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Pests are annoying at the best of times, and at their worst they can destroy property and cause health risks. Luckily, there are many different ways to prevent pest infestations.

Natural controls include environmental factors that limit pest populations, while biological methods utilize natural enemies to injure or consume target species. Chemical control involves the use of synthetic or natural chemicals to kill or repel pests. Click Here to learn more.

Insects cause a wide range of problems in vegetable gardens and other crops. They may attack the plants directly or defecate a sticky substance (honeydew) that supports sooty mold growth and attracts other pests. Insects may also pierce the leaves with their sharp, piercing mouthparts, damaging or killing them. Other insects suck juices from plant tissue, leaving a stippling and yellowing appearance. This damage may be more serious if populations are large.

Outbreaks of some insect species such as gypsy moths and western spruce budworms occur in a cycle of low population levels for several years followed by population explosions that damage or kill trees over a very large area. During outbreaks these species severely defoliate trees, and their bark attacks can damage or kill them. Other insects, such as squash bugs and aphids, cause similar types of injury to vegetables, but they may be easier to control with direct spray applications of insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils.

Most gardeners recognize the importance of introducing beneficial insects to the vegetable garden to reduce pests that harm or compete with the crop. However, timing of the release of these natural enemies is crucial to ensure their success. The optimum release rates should be determined by studying population levels of the target pests in the garden and in surrounding fields.

Beneficial insects such as green lacewings are effective predators of many soft-bodied pests, including aphids, scale insects and mealybugs. They also prey on caterpillars and leaf beetles. Ladybugs are another common and effective garden predator that is highly efficient in reducing aphid populations.

Often, outbreaks of some insects are caused by parasites. Parasite-infected insects can be identified by their pale or drab coloring and the presence of tiny, tubular structures in their bodies. Because birds identify infected insects by their color, they will not eat them, but prefer to feed on the healthy insect populations that have not been parasitized. This is one of the reasons that birds are such effective insect controllers. Other reasons include the fact that they are not affected by chemical insecticides and will often scavenge the remains of dead insects.

Rodents

Rodents, including mice and rats, are a major health concern. Their droppings, urine, saliva, and blood carry a wide range of diseases. These include the deadly hantavirus and leptospirosis. Indirectly, rodents can also spread ticks and lice that carry additional pathogens.

In addition to spreading disease, rodents can cause significant property damage. Their front teeth never stop growing, so they constantly gnaw on soft materials. This chewing can damage furniture, sabotage stored food, and rip up insulation. Rodents can also create a fire hazard by chewing on electrical wires. In fact, 25% of house fires attributed to “unknown causes” are actually caused by rodents.

Rodents are often found in out-of-the-way locations like attics, basements, and wall voids. They can get into your home without being seen, and may have been living there for months before you realize there’s a problem. Once inside, they’re likely to find and eat stored foods like dry pantry items and canned goods. They’re also attracted to water sources and travel pathways.

Another danger of a rodent infestation is that it can impact indoor air quality. Mouse droppings and rat urine can become airborne when disturbed, and when inhaled, can trigger respiratory discomfort or even asthma symptoms.

It’s possible to prevent rodents from infiltrating homes and other buildings by limiting the availability of food and shelter. Store food in sealed containers and dispose of trash promptly. Reduce clutter and remove debris where rodents can hide. Installing caulking around entry points can help to prevent rodents from entering through cracks and gaps in foundations and exterior walls. Trimming vegetation can further deter rodents by preventing them from hiding in shrubbery where they could sneak into your home.

Diseases

Pest infestations aren’t just a nuisance; they can also cause health issues for you and your family. Rodents, ticks, mosquitoes, and bed bugs carry diseases that impact humans’ health and quality of life in a variety of ways. They spread disease, contaminate food with their droppings and saliva, trigger allergies, and even contribute to asthma attacks in children. The best way to avoid these problems is by keeping your living spaces clean, seeking professional help as soon as you suspect a problem, and preventing pests from entering through properly sealed entry points.

Rats and mice are notorious carriers of pathogens that can affect human health, ranging from flu-like symptoms to kidney damage and death. They also spread leptospirosis, which is a bacteria that can lead to flu-like symptoms and even liver failure. Plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, is another deadly rodent-borne disease that can be transmitted to people through flea bites.

Mosquitoes, cockroaches, and ants can also carry dangerous diseases, including cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, plague, Salmonellosis, lymphocytic choriomeningitis, and E. coli infections. Ticks, meanwhile, are responsible for spreading Lyme disease, babesiosis, and relapsing fever.

Despite the many health risks, pesticides are still essential tools for agricultural production because they increase crop yield and improve product quality. However, no pesticide is completely safe to use, and the adverse effects of some can be as serious as those from other exposures, such as smoking tobacco or recreational drugs. Therefore, CDC’s surveillance of acute occupational pesticide-related illness and injury serves an important public health function.

Pest control disinfection is similar to cleansing an infected wound; it neutralizes harmful microorganisms and eliminates any residual threat that could further compromise your family’s health. Professional disinfection uses advanced techniques and potent solutions to clean surfaces where pests have roamed or nestled, from countertops to crawl spaces.

Pests are a danger to your family’s health and well-being, from their ability to spread diseases to their nocturnal activities that interfere with sleep. Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to prevent and address pest problems as they arise.

Pesticides

Pesticides are widely used to control disease-transmitting insects and invasive species on farmland, forestland, waterways, road rights-of-way, public parks, and gardens. They also can be used to kill weeds and to promote healthy, well-groomed turf. However, they can also harm wildlife and the environment if not used correctly.

Even low levels of pesticide residue can have negative effects on wildlife as they move through soil, water and air. The chemical can be ingested, absorbed through the skin or inhaled. It can cause acute or chronic toxicities. It can also interfere with normal behavior, such as feeding or mating. Symptoms of poisoning vary depending on the type of chemical, but can include headache, nausea and vomiting, confusion, muscle tremors and seizures, breathing problems, involuntary urination and coma.

In addition to direct impacts on wildlife, pesticides can reduce plant diversity, and therefore ecosystem function, through a range of mechanisms. This includes direct killing of target organisms, indirect killing or disruption of natural predator and prey relationships, and reduced pollination that can lead to lower crop yields.

There are a number of ways to minimize pesticide use. Practicing preventive methods such as crop rotation, host-free periods, pest exclusion and weed management will often eliminate the need for pesticides. Minimizing pesticide application rates and using targeted, selective and nonpersistent products will also help maintain pesticide efficacy. If the use of a persistent pesticide is warranted, then application early in the crop cycle will reduce exposure to the chemical and optimize its effectiveness.

When using pesticides, read and follow all label directions to the letter, including precautions and restrictions. Protect yourself when spraying outside by wearing impermeable gloves, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Avoid spraying on windy days, and always rinse pesticides from your equipment before going back into the area you just sprayed to prevent drift. Avoiding areas with signs, flags or postings indicating that pesticide applications have recently occurred will also help limit your exposure to residue. The EPA has developed a table of human health benchmarks for pesticides that indicate safe levels of one-day or lifetime exposure.