Pests are nasty creatures known to cause harm to humans or their pets. It might be a plant, disease vector, or any other animal that causes harm to humans. In some literature, microbes that cause or transmit diseases have been referred to as pests. On the other hand, the process of arresting the proliferation and actions of these nasty creatures is known as pest control. Keeping their increase at bay is crucial to your economic growth, development, and health. This is because most of these organisms attack the production and sales of food and other resources at various stages of their activities. As such, the need to use effective control methods like Eco-Friendly Pest Treatments in Los Angeles becomes imperative.
In some climes, insects that damage woods and wooden objects are also classified as pests. These organisms have the potential to damage multimillion-dollar properties gradually if not kept in check. As a result, scientists and researchers have developed various control methods to save and protect humans and their properties. By extension, some of these control methods will help against debilitating ailments caused by these creatures. Today, we are going to talk more about the three primary pest control methods used worldwide. Before we dive straight into the topic at hand, we must have adequate knowledge of the pest type to know the best method that should be deployed against it. Contact an expert if you’re not sure about what you’re dealing with.
Biological Control
This is a natural way of keeping pests at bay. It involves using animals or organisms that can overpower the damage-causing creature. One of the most beneficial advantages of this method is that it preserves the environment and does not leave any noticeable adverse effects. For example, at one point or the other in history, notably the ancient times, people used cats to control rat infestation. This is not only a cheap method of controlling rodents but an easy and accessible option. Another example is the use of insects that can devour other plant-eating insects. This was used to control bedbugs and subsequently saved many food industries in the past.
In some instances, microorganisms such as bacterias have been used as part of the biological control against certain pest larvae. However, this method is not devoid of its set of downfalls and setbacks.
Chemical Control
This is arguably the most common modern-day method. It involves the use of pesticides which are chemicals that kill or inhibit pest growth. There are various kinds of pesticides and are grouped according to the class of organisms they control. People use herbicides to destroy plants, while insecticides are meant for plant-eating insects. Other types include bactericides for microbes such as bacteria. Some chemical control methods work to arrest the pest’s growth rather than kill it.
This control method began when farmers extracted toxic substances from certain plants after discovering that these plants could cause considerable damage to pests. These substances were removed and formulated to make modern sprays. More toxic compounds were prepared in laboratories and farms in the war against these nasty creatures with time. However, some of these poisonous substances are a setback because they have harmful effects on other animals like birds and fishes. It also had some detrimental effects on the soil itself with time. After a while, some of these plant-eating insects developed resistance against the chemicals prompting researchers to make more potent poisons repeatedly.
Apart from the environmental damage that chemicals cause, they are also expensive. This led to the rapid increase in the price of food and other products. However, it remains one of the most effective and quick ways of getting past pests.
Mechanical Control
This method involves the use of physical tools to fight harmful pests. It is like a physical way of keeping the creatures at bay but consists of using a considerable amount of effort and resources. An example is to build a barricade between plants and offending pests. This way, their entry or access to plants is restricted. Another way is to take control of whatever could lead to peat procreation and proliferation. Farmers often take care of waste bins which are common breeding sites for these organisms. This way, you will prevent their multiplication which is the main factor determining the effect of their damages. Stagnant water and ponds are also other avenues by which pests proliferate. Take care of them, and you can have some peace.
Rather than sticking to one Pest Control method, people have developed ways and strategies that combine some or all of these methods to fight many pests.
