’t have a nest or hive you can treat or remove. They lead singular lives and tend to become active at dusk. The best way to treat adult mosquitoes is with airborne pesticides sprayed in a fine mist. In addition, you can buy over-the-counter foggers, which can provide temporary relief from the problem. However, critical cases will benefit from a mosquito fogging service.
Control of Birds
Birds can be a nuisance if they make nests in places around your home that are problematic. They can get into eaves, chimneys and siding. They will eat your vegetables and fruits in your garden and deface your property with their droppings. Getting them to leave can be difficult, particularly if their nests are in difficult-to-reach areas.
Control of Snakes
Snakes have their place, but generally, it is not inside buildings where they are uninvited guests. Because many people do not know the difference between harmless snakes and dangerous ones, this task is best left to technicians with training in snake control.
Control of Ticks and Fleas
Fleas and ticks are dangerous because they feed on human and animal blood. Some fleas can live on humans, even if only for short periods. They can spread diseases that have severe health consequences. Fleas can breed in a matter of a few days, and their numbers can swell rapidly. Foggers and other pesticides are effective if properly applied. You may also need to treat the outside of your property to reduce their numbers and keep them from getting inside.
Mosquito Fogging Service
Many pest control companies provide mosquito fogging services to diminish the adult population of mosquitos. Check with your provider to see if this is a service they can offer.
