These days farmers markets are a recurring trend, with people becoming increasingly interested in buying their food fresh and local. However, while buying food that's natural and organic has its perks, no one wants to come home with a pest living in their groceries. So, how are pests prevented?
Before the fruits and vegetables even arrive at the farmers market, farmers need to take certain measures to ensure that their crops are not infested with pests. If the fruits and vegetables are healthy and pest-free before they get to the market, then there usually are no problems while farmers actually sell their bounty. So, if you've picked up a ripe apple or a few tomatoes and wonder why these plants look so healthy, ask the farmer who grew them about his or her process. Many of their stories will go something like this.
Many use a process known as Integrated Pest Management, which uses natural ways to control pests without the use of harmful pesticides. Though there are organic products on the market, most try a few tried and true methods first before beginning their harvest.
When farmers first plant their crops, many use floating row covers to help shield them from hungry insects, Stonyfield stated. These covers, which usually are made out of a burlap material, help the plants get water and air during their first months of growth without being disturbed by voracious bugs. That way, when the plants become bigger and heartier, the farmers can remove the covers without worrying that certain pests may destroy them.
Farmers also practice a method known as crop rotation, in which they plant different crops in various places each year to keep pests guessing, Nourishing the Planet noted. If farmers continually grew the crop in the same place, the pests would return each year and often would grow in number, making for a disastrous harvest. Moving the crops keeps pests away naturally, and also helps keep the soil fertile and healthy.
Intercropping can also confuse pests. This is when farmers will plant two crops among one another, so that there isn't a large number of one crop in a certain space. Planting two crops near each other doesn't hurt the crops' livelihood, but it does cause pests to have difficulty sensing where certain crops that they feed on are.
Lastly, farmers prevent pests from arriving at farmer's markets by discarding any crops that have been infested. Though some seasons are more pest-free than others, many don't want to take the risk of bringing bad bounty with the good, for the benefit of the customer. So, when they pick crops they diligently look over each to ensure that they are worthy of sale, just for you.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
