Pests are a big problem in both rural and urban areas. Pests can have businesses closed down for health and safety reasons, and they can drastically decrease peoples quality of life for those unlucky enough to live in residential areas with recurring pest problems. Pest control means management of a species creating problems for human beings directly or indirectly, since it is considered to be harmful to an individual’s health, the economy or the ecology. Pest management is at least as old as agriculture as it was necessary to keep crops free from unwanted animals and insects.

Chemical control dates back 4500 years, with the Sumerians using Sulphur compounds as insecticides. In India the Rig Veda, which is about 4000 years old mentions the use of poisonous plants for pest control. But chemical management became widespread with industrialization and mechanization of agriculture in 18th and 19th century, and the introduction of insecticides Pyrethrum and Derris Today chemical pest control is the dominant type of pest control. But its aftereffects have led people to think about alternatives in the form of traditional and biological pest control.

The chemical agents include herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. Long lasting synthetic compounds which affect the nervous system of insects on contact are applied as insecticides. Examples of most effective insecticides are the chlorinated hydrocarbons DDT, Chlordane and Toxaphene, even though DDT has been banned. Organophosphate insecticides include Malathiom, Parathion and Dimethoate. 2, 4- dichlorophenoxyacetic acid is the most effective herbicide, used to kill broad leaved weeds.

The disadvantage of using pesticides is that though they are valuable for agriculture, they can cause serious harm. Hence more and more people are shifting to organic and biological pest control measures. It is important that if you have a pet such as a cat or dog, to read the label of the various poisons. Also be sure to inform the pest control people you have a pet and they can treat your infestations with a poison which will not harm your pets. You should always be careful with chemical methods of pest control because they are very useful but can cause lot of problems.

Termites are a major problem to manmade structures. They mostly harm wood but once they get their way into a home they can even damage cloth, carpet and various other things. When you have termites, you know that you have a major problem in your home that you have to fix. Termite protection of your home and work place is very essential. The damage that it can do cannot be fathomed. The problem is that most of the damage is not seen or identified in the initial stages. By the time you recognize the problem it is almost beyond repair. Buildings are greatly affected by the termite menace. There are several treatments that you can do, and your exterminator will be able to help you decide which of these treatments is best for you.

It is the same problem one faces with mice. Mice are mostly found in warehouses storing food supplies. They can be a real problem in such a place. At the same time, mice can be a nuisance in homes and can damage the food and also fabric. They can cause a lot of damage, and being small in size it would be difficult to find them. They multiply in large numbers and this will only add to the problem. Various mice control solutions are now made available. Mousetrap is the most common solution and there are also other methods of controlling the mouse menace by using poison or predator repellants. The many mice control solutions available today make it easier to handle the problem.

Yet another problems one faces at homes are that of ants. At times one finds an entire army of these little creatures that you are at a total loss of solutions. You might not even know where so many of them are coming from. Ants can at times become major irritants. They just seem to come from nowhere and can be found everywhere. Ant pest control can now be even done using organic substances and these are much in demand as compared to other solutions. An individual can do ant pest control to a large extent by himself or herself but at the same time it is important to note that the solution lies in removing the problem from the root. Just by getting rid of the ones that are seen is not effective. One has to find the “nest” and get rid of the queen as well.

Termites, ants and mice infect not just residential properties but they are truly impartial and can be found anywhere. Commercial establishments and open spaces are also good breeding grounds for them. It is important to take care of your property and not let it get wasted in the hands of these pests. Termite protection for a building is absolutely essential. Professionals are available who would take the responsibility of keeping your structures termite proof. Professionals in the field can easily handle ant pest control and find mice control solutions.