Pest infestations can be quite concerning and frustrating for both commercial and domestic premises. Regarding your home, you may worry that pest infestation can cause major structural damage to your property, and your household members may be allergic to some of the pests, such as cockroaches or mice.
On the other hand, pest control is mandatory for food industries in various countries around the globe, especially the UK. Certain legislations require food-related businesses to implement preventative measures and conduct pest control from time to time by qualified professionals like the ones available at pest control Enfield.
Nevertheless, we will discuss everything related to pest control, its methods, and which one will be the best for your needs in this article. Keep reading to learn!
What Is Pest Control?
Although most people believe that pest control or pest management is simply related to eliminating insects, rats, mice, etc., it’s more than that. It consists of a process of managing and preventing a variety of pests ranging from rats, fleas, cockroaches, mites, ticks, ants, bees, and bed bugs to pest birds and assessing the right method for your needs.
It’s essential to keep in mind that there are 3 main methods of pest control that may be suitable for the type of infestation you’re experiencing.
Methods of Pest Control
1. Physical Pest Control
Physical pest control relates to trapping and exterminating pests or even entirely removing them from the environment through the use of some sort of equipment. This kind of pest control method should be performed by an expert and professional pest controller.
Pest proofing – Pest proofing allows you to keep pests out of a physical location, be it your home or a business location, by introducing a barrier to entry or entirely destroying their nests/breeding grounds. This way, you can also prevent the infestation from proliferating.
Traps and bait stations – Setting traps is one of the most usual methods for pest control. However, you should keep in mind that this method works best for small animals such as rodents. For instance, mouse/rat traps are easily available online, but you will have to keep an eye on them to see if they work.
Temperature control – With the help of extreme temperatures, you may also be able to control or eliminate the growth of infestations. Let’s say hot temperatures can kill bed bugs and larvae, whereas cold temperatures may work great to slow down the growth of insects.
2. Biological Pest Control
The biological pest control method has been used to manage and control infestations for a very long time. This method can be used by making natural changes in the environment without using any kinds of chemicals like pesticides and physically killing animals/insects.
Instead, certain changes are made to the environment, such as introducing natural predators. Some of the examples are:
Insect predators – Insect predators are usually used in farms or gardens to ensure no harm to crops or fields. For example, introducing ladybugs in farms will help you control and even eliminate aphids.
Using animals – Cats and dogs are the best examples for controlling certain kinds of infestations. For instance, cats are ideal for hunting rodents, and dogs (especially the terrier breed) are natural rat hunters.
Microorganisms – Although this is a more preventative approach, the growth of microorganisms can significantly facilitate minimizing the development of pests and keeping plants healthy and safe.
3. Chemical Pest Control
The most well-established pest control method is through the use of chemicals such as pesticides to prevent and control crop diseases and infestations. However, it’s vital to consider that this method should only be used by a qualified pest control technician, as certain chemicals can be dangerous to wildlife, the environment, and even humans.
Poison baits – Poison baits are mostly used along with traps for added effectiveness. Poisons come in the form of pellets or gel; as the pest consumes them, they eventually die.
Insecticides – Insecticides are used to kill insects, and they are generally available in the form of granules and sprays. They are effective in eliminating slugs and snails from the garden and even aphids on the farm.
Rodenticides – Rodenticides are pesticides that help kill rodents and are quite lethal. That’s why a qualified pest controller should only use them.
How to Choose the Best Pest Control Method?
When choosing between the types of pest control that would be best for your needs and situation, you must carefully weigh the pros and cons to evaluate what matters the most.
The physical pest control method may be effective and won’t cause any harm to the environment, but it won’t guarantee that the pest won’t return and can be time-consuming.
Biological pest control is a super eco-friendly and economical option and generally provides a long-term solution. However, the results aren’t always predictable, fast, and reliable and may disturb the natural ecological balance, which may lead to other infestations.
Furthermore, the chemical pest control method is extremely effective, quick, and economical, but it can cause environmental and even health issues as they can be quite toxic. That is why we recommend getting in touch with professionals in pest control.
