a. Physical pest control
Physical pest control is a method of getting rid of insects and small rodents by
removing, attacking, setting up barriers that will prevent further destruction of one's
plants, or forcing insect infestations to become visual.
b. Elimination of breeding grounds
Proper waste management and drainage of still water, eliminates the breeding ground
of many pests. Garbage provides food and shelter for many unwanted organisms, as
well as an area where still water might collect and be used as a breeding ground by
mosquitoes. Communities that have proper garbage collection and disposal, have far
less of a problem with rats, cockroaches, mosquitoes, flies and other pests than those
that dont. Open air sewers are ample breeding ground for various pests as well. By
building and maintaining a proper sewer system, this problem is eliminated. Certain
spectrums of LED light can disrupt insects’ breeding
c. Poisoned bait
Poisoned bait is a common method for controlling rat populations, however is not as
effective when there are other food sources around, such as garbage. Poisoned meats
have been used for centuries for killing off wolves, birds that were seen to threaten
crops, and against other creatures. This can be a problem, since a carcass which has
been poisoned will kill not only the targeted animal, but also every other animal which
feeds on the carcass. Humans have also been killed by coming in contact with poisoned
meat, or by eating an animal which had fed on a poisoned carcass. This tool is also
used to manage several caterpillars e.g. Spodoptera litura, fruit flies, snails and slugs,
crabs etc.
d. Field burning
Traditionally, after a sugar cane harvest, the fields are all burned, to kill off any
rodents, insects or eggs that might be in the fields.
e. Hunting
Historically, in some European countries, when stray dogs and cats became too
numerous, local populations gathered together to round up all animals that did not
appear to have an owner and kill them. In some nations, teams of rat-catchers work at
chasing rats from the field, and killing them with dogs and simple hand tools. Some
communities have in the past employed a bounty system, where a town clerk will pay a
set fee for every rat head brought in as proof of a rat killing. In Texas, the Wild Hog
population has grown out of control and hunting is the most commonly used way to
remove them.
f. Trap Cropping
A trap crop is a plant that attracts pests, diverting them from other crops in an
agricultural field. [10] This leads to pest aggregation on the trap crop, where they can be
more easily and cost effectively controlled using pesticides or control methods. [11]
However, trap-cropping, on its own, has often failed to cost effectively reduce pest
densities on large commercial scales, without the use of pesticides, possibly due to the
pests ability to disperse back into the main field.
g) Traps
Unlike trap crops, most traps used to control pests are manmade, and used by rat
catchers. A variety of mouse traps and rat traps are available for mice and rats,
including snap traps, glue traps and live catch traps. Sticky traps, which often include
pheromones to attract the pest, are also a common way of controlling many moth
pests, such as moths. Spraying pesticides by planes trucks or by hand is a common
method of pest control. Crop dusters commonly fly over farmland and spray pesticides
to kill off pests that would threaten the crops. However, some pesticides may cause
cancer and other health problems, as well as harming wildlife.
g. Space fumigation
A project that involves a structure be covered or sealed airtight followed by the
introduction of a penetrating, deadly gas at a killing concentration a long period of time
(24-72hrs.). Although expensive, space fumigation targets all life stages of pests.
h. Space treatment
A long term project involving fogging or misting type applicators. Liquid insecticide is
dispersed in the atmosphere within a structure. Treatments do not require the
evacuation or airtight sealing of a building, allowing most work within the building to
continue but at the cost of the penetrating effects. Contact insecticides are generally
used, minimizing the long lasting residual effects. On August 10, 1973, the Federal
Register printed the definition of Space treatment as defined by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA):
i. Sterilization
Laboratory studies conducted with U-5897 (3-chloro-1,2-propanediol) were attempted
in the early 1970s although these proved unsuccessful. Research into sterilization bait is
ongoing. In 2013, New York City tested sterilization traps in a $1.1 million study. The
result was a 43% reduction in rat populations. The Chicago Transit Authority plans to
test sterilization control in spring 2015. The sterilization method doesn't poison the rats
or humans The product Contra Pest was approved for the sterilization of rodents by the
United States Environmental Protection Agency in August 2016. [16]
j. Destruction of infected plants
Forest services sometimes destroy all the trees in an area where some are infected with
insects, if seen as necessary to prevent the insect species from spreading. Farms
infested with certain insects, have been burned entirely, to prevent the pest from
spreading elsewhere.
k. Natural rodent control
Several wildlife rehabilitation organizations encourage natural form of rodent control
through exclusion and predator support and preventing secondary poisoning altogether.
NatalieR answered the question on May 23, 2022 at 08:00