Pest control refers to the regulation or management of a
species
defined as a pest, usually because it is perceived to be
detrimental to a person's health, the
ecology or
the economy.
Pest control is at least as old as
agriculture, as there has always been a need to keep crops free from pests.
In order to maximize food production, it is advantageous to protect crops from
competing species of plants, as well as from herbivores
competing with humans.
The conventional approach was probably the first to be employed, since it is
comparatively easy to destroy weeds by burning them or plowing them under, and
to kill larger competing herbivores, such as
crows and other
birds eating seeds. Techniques such as
crop
rotation, companion planting (also known as
intercropping or mixed cropping), and the
selective breeding of pest-resistant
cultivars
have a long history.
Many pests have only become a problem because of the direct actions of humans.
Modifying these actions can often substantially reduce the pest problem. In the
USA,
raccoons
caused a nuisance by tearing open refuse sacks. Many householders introduced
bins with locking lids, which deterred the raccoons from visiting. House flies
tend to accumulate wherever there is human activity and is virtually a global
phenomenon, especially where food or food waste is exposed. Similarly,
seagulls have become pests at many
seaside resorts. Tourists would often feed the birds with scraps of
fish and chips, and before long, the birds would become dependent on this
food source and act aggressively towards humans.
In the UK, following concern about animal welfare, humane pest control and
deterrence is gaining ground through the use of animal psychology rather than
destruction. For instance, with the urban
Red Fox which
territorial behaviour is used against the animal, usually in conjunction with
non-injurious chemical repellents.
Chemical pesticides date back 4,500 years, when the
Sumerians used
sulfur
compounds as insecticides. The Rig Veda,
which is about 4,000 years old, also mentions the use of poisonous plants for
pest control. Ancient
Chinese and Egyptian cultures are known to have used chemical
pest controls[citation needed]. But
it was only with the
industrialization and mechanization of agriculture in the 18th and 19th
century, and the introduction of the insecticides
pyrethrum
and derris that
chemical pest control became widespread. In the 20th century, the discovery of
several synthetic insecticides, such as
DDT, and
herbicides
boosted this development. Chemical pest control is still the predominant type of
pest control today, although its long-term effects led to a renewed interest in
traditional and biological pest control towards the end
of the 20th century.
Organic pest and insect control
While chemical pesticides may kill insects effectively, some may also be toxic
to human beings and lead to severe environmental degradation if their use is not
properly managed. By comparison, natural pesticides, which are usually
eco-friendly, are more conducive to environmental sustainability and more
beneficial to public wellness. Many species have anti-insect properties but are
non-toxic to humans, including Arisaema jacquemontii,
which has been demonstrated to have an anti-cancer potency.[1]
Elimination of breeding grounds
Proper waste management and drainage of still water, eliminates the breeding
ground of many pest.
Garbage provides food and shelter for many unwanted organisms, as well as an
area where still water might collect and be used as a breeding ground by
mosquitoes. Communities that have proper garbage collection and disposal, have
far less of a problem with rats, cockroaches, mosquito, flies, and other pest,
than those don't.
Open air sewers are ample breeding ground for various pests as well. By building
and maintaining a proper sewer system, this problem is eliminated.
Poisoned bait
Poisoned bait is a common method for controlling rat populations, however is not
as effective when there are other food sources around, such as garbage. Poisoned
meats have been used for centuries for killing off wolves, birds that were seen
to threaten crops, and against other creatures.
Field burning
Traditionally, after a sugar cane harvest, the fields are all burned, to kill
off any insects, or eggs, that might be in the fields.
Hunting
Historically, in some European countries, when stray dogs and cats became too
numerous, local populations gathered together to round up all animals that did
not appear to have an owner and kill them. In some nations, teams of rat
catchers work at chasing rats from the field, and killing them with dogs and
simple hand tools. Some communities have in the past employed a bounty system,
where a town clerk will pay a set fee for every rat head brought in as proof of
a rat killing.
Traps
Traps have been used for killing off mice found in houses, for killing wolves,
and for capturing raccoons and stray cats and dogs for disposal by town
officials.
Poison spray
Spraying poisons by planes, hand held units, or trucks that carry the spraying
equipment, is a common method of pest control. Throughout the United States of
America, towns often drive a town owned truck around once or twice a week to
each street, spraying for mosquitoes. Crop dusters commonly fly over farmland
and spray poison to kill off pest that would threaten the crops. Many find
spraying poison around their yard, homes, or businesses, far more desirable than
allowing insects to thrive there.
Destruction of infected plants
Forest services sometimes destroy all the trees in an area where some are
infected with insects, if seen as necessary to prevent the insect species from
spreading. Farms infested with certain insects, have been burned entirely, to
prevent the pest from spreading elsewhere