Pest Control is the process of managing a pest problem. It starts with removing the pests’ food, water and shelter. It continues with removing their breeding grounds and blocking their access to your property.

Physical control methods include traps and bait stations. Chemical treatments involve a controlled release of pesticidal substances like nematodes, insect pheromones and other products. Contact Six Brothers Pest Control now!

Often, the key to successful pest control is not treating an already-infested property but rather taking steps to prevent an infestation from happening in the first place. Effective preventive maintenance requires an in-depth understanding of the types of pests that could pose a threat, routine property inspections and proactive use of pest control measures.

Preventive maintenance can include physical barriers such as netting, screens and traps to deter pests from entering or nesting on the property. It also includes good sanitation to deter food and water sources. This means regularly removing garbage from the property, cleaning up spillages and keeping food stored in sealed containers. It also involves repairing leaky pipes and using dehumidifiers to keep damp areas dry.

Other preventive measures can include ensuring that the right type of plantings are used in a garden or home, as some plant diseases only occur under certain conditions that make the plants more susceptible to pests. Moisture is another thing that attracts many pests, so making sure that gutters are functioning correctly and draining properly and removing standing water from crawl spaces and basements can help to deter them. Door sweeps and installing screens on windows, doors and vents can also be helpful in preventing pests from getting inside.

The judicious use of chemicals can play an important role in preventive pest management as well. It is important to carefully read and follow label instructions and apply pesticides only where necessary to minimize health risks and environmental concerns. It is also important to leave a room while spraying is taking place to avoid being affected by the chemical.

Detecting pest problems early through regular, thorough property inspections can help to reduce the risk of more drastic and costly reactive treatments. The inspection should take into account the types of pests that are known to cause trouble, their life cycles and what factors might encourage them to be present on the property. This will allow for a more targeted approach to treatment, which may involve implementing new prevention measures or changing current ones to be more effective.

Chemical Treatments

Chemical treatments for pest control are a necessary part of protecting the health and safety of humans, animals and plants. They also help ensure a secure food supply, by protecting crops from damage and increasing productivity. However, it is important to understand how to use these chemicals safely and responsibly. This will minimize their negative effects on the environment, as well as reduce resistance in pests to them.

A wide range of chemicals are available for pest control, including synthetic and organic compounds. The type of pesticide to use depends on a number of factors, such as the pest’s biology, environmental conditions and tolerance levels to certain chemicals. In addition, the toxicity and persistence of the chemicals used are also important considerations.

For example, some chemicals may be toxic to the human body, while others are more environmentally friendly and break down rapidly in the soil. In general, the most effective and safest pesticides are those that target specific insect species. They may be formulated as sprays, powders, granules or baits. They are often mixed with other chemicals to achieve better results and/or to enhance their effectiveness.

Another class of pesticides is the insect growth regulators (IGRs), which prevent insects from maturing and reproducing. IGRs are synthetic or naturally occurring compounds that mimic the action of insect hormones, which regulate growth and development. These chemicals are very effective in controlling pests, but they must be applied consistently to be effective. They are often used in combination with other pest control methods, such as insecticides and trap crops.

Many fungicides are also used to control plant diseases, but their mode of action is generally different from that of IGRs. For example, some fungicides work by blocking the movement of nitrogen in plants, which inhibits plant growth. Others work by suppressing the activity of enzymes, such as proteases and chitinases, which break down proteins and cellulose.

Like other types of pesticides, microbial pest control agents must be carefully selected and formulated to be effective. One example is bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt, which has been developed into strains that specifically target certain pests, such as beetles and mosquitoes. These microbial pesticides have several benefits, from their low toxicity to people and other organisms to their high effectiveness at relatively low doses.

Termite Treatments

For homes with a serious termite infestation, professional treatments can help prevent further damage and eliminate existing colonies. Liquid termiticides are typically sprayed directly onto wood surfaces, protecting them from future attacks and slowly killing any termites that ingest the pesticide. They can also be injected into wood or used during construction to treat lumber before it becomes part of a structure. Injections provide more targeted protection and are often used in combination with other prevention methods.

Physical barriers and construction practices can help prevent and control termite infestations by removing the bridge that termites use to get from the soil to your home. For example, removing any trees or shrubs too close to the house can stop termites from tunneling through them and reaching your foundation. Similarly, avoiding piling firewood or wood debris near the home can deter these pesky pests.

Termite barrier treatments consist of liquid termiticides applied to the soil surrounding your home. These treatments are typically long lasting, providing protection for up to five years. The chemical is absorbed by the soil, blocking termites from tunneling through and killing them as they try to access your home. The treatment can be a good alternative to fumigation, which requires you to leave your home for three days and doesn’t guarantee a complete elimination of existing colony.

Soil and barrier treatments can be applied to the exterior of your home or to the soil around known points of termite activity in your yard. For a soil treatment, a trench is dug around the perimeter of your house and a liquid termiticide is applied to the soil underneath and around it. Termites that attempt to tunnel through the treated soil are killed or incapacitated, and those that surface to forage for food will be repelled by the insecticide and return to their underground nests, explained the local termite exterminators at Viking Pest.

For a home with severe and widespread termite infestations, fumigation may be required. This treatment involves enclosing the affected structure and introducing a gas that permeates all wood areas, eliminating all active termites. It’s the most effective treatment for drywood termites, but can be difficult to manage when attempting to treat a large area within your home or when battling a deep infestation.

Rodent Control

Rodents are a year-round problem and especially prevalent in the fall, when temperatures drop and they seek warmth and shelter. They are known carriers of serious diseases including hantavirus, monkeypox, salmonella, typhus, and leptospirosis, as well as many others. Most of these illnesses spread from rodents to people through direct contact, such as handling rodent feces or urine, or being bitten by infected mice or rats. Other diseases spread from rodents to people indirectly, through contaminated food, water or air and through ticks, mites, fleas, and mosquitoes that feed on infected mice and rats.

Rodents also cause extensive property damage by chewing through wood, insulation, and wires, which can lead to fires and water leaks. Proper rat and mouse control can prevent rodent-related problems and protect your home or business.

Detection and prevention of rodent infestations starts with a thorough inspection. Look for droppings, gnaw marks, and nesting materials in or around your property. Also, check for smudges or dark marks caused by rodents running across surfaces.

Make your property less appealing to rodents by removing sources of food and water. Keep garbage bins tightly closed, store food in metal or plastic containers, and make sure pet food isn’t left out overnight. Keep grass and brush clippings away from your house, and store firewood at least 20 feet from the house.

Seal entry points into your home with caulk, steel wool, hardware cloth, or cement, especially where pipes enter the building. This will reduce the amount of rodents that can enter your home, and it will help prevent future infestations by denying access to food, water and shelter.

If you are opposed to killing rodents, there are live trap contraptions that cage your unwelcome guests and release them elsewhere. However, these traps must be checked frequently (PETA recommends hourly) to ensure that the trapped rodents are not escaping into your home. A trained pest control technician can help you decide which method is best for your situation. Our Integrated Pest Management programs can include rodent baits, snap traps, or both. We can also install bird feeders or owl boxes to lure birds that will naturally take care of rodents, and we can provide advice on making your home or business more rodent-proof.