What is Pest Control? Examples, History, Methods & Benefits

If you are a homeowner, business owner or you generally want to know about pest control, today we will answer all your questions. This guide will explain everything you should know about pest control, types and what common pests you will see in your home. We have also discussed pest control services and when you need it in your property.

Pest Control Meaning

Pest control is the professional service in which unwanted animals known as pests including rodents, insects, bacteria, fungus, mites and other animals are managed or eliminated from the environment they inhabit such as homes, business offices, buildings or agriculture etc.

Pests can cause serious diseases by creating a mess at the place, contaminate the food and spreading the diseases, make it crucial to eradicate these uninvited creatures.

What is pest control at home?

Pest management at home include the control of pests production at living space to achieve a healthy and comfortable life full of hygiene. Everyone aspires to have a spotless home but unlikely if pests do manage to get inside the homes then it becomes frustrating for the inhabitants to live there then it becomes necessary to call a pest control professional to control pests growth.

At home you can follow following hygienic practices to keep pests away from your home:

Daily and deep cleaning
Dispose all the garbage or trash regularly
Check the roofs and basement
Store the food in air tight cans
Fill all the gaps and seat the cracks

Pest Control Examples

A farmer notices light green colour with some stickiness on the leaves of his wheat crop, after identification he understood its reason, these were aphids in the field on wheat crops which were damaging the crop by releasing sticky material from them and making curls of its larvae on the leaves.

He will use a pesticide for them if aphids are at large scale or he will use ladybugs, natural predators of aphids, if the population of aphids is small. After pest control or all management he will get a high yield of crop with high quality.

Pest Control History

Since the beginning of time mankind had long battles with the pests, people used sulphur compounds to control insects and mites.Ancient china used botanical fungicides for seed treatments and oil sprays to control pests. With passing time people started documenting their pest control methods in the books and journals.

In 1880 first pest control spraying machine was made.Scientists distinguished all the beneficial insects from dangerous pests for agriculture and introduced artificial lab sprays.Integraed Pest Management techniques, synthetic pesticides and genetically modified crops were introduced.In the most recent years many technologies are emerging to control pests and getting ready take the horizon.

Common Pests in Homes / Types of Household Pests

A wide variety of pests are present in our homes and workspaces who require their own methods of management. Being aware of all these pests is necessary to clean all the surroundings whenever we encounter any of them.

Insects: Bedbugs, termites, cockroaches, ants, mosquitoes and house flies
Rodents: Mice and rats
Weeds: Unwanted plants and leaf minors
Birds: Seagulls, pigeons and swallows
Microorganisms: Bacteria, fungi and viruses

What Chemicals Do Pest Control Use?

Pests are present from little flies to a larger species and different types of chemicals are required to stop their uncontrolled population. Chemicals are present in many kinds such as in the form of sprays, dust and baits which targets metabolism or nervous system of pests.

All these chemicals play a vital role in managing pests wiping out. Choosing a best chemical according to the variety or species of pests is a task in itself. Some chemicals are following:

Pyrethroids / Pyrethrins is the most common and active substance used in controlling pests. Its most active ingredient is permethrin, commonly used for bedbugs, mosquitos, and cockroaches. These chemicals first paralyze the pest before killing.
Hydramethylnon is an effective metabolic inhibitor, inorganic compound, used for insects. It is a slow killer that takes mostly 3-4 days.
Boric acid is a water soluble compound composed of boron, hydrogen and oxygen used for a variety of pests, termites, fungi, alga, spiders.
Organophosphatase is not commonly used due to its toxic effects.It has rapid biodegradability and has action of hours to days.
Neonicotinoids are commonly used in agriculture and affect the central nervous system of insects of crops.

04 Major Pest Control Methods

Pest control professionals have a variety of methods to deal with infestations. Pest control approaches fall into four main catagories which are following:

Mechanical Pest Control Methods:

Physical pest control method is the oldest and most practical approach to eradicate pests. A trained and experienced professional is required in this method. Mechanical pest control methods include:

Use of barriers is a common physical method in which boundaries are set for the pests.It is an eco friendly method and long lasting solution. It commonly involves the installation of windows and doors at public spaces, offices and homes. These windows not allow the mosquitos, cockroaches, rodents and other pests to get entry which control pests population before they start infestation.
Physical removal techniques may involve the practically picking of pests such as larvae or caterpillars from the plants. It is cost effective method involves the targeted pest control.
Suction and trapping is a versatile method in which beer devices are used to catch pests which are placed in their path. Suction tools are helpful in getting their larvae for identification. This method needs very less maintenance and lowers toxicity risks.

Pros:

Physical pest control is an eco-friendly method.
In this method there is no danger for the people, crops and pets as no chemical is used.
There are not much restrictions between the method used and the variety of pest species.
Mechanical pest control is easy to handle as no proper experts are required.

Cons:

This method is considered mostly as time consuming as proper physical setup is required to tap pests.
In the view of some people it is considered as inhuman to trap animals such as rodents etc from their habitat.
Physical pest control can not be used at a broad rate as pests have their larger communities than mechanical management will become tricky to handle.
This method is not a permanent solution as pests can again inhabit there.

Chemical Pest Control Methods:

Chemical pest control methods may include use of pesticides in managing the infestations of pests. Pesticides are to be used according to the labeled amount and way. Experienced or professional service should use this method because chemicals can be toxic and can cause damage. Chemical pesticides are divided into three categories:

Insecticides are commonly used against insects such as cockroaches, flies, bedbugs, caterpillars etc. They interfere with the life cycle of insects. Bacillus thuringiensis is a commonly used insecticide.
Rodenticides are commonly used for mice and rats.These pesticides are toxic so they are used carefully.
Herbicides are used against weeds and unwanted small plants. They are commonly used in the lawns by gardeners to eliminate unwanted weeds which hit the beauty of gardens.

Pros:

Chemical control is a fast method in stopping the population of pests.
This method irrespective of physical method can be used for the broad ranged population of pests.
Pesticides are cheap and are simple to use.

Cons:

In chemical control there is a danger for humans, pets and pollinators.
This method requires proper training to use pesticides.
Continuous use of a pesticide can make resistance in pests against that particular pesticide.

Biological or Biorational Pest Control Methods:

Biological pest control method is the oldest way in which a natural predator of a particular pest is used to control the population of pests.These predator or parasite relation may involves:

Larvae and adult lady beetles act as predators of aphids and other soft bodied insects.
Green lacewing larvae which eat spider mites.

Pros:

Biological methods have no toxic effects for mankind and pets.
It is commonly used once and gives long term management.
This is generally an environmentally friendly method and does not require much struggle of humans.

Cons:

If the population of predators spreads more they can damage the beneficial insects.
Introducing a different species may damage the food chain or cause more infestation.
This is a very slow process and maybe the predators will not wipe out all the pests.

Sanitary Pest Control Method:

Sanitation based pest management involves the maintenance of hygiene to prevent pests production.It involves deep cleaning, waste disposing, preventing moisture, destroying nets, temperature control etc.

Pros:

This is an eco-friendly and safe method which never involves toxicity.
Sanitation is cost effective and has no burden on budget.

Cons:

Proper sanitation management is required for this method.
Regular inspections become necessary for their work.
It involves slow action and has limited scope to manage the population of pests.

Pest Control Uses

Uncheck spreading of pests can give worse consequences so pest control plays its major role in controlling or eliminating them. Pest control has many purposes to done, some of them are following:

Kill Pests:

The main use of pest control is killing pests by different methods.If the growth of pests is allowed uncheckily like little bedbugs can form large colonies which will become tricky or hard to handle.

Pest control will stop the spreading and growth of pests.
Pest control stops the spreading of pests to neighbouring property and spaces likely to get pests attack.

In Agriculture:

Pests can damage 80% of crops if left unchecked, pest control disrupts the spreading of diseases caused by pests and their spreading to other local spaces in farms. In this way the quality and quantity of crops will improve.

To Control Diseases:

Pests cause many diseases and due to germs they spread to other places, pest management kills and reduces the pests which transmit the diseases. Controlling pests such as mosquitos, ants, cockroaches prevents from the transmission of diseases such as asthma, malaria and many other allergic diseases.

To Maintain Hygiene:

Pest management never allows the pests to get entry in the public spaces which helps in maintaining hygiene. Pests detect the presence of food and start contaminating it, in this way pests become a challenge for the food industry. So in this way pest control manage them outside the homes, restaurants, and buildings.

Prevent From Future Infestation:

Pest management gives the inhospitable environment for the pests by doing proactive measures, which never allow the pests to get entry and create mess.

Pest Control Benefits

Professional pest management gives a comfortable life to pest free homes which are following:

Protect Property and Buildings:

The pests like termites and rodents destroy the shape of wood and buildings. They also cut the electric wires and destroy the whole property. Pest management or control keep the pests away in this way, protect our buildings.

Better Crop Yield:

Pest management at agriculture sites not only gives a healthy crop but also participates in increasing its quality by keeping pests away from crops in this way pest control proves itself beneficial for mankind.

Health Protection and stress reduction:

Pest control eliminate the pests which causes the diseases and spread these diseases in this way it lowers the chances of allergies and illness caused by bacteria and other pests. Although anxiety and stress is removed to some extent by eliminating all the rodents from home and sleep quality also increased by removing bedbugs. In this regard pest management gives a way to mental peace.

Cost Beneficial:

Early detection and early removal of pests from homes proves beneficial although if pest growth is let uncheck then its overburdened species will become difficult to handle. Pest control keeps you away from medical expenses by timely elimination of pests.

Improved Comfortable Life:

We all want our homes clean in this regard pest management services give us pest free homes. You can live without any worry about cockroaches or ants reaching to your kitchen or bedbugs heading towards your bed.

Better Healthy Food:

Where pests like cockroaches, termites, fruit flies and others are always heading towards kitchens, restaurants and cafes pest control closes all their ways to reach food and gives or provides us nutritious clean food.

Pest Control Tips

When pests enter your home or any living space then it will become crucial for you to stop its population to be safe from damage done by them. Following are some tips you have to follow to get freedom from them:

First identify the variety of pests and take precautions by yourself.
Get knowledge about the pest species with this you will be able to understand the life stage of the pest and the things which are dangerous or beneficial for it.
Now consider a proper approach of integrated pest management to prevent pest population.
Apply proper strategies and precautions if you are using a dangerous method like chemicals.
Now after killing all pests dispose them properly in inaccessible places from children and pets.
After getting rid of pests make the environment of your home uncomfortable for the pests to get entry into.

What are Pest Control Services?

Pest control services are licensed authorities which detect, manage and eliminate the pests. These services deliver safe strategies to kill or reduce pests ensure a hygienic and comfortable environment. There are many types of pest control services based on areas which work according to their standard strategies. The operations involved in the management of pests are daily inspections, planned treatments, pest identification, pest prevention and pest elimination or reduction.

List of Pest Control Companies in USA

You can talk to following 5 top companies if you need the best pest removal services.

Pathfinder Pest Control (located in Tulsa, Oklahoma)
Orkin
Truly Nolen
Rentokil Terminix
Arrow Exterminators

How Often Should Pest Control Be Done?

A variety of plans to control or manage pests are available, depend upon many factors. These period of pest control are:

Quarterly in which pests are eliminated after 3-4 months. Mostly this is the standard pest control time in homes as many pests have seasonal population changes.
Monthly in which pests are killed or managed every month. This time line is recommended for infestations at large stage as done by cockroaches, rodents, etc and pests which contaminate food.
Annually which involves the management of pests once in a year such as bedbugs.

Below are some factors which affect the time of elimination of pests:

Species of pest
Infestation rate
Location of living space
Humidity and temperature of space
Property type or condition

FAQs

Is Pest Control Worth It?

Yes, pest control is generally worth it with 75-90% reduction in pest population. Pest control gives a healthy environment with long term savings, seasonal protections from pests attack and provides a harsh environment for pests to grow or spread.

Can Pest Control Get Rid of Rats?

Yes, professional pest management services can get rid of rats.To eliminate rats from homes and other working places pest control services use the method of trapping by using poisons or ultrasonic sensors in the pathway of rats.

Are Tenants Responsible For Pest Control?

Tenants are generally responsible for the pest control if infestation is caused by their poor cleanliness and unhygienic food storage, but if pests populate due to the property defects like termites in wood then landlords will be responsible for pest control.

Is Pest Control a Legal Requirement?

A contract of pest control is not necessary by the law, although it is the responsibility of business men and landowners to keep an eye on the pest risks of spreading. Protective measures should be followed to prevent pests.

See references:

Pest Control – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics

Insect Pest Control from Chemical to Biotechnological Approach