The Importance of Pest Control

Pest control methods aim to keep the occupants of buildings, gardens and yards safe from pests that could contaminate food and other daily-use items. This also prevents the occurrence of diseases that some pests carry.

Maintaining a clean home, storing food in sealed containers and removing trash on a regular basis discourages pests. Trimming vegetation that touches the house and repairing cracks and gaps in walls eliminate entry points for pests.

Insects
The insect world is a vibrant one, with over 1.5 million described species. Insects occupy every habitat on the planet and are the biological foundation for all terrestrial ecosystems; they decompose and cycle nutrients, disperse seeds and fruits, maintain soil structure and fertility, control populations of predators, parasitoids, pathogens, and herbivores, and serve as the primary food source for many reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals.

Insects also provide valuable services to humans, including pollination and serving as biological indicators of healthy streams and soils. They have a long history of domestication for honey and silk production, and are currently being explored as a potential sustainable protein source.

Unfortunately, insects can also be pests; they cause damage to crops and other plants, animals, and buildings, contaminate food products, and spread diseases. The good news is that there are natural predators and other species that can help keep insect populations in check. For this reason, the best approach to managing pest insects is by attracting beneficial ones through the right habitat, such as by providing ground cover plants and areas of bare soil.

Rodents
Rodents, such as rats and mice, cause billions of dollars in damage each year. They also carry disease-causing pathogens and contaminate food and supplies. They chew wires, stripping insulation and causing potential fire hazards. They also gnaw on plumbing, leading to water damage and possible leaks.

Rodents can be difficult to detect and control. Regular inspections of areas like attics, basements, and behind appliances for signs of rodent activity is important. In addition, recognizing and responding to the sounds of rodents is helpful, such as scratching or scurrying.

Proper sanitation and maintenance also helps prevent infestations. Garbage should be properly disposed of, and food should be stored in sealed containers. Correcting moisture problems is also crucial – don’t allow water to stand around air-conditioning units and in sinks, and ensure gutters and drains are clear. Finally, maintaining a clutter-free environment reduces the opportunities for rodents to hide.

Pathogens
Viruses, bacteria, protozoa, fungi and infectious proteins called prions cause disease in organisms like humans. Pathogens typically spread through direct contact, water or air. Depending on the pathogen and host, symptoms may range from mild to assured death.

Commercial flower and field crop growers must monitor for pests and pathogens that can destroy crops quickly. They must also identify the best controls to use to manage these problems, while avoiding harming people or the environment.

Biological control (also known as biocontrol) involves using living organisms to suppress pest animal and plant populations and make them less damaging. It can be achieved by preserving native enemies, or through mass rearing and periodic release of natural enemies in areas where the pests are present. This is usually done on a seasonal basis or inundatively. The goal of this type of control is to create a long-term balance between the population of the enemy and that of the pest.

Pesticides
The use of pesticides is common and plays an important role in preventing, controlling or mitigating pests. When pesticides are used incorrectly they can cause great harm to humans and other organisms that share the environment with the target organism. Some of the older pesticides, such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and lindane, persist in soil and water for a long time and can have negative impacts on large parts of the ecosystem.

Pesticides include insecticides (bug killers), herbicides (weed killers), fungicides, algaecides and rodenticides. Plant growth regulators, pheromones and repellents are also pesticides. The type of organism targeted by the pesticide influences its impact. Seed treatments with neonicotinoid insecticides, for example, kill the nematodes that control weed seeds in crop soil. This can indirectly increase herbivorous weed populations. The goal of Pest control in Jodhpur is to cause as little harm to all species except the targeted pest. There are three ways to achieve this: prevention - keeping pests from developing, suppression – reducing their numbers or damage to an acceptable level and eradication – killing them all.