Pests Can Threaten The Health

Pest Control is the use of methods or substances to eliminate pests such as insects, rodents and weeds from buildings and their surroundings. Residential Pest Control Whittier include physical barriers, removing food and water sources, blocking access to shelter, and altering environment factors that make it more difficult for pests to survive. Pesticides are often used in combination with other pest control tactics. Pesticides should always be purchased from a dealer who can provide complete product information and safety precautions. They should never be purchased from street vendors, as they may be ineffective and dangerous to people and pets. Pesticides should always be applied according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and kept out of the reach of children and pets.

Pests cause damage to property and can threaten the health and safety of humans, animals and plants. The goal of pest control is to minimize this damage, while causing minimum harm to the ecosystem. Pest control strategies can be classified as prevention - keeping pests from entering the environment; suppression – reducing pest numbers to an acceptable level; and eradication – eliminating the entire pest population. Each of these approaches has benefits and costs, and should be balanced against the need for human and environmental health.

Some pests are carriers of diseases that can pose a threat to people and their pets. For example, cockroaches and mice can carry pathogens that cause disease, including some that are serious enough to require hospitalization or death. They also can damage property by chewing wires, destroying walls, flooring and more. The cost of repairs and loss of personal belongings can be significant.

Proper maintenance of a home and its surrounding property can help prevent pest infestations. Eliminating food and water sources, repairing leaks and sealing cracks can all be effective deterrents to many pests. Regular cleaning can also prevent pests from breeding and nesting in areas where they are least welcome.

Biological pest control is the use of living organisms to destroy or deter pests. This can be accomplished by using natural enemies or predators, or by introducing beneficial organisms to the environment. Biological pest controls are usually less hazardous than chemical controls and can be as effective or more effective than chemicals in some cases.

Many pests are attracted to food and water in the form of garbage, spills, crumbs and other sources. It is important to reduce these sources by storing garbage in tightly-sealed containers and regularly removing trash from the house and yard. Similarly, water sources can be reduced by fixing leaky faucets and ensuring that gutter systems are working properly. Also, some varieties of plants and wood are naturally resistant to certain pests. Choosing pest-resistant species, where available, can help keep the pest populations below damaging levels. The use of natural barriers, such as rocks and fences to block pests, can also be helpful. In addition to these measures, there are several types of baits and traps that can be effective in controlling pests.