Pest Control is considered a part of an integrated pest management strategy. It is the method that you choose to get rid of insects, rodents, and garden weeds from inside or outside your home by using chemicals. Here the word “pest” refers to the small creatures which can be dangerous to plants and humans, the term “Pest” is often used to describe these insects and animals. For example, bees, mosquitos, bed bugs are some of the species that come under the category “Pest”.
The word “Pest” comes from the Latin word pestis which translate to the English word “Plague”. The word “Control” comes from the middle-aged English word “Controllen” that originated from the Medieval Latin word “Contrarotulum” that additionally originated from the Latin word “Contra” and Medieval Latin word “Rotulus”.
Pests are dangerous to the corps in the field and to our well beings in our household if they invade our houses. Pest Control becomes a necessity to keep the population of these pests under control and to make sure that they don’t cause any kind of problems. In most cases, pests are often attracted to the plants and avoid humans but if they feel threatened with our presence, then they are going to attack us.
Definition Of Pest
Pests are the species of small insects and animals that we humans consider dangerous or troublesome to our property and environment. For example, ants and termites are considered pests by most people along with spiders and rodents that invade our house. However, not just the small animals and insects are pests, bigger animals such as elephants are also considered pests by the farmers, as elephants often cause damage to their crops and fields.
Pests are also to blame for various types of diseases that we have seen in the past, and we might see in the future. Taking mosquitoes as an example, mosquitos are the prime species of pests that are the cause of malaria, dengue and other diseases.
Types Of Pests
In the environment, various species of pests can be found in nature. Here are some of the pests:-
Microprededators As Pests
Micro Predators are the species of the pests that often live on or inside another organism to survive and reproduce. Pests like mosquitos, bed bugs, fleas are often considered as micro predators. These pests often feed and rely on the blood of other organisms and other living beings to survive and reproduce on the body, such as humans. Additionally, micro predators are also known as a parasite as they require someone’s body to get energy and live.
Insects As Pests
Insects have three sets of legs, two sets of wings, sectioned body and trademark compound eyes and radio antennas. They are difficult to eliminate and cause harm in various manners. Sucking sap from plants, gnawing plant parts, drilling into organic products, twigs and leaves, assaulting roots, barks and blooms and so on. The harming phases of various insects are hatchlings, grown-ups and nymphs.
Mites As Pests
These creatures have 4 pairs of legs and a soft body. These insect-like creatures are normally red or have a pale yellow colour. Mites are also responsible for sucking out the sap from plants and often attacks the corps in large numbers to cause severe damage.
Animals And Rodents As Pests
Animals such as wild boar, deer, elephants, monkeys and some other animals that often cause damage to our house and corps are considered as pests. In most cases, these animals only attack the corps and field while no one is on the lookout. Additionally, rodents such as rats and mice, otters, beavers, squirrels are also considered pests. These pests often invade our house in search of food and cause us to stay alerts as these pests often contaminate our food.
Common Methods Of Pest Control
There are a lot of methods that are actively used to control the population of the pest in one way or another. Here are some of the methods the people all around the world actively use for Pest Control.
Mechanical Pest Control Methods
It refers to the methods of Pest Control that are completed or carried out using physical means. For example, fences and electric wires that are actively used to keep the pests and animals out of certain areas. Additionally, changing the temperature of a certain area using different devices to keep the pest away from it, also considered Mechanical Pest Control.
Cultural Methods Of Pest Control
This method is often used in the crop fields where a farmer grows a variety of different crops. This method of Pest Control is aimed at reducing the source of the pest attraction. The primary objective of Cultural Pest Control is not the elimination or extermination of pests but preventing pest damage. Here, pests are attracted to the crops that are the bait to lure them away from main crops.
Chemical Methods Of Pest Control
The Chemical Pest Control method is quite harsh as chemicals that are toxic, dangerous and poisonous to the pest and to humans as well. These chemicals are often known as pesticides and insecticides. The main goal of utilising these is to kill the pests rather than the prevention of the damage or reduction of damage. Chemical Pest Control often produces the instant result on the spot as pests often get killed as soon as they come in contact with the chemical.
Biological Methods Of Pest Control
Biological means are used to describe the natural enemies of the pests and parasites. Professionals divided Biological Pest Control into three categories: Classical, Inductive, and Inoculate.