Pest Control

Pest ControlPest control can be defined as the process of regulating or controlling the population of insects or other small animals, which are responsible for the destruction of crops, plants and trees. Pests are different from weeds, which also significantly affect the growth and life of plants. The history of pest control can be dated along with the start of agriculture by primitive man. From the very beginning, humans knew the importance of killing harmful animals and plants, to increase food production and to sustain its top position in the food chain. In older days, when modern tools and chemicals were not available, the conventional approach of humans was to destroy weeds either by burning them or uprooting them during the plowing process. Other herbivores, which were potential threat to the crops, were killed on large scale, to keep their population under wrap and to avoid any damages to the crops. Other popular techniques of pest control were crop rotation, companion planting and selective breeding of pest-resistant cultivators. Besides few basic steps, controlling of pests has undergone a sea change. In many parts of the world, use of airgun, to kill small pests like rats, rabbits, squirrels, is quite common. Sometimes taking some preventive measures like proper storage facility for cultivated crops, appropriate disposal of food waste, and erecting scare-crows etc, can save a lot of money and time, spent on the controlling of pests and other animals. After agricultural revolution, scientists started looking for counter-measures for bringing the problems created by pests, under control. Pyrethrum and Derris were amongst the first few pesticides, used for controlling pests. This was followed by more popular pest control products such as DDT and herbicides. In modern agricultural practice, there are different methods of stop the problem of pest, from becoming a menace. Biological methods of controlling the population of pests are quite effective. This method comprises of bringing the population of pests down by nurturing their natural predators, which keep their numbers under check by savaging them. Most of the pests choose dirty and ill-maintained places to breed such as an open drain, heaps of garbage etc. By reducing the number of such places, the population of the pests could be brought down to an extent. There are several other methods like poisoned bait, field burning, hunting, laying of traps, sterilization of species of pest etc., which are being used throughout the sphere, depending upon the location and the available resources. There are many companies, which are now involved in the manufacturing of chemical pesticides, using which can food production can be significantly increased. It is important that pesticides are duly tested for their effects on the humans and nature, before they are launched in the markets. The contamination of underground water, due to excessive use of chemical pesticides, is causing some serious effects on ecology and health of humans. If you manage a small garden, try to use other Pest Control Services, before switching to chemical pesticides.