Are you a new pest control business owner? Are you thinking, “Can there really be this many ways to kill a mosquito?” Are you deciding if you should use chemical sprays in your business or go with an organic approach?
When you are a pest control business owner, there are several pest control options you can choose from. Learning about them can make you overwhelmed and question if you are using the correct one for your clients.
Keep reading because this article will break down the different types of pest control methods to help you make an informed decision for your business.
Why Are There Several Different Types of Pest Control Methods?
There are many types of pest control methods because pest control is not a “one size fits all” business.
The type of method you select will depend upon:
- The type of pest
- The environment; and
- Your personal preference
The 6 Most Common Types of Pest Control
To maintain human health and ecological sustainability, pest control is essential.
Considering how hazardous pests are for housing properties and agriculture, damage caused by pests can also affect the economy.
Let’s look at six of the most common types of pest control. It’s important to note several of these methods may overlap by type but have been categorized based on their prevalence.
When it comes to pest control, the team at Cedar Pest are the experts.
Our pest management software increases efficiency and profitability and was developed by PCOs for PCOs with one goal in mind: to prepare pest control companies for the future.
Ready to learn more? Contact us today.
#1: Chemical Pest Control
The chemical method of pest control involves using chemical treatments to deter pests. Due to their effectiveness, they tend to be one of the most popular types of control.
Chemical pest control, especially space fumigation, tends to be the most effective for severe infestations.
Chemical pest control should be selected and applied in a way that minimizes the potential harm to:
- People
- Non-target organisms; and
- The environment
#2: Mechanical Pest Control Techniques
Mechanical pest control involves using physical methods such as …
- Fences
- Barriers; or
- Electronic wires
… to manage and control pests.
Also included in the process are weeding and temperature changes to control pests.
Removing anything that could lead to the spread of these dangerous species is the key to protecting property from them.
Traps and Baits
Mouse traps and baits work by either trapping or killing mice on contact. In these types of traps and baits, poison is mixed with food to kill the rats or mice — please be careful to place them away from children.
If this sounds a little too extreme, some traps catch mice without harming them so that you can release them away from the property.
Other traps may use …
- Glue
- Springs; or
- Electricity
… to keep mice trapped or kill them outright.
Barriers
An additional pest control technique is to create a barrier between the plant and the insect.
For example, pest control can use natural barriers like nets or plastic sheets to protect crops.
In addition …
- Sealants
- Membranes; and
- Wire meshes
… can be used to keep invading insects out of …
- Soil
- Concrete slabs
- Veneers; and
- Soffits and roofs
#3: Biological Pest Control Methods
The use of biological pest control is common in agriculture and gardening.
Biological pest control involves using other living organisms to control pests.
This system of pest control relies on …
- Predators
- Parasites
- Herbivores; or
- Other natural mechanisms.
Active human management is also a part of biological pest control methods.
Let’s look at three of the most common biological pest control methods.
Predatory Insects
Predatory insects are used to eat pest insects.
To use this form of pest control, predatory insects are often released into an area where they will feed on pests.
For example, the spotted lady beetle feeds on Colorado potato beetle larvae, and wasps that feed on whiteflies are called chalcid wasps.
Parasitic Fungi
In this method, specific types of fungi are sought that are only capable of attacking specific pests.
Most fungi used to control insect pests belong to the hyphomycetes family. Because some species can be mass-produced, they have been developed as commercial products.
The fungi can then be sprayed onto pest-infested plants or trees after they have been found.
Trap Cropping
In trap cropping, plants are used to lure pests away from the main crop. Pests are attracted to the trap crops, which are more vulnerable to damage, whereas the main crop is spared.
Both insects and diseases can be controlled using this type of pest control.
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#4: Organic Pest Control Options
To prevent insects from feeding on plants, organic pest control uses oils to repel and kill pests — no chemicals are used.
An organic pest control method uses natural pest repellents instead of manufactured chemicals, such as:
- Citrus
- Mint
- Pepper; or
- Garlic oils
Let’s take a look at three of the most common organic pest control options.
Neem Oil
In India, neem oil has been used for centuries for its pesticide properties due to its deterrent to pests.
For pest control, neem oil acts as:
- An antifeedant
- A smothering agent; and
- A growth disruptor
Nearly 170 species of garden and houseplant insects can be controlled with neem oil. Among the pests controlled by neem seed oil spray are:
- Spider mites
- Aphids
- Whiteflies
- Mealybugs
- Russet mites
- Scale insects
- Root aphids
- Winter moths; and
- Springtails
Additionally, neem oil spray is effective against nematodes and fungal infections.
Another benefit of neem oil is that its spray can prevent houseplants from developing root rot and powdery mildew.
Pyrethrin
Pyrethrins are naturally occurring pesticides found in some chrysanthemum flowers.
Extracting the active ingredients results in a concentrate that contains six components:
- Pyrethrin I
- Pyrethrin II
- Cinerin I
- Cinerin II
- Jasmolin I; and
- Jasmolin II
The process of cultivating pyrethrin from flowers is often lengthy and varies from region to region. The pyrethrins are usually separated from the flowers, and pyrethrum powder is made from whole, crushed flowers.
The use of pyrethrins is common in the control of:
- Mosquitoes
- Fleas
- Flies
- Moths; and
- Ants
Pyrethrins stimulate the nervous systems of insects that ingest or touch them. As a result, they quickly become paralyzed and ultimately die. Mixing pyrethrins with another chemical is common practice to increase effectiveness.
The product is non-toxic to most mammals, making it a particularly safe choice.
Bacillus Thuringiensis (BT) Sprays
Bacillus Thuringiensis (BT) is highly effective against leaf and needle-feeding:
- Caterpillars
- Fly larvae; and
- Leaf beetles
Traditionally, BT is applied as a liquid spray to crops, where it is then ingested. Within a few days, the bacteria kill the insect. Home gardens can also benefit from it.
BT is also widely used as a larvicide for mosquitoes and is considered a very natural and environmentally friendly method of mosquito control.
Currently, it has little or no known adverse effects on...
- Humans
- Birds
- Fish; or
- Water supplies
… but should be avoided by beneficial insects like bees and butterflies.
#5: Field Burning
A controlled field burn is a method of controlling pests by burning:
- Paper
- Cardboard; and
- Leaves
Forest pests and disease outbreaks can be controlled with prescribed fires.
When certain tree species are infected, they experience delayed growth before dying. This allows the pest or disease to spread to nearby trees. Because these smaller, diseased trees lack fire-resistant bark, they can be cleared with prescribed fires and protected from further damage.
To balance the risks and benefits of field burning, federal and environmental agencies conduct these types of controlled burns.
These fires are:
- Meticulously planned
- Purposefully set; and
- Carefully monitored
The timing and location of prescribed burns can mimic natural fires, allowing land managers to control the burning of an area precisely.
#6: IPM (Integrated Pest Management)
As a result of so many options, an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach can be the most effective. This is because IPM is a sustainable and science-based decision-making process.
It involves selecting and managing pest management tools and strategies so that overall:
- Economic
- Health; and
- Environmental risks are minimized.
As opposed to a single type of pest control, IPM consists of a series of:
- Evaluations
- Decisions; and
- Controls
A four-tiered approach to IPM is followed by growers who are aware of the potential for pest infestation.
Steps one through four are as follows:
- Set action thresholds — A point at which pest populations or environmental conditions indicate pest control is necessary.
- Monitor and identify pests — Controlling all insects, weeds, and other living organisms is unnecessary. There are many innocuous organisms, and some even serve a beneficial purpose.
- Prevention — To prevent pest infestations, IPM programs manage crops, lawns, and indoor spaces to prevent pests from becoming a problem.
- Control — After prevention, IPM programs evaluate the proper control method for effectiveness and risk.
Cedar Pest: Helping Companies Manage and Implement Effective Pest Control Methods
Small pest control operators can simplify their ...
- IPM processes
- Forms; and
- Records
… with Cedar Pest’s pest control software.
Using our pest control software, you can provide your customers with the utmost in customer service, including:
- Scheduling and routing
- Payment processing
- Customer management
- Reporting
- Mobile tools
- Sale features; and
- Automated notification
All you need to do is push a button on your phone or tablet and all the information will be generated.
Our veteran and minority-owned company provides pest control companies with premium software. We are building tools to assist pest control operators because pest control is an essential American industry.
We are committed to bringing you the best pest control tools on the market. Contact us today.
