Pest control involves preventing, suppressing or eliminating unwanted organisms such as animals, plants, pathogens and weeds. Control measures may include physical exclusion, trapping, poisoning or removal. The methods used depend on the type of pest, the environment and the limitations on structures or sites to be controlled. Prevention is most desirable because it can save time, money and effort, but this option is not always possible or practical. Even when prevention is feasible, some pests are continuous or recurrent and will require continuing management. Others, such as plant diseases, may be predictable under certain conditions and can be prevented by timely action. Continuous and recurrent pests Pest Control Centralia IL can usually be prevented or eliminated by understanding their life cycles, habitat requirements and habits. Sporadic and potential pests can often be prevented by regularly removing food sources, water and shelter, making sure garbage cans are tightly closed, repairing leaky plumbing and storing or removing garbage on a regular schedule. Other preventive measures include the use of pheromones, nematodes and juvenile hormones.
Whenever possible, control efforts should be aimed at reducing pest numbers to acceptable levels. When this is not possible, eradication should be the goal. This requires a comprehensive strategy that includes preventive methods.
Threshold levels have been established for most pests that should prompt immediate control action, whether esthetic, health or economic considerations are involved. These thresholds may be based on a single instance of a pest or a population level at which the pests cause unacceptable harm or damage.
Most pesticides are designed to affect only the target organism and cause only minimal harm to everything else except the pest. However, the use of chemicals can sometimes harm other organisms, especially if the application is not properly directed or the pesticide is used at too high a concentration. Therefore, it is important to read and follow pesticide labels carefully.
Keeping the home clean can deter many pests, but for those that ignore basic cleaning routines, other control methods must be applied. The best way to keep pests away is to make sure all garbage and compost is tightly covered and removed regularly, surfaces are thoroughly cleaned, and cooking utensils are stored and used properly. Keeping the home neat and tidy will also help limit rodent infestations, as rats will not nest in dirty places.
Rodents are a year-round problem, but the influx can be particularly severe in the winter, as they seek warmth and shelter inside homes and buildings. In addition, mice and rats are known to spread disease, including leptospirosis, Salmonella, Listeria and hantavirus.