Pest control is the effort to reduce the number of pests on your property. It may involve prevention, suppression or eradication.
Prevent pests by removing their food, water and shelter. Store food in sealed containers and remove garbage regularly. Contact Columbia MO Pest Control now!
Seal every door and window with a working screen. Check where pipes, wires and ventilation enter the foundation and siding to ensure there is no wiggle room for insects.
Pests Can Cause Diseases and Health Problems
Pests spread diseases that impact the health of humans and pets. Some diseases are serious and can lead to death if not treated promptly. Some diseases pests cause include West Nile virus spread by mosquitoes, Lyme disease caused by ticks, and hantavirus spread by deer mice. Pests also spread fungi that can contaminate food and plants.
Many pests carry allergens that trigger strong allergic reactions in people. Cockroaches, for example, have been linked to asthma in children and adults. Other pests, such as bed bugs, flies, and bees, can bite or sting people, triggering severe, sometimes fatal allergic reactions.
Besides the diseases and health problems that pests can cause, they can also damage property and disrupt natural processes. For example, rodents can gnaw through electrical wires, causing a fire hazard and damaging equipment. Insects and rodents can eat or destroy gardens, crops, trees, and other valuable structures. Pests can also contaminate water sources. In addition, the stress of dealing with an infestation can affect mental health.
Some pests may be controlled by methods that don’t involve chemicals or direct physical removal. These methods include repairing torn screens, using repellents, and altering the environment. Insects, for instance, can be prevented from entering homes by making sure there are no gaps or holes in the windows and doors.
The goal of control is to reduce the pest population to a level where it does not cause unacceptable harm. Preventing or controlling pests can be accomplished by observing their behavior and finding out what makes them grow, breed, and thrive. It is also important to identify any conditions that favor the growth of certain pests.
Some factors that influence the number of pests in an area include climate, weather, food, shelter, water, and other organisms. It is often difficult to prevent all pest infestations, but there are things that can be done to help prevent them. These include avoiding introducing foreign materials into an environment where unwanted pests thrive, removing food and water sources that attract them, preventing access to the areas where they nest, and limiting the availability of moisture.
Pests Can Damage Property
Pests can damage property and create unsanitary conditions, which can devalue a home. Rodents, for example, can gnaw through wires and insulation, while cockroaches and ants can contaminate food. Termites can damage wooden structures of homes and create costly wood rot. The stench of dead rodents, flies and cockroaches can detract from the value of a house. In addition, many homeowner insurance policies do not cover pest damage.
The presence of pests can also reduce the number and quality of potential buyers, making it difficult to sell a home. A seller may have to lower the asking price or extend the closing date to find a buyer, as purchasers are reluctant to invest in a property that appears to be poorly maintained. This decline in value can persist even after the pests have been exterminated and repairs made. Regular pest inspections and expert documentation of treatments can help to preserve a property’s value and reassure future purchasers.
For commercial properties, a pest infestation can cause substantial revenue losses. Pests damage equipment, contaminate inventory and deter customers. Commercial pest control services can eliminate infestations, restoring a business’s reputation and boosting revenues.
Property management professionals are often tasked with keeping their properties’ tenants happy and comfortable, which can be challenging in the face of a pest infestation. Despite their small size, some pests can cause significant health and safety issues for tenants, including itchy welts from bed bugs, contaminated food and a general feeling of unease.
Some pests, such as fruit flies and gypsy moths, can be controlled with traps and baits that do not pose a risk to humans or pets. These methods of control are more effective than spraying chemical pesticides, which can leave a residue and pose a health risk to people and pets. If chemical treatment is required, it should be used sparingly and with caution. Look for a pesticide that does not pose a high risk to children and pets and follow the label’s instructions and warnings carefully. Keeping a clean property and sealing entry points can also prevent pests from infesting buildings and causing damage.
Pests Can Infest Food
Pests can contaminate food, potentially causing serious health concerns for the people who consume affected foods. Many types of pests spread diseases through their fur, droppings, saliva and feet. They may also carry harmful bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria, which they can then transfer to food and food surfaces through contact. This puts the health of customers at risk and can lead to negative consequences for a business, including a loss of revenue.
Some of the most common pests infesting food facilities include rodents, flies and insects such as cockroaches and mites. These pests can infest a wide range of products, including raw foods, beverages and condiments. Rodents can chew holes through bags, boxes and other food packaging. In addition, they can contaminate food by spreading germs through their feces, urine and shed skins. Flies and cockroaches can transfer disease-causing pathogens via their wings, legs and bodies as they move around. And mites can cause contamination by ingesting and depositing contaminated food residue on surfaces where they crawl.
Pantry pests such as moths and beetles can attack almost any kind of dry food, from spices to cereals to chocolate. They can also infest fresh and dried fruits, seeds, pet food, garden plants and potpourri. These pests are able to invade packaged foods because they have small entry holes that the human eye can’t see and can penetrate paper, cardboard, plastic, foil and cellophane-wrapped packages. All insect stages (eggs, larvae, pupae and adults) may be present at the same time in infested food, making it difficult to determine where the pest came from.
The good news is that a few simple steps can help prevent pest infestations. Clean food storage areas regularly to remove any crumbs, spills or other sources of attraction. Store food in tightly sealed containers and avoid storing it in high-risk areas, such as in the basement or attic. Get rid of clutter that provides hiding places for pests, and caulk cracks and crevices in the walls and cabinets to keep them out. If necessary, use pesticides sparingly and with great care to minimize their impact on the environment. Opt for baits, traps or ready-to-use products with low toxicity levels instead of sprays and fogging devices.
Pests Can Infest Humans
Pests are capable of spreading diseases in homes, which can impact the health and well-being of family members. Some pests can also cause physical harm to people by biting or scratching them. Some of the most common pests that spread diseases in homes include mosquitoes, ticks, rodents, termites, and cockroaches.
Mosquitoes and rodents can transmit bacteria that cause disease to humans through their urine and droppings. For example, mosquitoes can spread malaria, dengue fever, and the Zika virus. Rodents can spread hantavirus, leptospirosis, and salmonella. In addition, cockroaches can spread dangerous bacteria through their shed skin and droppings.
Besides causing diseases, pests can trigger allergies and asthma. For instance, cockroaches and mice leave behind feces and shed skin that can trigger asthma in children and adults with respiratory problems. Mice and cockroach feces can also contaminate food and water sources, resulting in foodborne illnesses. Mice and cockroaches can also contaminate surfaces by biting or scratching people, introducing harmful bacteria into the bloodstream.
Other pests like dust mites and stinging insects can trigger allergic reactions in some individuals. The venom from bees, wasps, and hornets can lead to painful bites or stings. In extreme cases, these reactions can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.
In addition, pesticides used to kill pests can contaminate indoor air. Long-term exposure to these chemicals can increase the risk of cancer and other serious health conditions. Pest control services use natural methods that reduce the need for chemical pesticides.
Pets can also be impacted by pest infestations. For instance, dogs and cats can ingest rodenticides if they consume infected mice or rats. Infections that result from this can include onchocerciasis (a worm-like parasite called Onchocerca volvulus), which causes itching and raised nodules on the skin.
It is important to get rid of pests before they pose a serious threat to your home and health. Observing insect carcasses around your windowsills, hearing scratching and scurrying noises at night, and seeing visible pests inside the house can indicate a serious problem that needs to be addressed immediately. Pests that go untreated can quickly multiply and lead to a severe infestation.
The first step in pest control is to remove any sources of food, water or shelter. That means storing all food items in sealed plastic or glass containers, removing trash regularly and keeping garbage cans tightly closed and covered at all times. It also means fixing leaky plumbing and preventing the accumulation of standing water around the building, including under houseplants and refrigerators.