Pests are undesirable organisms, such as insects, bacteria, fungi, nematodes, and weeds, that damage or devalue crops, lawns, garden plants, and other natural and man-made objects. They also disrupt the environment by displacing native plant species and altering soil health, moisture availability, and other factors that support plant growth. Contact Armis Pest Management now!
Identifying pests is the first step in effective management. Accurate pest identification is essential because different species of a particular type of pest have very different damage patterns and behaviors and require different control methods. Furthermore, some pests have chewing mouthparts and only feed on specific plant parts, while others inject damaging viruses or bacteria into the plants. Identifying pests correctly allows you to focus your efforts on controlling them, reduce or avoid using chemical treatments that can harm beneficial insects and nontarget organisms, and also help minimize environmental risks to humans and pets.
Many pests change in appearance during their life cycles or between the larval and adult stages. Depending on their condition at the time of inspection, they may look similar to a nonpest or to a different pest species. This can be frustrating for the grower as it can lead to mistreatment or waste of resources.
In order to identify a pest, you should keep in mind the following tips:
Know your local pests, including native and introduced species. Familiarity with your local weeds, insect pests, disease pathogens, and vertebrate animals will allow you to quickly recognize the signs of these organisms in your field or garden. This will save time and money, as well as prevent unnecessarily applying pesticides to the soil or crop.
Build a library of reference materials, such as books and field guides. Look for books that contain color pictures to facilitate the identification of pests. Check your local university or Land Grant University Extension office for additional resources.
Practice scouting and pest monitoring throughout the year and document your findings. This will enable you to make informed decisions about pest monitoring and integrated pest management strategies, such as scouting and trapping. In addition, your scouting records can also be used to predict when pests and beneficial insects will be most active, allowing you to take preventative measures to control them. Always use personal protective equipment (PPE) when identifying pests and handling pesticides. This includes long-sleeved shirts, pants, closed-toe shoes and face and eye protection.
Pest Prevention
A pest control program that prioritizes prevention can reduce or eliminate the need for aggressive treatments while maintaining environmentally conscious practices and responsible methods. Preventive actions can include sealing entry points, establishing proper waste management, and regular inspections by a pest control expert. It can also include education and training for occupants of the space to learn about the pests themselves, their behavior, and the best ways to discourage them from causing damage.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) involves a series of practices that are designed to prevent and manage pests using the least hazardous chemicals, including natural controls. It starts with a careful evaluation of the pest and its activity, followed by monitoring results and decisions on what steps to take. The process can be applied to both outdoor and indoor areas, with the main distinction between the two being that a pest problem in an enclosed space is more likely to require immediate intervention to protect health and property.
In an outdoor setting, eradication is rarely possible due to the complexity of the environment and how pests survive outside. But it may be necessary to limit the number of pests that exist in an area by controlling environmental factors that favor their development, such as providing food, shelter, and water. This can be accomplished by removing the elements that make an area more favorable for them, such as weeds and plants that provide food, roosting, or shelter; or by changing the conditions that encourage their development into pests, such as by creating an unfavorable habitat.
Eradication may also be a goal in enclosed environments, such as in commercial buildings or hospitals, where certain pests, like rats and cockroaches, cause serious diseases. Other pests, such as the invasive species of citrus trees, have a negative economic impact and cannot be tolerated in some settings.
Keeping pests out of your facility can be as easy as ensuring that trash and recycling bins are tightly sealed, that door sweeps and expansion joints are properly caulked, and that all entrances and windows are closed at night to keep out rodents and insects. Establishing a protocol for checking incoming shipments so that pests don’t accidentally get introduced is another simple step. Similarly, establishing a uniform cleaning procedure that includes wet rather than dry washing floors can reduce the moisture that attracts pests such as ants and flies.
Pest Control
Pests are organisms that damage or disrupt human activities or the environment in which they live. They cause disease and discomfort and spoil our food, clothing and personal belongings. They also interfere with natural processes such as water, air, or soil quality and may transmit other diseases or parasites to humans and animals. Pests also threaten natural or wildland environments by competing with and feeding on native wildlife, destroying plants, and damaging or ruining buildings and other structures.
Many people react to the presence of pests with panic and a desire for immediate eradication, especially when they are in a house or other enclosed building. Eradication is rarely the goal in outdoor pest situations, however; prevention and suppression are usually more appropriate goals. Eradication is possible in closed spaces such as a house, but requires careful planning to ensure that the correct pest control tactics are used.
The most effective pest management plans use a combination of control tactics that work better together than any single tactic. These are referred to as integrated pest management (IPM).
IPM plans can be applied in urban, agricultural, and wildland or natural areas. They include a range of approaches to reduce the abundance and/or impact of pests, including cultural, biological and mechanical controls, as well as chemical controls.
Biological pest control uses the actions of a pest’s natural enemies, including predators, parasites and pathogens to manage its population. This can be done by augmenting the numbers of these natural enemies in an area, or by creating new ones specifically for the purpose — a process known as biotechnology.
Often, biological controls are supplemented by other methods of pest control, including the introduction of sterile males or the use of pheromones.
Many pests are repelled by physical means, such as traps and barriers. Other physical methods include modifying the environment to make it unsuitable for the pest, such as using mulches or steam sterilization of soil to control root disease and weeds, changing irrigation practices to reduce fungus problems in crops, or introducing pathogenic microorganisms that can infect and destroy the pest.
Getting Rid of Pests
For millennia, people have searched for ways to keep pests away from homes, crops and gardens. Some methods work better than others, but all methods require careful evaluation and application. Some natural, biological, physical, and chemical controls are available to manage pests. These are grouped into integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that involve monitoring pest populations and carefully considering the environmental factors that support them before implementing control actions.
IPM practices can reduce the need for regulated chemicals by focusing on preventive measures, such as correcting moisture problems and eliminating the foods and shelters that attract certain pests. These efforts can also help homeowners avoid unnecessary spraying and application of synthetic pesticides.
Clutter provides places for pests to breed and hide and can be a lure to rodents looking for food and water. Clean up messes and store food in sealed containers. Close cracks and crevices around windows, doors and pipes. Fix leaky faucets and drains to reduce moisture. Trim shrubs and keep grass trimmed to eliminate hiding places for pests.
The first step in any IPM plan is to accurately identify the pest. Populations should be monitored and recorded, and decisions made about whether damage has reached unacceptable levels and if the pest can be controlled with other means. The life cycle of the pest, its possible damage to plants and landscapes, the effect of weather on population growth, and other factors should be considered before a control action is taken.
Many plant and insect species are naturally beneficial, but they can become a problem when their numbers increase excessively and displace beneficial species or threaten human infrastructure. Invading alien species that displace native species can change the environment in ways that affect human health and well-being, such as by lowering soil quality or reducing the availability of essential nutrients.
Pests can be controlled without harming the surrounding environment or affecting the health of humans, pets, wildlife and beneficial organisms. Proper use of IPM tactics, including monitoring, preventing, and controlling pests, can reduce the need for hazardous chemicals that can cause environmental, human, and animal health problems. When it is necessary to use a pesticide, always read and follow the label instructions for safety and maximum effectiveness.