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Prevent pests from entering by keeping food in sealed containers, removing rubbish regularly, and sealing entry points (caulking, steel wool, etc). Keep the yard free of debris that can provide hiding places for insects. Contact Solutions Pest Control now!

Correct identification of pests is important because it allows the use of the most effective control tactics. It also helps to prevent wasting time and money on controls that will not work or could cause harm to people or the environment. Pests may look very different at different stages of their life cycle or as they mature. Some plants may also change in appearance as they develop.
Having the right information can help you map an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan that will eliminate or reduce pests without harmful chemicals. Understanding the biology of the pests — how they reproduce, what they eat and how they damage property or collections — can allow you to find ways to manage them without using chemicals.
IPM techniques include sanitation, managing moisture in and around buildings, vacuuming, sealing insect entry points, proper firewood storage, and dehumidification. These are often more effective than hiring a pest control company. If you do hire a pest control company, shop for one with good recommendations and warranties. Look for a professional who explains the problem and the proposed treatment and is willing to work with you on prevention methods.
If you are unsure of the pest’s identity, your county Extension office or a local entomologist may be able to provide assistance. Some entomologists have free pest identification services, and some offer fee-based services.
A physical specimen or a picture is needed to identify many pests. The shape, color of wings, spots or lines, and the presence or absence of eyes are important features to distinguish between similar species. In addition, a specialized microscope may be required to examine an immature or larval stage of some insects.
Identifying pests may be easier when the numbers are low, before they reach a threshold level that requires action based on esthetic, health or economic considerations. Monitoring can be done by trapping, scouting or surveying. Observation of damage or the presence of eggs or larvae may also indicate that action is necessary. Pest populations should be evaluated over time to determine if the threshold level has been reached and whether control actions are still needed.
Prevention
Preventing pests involves removing the factors that attract them. It may also include reducing the number of pests that have already established themselves in an area. The goal is to cause the least harm to people, property and the environment. This is usually done by avoiding unnecessary use of control products. It is also important to understand the pest’s life cycle, ecology and behavior. This helps to select the best biological, chemical or physical control techniques.
For example, cockroaches and other insects can carry diseases that can make people sick. Rodents can chew through wires, creating a fire hazard, and leave droppings that can spread Salmonella and other diseases. Fleas and mosquitoes can bite people and animals, causing itchy skin and annoying itching.
Prevention may be possible if the pest’s conditions are right for it to appear in large numbers or if it can be predicted. For instance, some plant disease organisms occur only under certain environmental conditions and can be prevented by using fungicides or other chemicals. Other problems can be avoided if the pests’ needs can be satisfied elsewhere.
To prevent pests, keep food and garbage in sealed containers and dispose of them regularly. Reduce places where they can hide, such as piles of leaf debris or stacks of newspapers or cardboard. Keep grass and shrubbery away from buildings, as they can provide hiding places for rodents. Caulk cracks and crevices, and close off gaps around pipes.
Once a pest is in your home, it can be hard to get rid of it. Keeping food and garbage in containers, fixing leaky pipes and removing wood scraps will help to eliminate their attractiveness. You can also install screens on doors and windows, and vacuum floors and furniture frequently to keep crumbs from attracting pests.
When the need for control is determined, avoid overusing products, especially those with toxic chemicals. Always read and follow the label instructions on any pesticide product you use. It should include information about the pests it controls, the type of environment in which it can be used, precautionary statements and hazard warnings, mixing directions, reapplication intervals, application equipment, safe handling procedures, sensitivity to plants and pets and the maximum recommended dosage.
Treatment
Step Four: Treatment is the use of chemicals to kill or inhibit pests. These chemicals may be sprays, baits, dusts or other formulations. Only trained and licensed pest control technicians should be allowed to use chemical controls, as they can be dangerous if used improperly. Before applying any chemicals, it is important to think about what is attracting the pests and how they are getting into the building or area. For example, if the problem is inside a facility, are there food debris or moisture accumulations attracting them? Are there odors that attract them? How are they getting in, such as through cracks or gaps? Is there an incoming shipment infested with them?
Chemicals can be very effective in controlling many pests, but they are not the only way. Using multiple methods, such as physical traps and baits, along with cultural practices that make an environment unfavorable to pests can often be enough to keep them away.
For instance, reducing clutter makes it harder for rodents and other pests to hide and breed. Taking out the garbage regularly, cleaning up crumbs and spills, keeping plants properly watered, and sealing entry points (caulking, steel wool) are all simple ways to reduce pest numbers.
Biological methods can also be very effective against some pests. Predator species and parasitic insects help to control plant-eating pests, while pathogens can suppress disease-causing organisms. Occasionally, the goal is to eradicate the pest altogether by releasing large numbers of sterile males or using pheromones that cause the pest to lay eggs in a less desirable place.
Eradication is rare in outdoor pest situations. Most of the time, the goal is to control the pest population to an acceptable level where it is no longer causing unacceptable damage. Suppression and prevention are usually the same goal in indoor situations, especially in facilities such as schools, offices and hospitals where a few pests can create a health or sanitation issue that is impossible to ignore. Pests are not just a nuisance; they can cause significant problems with the environment, human health and safety, property or product production. They can contaminate or damage the environment, for example by degrading waste materials and destroying crops. They can affect human health, including by transmitting diseases such as salmonella and E. coli, or they can cause irritation or allergic reactions, as with stinging insects like bees and wasps, cluster flies, and ants.
Maintenance
Pests can have devastating effects on businesses, from reducing productivity to contaminating food. That’s why it’s important to take the appropriate measures to prevent and eradicate infestations.
Regular inspections by pest control experts will reveal any vulnerabilities that can be used by pests to enter your premises. Performing structural maintenance to close entry points revealed in the inspection will help reduce the need for chemical countermeasures. Similarly, good housekeeping practices and sanitation will eliminate potential food sources, further minimizing the need for pesticides.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective, environmentally sensitive approach to managing pests in and around your home or business. This approach is based on the principle that preventing pests from entering your property in the first place is more effective and economical than treating an existing infestation. Several methods are used, including correct identification, monitoring and inspection, avoiding attractants, physical barriers and ‘pest proofing’, habitat modification and biological control.
Many common household pests, such as cockroaches and bed bugs, are not only annoying, but also carry pathogens and allergens that can pose health risks to your family or employees. Routine pest control services will ensure that these and other harmful pests do not infest your home, preserving the value of your home and ensuring the safety and well-being of your loved ones.
Businesses can suffer from a range of pests, from birds and seagulls to rodents and beetles. Pests can cause damage to property, contaminate food and present a health risk to staff and customers. That’s why a comprehensive pest control service is essential for businesses that want to protect their reputation and safeguard the health and safety of their employees and patrons. The most effective pest control companies will offer both preventative and responsive treatment services, conducting regular inspections to identify issues and implementing targeted treatments as needed. They should also be able to offer advice on how to minimize attractants and deter pests from your property in the future. When choosing a pest control company, look for one that offers a broad range of services, has extensive experience and a commitment to customer satisfaction.