There are lots of pests in this world, and at some point everyone will find themselves battling a pest. Pest can invade our garden, our home, buildings the list goes on and on. Pests can be bugs, plants or animals. Just the mention of fleas, cockroaches, dandelions, mold, mice and rats can elicit strong emotions. Pests present a health hazard to your family, pets, and garden.

It is important to know how to properly control these pests that invade our lives. It is nearly impossible to eliminate pests, but it is imperative to control these invasive pests. There are various methods of controlling pests these can include chemical control, biological control, mechanical methods, or a combination thereof.

Mechanical pest control is usually the most cost effective and if implemented before a vast infestation takes place can produce desired results. Mechanical methods include hand picking (such as pulling weeds) and traps (such as a mouse trap). Mechanical methods of pest control are usually the most environmentally friendly.

Biological pest control includes insecticides that are derived from plants or other naturally occurring substances such as microorganisms.

Chemical pest control includes the use of more toxic synthetic pesticides. Chemical pest control is not environmentally friendly and is never considered as an organic method of control.

Integrated Pest Management is the coordinated use of pest and environmental information along with available pest control methods, including cultural, biological, genetic and chemical methods, to prevent unacceptable levels of pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment. (Proceedings of the National Integrated Pest Management Forum. 1992. American Farmland Trust)

Integrated Pest Management stresses the use of complementary methods of pest control such as the introduction of natural predators. This method of pest control is much more ecologically sound than relying on chemical methods.

The first step in pest control is to identify the problem. Particularly when plants are involved, the problem may involve poor growing conditions instead of an attack from an invasive pest. Sometimes identifying the pest is obvious, if you see a mouse scurrying across the floor it is obvious you have need for pest control. The next step is to identify how serious the infestation is, or is this just one mouse that has found its way into your home, or is there a family of mice that has taken up habitation in your home. One mouse can often easily be eradicated using a mouse trap or possibly the family cat. However if you have a large infestation of mice, you may need to resort to stronger chemical methods or find it necessary to hire a professional exterminator to rid your home of the pest problem.

Related posts

• Things to Check for Pest Control (0)
• The DIY Approach To Getting Rid Of Pests In Your Home (0)
• Prevent Pests From Pigging Out In Your Pantry (0)
• Pest Control Protect Your Property And Home (0)
• Mosquito Control: Options For Your Need (0)
• Defending Your Home From Pests (0)

At the first site of a home invasion of bugs, dont run for the spray gun. First, learn a little about the insect and how much of an invasion has really occurred. There just may be an easy way for you to get rid of the pest without putting yourself, your family, or your pets at risk. However, if a showdown is what it takes, there are some steps you should take to keep your home environment safe and healthy for your family.

The behavior of certain pests can help you eliminate them. For example, if your problem is cockroaches in your kitchen, you can set out baits in the corners of cabinets or hide them behind appliances against the wall. This is because cockroaches tend to follow along walls when they scout for food and water. No matter what insect has invaded your home, knowing your opponent will help you choose an effective and economical way to eliminate your infestation.

The pest may decide to avoid a showdown. Run them out of town by removing sources of food, water, and shelter. Most insects come into your home for these reasons. If the necessities for life are not there, they will go elsewhere. You may need to have a leaky faucet repaired and store food in sealed containers. You may also need to seal cracks under doors, next to windows, and around drainpipes to keep the insects from entering your home. Throwing out unnecessary paper boxes and paper bags can also eliminate places for insects to hide.

Use baits first because they are usually clean and have little or no odor. However, you must place them away from kids and pets. A child or pet may be attracted to bright colors or mistake the bait for a toy or treat.

You may also want to try an organic solution that is less harmful to the environment and often has fewer odors. However, organic does not mean it will be completely harmless to you, your family, or pets. You still need to follow the manufactures safety precautions when using organic pesticides.

To get ready for the showdown, read the label first. And read all of it, so you will know how to apply the pesticide, how much pesticide you need, where and where not to apply it, and most importantly, what to do in case of an emergency. The special warnings not only tell you to keep it out of your eyes, for example, but what to do if you spray and its carried to your eyes.

If sprays are necessary, only use what is approved for home or indoor use and use only the recommended amount. Inside your home a chemical can be toxic, especially those designed for the outdoors. Chemicals designed for the outdoors often remain toxic longer inside than they would outdoors, because outdoors the chemical will breakup and disperse to some degree, but inside the wind and elements are not there to help this happen. When spraying indoors, you may want to air out the house before you close it up for the night.

Dont over do it. More is not better when it comes to chemicals in and around your home. Use the amount recommended on the label. The manufacturer of the product makes recommendations with the expectation that you will use it properly for the right insect, in the right volume, and in the right environment.

Dont forget to dispose of unused pesticides properly. You will find the disposal instructions on the label. And dont transfer the pesticide to another container or use the pesticide container for something else. Of course, keep stored pesticides away from children and pets. In the United States, every 15 seconds a poison control center takes a call. Most of the calls are concerning a child and a substance the child found in the home.

If your home has been invaded with pests, dont be fast on the trigger. Take a little time to learn about your opponents and then run them out of town. But if a showdown is the only way to rid your home of the pest, be the quickest on the draw by selecting a product designed for the pest and one that is suited for use in your home. For more information on products or pest, please go to www.pestproductsonline.com. For our organic selection, visit http:www.pestproductsonline.comst_organic_category.htm.

Related posts

• The DIY Approach To Getting Rid Of Pests In Your Home (0)
• Prevent Pests From Pigging Out In Your Pantry (0)
• Pests And Pest Control (0)

Are you irritated by your itchy scalp? Do friends and officemates make fun of you because you always scratch your head? If you are experiencing this common problem, then chances are you have lice. Start to get rid of it now!

1. What are lice?

Lice are small parasite-like insects. Their home is on the hairs of people. They eat by sucking a small quantity of blood from our scalp. Lice usually thrive on scalps of 3 to 12 year-old kids. Girls are much more susceptible to lice than boys.

2. Lice facts:

- Lice do not pose a significant risk to our health

- Lice can easily spread from one person to another

- The feeling of itchiness is caused by the lice bites

- Frequent scratching of the scalp can cause further inflammation

- In rare cases, the skin can be infected which may trigger infection

3. How to treat lice:

Lice shampoos and lotions can be directly bought over-the-counter or can be prescribed. The medications are based on the lice treatment history of the patient. Do not experiment on these treatments because they are very much like insecticides. Follow your doctors advice or instructions carefully. The directions on the shampoo or lotion should be strictly followed so that the treatment can be effective. Your doctor may also ask you to buy hair rinses that are made to untangle hair.

These lice treatments most often than not, completely eradicate lice although continuous usage is needed for it to take affect. Seven to ten days is the common treatment period for lice by this method. Before stopping medication, you should be positive that all lice are killed since they can easily reproduce and come back with a vengeance.

4. Lice removal tips:

- Lice lay eggs attached to the base of the hair. In addition to using medication, it is recommended, especially for children ages 2 to 6, to manually remove the eggs from the hair one by one

- Combs with fine bristles should be used to comb your childs hair after taking a bath

- Shampoo hair 3 up to 4 days in a span of 2 weeks. The hair should be wet before combing

- Beddings and clothes that are just worn by someone with lice should be washed in very hot water

- Store clothing and anything else that can not be washed in bags that are airtight for two weeks, such as toys or bedcovers

- Carpet and upholstery in homes and cars should be vacuum cleaned regularly

- Submerge objects like brushes, combs, headbands, hair ties and barrettes in rubbing alcohol or shampoo for lice treatment for one hour, or dispose of them

- Do not utilize hair dryers to dry the hair of your child after putting on the anti-lice medication. Some chemicals in the shampoo or lotion are flammable

- Shampoos and conditioners should not be used prior to lice treatment application

- Sprays or pest control should not be used to kill lice. It could do more harm than good. It can also be poisonous

- Lice treatment should not be used or applied to a single person for more than three times. If the lice are still there after three applications, the medication should be changed.

- One lice treatment should be used at time. Do not alternate it with another

Related posts

• No related posts.

What are the 10 most dangerous pests? What are antimicrobials and how do they protect us? What do the most effective insect repellents contain?

Find answers to these questions and more on the Consumer Specialty Products Association’s public information Web sites, DeetOnline.org, AboutBugs.com and AboutGerms.com.

The sites provide in-depth information on disinfectants, pest repellents and other everyday products that help provide a cleaner, healthier living environment.

Read on to find out more about the Web sites and how they can help you.

* DeetOnline.org: From choosing and using repellents to protecting yourself from insect-borne diseases, DeetOnline.org provides eye-opening information on and benefits of using DEET-containing products. These products – along with cautionary measures such as wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants and checking for ticks immediately after spending time outdoors – are your best bet for keeping insect- and tick-borne diseases, such as West Nile virus and Lyme disease, at bay.

Spotting repellents containing DEET is now easier thanks to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which approved adding the acronym to labels, clarifying its cumbersome scientific name. The site answers frequently asked questions and contains helpful links to information about this active ingredient.

* AboutBugs.com: Effective pest control starts with knowing more about the everyday insects that can threaten your health, including houseflies, cockroaches, lice, dust mites and spiders. For instance, did you know that ordinary houseflies have extraordinarily bad habits that can affect your health? Flies can pick up disease-causing germs, transferring them to food you eat by touching surfaces with their legs or mouths.

Aside from taking a critical look at these pests, the site also shows how pest management products help people, animals and crops. It also provides in-depth information on West Nile virus, Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

* AboutGerms.com: Most germs, or microbes, are so small, they can only be seen with a microscope. From the plates you use to the water you drink, germs are ever-present – and some are harmful.

AboutGerms.com offers a comprehensive look at germs and the antimicrobials that help protect your health and home. Antimicrobial products are used to clean and disinfect homes, hospitals, restaurants, hotels, schools and offices, and to purify drinking water.

Related posts

• No related posts.

You can defeat ants, cockroaches, spiders, fleas and bedbugs. They’re more than a nuisance. They can cause medical problems:

Recent studies attribute cockroach allergens as the number- three contributor to children’s asthma.

Of the 10,000 spider bites reported each year, about 20 percent come from the brown recluse spider, one of six poisonous spiders in the United States. A bite from one of these spiders can take months to heal.

Adult fleas are not only a nuisance to humans and their pets, but can cause medical problems including flea allergy dermatitis, tapeworms, secondary skin irritations and, in extreme cases, anemia.

Bedbugs feed mainly on the blood of humans at night when people are asleep. As they feed, they inject a salivary secretion into the wound that often causes the skin to itch and become swollen. Scratching causes sores that may become infected.

The best way to control indoor pests is to prevent them from entering your home. Eliminate standing water in or around your house. Stack wood away from your house. Store food in sealed containers. Keep a clean kitchen. Caulk cracks and crevices indoors and out. Bathe pets regularly so that fleas and Lyme disease-carrying ticks aren’t transported inside.

However, even the cleanest, well-caulked home can be inviting to many pests, says Bayer Advanced entomologist Ken Kukorowski, PhD. But there′s a simple, do-it-yourself approach to eliminating pests.

Bayer Advanced Home Pest Control, now available with a battery-operated sprayer, kills ants, roaches, spiders, fleas, bedbugs and other pests on contact and lasts for up to nine months indoors. No other do-it-yourself home pest-control product protects for a longer period of time.

Spray it into cracks, crevices and other spots where insects hide indoors. Outside, spray a three- to four-foot band alongside the foundation of the house as well as around windows and doors to create a barrier to keep bugs out. Always be sure to follow the instructions on the label.

All Bayer Advanced products carry a money-back guarantee.

Related posts

• Prevent Pests From Pigging Out In Your Pantry (0)
• Pests And Pest Control (0)
• Defending Your Home From Pests (0)

Warm, wet weather has led to the early arrival of the West Nile virus this year. The pools of standing water left from the rains serve as excellent breeding places for mosquitoes, including those that carry the West Nile virus.

Since the West Nile virus was first identified in the U.S. in 1999, mosquitoes have become more than just a nuisance. They have contributed to more than 16,000 West Nile virus cases and 600 deaths in this country alone. Although mosquitoes are expected to be out in full force this summer, homeowners can help reduce mosquito populations in their areas with the following steps.

* Clear standing water from your landscape. With a wetter-than-normal spring, many homeowners now have standing water in their yards. Because mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water, the best way to decrease the mosquito population around the home is to eliminate this habitat. To do so, cover, empty or remove containers that hold water clean out gutters and drainage ditches and replace water in flower pots and birdbaths every three to four days.

* Create movement in stagnant water. Water can’t always be eliminated when you have pools and ponds on your landscape. Another option for stagnant water sources is to add a water pump, fountain or waterfall. Also, swimming pools and hot tubs make great mosquito habitats. Homeowners should ensure that these bodies of water are chlorinated according to the manufacturer′s directions and covered when not in use.

* Consult your local public health department or pest control professional. Health departments and pest control professionals can help you locate potential mosquito habitats and treat them with environmentally friendly larvicides. These products kill mosquito larvae before they can become biting adult mosquitoes. You should also check with your local public health department to ensure larvicide is being used near your home and in other parts of your community.

Related posts

• Mosquitoes: Small But Dangerous (0)

Mosquito control is an ongoing problem. Not only are they annoying creatures but they can also spread disease. You need to be able to find a way to control them at least in your area. But, it seems as if there is no easy way to do this. Mosquito control is something that many people, around the world, deal with every day. The question is, how do they do it?

Options To Consider

There are many options to consider when it comes to mosquito control. Of course, in each area of the world, there are various types of mosquitoes as well as laws that tell you what you can and cannot do to them. Here are some options that are possible to consider depending on your area.

Mosquito control can be done through a wide assortment of natural methods. From using deterrents such as citronella or other plants to using natural pest control products in your area, there are many things that you can do naturally.

You can also use a wide range of pest control products. This may be fly traps and fly tape. Or, you can use chemicals that will, in effect, kill off the mosquitoes in the area. While chemicals are really the most powerful option, many do not like them because of how dangerous they can be to the environment. But, many cities and states that have infestations of mosquito carried viruses, such as West Nile Virus, this is the most effective means of treating them.

You can also use electronic pest control which will detect, deter or eliminate any bugs that try to enter your home.

Also, as a way of keeping them away, avoid having things around that they like — the love water and swampy areas. Make sure that standing water in your area is dumped and cleaned up properly, no matter how big or small.

Mosquito control is quite necessary in one form or another.

Related posts

• Things to Check for Pest Control (0)
• Pests And Pest Control (0)
• Pest Control Protect Your Property And Home (0)

There may be good news for those who have extreme allergic reactions to certain foods or insect bites. Experts say that a few products may offer hope.

Research shows that the six foods which cause most allergic reactions are milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat, soy and tree nuts, such as walnuts and pecans, while the five types of insects that cause the majority of allergic reactions are yellow jackets, honeybees, paper wasps, hornets and fire ants.

Avoidance, say experts, is the easiest combat. Food allergies have no cure. The only effective treatment to counter anaphylaxis (a life-threatening reaction that can strike multiple systems of the body within minutes) is an epinephrine injection. I caution those allergic to carry an EpiPen or an Ana-Kit, says Dr. Steven Lamm, an internist who often offers health advice on ABC′s The View.

These emergency devices, containing the drug epinephrine in a readily injectable form, help to open airways and improve blood pressure, but they must be used immediately.

When it comes to insects, fire ants sting more than 20 million people each year and more children are stung each year by fire ants than by all other insects combined. Their stings cause itching, burning and pain.

When disturbed, hundreds, sometimes thousands of ants will attack an intruder, inflicting painful stings that, in the most severe cases, can be life threatening, says Nate Royalty, Ph.D., entomologist with Bayer Environmental Science.

While most stings are treatable, 10-15 percent of all people can have severe, localized allergic reactions to fire ants’ stings and 1-2 percent can have systemic allergic reactions, which, in rare cases, result in death. Fire ants currently infest 325 million acres in the U.S., an area larger than the size of Spain and France combined.

We encourage homeowners to talk with professional lawn care and pest control companies to determine if they have a fire ant problem, and investigate control methods. Preventative control methods like TopChoice, a low-dose, granular insecticide that is spread over lawns and landscape beds like fertilizer, both controls existing mounds and helps control the formation of new mounds for up to one year, affirms Royalty.

Related posts

• No related posts.

Mosquitoes are typically smaller than a shirt button, but they can pose big health risks. More than 200 species are found throughout North America, some of which can transmit West Nile virus and other viruses that cause encephalitis, or swelling of the brain.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 19,500 cases of West Nile have been reported in the United States, including more than 750 deaths, since the virus was first identified in New York in 1999. Serious symptoms of West Nile virus can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, convulsions, vision loss and paralysis and the disease can even be fatal.

Furthermore, mosquitoes cause major health problems internationally by carrying and transmitting infectious agents that cause diseases such as malaria, elephantiasis, and yellow and dengue fevers.

Not only are mosquitoes dangerous, but they’re also annoying, ranking among the most frequently encountered pests in American homes, says Frank Meek, entomologist and Technical Director for Orkin, Inc. It is important to protect yourself and your family against mosquitoes, especially in summer and early fall, when populations are most prevalent.

Fortunately, 90 percent of Americans realize that mosquitoes are capable of spreading disease and adversely impacting health, according to a recent survey released by Orkin, Inc. Armed with this knowledge, homeowners should proactively follow these tips to help protect against mosquito populations thriving in and around their homes:

When outdoors, apply an EPA-approved insect repellant on clothing and exposed skin.

During prime mosquito-biting hours of dusk to dawn, wear long sleeves and pants in addition to repellant, or consider staying indoors.

Make sure screens on windows and doors fit tightly and have no holes.

Remember, mosquitoes only need a thimbleful of water to breed and survive, so eliminate breeding sites by emptying standing water from objects around the home, including flowerpots, buckets, tire swings and children’s wading pools. Change the water in pet dishes and birdbaths regularly.

Controlling mosquito populations can be difficult, but professional help is available through Orkin, the only national pest control provider offering treatment services against these dangerous pests.

Related posts

• Don’t Get Bugged by Mosquitoes This Year (0)

Most people would agree that the kitchen is the last place they want to encounter beetles, moths and worms. However, for some household pests, the kitchen provides all the main ingredients for an extended, comfortable stay.

Few homeowners realize that, despite all efforts to keep kitchens clean and pest-free, some pests may already be thriving inside the foods your family has stored.

Experts refer to them as stored product pests or occasional invaders, but homeowners call them pantry pests-the more than 300 species of beetles, moths, worms and weevils that survive on any of the food items in your pantry or kitchen cabinets.

According to experts at Orkin, Inc., virtually no items in your kitchen can escape infestation when left unused and exposed for substantial periods of time.

Pantry pests normally gravitate toward whole and processed grains such as flour, meal and rice, but will eat almost anything they can access, including dried fruits, spices, chocolate and even decorative plant arrangements.

Pantry pests are often carried into your kitchen via infested, store-bought foods. Others invade the pantry from the outdoors, lured by odors escaping from food that has been packaged improperly.

Many of these persistent pests can find food in your home by gnawing through cereal boxes and penetrating packaging, said Frank Meek, entomologist and technical director for Orkin. But many just get lucky and find their way into our foods because we haven′t sealed them tightly.

These food-infesting pests are usually not the source of significant health threats for homeowners. However, health issues can result from direct contact with or inhalation of pest-related allergens produced by pest species including cockroaches, mites and meal moths.

Following these tips can help prevent pantry pest infestations:

Store foods in tightly sealed containers that keep pests out. Remember that some pests can eat through paper wrapping.

Inspect food storage areas regularly use a flashlight to peek in dark, undisturbed corners.

Clean pantry and cabinet shelves and floors thoroughly. Use a vacuum to pick up crumbs.

However, if pests continue to feast on foods in your kitchen, trust a licensed pest control company to help you identify solutions for protecting your pantry.

Related posts

• The DIY Approach To Getting Rid Of Pests In Your Home (0)
• Pests And Pest Control (0)
• Defending Your Home From Pests (0)