Pest control is the process of eliminating or reducing harmful insects, plants or animals. Control measures include prevention, suppression and eradication.

The first step is to remove the food, water or shelter that the pests need. This includes cleaning up messes and storing food in containers with tight lids.

Pest Identification

Pest identification is the first step in any management strategy. This is especially true for integrated pest management (IPM) programs. Field scouting to identify pest populations and damage is key to a successful IPM program. Accurate identification helps you choose appropriate control methods that are specific to the pest and its damage, environmental conditions, harborage, life cycle, etc.

Many pest species are identifiable by the type of damage they cause, such as chewing holes or trails in leaves. In some cases, such as with caterpillars and beetles, it is possible to determine the species based on their eating patterns.

Species-level identification is important for IPM because some pests are more susceptible to certain chemical controls than others. In addition, some pests are better Pest control in Jaipur by nontoxic techniques such as cultural practices, the removal of the infested plant, or preserving natural enemies and other predators. Ultimately, the decision to use chemicals should be based on how serious the damage is and whether or not you can tolerate the pests in your garden.

Pest Control Strategy

Integrated pest management (IPM) uses prevention, suppression, and eradication to control pests with minimum damage to people, property, pets, the environment, and the overall health of an outdoor space. It starts with monitoring, or scouting, to identify pest types and determine population levels. This information helps establish tolerance levels or thresholds above which action must be taken to prevent unacceptable injury.

IPM strategies may include cultural, biological, or chemical controls. These include planting or maintaining a plant community that is not attractive to pests; preparing the soil; choosing and growing plants adapted to site conditions, tolerant of pest damage, or resistant to diseases; rotating crops; interplanting; mulching to reduce weed growth and maintain proper soil temperatures; and trap crops.

IPM also includes identifying the right time of year to treat; and combining prevention, control, and eradication tactics. The goal is to balance the risks and benefits of all treatment methods.

Pesticides

Pesticides are any substance used to prevent, kill or eradicate pests (organisms that harm crops, plants or people). They include herbicides that destroy weeds, insecticides that eliminate insects, rodenticides that control mice and rats, and fungicides that reduce the growth of mildew and molds.

These chemicals are often highly toxic to humans. Even when they are used correctly, such as with protective gloves, they can have short-term impacts like headaches and nausea or long-term impacts such as cancer and reproductive damage.

In addition, the chemicals in many pesticides can enter the environment, polluting air, water and sediments. This is a problem because it can cause the death or decline of other organisms in our ecosystems, including beneficial insects, fish and wildlife. In addition, older pesticides such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and lindane persist in the environment for a long time and can accumulate in the food chain, affecting the health of humans and other animals. Most pesticides contain inert ingredients such as solvents or fillers that are not toxic to humans, but they may still be harmful to the environment.

Natural Forces

Natural forces such as predators, parasites, pathogens and herbivores are the primary regulating influences on most pest populations. Biological control refers to the use of these organisms to reduce pest numbers below economic injury thresholds, often with reduced or no pesticide application. Biological controls are effective only if the host and environment match the needs of the organism. For example, the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki is effective against many species of caterpillars and white grubs but not against other caterpillars or thrips.

Other biotic factors, such as the availability of food and shelter for pests, can influence pest population dynamics. Environmental changes such as water shortages, habitat destruction and climate change can disrupt the balance of pest populations. Physical or mechanical controls, such as traps and barriers, can kill or deter pests or make the environment unsuitable for them. These include fences, screens, steam sterilization of soil and other devices. Often these are used in combination with other forms of pest management.