Pests can damage crops, trees, ornamentals, structures, and people’s homes. They can also carry diseases that cause illness or death in humans, livestock and pets. Pest control aims to reduce the amount of damage they do by using methods that are as harmless as possible to non-target organisms, including people, pets, and wildlife.
Many pests are managed without the use of pesticides at all. Pesticides are used when other methods do not provide adequate control. Preventative measures, such as removing their food sources, water, shelter, or access to buildings, are often enough to keep pest populations below damaging levels.
Natural enemies — parasites, predators, and pathogens — can often control pest populations. These natural controls are especially important in open spaces where eradication of the pest is not feasible.
Landscape features such as mountains, lakes, and rivers limit the spread of some pests. Land use practices such as crop rotation, mulching, and proper tillage can help control others. The climate also influences pests directly and indirectly. Rain, snow, humidity, and temperature affect plant growth, which in turn influences the success of pests that feed on plants. Weather also directly influences the numbers of pests by providing roosting and nesting sites, serving as a source of water, and offering protection from predators.
The first step in controlling any pest control in London is to identify the pest correctly. This helps to determine the best type of management method to use. It also provides information needed to develop a prevention strategy. This may include identifying what the pest needs to survive, such as food, water, and shelter, and eliminating or blocking access to these things. It may also involve educating the public on how to minimize pest problems, such as keeping foodstuffs in containers with tight lids and following other food safety guidelines.
Other methods of pest control include physical barriers, traps, and exclusion. Physical barriers can be constructed from wood, metal, or plastic. They can be permanent or temporary, depending on the situation. They can be designed to prevent pests from entering or exiting a site, or they can be directed at specific targets such as a drainpipe, doorjamb, or window sill. Traps are usually placed where a pest is likely to occur, such as in a high traffic area. They work by luring the pest with bait, then capturing it by its feet or body.
Chemicals such as organophosphates, carbamates, and pyrethroids can all be used to control certain pests. These chemicals kill the pest by blocking the action of an enzyme, overstimulating the nervous system, or interfering with a hormone. Fumigants control rodents by filling the space they are in with gases that suffocate or poison them. Biological pesticides are made from living organisms, such as bacteria and nematodes, that attack specific pests. These are generally safer than synthetic pesticides, but they still carry some risk to people and the environment.