Pest Control Westlake Village eliminates unwanted organisms, such as insects and rodents, that damage property or cause disease. The goals of pest control are usually prevention and suppression.
Pests may be ugly or damaging, like spiders, silverfish, and house centipedes; they can bite or sting (real or perceived), like hornets, wasps, and mud dauber wasps; or they can transmit diseases, like fleas, ticks, and mites.
Pest identification is the first step in determining whether a pest problem requires pest control. Incorrect or incomplete pest identification can result in costly misapplications of insecticides or other pest control products that may be useless against the target pest. Proper identification also helps determine if pests are continuous, sporadic or potential and enables the development of an effective pest management program.
Proper pest identification can be accomplished by asking a few basic questions. These questions include:
What does it look like?
This question is a simple, yet vital one. The appearance of the pest is critical to its correct identification. In addition, the type of damage it causes should also be noted. The damage is a key factor in deciding whether to use chemical or non-chemical pest control methods.
Where did you see it?
Many pests are found in dark, secluded areas where they hide, feed and overwinter. A flashlight is an indispensable tool for inspecting these locations, as well as identifying possible points of entry into buildings and structures, maintenance needs and sanitation deficiencies. A magnifying lens is useful for examining insect parts, frass (excrement) and other evidence of pest activity.
How did it damage the plant?
Different pest species have very specific damaging characteristics. For example, many pests that damage plants have chewing mouthparts and eat or tear plant tissue. Other pests such as the larval or adult stages of certain butterflies and moths or several beetles use sucking mouthparts to puncture and suck sap from plants. Some pests spread diseases from infected to healthy plants by transferring pathogens or toxins.
Is the pest a regular visitor or has it been present only infrequently?
The answer to this question will help in deciding how frequently the pests need to be controlled and what control methods are needed. Pests that are a regular annoyance or a persistent problem require more frequent and intensive control measures than those that occur sporadically.
Accurate pest identification is a critical element of an integrated pest management system. MSU Extension has resources to help you identify common field crop pests. In addition, you should always consult your local pest control specialist for assistance with identifying insects and other organisms found in your area.
Pest Prevention
Even when facility management teams take the utmost care to keep buildings clean and sanitary, pests can still invade in significant numbers. A pest infestation describes the presence of species in large enough numbers to cause structural damage, have health implications for building occupants or just be annoying.
The best way to avoid pest problems is to prevent them before they start. This requires a consistent routine inspection schedule that can catch pests before they become established. In addition, preventive measures can reduce the need for pesticides and help preserve the value of property by preventing costly repairs and exterminations.
A comprehensive pest control program should include an initial inspection, followed by a detailed treatment plan. This includes identifying entry points, nesting areas, and signs of pest activity. Trained technicians can also identify the types of pests present and their life stages, which will allow them to customize their approach.
Insects may be controlled with a combination of mechanical, cultural and biological methods. Biological controls, such as predators and parasitoids, work by introducing organisms that naturally occur in the environment to reduce pest populations. For example, bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a bacteria that naturally occurs in the soil and works to kill caterpillars by rupturing their midguts.
Cultural controls are a series of activities that are designed to limit pests’ access to food, water and shelter. For instance, removing clutter from storage spaces and regularly washing dishes can prevent ants and rodents from entering. Sealing gaps and cracks in exterior walls, ensuring that garbage cans are tightly closed and not overflowing, and keeping vegetation and trash away from buildings will also help deter pests.
Pesticides are used sparingly and are matched to the type of pest being targeted. For example, insect repellents can be effective against mosquitoes, while plant growth regulators are often needed to manage weeds.
As with all pest control methods, a balance must be struck between the needs of human and environmental health. Pests carry disease-causing pathogens and allergens that can pose a risk to public health, and they destroy or displace the habitats of other animals and plants. In most cases, the need for pest control is only addressed when they reach a level that poses a risk to people or their property.
Pest Control Methods
Many pests can be controlled through preventive or remedial maintenance practices, such as removing debris that provides hiding places for rodents and other pests; ensuring garbage is removed regularly; maintaining cleanliness inside and outside facilities; and sealing or screening cracks and holes to keep out insects and other pests. Integrated pest management strategies aim to reduce dependence on chemical treatment methods, which have the potential to be toxic to people and wildlife as well as nontarget organisms. However, some pests may be so serious that they cannot be tolerated, and in these cases, there are a number of chemical control methods available to professionals.
The first step in determining the need for pest control is to identify the pest and determine its life cycle, needs and habits. Pest identification can be done with the help of a pest guide, pest inspection forms and by conducting a thorough visual inspection. Inspections should include checking harborage areas such as under equipment, behind walls and in tight spaces. Inspections should also be conducted using a flashlight and an extendable mirror to reach difficult-to-see spots. A magnifying device is also helpful for examining insect parts, frass (excrement) and other evidence of pest infestation. Pests can be divided into continuous pests, sporadic pests and potential pests, which are those that could become a problem but are not yet.
Cultural methods can be used to suppress pest populations in the landscape by choosing plants that are adapted to site conditions and that are resistant to disease and insects; crop rotation; interplanting; timing planting dates; and managing weeds. Biological methods utilize natural enemies, parasitoids and pathogens to reduce pest populations. For example, bacteria such as Bacillus thuringiensis are used to kill caterpillars.
Physical or mechanical pest control involves killing or capturing the pest to remove it from the environment and prevent their return by making the area unsuitable for them. This can be achieved through traps and baits that lure or kill pests, as well as through exclusion and repellent measures. Exclusion methods are the most effective way to control a pest problem because they stop it from occurring in the first place. Repelling is accomplished through visual or audio devices designed to scare pests away, as well as by blocking access with caulking, screening and other materials.
Pest Control Cost
Many factors affect the cost of pest control. Some are obvious, such as the size of the space being treated; a basement in a multi-story home needs more work than a kitchen in a bungalow. The type of pest is another factor. Some, like cockroaches and bed bugs, are notoriously difficult to eradicate. They breed quickly and survive common household insecticides. Others, like termites and carpenter ants, can chew through the wood framing of a house and cause structural damage that is expensive to repair.
In addition, the method of treatment plays a role in price. Chemical treatments are less expensive upfront, but might require more frequent applications compared to integrated pest management solutions that address the root causes of an infestation. Some pests also have different habits and tend to hide in hard-to-reach places where they are difficult to spot or treat with conventional methods.
Whether the client wants a one-time service or a yearly plan for ongoing pest control is also a factor that can impact price. The latter involves not only treating a current infestation but also preventing future ones from occurring, such as by sealing off entry points or advising on changes in landscape or storage practices that discourage pests. This comprehensive approach requires more time and labor than a typical single visit, resulting in higher prices.
Other factors that influence pest control costs include the location of the home or business, which might need a more specialized treatment plan or might require additional travel time to reach the customer’s site. And finally, the severity of the infestation can also affect prices; a minor preventative treatment might be cheaper than tackling a severe problem that has already become established.
Customers who see signs of pests, such as insects or droppings, should contact their local pest control professionals immediately. The sooner they call in a professional, the easier and less costly it will be to eradicate pests. Ongoing monthly pest control services are also available for homeowners and businesses, reducing the overall cost of pest control over time. They are especially useful for businesses subject to strict health or environmental regulations that might need regular monitoring.