Organic food producers may have made the decision not to use chemicals and pesticides in the manufacturing and growing of their food, but that doesn't mean that bugs, spiders and rodents aren't going to still try to get at the food. Some specialty commercial pest management companies work with organic facilities to prevent and treat pest infestations without sacrificing the integrity of the operations.
Organic control and integrated pest management give pest control services a two-pronged approach to dealing with pests logically and environmentally safely. IPM programs help organic facilities learn and identify the pests that are the most harmful and which bugs are innocuous. From there, IPM involves preventing infestation and then using smart pest control substances as needed should a problem arise.
Pest management services use tools like inspections, monitoring and education to help reduce the likelihood of a damaging infestation. Although these are effective methods, organic growers and producers can take additional steps to help prevent pests from contaminating their food.
By excluding chemicals from their pest control armory, many organic farms have gotten creative to prevent pests from contaminating and devouring their crops. Many organic farmers rely on trap crops and good sanitation to distract and prevent pests from eating the cash crops. Sometimes farmers use parasitic or predatory species to prevent pest insects or birds from damaging their crops.
Once the food is out of the ground, off the vine or picked from the tree, it isn't out of danger yet. The places where organic food is processed, packed and shipped are also targets for pests. One of the most common pests in these areas are flies. They can grow fast, repopulate quickly and get through measures that prevent birds and rodents.
Doors are a powerful tool when it comes to excluding flies from food preparation areas. The more doors or barriers that are between a food area and the outdoors, the less likely it is that flies will get to the food. Specialty zappers are also a powerful tool. Pest management firms use specific zappers that catch the flies to avoid contaminating the food below as well.
Keeping garbage far from the food and patching any holes, cracks or openings in the structure are also important measures to take to prevent various pests from infesting a food processing establishment.
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.
In the summer months, people love to stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables. Some even venture to farmers markets where the food is cheaper. However, not only do fruits come home with you, fruit flies may too. Once they've gotten acclimated in your home, they might stay all summer. These pests breed quickly, and tend to spread through whatever food you've got around. They also are happy to join in on any meal you have, be it a sit-down dinner or a barbecue in your backyard. Worst of all, like other flies, they carry disease. Consider these tips on how to prevent fruit flies from coming home with you.
