How Important Are The 3 Methods Of Pest Control?
To keep your home pest-free, you may want to look into the 3 Methods Of Pest Control. These methods range from physical trapping to chemical control. Traps can be effective at holding pests, such as mice or rats. You might glue boards or fences for larger pests and dangerous animals and reptiles. No matter what method you prefer, you have to know what’s best for your home and family.
What Are The Main Types Of Pest?
Many different pests require official pest control methods, but all of these can roughly fall into the following three categories.
Insects
As most insects are so small, it takes a while to notice when they have become a serious problem on commercial and domestic premises. Many insect pests, including ants, cockroaches, bedbugs, fleas, wasps, and bees.
Rodents
Most people think of rodents first when they think of pests. In addition to rats, mice can also pose a pest control issue, especially in catering and food businesses.
Birds and Others
The least common pests are birds and other animals, but they can cause problems and threaten businesses and their clients. The common bird pests are pigeons and seagulls, while foxes and squirrels in large numbers can pose a threat.
Which Among The Types Of Pest Control Methods Is The Best Choice?
Pest control systems keep bugs and other vermin from entering or damaging buildings. Pest control services come in many varieties, but they generally fall into three categories, as we will explain below.
Physical Pest Control Methods
Physical pest control involves trapping and killing or removing pests from an environment. Pest proofing also involves installing physical barriers to prevent pests from coming back and entering the premises in the first place.
Physical pest control methods include:
- Removing or destroying nests.
- Blocking holes.
- Windows or doorways.
- Using temperature control methods to kill pests.
- Set traps to catch pests and remove them from the area.
In farming, field burning and trap cropping are common physical pest control methods.
Advantages
- This kind of pest control method has the biggest advantage of containing no harmful chemicals that can harm the environment or people who come in contact with the chemicals.
- It is also usually regarded as an environmentally responsible method.
- The use of physical pest management also reduces the risk of pests developing resistance, which means it’s an approach that will always be as effective as possible.
Disadvantages
- The biggest disadvantage of trapping as a physical pest control method is that many believe removing animals from their natural habitat is inhumane, regardless of safety precautions.
- Physical pest control involving killing pests can be inhumane, particularly when they are rodents or larger creatures.
- On a practical level, removing all pests will be tricky and time-consuming if you have a large infestation, so its effectiveness is not as high as other methods.
- This method is highly effective in preventing pests from returning to the original infestation site.
Chemical Pest Control Methods
Chemical pest control solutions are the most popular methods of pest control. Pesticides refer to chemical pest control substances, which usually poison and kill the pest that consumes or comes into contact with them. These may be combined with physical traps or just placed in places where pests are known. Ingestion of chemical pesticides can be extremely harmful if a human comes in contact with them, so only licensed pest control technicians should be allowed access to them.
An Ultra-low Volume (ULV) fogging system is a chemical pest control method. It disperses small amounts of insecticide and combats pest infestations. On the other hand, fumigation is a chemical pest control device that involves sealing the pest’s breeding ground with chemical pesticide and filling it with gas to eradicate pests.
Advantages
- Among the main benefits of chemical pest control are its efficiency and speedy results in removing pests.
- Pesticides are also a cheap pest management method, as people with no pest control qualifications can purchase very weak substances.
- Using pesticides is also quick and easy.
Disadvantages
- It is rarely safe for people or household pets to consume chemical pesticides since they can cause severe health problems.
- The overuse of chemical pesticides can contaminate groundwater and leave residue on plants, leading to health issues.
- Pests can develop resistance to chemical pesticides, which can cause major issues when trying to control this new resistant species.
Biological Pest Control
The last pest control method is the biological method, one of the oldest forms of controlling pests. Biological control uses other natural organisms to reduce or remove a pest species, normally releasing their natural predators to the same area to control their population. It’s not commonly used to deal with pests in health and safety. But necessary to control larger populations of pests that could threaten people who live nearby.
Natural predators can control pest populations biologically. Another common method for protecting plants is the introduction of microorganisms that deter pests from invading their host species.
Advantages
- It’s generally the most environmentally-friendly method of pest control. It doesn’t involve any synthetic substance or the killing or removing of a species by humans.
- Moreover, pest control is usually only needed once, as it is a long-term solution.
- Introducing a natural predator to control pests saves time and money and handles itself after the initial introduction.
Disadvantages
- Biological pest control is not a reliable method because you cannot dictate how a predatory species will act when introduced into a new area.
- It’s not a very fast process, so it isn’t suitable for instances where a pest infestation needs immediate attention, nor does it wipe out a pest population.
- A new species introduced into an ecosystem can disrupt the natural balance and food chain and cause another infestation, making it necessary to reduce or remove the predatory creature.
Are There Laws For Controlling Pests?
Considering the laws surrounding pest population control is probably the last thing on your mind. Pest control has a lot of regulations, both concerning what you can and cannot do.
Licensed businesses and local authorities can carry out pest control work where there is a significant risk of damage caused by pests, such as rats. Likewise, businesses that store or manufacture food products can take action if there is a risk of contamination.
The detrimental effects of pests are disease and property damage. Food safety laws require food-handling establishments to take appropriate precautions to prevent pest contamination. In addition, it requires the management and owners of businesses to hire professionals to handle pest problems properly.
Keeping a property free of pests is the landlord’s legal duty, and they need to be aware of their duties. Landlords are responsible for providing and keeping a rented property safe and habitable for tenants. Nonetheless, the landlord’s responsibility varies depending on how long the tenants have lived there, the type of pests, and the tenancy agreement.
The premises comply with housing management and maintenance and health and safety standards, including providing an environment free of pests. Tenants must report any issues to the landlord when they occur, allowing them enough time to address them or provide instruction. However, a tenant who takes steps without the landlord’s permission might not receive reimbursement for the costs incurred.
Who Can Carry Out Pest Control Measures?
We can deal with the occasional ant nest in the garden or a few flies in the house as individuals. Controlling pests should be performed by a qualified pest technician, especially on commercial properties. Pest controllers should be qualified and licensed.
Specified Pesticide Use Certificates are a legal requirement for anyone who uses professional pesticides. RSPH Level 2 Award in Pest Management and Foundation Certificate in Pest Management are other qualifications for pest controllers.
How much does the council charge for pest control?
Charges and services vary from council to council. Many councils offer free pest control services, while others outsource their pest control operations to industry operators like Apex Pest Control and have stopped providing free or subsidised services.
Some councils provide their services free to council tenants. Other councils may provide advice free and control for a fee. Some councils only provide domestic property services, not commercial premises. Your local council’s website will help you determine what pest control services they provide and how much they charge.
Conclusion
It would help if you always weigh up the benefits and drawbacks of each pest control treatment before deciding which will work best for your pest infestations.
Physical or biological techniques eliminate the need to use potentially harmful chemicals- a sustainable approach to pest control. However, it can be difficult to control pests naturally. On the other hand, using chemicals can be more cost-effective.
They are considered more reliable than natural methods and are generally fast-acting. However, more and more insects are developing resistance to pesticides, and the toxicity can be harmful.
Discover what options are available to you by talking to pest control professionals. They can help you select the right method for you, your family or business, and the environment.
Tony Johnson, the owner of our pest control company, is more than just a professional. He’s a problem solver. With a deep understanding of pests and their behaviour, Tony has successfully protected countless properties. His commitment to using eco-friendly pest solutions ensures a safe environment for your loved ones.
Trusted BPCA & NPTA member.