Termite exterminator North Port

Termite exterminator North Port

Flea Control

Bug Off Pest Provides Certified, State-Licensed Pest Control North Port for Families and BusinessesNorth Port, FL - Bug Off Pest proudly provides certified and state-licensed Pest Control North Port services, giving families and businesses confidence that their properties are protected by qualified professionals. Read more about Termite exterminator North Port here Learn more about Termite exterminator North Port here Whether protecting a family home or maintaining a commercial facility, Bug Off Pest remains committed to delivering quality pest control backed by professional certifications and proven methods. Trusted Local Provider Bug Off Pest Strengthens Pest Control North Port CoverageNorth Port, FL - Bug Off Pest, a locally owned and operated pest control company, is strengthening its Pest Control North Port coverage to better serve homeowners and businesses seeking dependable, professional pest management.

Stable Fly Control

  1. Port Charlotte Town Center
  2. Mosquito Control
  3. Emergency Pest Control
  4. Termite Control
  5. Spider Control
  6. Exterminator
  7. Wildlife Removal
  8. Rat Exterminator
  9. Exterior Perimeter Pest Control
  10. Rodent Control
  11. South Sarasota, Florida
  12. Bed Bug Exterminator
  13. Termite Inspection
  14. Bee Removal (no honeybees)
  15. North Port
  16. Eco-Friendly Pest Control
  17. Chinch Bug Treatment
  18. Raccoon Removal
That is why the company focuses on treatments that are carefully selected for both performance and safety, ensuring minimal disruption to daily life while delivering long-term protection.
A Commitment to Health, Property, and Peace of Mind“Our mission has always been simple,” said a representative from Bug Off Pest. “We aim to protect our customers' health, property, and peace of mind by delivering honest, dependable, and environmentally conscious pest control. Learn more about Exterminator Sarasota here. The company specializes in environmentally responsible pest control methods that are safe for families, pets, and the surrounding ecosystem-without compromising effectiveness. Each visit begins with a comprehensive inspection to identify pest activity, entry points, and contributing factors, allowing treatments to target the source of the problem rather than offering temporary relief.
Rather than relying solely on broad chemical applications, Bug Off Pest focuses on identifying pest entry points, nesting areas, and contributing conditions to create long-term solutions. Its technicians perform thorough inspections and implement targeted treatments to address the root cause of infestations-not just the symptoms. Bi-Monthly Pest Control Bug Off Pest Expands Professional Pest Control North Port Services for Homes and BusinessesNorth Port, FL - Bug Off Pest, a trusted name in Southwest Florida pest management, is proud to announce the expansion of its Pest Control North Port services, providing residents and businesses with safe, effective, and eco-friendly solutions designed to protect properties year-round.
This approach has allowed the company to scale responsibly while preserving the personalized service that customers value. By combining education, inspection, and preventative care, Bug Off Pest helps customers avoid recurring infestations and costly structural damage-especially from termites and rodents. In addition to termite services, Bug Off Pest provides full-spectrum pest control solutions to address rodents, bed bugs, and common household pests. Tick Control

Residents and business owners looking for professional Pest Control North Port services can contact Bug Off Pest for inspections, ongoing maintenance plans, or urgent pest concerns. Southgate, Florida This proactive approach helps prevent infestations before they become costly or disruptive. Expanding our Pest Control North Port services allows us to better serve a growing community that deserves quality service they can trust.”Bug Off Pest continues to build long-term relationships with customers by focusing on transparency, education, and preventative care-helping property owners avoid costly infestations before they start.

Bug Off Pest's technicians undergo continuous training to stay current with best practices, safety protocols, and evolving pest behavior throughout Florida. By combining eco-conscious products with professional expertise, Bug Off Pest continues to strengthen its position as a trusted provider of Pest Control North Port services designed for modern Florida living.

Bug Off Pest Offers Comprehensive Pest Control North Port for Residential and Commercial PropertiesNorth Port, FL - Bug Off Pest is proud to offer comprehensive Pest Control North Port services designed to meet the needs of homeowners, business owners, and property managers throughout the area. By emphasizing credentials and accountability, Bug Off Pest reinforces its role as a trusted provider of Pest Control North Port services for those who value safety, reliability, and expertise.

German Roach Treatment

  • Flea Control
  • Midge Control
  • Lawn Pest Control
  • Preventive Pest Control
  • Tick Control
  • Longboat Key, Florida
  • German Roach Treatment
  • Wildlife Removal
  • Midge Control
  • Lawn Pest Control
  • Preventive Pest Control
  • Tick Control
  • Longboat Key, Florida
  • German Roach Treatment
  • Wildlife Removal
  • Midge Control
  • Lawn Pest Control
  • Preventive Pest Control


These environmentally responsible treatments are especially beneficial for households with children and pets, as well as commercial properties that require low-impact pest management. Termites remain one of the most destructive pests in Florida, often causing extensive damage before being detected.

Eco-friendly pest control North Port

It was originally developed by General Development Corporation (GDC) as the northern Sarasota County portion of its Port Charlotte development, the other portion located in the adjacent Charlotte County. GDC dubbed the city, "North Port Charlotte", and it was incorporated under that name through a special act of the Florida Legislature on June 18, 1959. By referendum in 1974, the city's residents approved a change to its name as "North Port", dropping "Charlotte" from its name to proclaim the city as a separate identity. It is home to the Little Salt Spring, an archaeological and paleontological site owned by the University of Miami.

Exterminator North Port


Pest management North Port

Citations and other links

Residential termite control North Port

Bug Off Pest proudly serves North Port and neighboring communities with treatments that prioritize low-impact products and integrated pest management strategies. Local Experience You Can TrustAs a Florida-based company, Bug Off Pest brings regional expertise and personalized service that national chains often lack. By offering both one-time treatments and recurring maintenance plans, Bug Off Pest ensures consistent protection tailored to each property's specific challenges, reinforcing its role as a trusted provider of Pest Control North Port solutions.

By investing in technician training, modern treatment methods, and customer education, the company has developed long-term relationships with homeowners and businesses alike. Pest Inspection German Roach Treatment Since 2019, Bug Off Pest has built a reputation across Southwest Florida for reliable service, honest communication, and consistent results.

Sustainable Pest Control for North Port PropertiesEco-conscious property owners in North Port benefit from Bug Off Pest's commitment to sustainability without sacrificing performance.

Quarterly Pest Control
Residential termite control North Port
Flea And Tick Exterminator North Port

Flea And Tick Exterminator North Port

With Florida's warm climate creating ideal conditions for pests, proactive and professional pest management has never been more important. Advanced pest control strategies include targeted applications, exclusion services to seal entry points, and ongoing monitoring to detect early signs of pest activity.

Midge Control

  • Tick Control
  • Longboat Key, Florida
  • German Roach Treatment
  • Wildlife Removal
  • Tick Control
  • Longboat Key, Florida
  • German Roach Treatment
  • Wildlife Removal
  • Tick Control
  • Longboat Key, Florida
  • German Roach Treatment
  • Wildlife Removal
  • Tick Control
  • Longboat Key, Florida
  • German Roach Treatment
  • Wildlife Removal
  • Tick Control
  • Longboat Key, Florida
As more property owners seek pest control solutions that align with health and environmental concerns, Bug Off Pest remains committed to methods that minimize impact while delivering dependable results.

By expanding service availability in North Port, the company ensures quicker response times and more flexible scheduling for routine and urgent pest concerns. Stable Fly Control As pest pressures increase throughout Southwest Florida, the company remains committed to providing cost-effective services without compromising safety or quality.

Treatments are designed to meet industry regulations while minimizing downtime and disruption to operations. Customers benefit from accurate inspections, responsible treatment applications, and clear communication at every stage of service.

By combining affordability with professional-grade solutions, Bug Off Pest continues to set new expectations for dependable Pest Control North Port services that property owners can trust year-round.

Midge Control

  1. Termite Treatment
  2. Organic Pest Control
  3. Squirrel Removal
  4. Midge Control
  5. North Sarasota, Florida
  6. Rodent Removal
  7. Sarasota Springs, Florida
  8. Ant Control
  9. Lanai Misting Treatment
  10. Residential Pest Control
  11. South Bradenton, Florida
  12. Home Pest Inspection
  13. Wasp Removal
  14. Pest Control
  15. Mosquito Treatment
  16. Longboat Key, Florida
  17. Lawn Pest Control
From residential properties to commercial facilities and agricultural sites, Bug Off Pest delivers customized solutions based on each property's unique needs.

Home Exterminator North Port

Through innovation, experience, and customer-focused service, Bug Off Pest continues to provide Pest Control North Port solutions that protect both property value and peace of mind. As Bug Off Pest continues to grow, its mission remains unchanged: to protect health, property, and peace of mind through dependable Pest Control North Port solutions backed by experience and integrity. Bug Off Pest Continues Growth as a Leading Pest Control North Port Company Since 2019North Port, FL - Since its founding in 2019, Bug Off Pest has experienced steady growth by consistently delivering high-quality Pest Control North Port services across Southwest Florida. Based in Punta Gorda, Florida, Bug Off Pest has been serving communities across Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Charlotte County, and surrounding areas including DeSoto, Lee, and Sarasota counties since 2019.

Bug Off Pest provides customized pest control solutions for a wide range of properties, including single-family homes, apartments, offices, restaurants, warehouses, and agricultural facilities. The company utilizes integrated pest management strategies that emphasize inspection, monitoring, prevention, and targeted treatment. Bug Off Pest Introduces Advanced Pest Control North Port Solutions to Protect Property and Peace of MindNorth Port, FL - Bug Off Pest is introducing advanced Pest Control North Port solutions designed to address evolving pest pressures while providing long-term protection for homes and businesses.

Fire Ant Control



    This commitment to professional standards allows Bug Off Pest to deliver consistent, high-quality service across residential, commercial, and agricultural properties.

    Lawn Pest Control

    1. Tick Control
    2. Longboat Key, Florida
    3. German Roach Treatment
    4. Wildlife Removal
    5. Lawn Pest Control
    6. Preventive Pest Control
    7. Tick Control
    8. Longboat Key, Florida
    9. German Roach Treatment
    10. Wildlife Removal
    11. Lawn Pest Control
    12. Preventive Pest Control
    13. Tick Control
    14. Longboat Key, Florida
    15. German Roach Treatment
    16. Wildlife Removal
    17. Lawn Pest Control
    18. Preventive Pest Control
    19. Tick Control
    Each treatment plan is developed based on property conditions, pest pressure, and environmental factors, ensuring accurate and efficient results. Rather than focusing on rapid expansion alone, Bug Off Pest prioritizes service quality, transparency, and preventative care.

    Stable Fly Control

    1. Mole Cricket Treatment
    2. Bed Bug Treatment
    3. Spider Web Removal
    4. Cockroach Control
    5. Port Charlotte
    6. Quarterly Pest Control
    7. Mouse Exterminator
    8. One-Time Pest Control
    9. German Roach Treatment
    10. Flea Control
    11. Pantry Pest Removal
    12. Osprey, Florida
    13. Termite Treatment
    14. Organic Pest Control
    15. Squirrel Removal
    16. Midge Control
    17. North Sarasota, Florida
    18. Rodent Removal


    With a focus on safety, effectiveness, and long-term prevention, the company continues to meet the growing demand for responsible pest control in Southwest Florida. Treatments are carefully selected to minimize risk to pets, children, and beneficial wildlife while maintaining strong pest prevention results. Bug Off Pest Brings Reliable Termite and Pest Control North Port Services to Southwest FloridaNorth Port, FL - Bug Off Pest is strengthening its presence in North Port by delivering reliable termite and Pest Control North Port services aimed at protecting homes and businesses from costly structural damage and health risks associated with infestations.

    Port Charlotte
    Home Exterminator North Port
    Pest inspection services for businesses North Port
    Pest inspection services for businesses North Port

    Through innovation, experience, and customer-focused service, Bug Off Pest continues to provide Pest Control North Port solutions that protect both property value and peace of mind. Manasota, Florida Lawn Pest Control As Bug Off Pest continues to grow, its mission remains unchanged: to protect health, property, and peace of mind through dependable Pest Control North Port solutions backed by experience and integrity. Bug Off Pest Continues Growth as a Leading Pest Control North Port Company Since 2019North Port, FL - Since its founding in 2019, Bug Off Pest has experienced steady growth by consistently delivering high-quality Pest Control North Port services across Southwest Florida. Same-Day Pest Control Based in Punta Gorda, Florida, Bug Off Pest has been serving communities across Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Charlotte County, and surrounding areas including DeSoto, Lee, and Sarasota counties since 2019.

    Bug Off Pest provides customized pest control solutions for a wide range of properties, including single-family homes, apartments, offices, restaurants, warehouses, and agricultural facilities. The company utilizes integrated pest management strategies that emphasize inspection, monitoring, prevention, and targeted treatment. Bug Off Pest Introduces Advanced Pest Control North Port Solutions to Protect Property and Peace of MindNorth Port, FL - Bug Off Pest is introducing advanced Pest Control North Port solutions designed to address evolving pest pressures while providing long-term protection for homes and businesses.

    This commitment to professional standards allows Bug Off Pest to deliver consistent, high-quality service across residential, commercial, and agricultural properties. Each treatment plan is developed based on property conditions, pest pressure, and environmental factors, ensuring accurate and efficient results. Rather than focusing on rapid expansion alone, Bug Off Pest prioritizes service quality, transparency, and preventative care.

    With a focus on safety, effectiveness, and long-term prevention, the company continues to meet the growing demand for responsible pest control in Southwest Florida. Treatments are carefully selected to minimize risk to pets, children, and beneficial wildlife while maintaining strong pest prevention results. Bug Off Pest Brings Reliable Termite and Pest Control North Port Services to Southwest FloridaNorth Port, FL - Bug Off Pest is strengthening its presence in North Port by delivering reliable termite and Pest Control North Port services aimed at protecting homes and businesses from costly structural damage and health risks associated with infestations.

    Rodent control for businesses North Port

    Built on a foundation of trust, professionalism, and results, the company has expanded its service reach while maintaining a strong commitment to customer satisfaction. Customers receive clear explanations, upfront pricing, and treatment plans tailored to their specific property and pest challenges.

    Same-Day Pest Control

    • Sarasota Springs, Florida
    • Ant Control
    • Lanai Misting Treatment
    • Residential Pest Control
    • South Bradenton, Florida
    • Home Pest Inspection
    • Wasp Removal
    • Pest Control
    • Mosquito Treatment
    • Longboat Key, Florida
    • Lawn Pest Control
    • Lake Sarasota, Florida
    • Tick Control
    • Hornet Removal
    • Local Pest Control Near Me
    Bug Off Pest's growth reflects the increasing demand for reliable pest control providers who understand Florida's unique climate and pest challenges.
    Residential customers benefit from preventative programs that help avoid costly infestations and property damage. Bug Off Pest also offers customized maintenance plans that adapt to seasonal pest trends common in Southwest Florida.
    Bug Off Pest's approach not only controls active infestations but also reduces the likelihood of future pest activity. Bug Off Pest Enhances Pest Control North Port With Environmentally Responsible TreatmentsNorth Port, FL - Bug Off Pest is enhancing its Pest Control North Port services by continuing to invest in environmentally responsible treatments that balance effectiveness with safety.
    Bug Off Pest Sets New Standards for Safe and Affordable Pest Control North PortNorth Port, FL - Bug Off Pest continues to raise the bar for Pest Control North Port by delivering safe, affordable, and results-driven pest management solutions for residential and commercial properties. Bug Off Pest offers thorough termite inspections, preventative treatments, and effective control solutions designed to safeguard properties for the long term.

    Cockroach Control

    • Wildlife Removal
    • German Roach Treatment
    • Wildlife Removal
    • German Roach Treatment
    • Wildlife Removal
    • German Roach Treatment
    • Wildlife Removal
    • German Roach Treatment
    • Wildlife Removal
    • German Roach Treatment
    • Wildlife Removal
    • German Roach Treatment
    • Wildlife Removal
    • German Roach Treatment
    • Wildlife Removal
    • German Roach Treatment

    Explore Termite exterminator North Port here
    Rodent control for businesses North Port

     

    An agricultural aircraft applies low-insecticide bait against western corn rootworm.

    Pest control is the regulation or management of a species defined as a pest; such as any animal, plant or fungus that impacts adversely on human activities or environment.[1] The human response depends on the importance of the damage done and will range from tolerance, through deterrence and management, to attempts to completely eradicate the pest. Pest control measures may be performed as part of an integrated pest management strategy.

    In agriculture, pests are kept at bay by mechanical, cultural, chemical and biological means.[2] Ploughing and cultivation of the soil before sowing mitigate the pest burden, and crop rotation helps to reduce the build-up of a certain pest species. Concern about environment means limiting the use of pesticides in favour of other methods. This can be achieved by monitoring the crop, only applying pesticides when necessary, and by growing varieties and crops which are resistant to pests. Where possible, biological means are used, encouraging the natural enemies of the pests and introducing suitable predators or parasites.[3]

    In homes and urban environments, the pests are the rodents, birds, insects and other organisms that share the habitat with humans, and that feed on or spoil possessions. Control of these pests is attempted through exclusion or quarantine, repulsion, physical removal or chemical means.[4] Alternatively, various methods of biological control can be used including sterilisation programmes.

    History

    [edit]
    Bronze cat, Ancient Egypt. (664–525 BC)

    Pest control is at least as old as agriculture, as there has always been a need to keep crops free from pests. As long ago as 3000 BC in Egypt, cats were used to control pests of grain stores such as rodents.[5][6] Ferrets were domesticated by 1500 BC in Europe for use as mousers. Mongooses were introduced into homes to control rodents and snakes, probably by the ancient Egyptians.[7]

    The conventional approach was probably the first to be employed, since it is comparatively easy to destroy weeds by burning them or ploughing them under, and to kill larger competing herbivores. Techniques such as crop rotation, companion planting (also known as intercropping or mixed cropping), and the selective breeding of pest-resistant cultivars have a long history.[8]

    Red weaver ants, here feeding on a snail, have been used to control pests in China, Southeast Asia, and Africa for many centuries.

    Chemical pesticides were first used around 2500 BC, when the Sumerians used sulphur compounds as insecticides.[9] Modern pest control was stimulated by the spread across the United States of the Colorado potato beetle. After much discussion, arsenical compounds were used to control the beetle and the predicted poisoning of the human population did not occur. This led the way to a widespread acceptance of insecticides across the continent.[10] With the industrialisation and mechanization of agriculture in the 18th and 19th centuries, and the introduction of the insecticides pyrethrum and derris, chemical pest control became widespread. In the 20th century, the discovery of several synthetic insecticides, such as DDT, and herbicides boosted this development.[10]

    The harmful side effect of pesticides on humans has now resulted in the development of newer approaches, such as the use of biological control to eliminate the ability of pests to reproduce or to modify their behavior to make them less troublesome.[citation needed] Biological control is first recorded around 300 AD in China, when colonies of weaver ants, Oecophylla smaragdina, were intentionally placed in citrus plantations to control beetles and caterpillars.[9] Also around 4000 BC in China, ducks were used in paddy fields to consume pests, as illustrated in ancient cave art. In 1762, an Indian mynah was brought to Mauritius to control locusts, and about the same time, citrus trees in Burma were connected by bamboos to allow ants to pass between them and help control caterpillars. In the 1880s, ladybirds were used in citrus plantations in California to control scale insects, and other biological control experiments followed. The introduction of DDT, a cheap and effective compound, put an effective stop to biological control experiments. By the 1960s, problems of resistance to chemicals and damage to the environment began to emerge, and biological control had a renaissance. Chemical pest control is still the predominant type of pest control today, although a renewed interest in traditional and biological pest control developed towards the end of the 20th century and continues to this day.[11]

    In agriculture

    [edit]

    Control methods

    [edit]

    Biological pest control

    [edit]
    Biological pest control: parasitoid wasp (Cotesia congregata) adult with pupal cocoons on its host, a tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta (green background)

    Biological pest control is a method of controlling pests such as insects and mites by using other organisms.[12] It relies on predation, parasitism, herbivory, parasitody or other natural mechanisms, but typically also involves an active human management role. Classical biological control involves the introduction of natural enemies of the pest that are bred in the laboratory and released into the environment. An alternative approach is to augment the natural enemies that occur in a particular area by releasing more, either in small, repeated batches, or in a single large-scale release. Ideally, the released organism will breed and survive, and provide long-term control.[13] Biological control can be an important component of an integrated pest management programme.

    For example: mosquitoes are often controlled by putting Bt Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. israelensis, a bacterium that infects and kills mosquito larvae, in local water sources.[14]

    Cultural control

    [edit]
    Cultivation by ploughing exposes insect pests to predators such as black-headed gulls.
    Spruce budworm (adult and pupa shown), a serious pest of forests, can be monitored using pheromone traps.

    Mechanical pest control is the use of hands-on techniques as well as simple equipment and devices, that provides a protective barrier between plants and insects. This is referred to as tillage and is one of the oldest methods of weed control as well as being useful for pest control; wireworms, the larvae of the common click beetle, are very destructive pests of newly ploughed grassland, and repeated cultivation exposes them to the birds and other predators that feed on them.[15]

    Crop rotation can help to control pests by depriving them of their host plants. It is a major tactic in the control of corn rootworm, and has reduced early season incidence of Colorado potato beetle by as much as 95%.[16]

    Trap cropping

    [edit]

    A trap crop is a crop of a plant that attracts pests, diverting them from nearby crops.[17] Pests aggregated on the trap crop can be more easily controlled using pesticides or other methods.[18] However, trap-cropping, on its own, has often failed to cost effectively reduce pest densities on large commercial scales, without the use of pesticides, possibly due to the pests' ability to disperse back into the main field.[18]

    Pesticides

    [edit]
    Spraying pine logs with insecticide against Ips sexdentatus, a pine engraver beetle

    Pesticides are substances applied to crops to control pests, they include herbicides to kill weeds, fungicides to kill fungi and insecticides to kill insects. Application methods include sprays by hand, tractors, or aircraft or as seed dressings. To be effective, the correct substance must be applied at the correct time and the method of application is important to ensure adequate coverage and retention on the crop. The killing of natural enemies of the target pest should be minimized. This is particularly important in countries where there are natural reservoirs of pests and their enemies in the countryside surrounding plantation crops, and these co-exist in a delicate balance. Often in less-developed countries, the crops are well adapted to the local situation and no pesticides are needed. Where progressive farmers are using fertilizers to grow improved crop varieties, these are often more susceptible to pest damage, but the indiscriminate application of pesticides may be detrimental in the longer term.[19][unreliable source?][failed verification] The efficacy of chemical pesticides tends to diminish over time. This is because any organism that manages to survive the initial application will pass on its genes to its offspring and a resistant strain will be developed. In this way, some of the most serious pests have developed resistance and are no longer killed by pesticides that used to kill their ancestors. This necessitates higher concentrations of chemical, more frequent applications and a movement to more expensive formulations.[20]

    Pesticides are intended to kill pests, but many have detrimental effects on non-target species; of particular concern is the damage done to honey-bees, solitary bees and other pollinating insects and in this regard, the time of day when the spray is applied can be important.[21] The widely used neonicotinoids have been banned on flowering crops in some countries because of their effects on bees.[21] Some pesticides may cause cancer and other health problems in humans, as well as being harmful to wildlife.[22] There can be acute effects immediately after exposure or chronic effects after continuous low-level, or occasional exposure.[23] Maximum residue limits for pesticides in foodstuffs and animal feed are set by many nations.[24]

    Genetics

    [edit]

    Using crops with inheritable resistance to pests is referred to as host-plant resistance and reduces the need for pesticide use. These crops can harm or even kill pests, repel feeding, prevent colonization, or tolerate the presence of a pest without significantly impacting yield.[25][26][27] Resistance can also occur through genetic engineering to have traits with resistance to insects, such as with Bt corn, or papaya resistance to ringspot virus.[28] When farmers are purchasing seed, variety information often includes resistance to selected pests in addition to other traits.[29]

    Hunting

    [edit]
    A contemporary wood engraving of varmint hunters shooting passenger pigeons, a varmint species that was known to damage crops. Overhunting resulted in complete extinction of the species.

    Pest control can also be achieved via culling the pest animals — generally small- to medium-sized wild or feral mammals or birds that inhabit the ecological niches near farms, pastures or other human settlements — by employing human hunters or trappers to physically track down, kill and remove them from the area. The culled animals, known as vermin, may be targeted because they are deemed harmful to agricultural crops, livestock or facilities; serve as hosts or vectors that transmit pathogens across species or to humans; or for population control as a mean of protecting other vulnerable species and ecosystems.[30]

    Pest control via hunting, like all forms of harvest, has imposed an artificial selective pressure on the organisms being targeted. While varmint hunting is potentially selecting for desired behavioural and demographic changes (e.g. animals avoiding human populated areas, crops and livestock), it can also result in unpredicted outcomes such as the targeted animal adapting for faster reproductive cycles.[31]

    Forestry

    [edit]

    Forest pests present a significant problem because it is not easy to access the canopy and monitor pest populations. In addition, forestry pests such as bark beetles, kept under control by natural enemies in their native range, may be transported large distances in cut timber to places where they have no natural predators, enabling them to cause extensive economic damage.[32] Pheromone traps have been used to monitor pest populations in the canopy. These release volatile chemicals that attract males. Pheromone traps can detect the arrival of pests or alert foresters to outbreaks. For example, the spruce budworm, a destructive pest of spruce and balsam fir, has been monitored using pheromone traps in Canadian forests for several decades.[33] In some regions, such as New Brunswick, areas of forest are sprayed with pesticide to control the budworm population and prevent the damage caused during outbreaks.[34]

    In homes and cities

    [edit]

    Many unwelcome animals visit or make their home in residential buildings, industrial sites and urban areas. Some contaminate foodstuffs, damage structural timbers, chew through fabrics or infest stored dry goods. Some inflict great economic loss, others carry diseases or cause fire hazards, and some are just a nuisance. Control of these pests has been attempted by improving sanitation and garbage control, modifying the habitat, and using repellents, growth regulators, traps, baits and pesticides.[35]

    General methods

    [edit]

    Physical pest control

    [edit]
    Dog control van, Rekong Peo, Himachal Pradesh, India

    Physical pest control involves trapping or killing pests such as insects and rodents. Historically, local people or paid rat-catchers caught and killed rodents using dogs and traps.[36] On a domestic scale, sticky flypapers are used to trap flies. In larger buildings, insects may be trapped using such means as pheromones, synthetic volatile chemicals or ultraviolet light to attract the insects; some have a sticky base or an electrically charged grid to kill them. Glueboards are sometimes used for monitoring cockroaches and to catch rodents. Rodents can be killed by suitably baited spring traps and can be caught in cage traps for relocation. Talcum powder or "tracking powder" can be used to establish routes used by rodents inside buildings and acoustic devices can be used for detecting beetles in structural timbers.[35]

    Historically, firearms have been one of the primary methods used for pest control. "Garden Guns" are smooth bore shotguns specifically made to fire .22 caliber snake shot or 9mm Flobert, and are commonly used by gardeners and farmers for snakes, rodents, birds, and other pest. Garden Guns are short-range weapons that can do little harm past 15 to 20 yards, and they're relatively quiet when fired with snake shot, compared to standard ammunition. These guns are especially effective inside of barns and sheds, as the snake shot will not shoot holes in the roof or walls, or more importantly, injure livestock with a ricochet. They are also used for pest control at airports, warehouses, stockyards, etc.[37]

    The most common shot cartridge is .22 Long Rifle loaded with #12 shot. At a distance of about 10 ft (3.0 m), which is about the maximum effective range, the pattern is about 8 in (20 cm) in diameter from a standard rifle. Special smoothbore shotguns, such as the Marlin Model 25MG can produce effective patterns out to 15 or 20 yards using .22 WMR shotshells, which hold 1/8 oz. of #12 shot contained in a plastic capsule.

    Poisoned bait

    [edit]
    Rodent bait station, Chennai, India

    Poisoned bait is a common method for controlling rats, mice, birds, slugs, snails, ants, cockroaches, and other pests. The basic granules, or other formulation, contains a food attractant for the target species and a suitable poison. For ants, a slow-acting toxin is needed so that the workers have time to carry the substance back to the colony, and for flies, a quick-acting substance to prevent further egg-laying and nuisance.[38] Baits for slugs and snails often contain the molluscide metaldehyde, dangerous to children and household pets.[39]

    An article in Scientific American in 1885 described effective elimination of a cockroach infestation using fresh cucumber peels.[40]

    Bait being placed in a rodent bait box.

    Warfarin has traditionally been used to kill rodents, but many populations have developed resistance to this anticoagulant, and difenacoum may be substituted. These are cumulative poisons, requiring bait stations to be topped up regularly.[38] Poisoned meat has been used for centuries to kill animals such as wolves[41] and birds of prey.[42] Poisoned carcasses however kill a wide range of carrion feeders, not only the targeted species.[41] Raptors in Israel were nearly wiped out following a period of intense poisoning of rats and other crop pests.[43]

    Fumigation

    [edit]
    Tent fumigation of a house in the United States

    Fumigation is the treatment of a structure to kill pests such as wood-boring beetles by sealing it or surrounding it with an airtight cover such as a tent, and fogging with liquid insecticide for an extended period, typically of 24–72 hours. This is costly and inconvenient as the structure cannot be used during the treatment, but it targets all life stages of pests.[44]

    An alternative, space treatment, is fogging or misting to disperse a liquid insecticide in the atmosphere within a building without evacuation or airtight sealing, allowing most work within the building to continue, at the cost of reduced penetration. Contact insecticides are generally used to minimize long-lasting residual effects.[44]

    Sterilization

    [edit]

    Populations of pest insects can sometimes be dramatically reduced by the release of sterile individuals. This involves the mass rearing of a pest, sterilising it by means of X-rays or some other means, and releasing it into a wild population. It is particularly useful where a female only mates once and where the insect does not disperse widely.[45] This technique has been successfully used against the New World screw-worm fly, some species of tsetse fly, tropical fruit flies, the pink bollworm and the codling moth, among others.[46]

    To chemically sterilize pests using chemosterilants, laboratory studies conducted using U-5897 (3-chloro-1,2-propanediol) attempted in the early 1970s for rat control, although these proved unsuccessful.[47] In 2013, New York City tested sterilization traps,[48] demonstrating a 43% reduction in rat populations.[48] The product ContraPest was approved for the sterilization of rodents by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in August 2016 as a chemosterilant.[49]

    Insulation

    [edit]

    Boron, a known pesticide can be impregnated into the paper fibers of cellulose insulation at certain levels to achieve a mechanical kill factor for self-grooming insects such as ants, cockroaches, termites, and more. The addition of insulation into the attic and walls of a structure can provide control of common pests in addition to known insulation benefits such a robust thermal envelope and acoustic noise-canceling properties. The EPA regulates this type of general-use pesticide within the United States allowing it to only be sold and installed by licensed pest management professionals as part of an integrated pest management program.[50] Simply adding Boron or an EPA-registered pesticide to an insulation does not qualify it as a pesticide. The dosage and method must be carefully controlled and monitored.

    On airfields

    [edit]
    Jet engine fan blades damaged by bird strike

    Birds are a significant hazard to aircraft, but it is difficult to keep them away from airfields. Several methods have been explored. Stunning birds by feeding them a bait containing stupefying substances has been tried,[51] and it may be possible to reduce their numbers on airfields by reducing the number of earthworms and other invertebrates by soil treatment.[51] Leaving the grass long on airfields rather than mowing it is also a deterrent to birds.[52] Sonic nets are being trialled; these produce sounds that birds find distracting and seem effective at keeping birds away from affected areas.[53]

    See also

    [edit]

    References

    [edit]
    1. ^ Elliott, N. C., Farrell, J. A., Gutierrez, A. P., van Lenteren, J. C., Walton, M. P., & Wratten, S. (1995). Integrated pest management. Springer Science & Business Media.
    2. ^ Dent, D., & Binks, R. H. (2020). Insect pest management. Cabi.
    3. ^ Flint, M. L., & Van den Bosch, R. (2012). Introduction to integrated pest management. Springer Science & Business Media.
    4. ^ Gerozisis, J., Hadlington, P. W., & Staunton, I. (2008). Urban pest management in Australia. UNSW Press.
    5. ^ Taylor, D., The Complete Contented Cat: Your Ultimate Guide to Feline Fulfilment, David & Charles, 2011, p.9. Archived from the Original[permanent dead link]
    6. ^ Beadle, Muriel (29 October 1979). Cat. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-0-671-25190-1.
    7. ^ Sherman, D.M., Tending Animals in the Global Village: A Guide to International Veterinary Medicine, John Wiley & Sons, 2007, p. 45.
    8. ^ Chrispeels, Maarten J.; Sadava, David E. (1994). Plants, Genes, and Agriculture. Jones and Bartlett Publishers. p. 452. ISBN 978-0-86720-871-9.
    9. ^ a b "The History of Integrated Pest Management". Cornell University. Retrieved 27 August 2017. which cites Orlob, G.B. (1973). "Ancient and medieval plant pathology". Pflanzenschutz-Nachrichten. 26: 65–294.
    10. ^ a b van Emden, Helmut F. (1991). Pest Control. Cambridge University Press. pp. 1–4. ISBN 978-0-521-42788-3.
    11. ^ van Emden, H.F.; Service, M.W. (2004). Pest and Vector Control. Cambridge University Press. p. 147. ISBN 978-0-521-01083-2.
    12. ^ Flint, Maria Louise; Dreistadt, Steve H. (1998). Clark, Jack K. (ed.). Natural Enemies Handbook: The Illustrated Guide to Biological Pest Control. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-21801-7. Archived from the original on 15 May 2016.
    13. ^ "Augmentation: The Periodic Release of Natural Enemies". University of Wisconsin. Archived from the original on 17 March 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
    14. ^ "Bacillus thuringienis Factsheet". Colorado State University. Retrieved 2 June 2010.
    15. ^ "Agriotes sputator L. - Common Click Beetle (Wireworm)". Interactive Agricultural Ecological Atlas of Russia and Neighboring Countries. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
    16. ^ Wright, R. j (1984). "Evaluation of crop rotation for control of Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in commercial potato fields on Long Island". Journal of Economic Entomology. 77 (5): 1254–1259. doi:10.1093/jee/77.5.1254.
    17. ^ Shelton, A. M.; Badenes-Perez, F. R. (6 December 2005). "Concepts and applications of trap cropping in pest management". Annual Review of Entomology. 51 (1): 285–308. doi:10.1146/annurev.ento.51.110104.150959. PMID 16332213.
    18. ^ a b Holden, Matthew H.; Ellner, Stephen P.; Lee, Doo-Hyung; Nyrop, Jan P.; Sanderson, John P. (1 June 2012). "Designing an effective trap cropping strategy: the effects of attraction, retention and plant spatial distribution". Journal of Applied Ecology. 49 (3): 715–722. Bibcode:2012JApEc..49..715H. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2664.2012.02137.x.
    19. ^ Hill, Dennis S. (1983). Agricultural Insect Pests of the Tropics and Their Control. CUP Archive. pp. 4–5. ISBN 978-0-521-24638-5.
    20. ^ Georghiou, G.P. (2012). Pest Resistance to Pesticides. Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 1–3. ISBN 978-1-4684-4466-7.
    21. ^ a b Carrington, Damian (29 June 2017). "Pesticides damage survival of bee colonies, landmark study shows". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
    22. ^ "Pesticides". National Institute of Health Sciences. National Institute of Environmental Health. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
    23. ^ "Toxicity of Pesticides". Pesticide Safety Education Program. 2012. Archived from the original on 21 July 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
    24. ^ "Maximum Residue Levels". Plants. European Commission. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
    25. ^ "Host Plant Resistance". vegento.russell.wisc.edu. University of Wisconsin. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
    26. ^ Smith, Charles Michael (2005). Plant resistance to arthropods: molecular and conventional approaches. Dordrecht, the Netherlands: Springer. ISBN 978-1-4020-3702-3.
    27. ^ Pedigo, Larry P.; Rice, Marlin E.; Krell, Rayda K. (15 March 2021). Entomology and Pest Management: Seventh Edition. Waveland Press. ISBN 978-1-4786-4713-3.
    28. ^ Stearns, Stacey (3 October 2017). "Genetic Engineering and Plant Protection | Science of GMOs". Genetic Engineering and Plant Protection. University of Connecticut. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
    29. ^ "Disease Resistant Vegetable Varieties | Cornell Vegetables". www.vegetables.cornell.edu. Cornell University. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
    30. ^ Tellman, Barbara. "Varmint control in Cochise County over the years." (2005)
    31. ^ Allendorf, Fred W.; Hard, Jeffrey J. "Human-induced evolution caused by unnatural selection through harvest of wild animals." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 106. Supplement 1 (2009): 9987-9994
    32. ^ Lieutier, François; Day, Keith R.; Battisti, Andrea; Grégoire, Jean-Claude; Evans, Hugh F. (2007). Bark and Wood Boring Insects in Living Trees in Europe, a Synthesis. Springer. p. 39. ISBN 978-1-4020-2241-8.
    33. ^ Humme, Hans E.; Miller, Thomas A. (2012). Techniques in Pheromone Research. Springer. p. 432. ISBN 978-1-4612-5220-7.
    34. ^ Macdonald, D. R. (1968). "Management of Spruce Budworm Populations". The Forestry Chronicle. 44 (3): 33–36. doi:10.5558/tfc44033-3.
    35. ^ a b Pat O'Connor-Marer (2006). Residential, Industrial, and Institutional Pest Control. UCANR Publications. pp. 2–17. ISBN 978-1-879906-70-9.
    36. ^ "ESDAW-EU". Animal Policy In The EU. European Union. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
    37. ^ Eger, Christopher (28 July 2013). "Marlin 25MG Garden Gun". Marlin Firearms Forum. Outdoor Hub LLC. Archived from the original on 18 September 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
    38. ^ a b Pat O'connor-marer (2006). Residential, Industrial, and Institutional Pest Control. UCANR Publications. ISBN 978-1-879906-70-9.
    39. ^ Flint, M.L.; Wilen, C.A. "Snails and slugs". Pests in Gardens and Landscapes. UC IPM. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
    40. ^ Scientific American. Munn & Company. 26 September 1885. p. 195.
    41. ^ a b Anderson, Emma (9 June 2015). "Farmer poisoned 24 animals in bid to kill wolf". The Local. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
    42. ^ Barkham, Patrick (2 October 2014). "Gamekeeper found guilty of poisoning 10 buzzards and a sparrowhawk". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
    43. ^ Newton, Ian (2010). Population Ecology of Raptors. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 262. ISBN 978-1-4081-3854-0.
    44. ^ a b Fred Baur (1 December 1984). Insect Management for Food Storage and Processing. American Association of Cereal Chemists. ISBN 978-0-913250-38-9.
    45. ^ Thacker, J.R.M. (2002). An Introduction to Arthropod Pest Control. Cambridge University Press. p. 193. ISBN 978-0-521-56787-9.
    46. ^ Dyck, V.A.; Hendrichs, J.; Robinson, A.S. (2006). Sterile Insect Technique: Principles and Practice in Area-Wide Integrated Pest Management. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 4. ISBN 978-1-4020-4051-1.
    47. ^ Bowerman, Alan M.; Brooks, Joe E. (1971). "Evaluation of U-5897 as a male chemosterilant for rat control". Journal of Wildlife Management. 35 (4): 618–624. doi:10.2307/3799765. JSTOR 3799765.
    48. ^ a b Tracy Swartz (22 December 2014). "CTA to put rats on birth control". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
    49. ^ "ContraPest Rodent Control Product Wins EPA Approval". Pest Control Technology, GIA Media. 12 August 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
    50. ^ "Finding Money in the Attic". Pest Control Technology, GIA Media. 25 May 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
    51. ^ a b Murton, R.K.; Wright, E.N. (2013). The Problems of Birds as Pests: Proceedings of a Symposium Held at the Royal Geographical Society, London, on 28 and 29 September 1967. Elsevier. pp. 100, 184. ISBN 978-1-4832-6836-1.
    52. ^ Reed Business Information (29 May 1986). New Scientist. Reed Business Information. pp. 44–47. ISSN 0262-4079. cite book: |author= has generic name (help)
    53. ^ Swaddle, John P.; Moseley, Dana L.; Hinders, Mark K.; Peyton Smith, E. (6 May 2016). "Sonic net could save birds and aircraft, study suggests". University of Exeter. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
    [edit]

     

     

    An agricultural aircraft applies low-insecticide bait against western corn rootworm.

    Pest control is the regulation or management of a species defined as a pest; such as any animal, plant or fungus that impacts adversely on human activities or environment.[1] The human response depends on the importance of the damage done and will range from tolerance, through deterrence and management, to attempts to completely eradicate the pest. Pest control measures may be performed as part of an integrated pest management strategy.

    In agriculture, pests are kept at bay by mechanical, cultural, chemical and biological means.[2] Ploughing and cultivation of the soil before sowing mitigate the pest burden, and crop rotation helps to reduce the build-up of a certain pest species. Concern about environment means limiting the use of pesticides in favour of other methods. This can be achieved by monitoring the crop, only applying pesticides when necessary, and by growing varieties and crops which are resistant to pests. Where possible, biological means are used, encouraging the natural enemies of the pests and introducing suitable predators or parasites.[3]

    In homes and urban environments, the pests are the rodents, birds, insects and other organisms that share the habitat with humans, and that feed on or spoil possessions. Control of these pests is attempted through exclusion or quarantine, repulsion, physical removal or chemical means.[4] Alternatively, various methods of biological control can be used including sterilisation programmes.

    History

    [edit]
    Bronze cat, Ancient Egypt. (664–525 BC)

    Pest control is at least as old as agriculture, as there has always been a need to keep crops free from pests. As long ago as 3000 BC in Egypt, cats were used to control pests of grain stores such as rodents.[5][6] Ferrets were domesticated by 1500 BC in Europe for use as mousers. Mongooses were introduced into homes to control rodents and snakes, probably by the ancient Egyptians.[7]

    The conventional approach was probably the first to be employed, since it is comparatively easy to destroy weeds by burning them or ploughing them under, and to kill larger competing herbivores. Techniques such as crop rotation, companion planting (also known as intercropping or mixed cropping), and the selective breeding of pest-resistant cultivars have a long history.[8]

    Red weaver ants, here feeding on a snail, have been used to control pests in China, Southeast Asia, and Africa for many centuries.

    Chemical pesticides were first used around 2500 BC, when the Sumerians used sulphur compounds as insecticides.[9] Modern pest control was stimulated by the spread across the United States of the Colorado potato beetle. After much discussion, arsenical compounds were used to control the beetle and the predicted poisoning of the human population did not occur. This led the way to a widespread acceptance of insecticides across the continent.[10] With the industrialisation and mechanization of agriculture in the 18th and 19th centuries, and the introduction of the insecticides pyrethrum and derris, chemical pest control became widespread. In the 20th century, the discovery of several synthetic insecticides, such as DDT, and herbicides boosted this development.[10]

    The harmful side effect of pesticides on humans has now resulted in the development of newer approaches, such as the use of biological control to eliminate the ability of pests to reproduce or to modify their behavior to make them less troublesome.[citation needed] Biological control is first recorded around 300 AD in China, when colonies of weaver ants, Oecophylla smaragdina, were intentionally placed in citrus plantations to control beetles and caterpillars.[9] Also around 4000 BC in China, ducks were used in paddy fields to consume pests, as illustrated in ancient cave art. In 1762, an Indian mynah was brought to Mauritius to control locusts, and about the same time, citrus trees in Burma were connected by bamboos to allow ants to pass between them and help control caterpillars. In the 1880s, ladybirds were used in citrus plantations in California to control scale insects, and other biological control experiments followed. The introduction of DDT, a cheap and effective compound, put an effective stop to biological control experiments. By the 1960s, problems of resistance to chemicals and damage to the environment began to emerge, and biological control had a renaissance. Chemical pest control is still the predominant type of pest control today, although a renewed interest in traditional and biological pest control developed towards the end of the 20th century and continues to this day.[11]

    In agriculture

    [edit]

    Control methods

    [edit]

    Biological pest control

    [edit]
    Biological pest control: parasitoid wasp (Cotesia congregata) adult with pupal cocoons on its host, a tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta (green background)

    Biological pest control is a method of controlling pests such as insects and mites by using other organisms.[12] It relies on predation, parasitism, herbivory, parasitody or other natural mechanisms, but typically also involves an active human management role. Classical biological control involves the introduction of natural enemies of the pest that are bred in the laboratory and released into the environment. An alternative approach is to augment the natural enemies that occur in a particular area by releasing more, either in small, repeated batches, or in a single large-scale release. Ideally, the released organism will breed and survive, and provide long-term control.[13] Biological control can be an important component of an integrated pest management programme.

    For example: mosquitoes are often controlled by putting Bt Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. israelensis, a bacterium that infects and kills mosquito larvae, in local water sources.[14]

    Cultural control

    [edit]
    Cultivation by ploughing exposes insect pests to predators such as black-headed gulls.
    Spruce budworm (adult and pupa shown), a serious pest of forests, can be monitored using pheromone traps.

    Mechanical pest control is the use of hands-on techniques as well as simple equipment and devices, that provides a protective barrier between plants and insects. This is referred to as tillage and is one of the oldest methods of weed control as well as being useful for pest control; wireworms, the larvae of the common click beetle, are very destructive pests of newly ploughed grassland, and repeated cultivation exposes them to the birds and other predators that feed on them.[15]

    Crop rotation can help to control pests by depriving them of their host plants. It is a major tactic in the control of corn rootworm, and has reduced early season incidence of Colorado potato beetle by as much as 95%.[16]

    Trap cropping

    [edit]

    A trap crop is a crop of a plant that attracts pests, diverting them from nearby crops.[17] Pests aggregated on the trap crop can be more easily controlled using pesticides or other methods.[18] However, trap-cropping, on its own, has often failed to cost effectively reduce pest densities on large commercial scales, without the use of pesticides, possibly due to the pests' ability to disperse back into the main field.[18]

    Pesticides

    [edit]
    Spraying pine logs with insecticide against Ips sexdentatus, a pine engraver beetle

    Pesticides are substances applied to crops to control pests, they include herbicides to kill weeds, fungicides to kill fungi and insecticides to kill insects. Application methods include sprays by hand, tractors, or aircraft or as seed dressings. To be effective, the correct substance must be applied at the correct time and the method of application is important to ensure adequate coverage and retention on the crop. The killing of natural enemies of the target pest should be minimized. This is particularly important in countries where there are natural reservoirs of pests and their enemies in the countryside surrounding plantation crops, and these co-exist in a delicate balance. Often in less-developed countries, the crops are well adapted to the local situation and no pesticides are needed. Where progressive farmers are using fertilizers to grow improved crop varieties, these are often more susceptible to pest damage, but the indiscriminate application of pesticides may be detrimental in the longer term.[19][unreliable source?][failed verification] The efficacy of chemical pesticides tends to diminish over time. This is because any organism that manages to survive the initial application will pass on its genes to its offspring and a resistant strain will be developed. In this way, some of the most serious pests have developed resistance and are no longer killed by pesticides that used to kill their ancestors. This necessitates higher concentrations of chemical, more frequent applications and a movement to more expensive formulations.[20]

    Pesticides are intended to kill pests, but many have detrimental effects on non-target species; of particular concern is the damage done to honey-bees, solitary bees and other pollinating insects and in this regard, the time of day when the spray is applied can be important.[21] The widely used neonicotinoids have been banned on flowering crops in some countries because of their effects on bees.[21] Some pesticides may cause cancer and other health problems in humans, as well as being harmful to wildlife.[22] There can be acute effects immediately after exposure or chronic effects after continuous low-level, or occasional exposure.[23] Maximum residue limits for pesticides in foodstuffs and animal feed are set by many nations.[24]

    Genetics

    [edit]

    Using crops with inheritable resistance to pests is referred to as host-plant resistance and reduces the need for pesticide use. These crops can harm or even kill pests, repel feeding, prevent colonization, or tolerate the presence of a pest without significantly impacting yield.[25][26][27] Resistance can also occur through genetic engineering to have traits with resistance to insects, such as with Bt corn, or papaya resistance to ringspot virus.[28] When farmers are purchasing seed, variety information often includes resistance to selected pests in addition to other traits.[29]

    Hunting

    [edit]
    A contemporary wood engraving of varmint hunters shooting passenger pigeons, a varmint species that was known to damage crops. Overhunting resulted in complete extinction of the species.

    Pest control can also be achieved via culling the pest animals — generally small- to medium-sized wild or feral mammals or birds that inhabit the ecological niches near farms, pastures or other human settlements — by employing human hunters or trappers to physically track down, kill and remove them from the area. The culled animals, known as vermin, may be targeted because they are deemed harmful to agricultural crops, livestock or facilities; serve as hosts or vectors that transmit pathogens across species or to humans; or for population control as a mean of protecting other vulnerable species and ecosystems.[30]

    Pest control via hunting, like all forms of harvest, has imposed an artificial selective pressure on the organisms being targeted. While varmint hunting is potentially selecting for desired behavioural and demographic changes (e.g. animals avoiding human populated areas, crops and livestock), it can also result in unpredicted outcomes such as the targeted animal adapting for faster reproductive cycles.[31]

    Forestry

    [edit]

    Forest pests present a significant problem because it is not easy to access the canopy and monitor pest populations. In addition, forestry pests such as bark beetles, kept under control by natural enemies in their native range, may be transported large distances in cut timber to places where they have no natural predators, enabling them to cause extensive economic damage.[32] Pheromone traps have been used to monitor pest populations in the canopy. These release volatile chemicals that attract males. Pheromone traps can detect the arrival of pests or alert foresters to outbreaks. For example, the spruce budworm, a destructive pest of spruce and balsam fir, has been monitored using pheromone traps in Canadian forests for several decades.[33] In some regions, such as New Brunswick, areas of forest are sprayed with pesticide to control the budworm population and prevent the damage caused during outbreaks.[34]

    In homes and cities

    [edit]

    Many unwelcome animals visit or make their home in residential buildings, industrial sites and urban areas. Some contaminate foodstuffs, damage structural timbers, chew through fabrics or infest stored dry goods. Some inflict great economic loss, others carry diseases or cause fire hazards, and some are just a nuisance. Control of these pests has been attempted by improving sanitation and garbage control, modifying the habitat, and using repellents, growth regulators, traps, baits and pesticides.[35]

    General methods

    [edit]

    Physical pest control

    [edit]
    Dog control van, Rekong Peo, Himachal Pradesh, India

    Physical pest control involves trapping or killing pests such as insects and rodents. Historically, local people or paid rat-catchers caught and killed rodents using dogs and traps.[36] On a domestic scale, sticky flypapers are used to trap flies. In larger buildings, insects may be trapped using such means as pheromones, synthetic volatile chemicals or ultraviolet light to attract the insects; some have a sticky base or an electrically charged grid to kill them. Glueboards are sometimes used for monitoring cockroaches and to catch rodents. Rodents can be killed by suitably baited spring traps and can be caught in cage traps for relocation. Talcum powder or "tracking powder" can be used to establish routes used by rodents inside buildings and acoustic devices can be used for detecting beetles in structural timbers.[35]

    Historically, firearms have been one of the primary methods used for pest control. "Garden Guns" are smooth bore shotguns specifically made to fire .22 caliber snake shot or 9mm Flobert, and are commonly used by gardeners and farmers for snakes, rodents, birds, and other pest. Garden Guns are short-range weapons that can do little harm past 15 to 20 yards, and they're relatively quiet when fired with snake shot, compared to standard ammunition. These guns are especially effective inside of barns and sheds, as the snake shot will not shoot holes in the roof or walls, or more importantly, injure livestock with a ricochet. They are also used for pest control at airports, warehouses, stockyards, etc.[37]

    The most common shot cartridge is .22 Long Rifle loaded with #12 shot. At a distance of about 10 ft (3.0 m), which is about the maximum effective range, the pattern is about 8 in (20 cm) in diameter from a standard rifle. Special smoothbore shotguns, such as the Marlin Model 25MG can produce effective patterns out to 15 or 20 yards using .22 WMR shotshells, which hold 1/8 oz. of #12 shot contained in a plastic capsule.

    Poisoned bait

    [edit]
    Rodent bait station, Chennai, India

    Poisoned bait is a common method for controlling rats, mice, birds, slugs, snails, ants, cockroaches, and other pests. The basic granules, or other formulation, contains a food attractant for the target species and a suitable poison. For ants, a slow-acting toxin is needed so that the workers have time to carry the substance back to the colony, and for flies, a quick-acting substance to prevent further egg-laying and nuisance.[38] Baits for slugs and snails often contain the molluscide metaldehyde, dangerous to children and household pets.[39]

    An article in Scientific American in 1885 described effective elimination of a cockroach infestation using fresh cucumber peels.[40]

    Bait being placed in a rodent bait box.

    Warfarin has traditionally been used to kill rodents, but many populations have developed resistance to this anticoagulant, and difenacoum may be substituted. These are cumulative poisons, requiring bait stations to be topped up regularly.[38] Poisoned meat has been used for centuries to kill animals such as wolves[41] and birds of prey.[42] Poisoned carcasses however kill a wide range of carrion feeders, not only the targeted species.[41] Raptors in Israel were nearly wiped out following a period of intense poisoning of rats and other crop pests.[43]

    Fumigation

    [edit]
    Tent fumigation of a house in the United States

    Fumigation is the treatment of a structure to kill pests such as wood-boring beetles by sealing it or surrounding it with an airtight cover such as a tent, and fogging with liquid insecticide for an extended period, typically of 24–72 hours. This is costly and inconvenient as the structure cannot be used during the treatment, but it targets all life stages of pests.[44]

    An alternative, space treatment, is fogging or misting to disperse a liquid insecticide in the atmosphere within a building without evacuation or airtight sealing, allowing most work within the building to continue, at the cost of reduced penetration. Contact insecticides are generally used to minimize long-lasting residual effects.[44]

    Sterilization

    [edit]

    Populations of pest insects can sometimes be dramatically reduced by the release of sterile individuals. This involves the mass rearing of a pest, sterilising it by means of X-rays or some other means, and releasing it into a wild population. It is particularly useful where a female only mates once and where the insect does not disperse widely.[45] This technique has been successfully used against the New World screw-worm fly, some species of tsetse fly, tropical fruit flies, the pink bollworm and the codling moth, among others.[46]

    To chemically sterilize pests using chemosterilants, laboratory studies conducted using U-5897 (3-chloro-1,2-propanediol) attempted in the early 1970s for rat control, although these proved unsuccessful.[47] In 2013, New York City tested sterilization traps,[48] demonstrating a 43% reduction in rat populations.[48] The product ContraPest was approved for the sterilization of rodents by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in August 2016 as a chemosterilant.[49]

    Insulation

    [edit]

    Boron, a known pesticide can be impregnated into the paper fibers of cellulose insulation at certain levels to achieve a mechanical kill factor for self-grooming insects such as ants, cockroaches, termites, and more. The addition of insulation into the attic and walls of a structure can provide control of common pests in addition to known insulation benefits such a robust thermal envelope and acoustic noise-canceling properties. The EPA regulates this type of general-use pesticide within the United States allowing it to only be sold and installed by licensed pest management professionals as part of an integrated pest management program.[50] Simply adding Boron or an EPA-registered pesticide to an insulation does not qualify it as a pesticide. The dosage and method must be carefully controlled and monitored.

    On airfields

    [edit]
    Jet engine fan blades damaged by bird strike

    Birds are a significant hazard to aircraft, but it is difficult to keep them away from airfields. Several methods have been explored. Stunning birds by feeding them a bait containing stupefying substances has been tried,[51] and it may be possible to reduce their numbers on airfields by reducing the number of earthworms and other invertebrates by soil treatment.[51] Leaving the grass long on airfields rather than mowing it is also a deterrent to birds.[52] Sonic nets are being trialled; these produce sounds that birds find distracting and seem effective at keeping birds away from affected areas.[53]

    See also

    [edit]

    References

    [edit]
    1. ^ Elliott, N. C., Farrell, J. A., Gutierrez, A. P., van Lenteren, J. C., Walton, M. P., & Wratten, S. (1995). Integrated pest management. Springer Science & Business Media.
    2. ^ Dent, D., & Binks, R. H. (2020). Insect pest management. Cabi.
    3. ^ Flint, M. L., & Van den Bosch, R. (2012). Introduction to integrated pest management. Springer Science & Business Media.
    4. ^ Gerozisis, J., Hadlington, P. W., & Staunton, I. (2008). Urban pest management in Australia. UNSW Press.
    5. ^ Taylor, D., The Complete Contented Cat: Your Ultimate Guide to Feline Fulfilment, David & Charles, 2011, p.9. Archived from the Original[permanent dead link]
    6. ^ Beadle, Muriel (29 October 1979). Cat. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-0-671-25190-1.
    7. ^ Sherman, D.M., Tending Animals in the Global Village: A Guide to International Veterinary Medicine, John Wiley & Sons, 2007, p. 45.
    8. ^ Chrispeels, Maarten J.; Sadava, David E. (1994). Plants, Genes, and Agriculture. Jones and Bartlett Publishers. p. 452. ISBN 978-0-86720-871-9.
    9. ^ a b "The History of Integrated Pest Management". Cornell University. Retrieved 27 August 2017. which cites Orlob, G.B. (1973). "Ancient and medieval plant pathology". Pflanzenschutz-Nachrichten. 26: 65–294.
    10. ^ a b van Emden, Helmut F. (1991). Pest Control. Cambridge University Press. pp. 1–4. ISBN 978-0-521-42788-3.
    11. ^ van Emden, H.F.; Service, M.W. (2004). Pest and Vector Control. Cambridge University Press. p. 147. ISBN 978-0-521-01083-2.
    12. ^ Flint, Maria Louise; Dreistadt, Steve H. (1998). Clark, Jack K. (ed.). Natural Enemies Handbook: The Illustrated Guide to Biological Pest Control. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-21801-7. Archived from the original on 15 May 2016.
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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Bug Off Pest treats ants, roaches, spiders, termites, rodents, bed bugs, lawn pests, and other common household and commercial pests found in the North Port area.

    Yes. Bug Off Pest adapts treatment strategies based on infestation severity while maintaining safety standards.

    Yes. When applied by certified professionals, eco-friendly treatments provide reliable pest control with added safety benefits.