Pest Control

If there are bugs in your flour and cornmeal, then it points to the presence of pantry moths or weevils. In order to keep the pantry moth or weevils away, it is recommended to do a good housekeeping as a measure of prevention in first place. Both the moths and weevils do not like clean surroundings so if you want to protect your pantry, you need to minimize the accessibility of food to these bugs. You should always check for infestation by examining all food packages for various signs of moth or weevil infestation. It includes webbing in corners, small holes in containers or clumping of grains together with sticky secretions.

In case, you spot an infestation, you should clean the infested areas with Vacuum cupboards. After that you should scrub all shelves with soapy water thoroughly and pay close attention to cracks as well as corners. You should also dry the cleaned area completely and always try to maintain the cupboard and food-storage areas dry. You should immediately discard the infested food. You also need to look for little moths flying around the kitchen or small bugs in the food.

You need to store the food properly and clean containers with hot and soapy water. After that you should rinse and dry them completely prior to refilling it. You should use tightly sealed glass, metal or hard plastic containers for storing the food. You should avoid the plastic bags as they are insufficient as insects can make their way through them. You should separate the old and new food from each other. Also, keep the not so used items in the freezer. You should eliminate the pest’s food sources and breeding grounds. You should not try to use pesticides in any area where the food is prepared or kept.

Pest control businesses are those that focus on the removal, management, and killing of pests including animals, insects and even plants. The pest control industry is usually divided into two distinct branches including the residential branch and the agricultural branch. The Agricultural pest control aims at keeping crops free from the harmful pests that contaminate the supply or eat the crops. The residential pest control is related to keeping living spaces and commercial spaces pest free. A large number of techniques are used for the agricultural pest control such as laying pesticides and eliminating the destructive populations of insects and animals by hunting, trapping and introducing the rival species. Pest control also uses the strategies like crop rotation, selective breeding and intercropping. There are many crops which are susceptible to pests like cotton which are genetically engineered for resisting pests.

The residential pest control is organized on a smaller scale as compared to agricultural pest control, although some techniques are usually similar. The pest controllers are able to manage a pest infestation by using smaller quantity of pesticide, using preventative coating and baiting traps. In case of serious infestation, the pest controllers may require to vacate the human populations from the space and complete the entire area with pesticide. The homes and businesses which are treated are covered traditionally in a striped tarp for keeping the pesticide in the space and keep the people away from damaging levels of poison.

The pest control business eliminates the pests from our living space and work space; however the excess usage of the pests may results in disastrous results. The poisonous effects of the pesticides are many and sometimes they kill the normal plants and animals in addition to the pests. One should be wary of this fact and uses only the recommended doses of the pesticides. Also, it is required to take precautions and follow the instructions thoroughly that are labelled on the pesticides packages. After the usage, the disposal of the pesticides should also be done in proper manner so that they do not harm the environment.

The integrated pest management (IPM) involves regular monitoring for determining when pest management treatments are required. It utilises physical, biological, mechanical, cultural, and educational tactics for removing the pests. As a rule, the least-toxic pest control methods are used applied as a last resort for eradicating the pests. The complete elimination of a pest is usually expensive and is not possible in some cases. The various types of damage inflicted by the pests include economic, medical, and aesthetic damages. Also, one needs to think, how much damage is tolerable or whether a creature needs to be regarded as pest or not.

There are various steps for achieving Integrated pest management. First one is the identification of pest. In case you want to kill a pest, then you need to identify it, however if you want to use least-toxic pest control then you require to comprehend the role played by pests in relation to its environment. It is referred to as an ecosystem perspective and it will give you more pest control alternatives. Secondly, you need to manipulate the Pest’s Ecosystem Components like limited access to food, limited access to shelter, Limiting energy by moving the food source far from the habitat of pest, encourage natural enemies, and reducing the carrying capacity of a site and increasing the carrying capacity of the natural enemies of the pest.

You need to utilize the Natural Pest Controls as effective as possible. It includes the proper application of Climate & Weather, Pathogens, Food & Habitat, Predators and Parasitoids. You also need to select a treatment Strategy as an overall approach to a problem and choose a Tactic as a specific action or range of actions that follows the strategy. Some of the popular tactics include

IPM Program Components Monitoring, Evaluation and Program Redesign and Determining Injury Levels Applying Strategies and Tactics.

The Neem oil is produced by pressing the seeds obtained from neem trees. It is used as an organic insecticide spray and is widely applied in the field of medicines and cosmetics industry. It disrupts the hormonal balance of insects so they die prior to developing to the next life stage. As per the EPA, Azadirachtin and Clarified Hydrophobic Extract of Neem Oil are extracted from the natural oil found in seeds of the neem tree. After removing the natural neem oil from the seeds, it is treated with alcohol to separate almost all of the azadirachtin and related substances from the oil. The remaining oil left without the azadirachtin is known as Clarified Hydrophobic Extract of Neem Oil. Azadirachtin has multiple uses such as deterring certain insects like locusts from feeding and interfering with the regular life cycle of insects such as feeding, mating, molting, and egg laying.

This organic insecticide leads to killing of some pests once they have eaten leaves sprayed with insecticide. Other way includes repelling pests with its strong smell. The product is used for controlling various pests such as whitefly, aphids, scale, spider mites Japanese beetles, and moth larvae. It leads to killing of mites, therefore they are listed as a "miticide." Sprays that contains clarified hydrophobic extract of neem oil are used for killing fungi against mildew, leaf spot, rust, black spot, scab, blight, botrytis and anthracnose.

You should mix 70% Neem Oil @ 2 tablespoons per gallon of water and thoroughly mix solution to get the 70% neem oil insecticide. You can spray it on all plant surfaces including undersides of leaves till they are completely wet. Apart from being an organic insecticide, this product permits you to target pests, specifically, as against the beneficial insects such as bees and lady bugs. The pests are basically the insects that eat your plants, and this product kills an insect if it ingests the sprayed foliage.

Many gardeners are looking for minimal uses for pesticides in order to keep their gardens free from pest. There are various ways for disease and insect control. If you want to discourage the use of pesticides, then you should understand the needs of healthy plants and learn how to manage pests in your climate. You may also seek the scientifically proven methods for alternative pest control from your local extension office.

Preventing Pest Problems – By using the healthy plants in the garden from the beginning, you can prevent the pests from infecting it. The Plant breeders are continually experimenting with the plants that are resistant to common diseases like powdery mildew on garden phlox or verticillium wilt on tomatoes. You need to pick plants that grow well in the climate and then maintain them with proper water; fertilizer and soil conditions. You can also ensure good air circulation for preventing fungal diseases.

Physical Controls – You can practise various physical controls like weeding, picking off caterpillars or other insects for managing insects and diseases in your ornamental and vegetable gardens. You can provide a barrier to the source of the pest. Examples of such barriers is mulching for avoiding soil splash on the lower leaves of plants as soils contain bacteria or other pathogens. Another example of a physical control is to put light netting over strawberries and broccoli for excluding insect pests.

Biological Controls – You can also use many biological options to control pests via enemies of common diseases and insects. The predatory insects like lacewings and ladybugs with beneficial fungi or bacteria like Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are useful control methods for preventing common aphids and caterpillars. Another example is addition of compost to the soil for keeping away the fungi and bacteria.

Organic Pesticides – You can also use the organic pesticides which are naturally occurring substances in the climate. Some examples are usage of pyrethrin-type pesticides, Neem, insecticidal soap and horticultural oil.

Dog repellents are the diverse approaches designed for repelling unwanted canine intruders from a specific area. These include the usage of various substances keeping the dog away. The most widely used dog Repellents are Powders, Granules or Sprays. They need to be sprinkled or sprayed on the ground. Their basic disadvantage is that you need to reapply them after rains or after a period of time when the strength of their odour diminishes. This category of dog repellents includes the homely products like Ammonia and Vinegar found in the kitchen. It is advised that you should not spray ammonia or vinegar directly onto any landscape plants or lawn grass as it will kill vegetation if sprayed in sufficient amount. They should be used around the perimeter of your property, thereby forming an invisible barrier for keeping the dogs away.

In addition to Ammonia and Vinegar, dogs dislike the smell of citrus and thus, you can use orange, lemon peels, or grapefruit as dog repellents. You can use these fruit peels as natural product which is easy to obtain, however, their use will be restricted to backyard garden areas from where they cannot be seen. The Commercial Dog Repellents are also very popular. One of them is Get Away® dog repellent based on the smell of citrus. This dog repellent is available in both granule and spray form. Other example is of Critter Ridder® which is an organic dog repellent that comes in both granules and sprays form and produces a smell of black pepper that drives the canines away.

Liquid Fence® is another dog repellent that masks the smells seek by dog in areas to do their business.

In addition to dog repellents, there are various gadgets that keep the dogs away like Scarecrow Sprinklers. You need to simply hook one in the garden hose and allows its motion-activated mechanism to do the work. Another benefit is that there’s no need for taking separate control measures against different types of pests. Yard Gard® is an electronic dog repellent that is effective against other pests.

The pest management involves various treatment strategies and tactics.

(1) Indirect Suppression

(2) Direct Suppression

Indirect Suppression comprises of strategy that includes designing and redesigning of the Landscape or Physical Structure for eradicating the the pest out of the system. One tactic involves the selection of plants that resist pests and other tactic includes the usage of landscaping for promoting the health of the host plant.

Second strategy involves the modification of the habitat by using the tactic of reducing the food, water, shelter of pests and enhancing environment for the natural enemies of the pest.

Third Strategy relates to the changes in human behaviour. It includes changes in cultivating, watering, fertilizing, pruning, and mulching practices. It leads to the modification of waste management and sanitation procedures. It comprises of inspection & quarantine of new plants, pets as well as materials. The proper education about pest management also plays a crucial role.

Direct Suppression involves the strategy of using Physical and Mechanical Controls for the removal of pests. It includes manually removing the pests such as hedge, vacuum, clippers, flea comb, hoe. It allows the usage of barriers such as nets and screens. It employs the application of heat, cold, or water.

Second Strategy talks about using the biological Controls. It includes the conservation of biological controls and treatment is done only when injury exceeds the acceptable levels. It can be spot-treated for reducing the impact on the pest’s natural enemies. It involves the proper time for treatments so that they will be least disruptive. The least damaging treatment is selected and species-specific selection is done. It comprises of the augmentation of natural enemies that is increasing the enemies artificially which are present in low numbers. It also involves inoculation with natural enemies by releasing enemies early in the season prior to their presence and import of natural enemies by introducing new enemies.

There are various approaches for pest management that do not require chemical controls like pesticides for removing infestation from crops. You should focus on preventing the initial infestation. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses an approach known as Integrated Pest Management (IPM) that avoid the using of chemicals for controlling agricultural pests and uses natural methods for dealing with pests that are environmental friendly and do not harm humans, other animals. The usage of IPM in agricultural practices leads to decrease in the number of pests without sacrificing crop quality or causing any harm to the environment.

You should use various cultural controls in your planting methods. It involves checking of the plant for any infestation or removal of pests before introducing new plants into your garden. You should use plant crops that have lesser pest problems and also plant crops near other plants that can prevent any damage done by pests. You should plant crops during a season when potential pest populations exist in low numbers. You should consider changing the environment of your garden or field in order to avoid the pests. It involves pest barriers such as plant covers, reflective mulches and sticky tape.

You should also rotate your crops as planting the same type of crop in the same place increases the probability of pest infestation. Ideally, you should wait for few years before planting the same crop in the same place. You should determine the type of pest with which we are involved and what level of infestation control required by it. There are many useful pests that are not harmful to agricultural products and actually benefit the crop by destroying other destructive pests. You need to watch the crop growth closely and introduce the natural enemy of the harmful pest into the environment for eliminating the problem.

Cricket can lead to restlessness by chirping in the night. They can disturb your sleep and keep you awake in the night. You need to prevent the cricket from chirping at night by following the few basic tips. The first thing is that you need to get the complete information about the cricket as an animal. They are the nocturnal creatures which get active in the night. They get attracted to light and moisture. They multiply fast and increase in numbers after the rains. If case, they are outdoors you will find them in nice warm and damp soil. When they enter the indoors of your house, they look out for those places which are damp and warm.

When you find a cricket chirping, you need to locate it rather than ignoring its noise and resting in bed. It is better to treat the cause of the disturbance and get to sound sleep. It requires effort from your side find the cricket. You need to move toward the chirping sound until you find the room from where the sound is coming. It happens that once a cricket knows that someone is coming to it, its stops making sound. Therefore you need to be careful to trace the room from where the sound is coming.

Once you locate the room from where the chirping sound of cricket is coming, then you need to lure the cricket. For that you can place a wet washcloth in the sink, bathroom or kitchen or any place that is close to the location of the cricket. Then you need to wait for the cricket to come out. In the mean while, you can either go back to the bed and enjoy listening to music by using ear plugs or

enjoy the cricket’s sound. Then you should spring the trap. Crickets do not adjust well on smooth surfaces so sinks are best place to nail them. In the morning, you can find the cricket hiding beneath the washcloth. You can take a container for trapping the cricket.

There are various ways and tips for using the organic pest management. Some methods involve usage of organic substances and other ways employs other techniques.

(1) In order to prevent spreading of fungal diseases from one plant to other, you need to disinfect pruning shears between cuts by dipping the blades in the 10% solution of chlorine bleach prepared from 1 part bleach to 9 parts water. You may also use pure alcohol or peroxide. Some gardeners submerge the bare roots in the bleach solution or peroxide prior to planting them in spring or fall. You are required to only dip them and not leave them in it.

(2) By applying a strong jet of water from a garden hose, you can control many diseases and insect pests. It is advised to practise it in the day as wet foliage encourages fungal diseases.

(3) By destroying and cleaning up all infected leaves early in the infestation helps on reducing the blackspot, mildew & insect problems. You should not compose them but instead burn them if required.

(4) You should spray the broad-spectrum insecticides for reducing many natural predators that feed on the troublesome pests also. While using these products you can remove almost all the insects you have sprayed. With these, the natural Enemies of these pests also get killed and newer generations come up with a greater resistance to the insecticide.

(5) Pheromone traps make use of specific (sex hormones) attractants for luring the insects inside where they get trapped. They are used for monitoring and alerting the grower on the appearance of insects on the scene. The application of Sticky cards offers great assistance for insects like whitefly and midges.

(6) You should remove the varieties which are susceptible (prone) to diseases as this will eradicate the source of infections as well as overall disease problems.