What Is Pest Control?
Pest control is a term that refers to any practice or method of eliminating or managing unwanted creatures such as rodents, cockroaches, spiders, and other vermin. This is often done by a professional who can identify the kind of pest that you have and use effective, safe, and proven methods to get rid of them.
Some of the most common pests include ants, rodents, termites, ticks and fleas. They cause a lot of problems to people and can even be dangerous in some cases. They can be carriers of various pathogens that could cause serious respiratory and skin illnesses and they also carry germs that can be passed from one person to another through their bites.
Rodents – Rats and mice are common pests that can damage your furniture, walls, pipes, crops and more. They can chew electric wires and they can bring various diseases such as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, leptospirosis, plague, salmonellosis, and lassa fever through their bites.
Termites – They are also very common and can cause a lot of damage to your home by chewing up floors, woods and wallpapers. They can also be very hazardous as they can contaminate your food and water supply and can cause a lot of health risks to you and your family.
Ants are known to be the second vectors of many diseases, which means that they can transmit disease through their bites and they can carry different bacteria like Salmonella, Streptococcus, and shigella from their body parts.
They are also a major source of allergens and they can be found in the most popular foods. They are also carriers of various toxins and can be a threat to your pet as well.
The best way to prevent pests is to keep your home clean and dry. Change your washing machine and dryer settings, remove dust, and clean up leaking gutters regularly to avoid attracting bugs.
You can also try some DIY treatments for some pests. These include using traps or barrier sprays. But remember to always read the label and follow the instructions carefully as there are many chemicals that can be harmful to your health if applied incorrectly.
Chemical & Insecticides – There are various pesticides available in the market that can be easily applied over your home to kill the unwanted creatures. These come in different forms such as a liquid, powder or spray so make sure that you understand how to apply them correctly and safely.
It is advisable to hire a professional to ensure that you are not exposed to any toxic material while you work on your home. Having these professionals on speed dial will help you to save time and money as they can do the job efficiently.
Biological, Cultural and Physical/Mechanical Approaches to Pest Management
Biological controls, such as the use of natural enemies like predators, parasites, and pathogens, are the most effective. They can be used in combination with other methods, such as the application of sterilisation programs and the introduction of nematodes to plants.