Pests typically enter your home in search of 3 things: food, water and shelter. Remove sources of attraction by storing food in sealed containers, removing garbage on a regular basis and fixing leaky pipes.
Use nonresidual pesticides where possible to prevent re-infestation. Ask a professional to identify the pest and recommend a targeted approach for best results. Contact Bakersfield Pest Control now!
Insects are an important part of the ecosystem and can be beneficial as well as pests. They pollinate plants, provide food for other animals and serve as scavengers and natural pest control agents. They are also valuable objects of study for elucidating many aspects of insect genetics, hormone action and sense organ function.
In general, insects go through a complete metamorphosis, which begins with the egg and ends with the adult insect. Some insects restrict their feeding to one type of plant, such as beetles and caterpillars; these are referred to as monophagous. Others feed on a wide range of plants, including both fruit and vegetable crops; these are referred to as polyphagous. Immature insects that do not yet resemble the adults are called nymphs and grow by molting.
Like other plants and animals, insects can be infected with bacteria, fungi and protozoans that cause disease. This can reduce the rate of growth, retard or kill the insect. Insect pathogens are a common cause of crop failure, and their occurrence is one reason that effective disease management must be part of any integrated pest control program.
Another factor in insect pest control is competition. Virtually every species of insect has natural enemies that keep its population in check. These may be predators, such as birds and bats, that actively hunt and eat pest insects; parasites, such as certain kinds of flies, wasps and beetles that lay their eggs inside the bodies of insect hosts and kill them from within; or herbivores, such as butterflies, moths and bees that feed on and pollinate plants without damaging them.
When insect damage occurs, the first reaction is often to apply a chemical. However, this is not always the best approach. Many chemical products are effective only when the insect is still in a vulnerable stage, such as an immature nymph or larva. In addition, many nonchemical methods of controlling insects are just as effective or more effective than spraying with chemicals. These methods include handpicking, water sprays and trapping. Adding flowers that attract beneficial insects and providing other types of habitat will also help improve the survival of natural insect predators and parasitoids.
Rodents
Rodents, which include mice and rats, comprise the largest order of mammals and are found worldwide, except for Antarctica, New Zealand and some ocean islands. They are omnivores with diets including fruit, seeds, plants and insects. They are the second most successful mammal species on Earth. Despite their small size, they have a fast reproductive rate and can cause significant damage to homes and businesses.
Rodents need shelter, water and food for survival. They are opportunistic feeders and can consume just about anything, including the seeds, grain and vegetables grown in gardens or harvested from crops. They are also known to gnaw through wood, plaster, plastic and soft metals. This gnawing can cause serious damage to structures and their contents, resulting in costly repairs.
Rodent infestations are most often a problem for residential and commercial buildings. However, they are also a major pest in the agricultural industry, causing crop loss and contamination. In addition, rodents spread diseases such as rabies, rat-bite fever and hantavirus. They also contaminate living and storage areas by depositing urine, droppings and saliva, as well as by carrying fleas and mites.
A key to successful pest control is to understand rodents and their behavior. Mice and rats are opportunistic feeders, and they will take advantage of any opportunity for food. To help control them, ensure that all garbage is stored in containers and promptly disposed of. Do not leave crumbs or spilled foods around the house. Correct any moisture problems, such as leaking pipes or poorly functioning gutters and downspouts.
Rats and mice are a major source of disease for people, pets and livestock. The most serious human health problems associated with rodents are related to rabies and other blood-borne pathogens, such as Salmonella. Other health concerns stem from their feeding on spoiled or contaminated food. Rodents are also a factor in the extinction of island species such as the dodo. Long-term rodent control for urban areas combines sanitation, exclusion and, when necessary, the use of traps and baits in what is called an integrated pest management (IPM) program.
Rodent Control
Rodents are warm-blooded mammals that live throughout the world. They have oversized front teeth for gnawing and check teeth that are adapted for chewing. They are attracted to food and shelter and are a serious pest in homes, apartments, and commercial buildings. They can damage wood and wires and carry diseases and contaminate food. They also start fires by gnawing on electrical wires.
Rats and mice can enter homes and structures through cracks, gaps, crevices, vents, and pipes. They can chew through the insulation of attics and crawl spaces causing energy loss and damage to personal belongings. Rodents leave droppings and urine everywhere they go. They also gnaw wood and cardboard items – rafters, boxes, furniture, and personal belongings. Bites, scratches, feces, and breathing in dust contaminated with rodent urine and feces are significant health hazards for humans and pets.
Effective rodent control requires an integrated pest management (IPM) approach that includes sanitation, exclusion, and when necessary, lethal control. Properly placed and maintained traps and baits are a critical part of any effective rodent control program. In addition, occupants can help by keeping foods and cooking utensils securely closed, removing loose paper and other materials that are used as nesting material, and by wearing rubber gloves when sweeping or vacuuming rodent droppings and urine.
When rodents are effectively controlled, a home or business can be kept free from the damage and potential health hazards they cause. This protects a family and their belongings from losses; it prevents fires caused by rodents chewing on electrical wires; and it helps to keep pets healthy by preventing diseases they might acquire from eating contaminated food and being exposed to pathogens found in rodent feces and urine.
Truly Nolen provides rodent control services for both residential and commercial properties. Our service begins with an inspection to identify problem areas and determine the extent of the rodent infestation. We then use exclusion techniques to “rodent proof” the property by sealing holes, cracks, and gaps in walls and around pipe entry points. We set traps and bait stations inside the structure to capture rats and mice, and we monitor them regularly. We also provide vegetation management service to eliminate weeds and unwanted plants that might attract rodents.
Insect Control
Pests are organisms that damage or spoil crops, landscapes and household plants or cause nuisance. They also pose health risks when they contaminate food or water supplies, or spread disease through their droppings and saliva.
There are several ways to control pests, including exclusion or deterrence, physical removal, or chemical means. Insecticides kill or deter insects by disrupting their nervous systems (cholinesterase inhibition), preventing them from growing, or causing them to die of natural causes. Insect repellents work by mimicking the odor of the pests, while fumigants are used to destroy whole populations.
When choosing a pest management strategy, it is important to consider the cost and environmental impact of the pest control method, as well as the risk to human health, pets, wildlife and beneficial insects. In addition, the method chosen should be suitable for the location and conditions. Pests can be divided into categories based on their abundance and behavior, with continuous pests being those that are nearly always present and require regular control; sporadic or migratory pests that occur occasionally or intermittently; and potential or new pests that appear under unusual circumstances and may need to be controlled.
Prevention is the most cost-effective and environmentally sound way to manage pests. Eliminating food, water and shelter can help prevent pests from establishing themselves in an area. Keeping areas of the yard clean can also help control pests by reducing hiding places.
For example, removing piles of grass clippings or other debris from yards can reduce ant and earwig infestations. Caulking cracks and crevices can prevent rodents from entering homes or structures. Changing weather patterns can also affect pest populations, with ants, flies and mosquitoes moving indoors to find warmth during the colder months.
In addition, avoiding the use of synthetic chemicals can help prevent the spread of pests. Organic gardening methods such as mulching, row covers and companion planting can be effective in limiting the number of pests in gardens, while insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils can be used to control damaging insect populations. Beneficial insects can be introduced to the garden or a greenhouse to supplement or replace traditional insect controls.