ABOUT PEST CONTROL

Pest Control is the regulation and management of species also called pest because it is said to cause harm to any person’s health. It is as ancient as agriculture because it is always essential to keep a crop free from pests. To ensure maximum production of food a crop be protected from its competing species. The initial approach was to burn down weeds and kill the larger pests. Techniques like crop rotation, intercropping and selective breeding of pest-resistant crops have a long history. Most pests are a problem because of direct human actions. Modifying these however can lead to a substantial decrease of pest problems. Houseflies can accumulate in any place of human activity and seagulls cause massive problems at sea-resorts.

Chemical Pesticides are as old as 4500 years. Even the Rig Veda contains the use of poisonous plants which can be of help to reduce the affect of pests. With the mechanization and industrialization of agriculture in the 19th and 18th century and introduction of insecticides that pest control became increasingly popular. The most predominant of all pest control is chemical pest control although its harmful affects made people consider biological pest control as a timely alternative.

• Elimination of the Breeding grounds: It should ensure the drainage of stagnant water, proper management of waste and also in the elimination of breeding grounds of pests. Garbage bins should be cleaned regularly as they are supposedly the most sought out breeding grounds after open air sewages. On maintaining a clean and proper sewage system, the problem can be eliminated.
• Poisoned Baits: It is mainly used in controlling the rat population but is not equally effective when some other food source such as garbage is present.
• Field burning: A traditional Method, the field is burnt off, especially on the harvest of sugar to kill eggs or insects that might be present.
• Space fumigation: It involves a sealed airtight or covered structure and the introduction of a deadly and penetrating concentration for a prolonged time period. Though expensive, it targets pests of all life stages.