Generally, Basking Ridge Pest Control is aimed at prevention, suppression and eradication. Prevention is the best option, but in some situations it is not possible.

Keep garbage areas tightly closed and remove rubbish regularly. Also keep wood piles away from the house.

Inspect the outside of your home for cracks and openings that can be used by pests to enter. Also check the screens on doors and windows for holes.

The primary goal of pest control is to prevent infestations. A successful prevention program requires a thorough inspection of the indoor and outdoor environment to identify conducive conditions that attract or harbor pests.

Physical barriers and habitat modification can reduce pest populations. The use of fences, traps, and bait stations are among the most common methods of pest control. Often these measures are combined, and may include monitoring for pests to make sure that they are not returning.

Keeping pests from getting into buildings is the most important step in preventing them from causing damage or posing health risks. For example, rodents can chew wires or contaminate food in commercial kitchens, and their droppings can cause respiratory problems in humans. Other pests, such as fleas and mosquitoes, can also spread disease or cause discomfort.

Pests require food, water, and shelter to survive and thrive. Taking away these elements will significantly reduce the number of pests in a home or business, and will prevent recurrence of an infestation. To prevent pests, remove their sources of food by storing foods in sealed containers and removing garbage regularly. Sealing cracks and crevices can also help keep pests from entering the house or business.

In addition, remove areas of bare soil or wood, and trim shrubs and tree limbs that touch the building. Clutter around the house or business provides hiding places for pests and makes it easier for them to get inside. Moisture is a major attraction for many types of pests, so fixing leaking faucets and pipes and reducing standing water will also deter them.

Using non-chemical pest control methods like baits and traps can also be very effective, especially when used in combination with physical and chemical controls. Choosing the right product for a particular pest, and following the label instructions, will help ensure that only the target pest is affected. In addition, it’s important to carefully inspect and clean the area before applying any products. This will make the spray or bait more effective and reduce the chance of off-target damage or hazard to pets or children.

Suppression

When a pest problem arises, control measures can be taken to reduce the population and limit damage. The goal is to cause as little harm as possible to the plants, soil and other organisms that are part of the ecosystem. Control strategies can be prevention, suppression or eradication. Prevention involves keeping pest numbers low, suppression means reducing pest numbers to an acceptable level and eradication means getting rid of all the pests.

Preventive measures include removing food and water sources, fixing leaky pipes and making sure there are no hiding places for the pests to breed and hide. It’s important to know exactly what kind of pest you are dealing with as this will help you tailor your approach. For example, you might use a physical barrier to prevent rodents from entering the house or releasing a pheromone to discourage fruit flies. Using baits or chemicals to kill the pests is also an option but it is important to choose a product that will target your specific pest and use it correctly.

For example, if you are treating aphids, be careful not to kill the beneficial ladybugs that eat them as well. A good option is to use a biological control method, such as introducing predators or parasitoids that naturally occur in the area. These may include predatory mites, nematodes or disease pathogens. The bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for instance is effective in controlling caterpillars without affecting humans or animals.

Other natural controls include landscape features, such as mountains and large bodies of water that restrict the spread of many pests. Also, the availability of other resources might influence pest populations, such as the ability to find water, shelter and overwintering sites.

Another important consideration is the impact on the balance of the whole ecosystem. For example, a tree might have to be killed if it is so damaged that it cannot repair itself or support a community of other species. This is a more drastic measure than simply cutting off branches or removing the entire tree. It is also less environmentally friendly than preventing the problem in the first place.

Eradication

Pests cause damage to property and can also be a threat to human health. This means that they must be eradicated quickly to limit the damage and the risk to health. Pest control services are often called out to deal with insect infestations – particularly ants, cockroaches and bedbugs – as well as rodent problems such as rats or mice. In addition, some weeds and plant diseases are considered to be pests and need to be controlled. Other pests such as birds or bees may also pose a health hazard, but they are less likely to cause serious harm.

Elimination of pests is usually achieved through a combination of preventive and extermination methods. Preventive measures include denying pests the food, shelter and water they need to survive and thrive. For example, leaking pipes should be repaired promptly to eliminate the moisture source that could attract termites or cockroaches. Stacks of old newspapers should be recycled or put in the bin before they are used by mice to build their nests. Doors that are rarely used should be fitted with door sweeps to stop rodents entering the building. Weather-stripping and caulking can be used to seal gaps around windows and doors. Exterior lighting that emits ultraviolet radiation should be used as it will deter night-flying insects.

Extermination methods include traps, baits, dusts and sprays. When using chemicals, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use them safely. If a pesticide is accidentally ingested or inhaled, emergency medical treatment should be sought immediately. It is also important to remember that the application of chemical pesticides can have a negative effect on the environment as well.

Before deciding to use a pesticide, it is important to consider whether the pest is causing unacceptable levels of damage or distress. It is also useful to identify any factors that may be allowing the pest population to increase rapidly (e.g. the lack of natural enemies or habitat loss). Once a tolerance level has been established, it is possible to select an appropriate pest management option such as extermination, biological controls or environmental modification.

Monitoring

A critical aspect of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program is monitoring. Monitoring provides valuable information about the presence and severity of pest problems, including when a threshold should be reached for control actions. It can also be used to determine the effectiveness of treatment and to develop site history information for anticipating future problems. Monitoring is accomplished through regular inspections and the use of trapping devices.

A trained employee is the key to successful monitoring. A flashlight is indispensable, as pests often live and seek shelter in dark, secluded areas that are difficult to see or reach. An extendable mirror is also helpful to aid in inspections behind and beneath equipment and storage facilities. A magnifying glass can help a pest manager identify pest parts, frass (excrement) and other evidence of pest activity. A log book for recording observations is also an important tool, as it can provide a record of pest sightings, the frequency and locations of those sightings, and when the site was last inspected.

Various trapping methods are used to supplement visual monitoring and can include suction, volatile, pheromone and bait stations. The trapping method chosen should depend on the type of pest being monitored. For example, a bait station with a physical shape and attractants that exploit the habits of a group of pests can be very effective for monitoring stored product pests. Traps with a pheromone lure are particularly useful in monitoring fruit flies.

Other tools to use in conjunction with trapping and monitoring include exclusion and proofing activities. Hand tools such as screwdrivers, pliers and caulking guns are necessary for sealing openings, repairing screens and reinforcing barriers to pest entry. Other tools can be used to alter the environment of a facility, such as light, heat and refrigeration to suppress or eradicate pests.

A well-developed monitoring program should be an integral part of a food manufacturer’s pest control efforts. A properly staffed and trained team can help to ensure that pests are detected before they cause significant damage and costly contamination of products. A proactive approach to pest management will result in fewer treatment and less expensive control measures.