An Example of Pest Management
There are many methods to control pests. Combining these methods will produce the best results. These methods can be grouped into various categories. Physical and mechanical controls kill pests by direct contact. Biological and chemical control manage the pest population indirectly. Below are some of the most common methods of pest management:
Certain pests are repellent or unattractive to resistant cultivars
Resistance to certain pests can be acquired through antibiosis. This process occurs when plants produce substances that inhibit an insect’s movement and feed. This is done by plant structures like cell walls, surface waxes, spines, and trichomes. Although resistant cultivars might not be as appealing visually, they are still very effective in keeping insects away. They may also prevent insects from reaching the plant with their stylets and other mouthparts, because of their thick cell walls.
Many crops are capable of resisting certain pests. The breeding of resistant cultivars is the process of creating a crop with desired traits. Conventional breeding involves the selection and incorporation of resistant traits into breeding lines over many generations. Genetic engineering, however, uses artificial introduction of the pest resistance genes into a plant’s genome. The USDA National Organic Program Rule prohibits genetically modified seeds.
Mechanical and physical controls kill a pest directly
Physical and mechanical controls are methods that kill a pest directly. These include fire, mulching and hand weeding. This method kills the pest, its eggs and overwintering stage. Effective application requires consideration of several practices, soil conditions, equipment, and other factors. Mechanical and physical controls are both important, and use one or both to control pests.
Integrated pest management, which is a method of controlling pests in your house or farm, uses all available methods, even natural ones. One of the smaller components of integrated pest management is mechanical pest control. Physical controls include traps, fences and various types of screens. Floating polyester row cover and deer fencing are man-made products that provide protection against environmental stressors. Floating polyester row cover is a great way to control a pest population in your yard.
Monitoring for pest populations
The primary goal of monitoring for pest populations is to determine how many of a certain species are present in a given area, as well as the population size and distribution of these insects. Monitoring can take many forms, including regular inspections of a pest problem area or counting the number of insects caught in traps. Monitoring is an integral part of any pest management strategy. It helps determine the effectiveness and efficiency of control methods.
Biological and mechanical control are two of the most effective methods for controlling pests. These methods are less harmful to the environment than some pesticides, but their effectiveness is limited if the pests are widespread. Pest populations cannot always been eradicated using one method. Pest managers must consider all factors before taking any action. A single tactic will not solve a pest problem long-term. To determine which pest control strategy will be most effective, it is important that you consider the biology of the pest and the ecosystem it affects.
Record keeping
Many states require businesses that provide pest control services to maintain records for two years. While these records should contain written reports, they can also include other kinds of information. Record keeping can prove useful in determining the source of a pest outbreak. A pest control service provider will need to keep a record of any pest outbreaks in order to make future pest management decisions. Recordkeeping is an important part of any business.
One way to improve record keeping is by creating a pest sighting log. To make it easier to use, pest sighting logs can strategically be placed around school buildings. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has a Kitchen Pest Sighting Log that can be used as a pest log. You can place such a log in the kitchen, classrooms, and administrative offices of a building. These records must be accurate, and they must comply with all applicable state and local regulations.