Proper identification of the pest is essential to developing a good management plan.Here are Action Steps:
Capture the actual animal
For insects and related pests, you can avoid touching them by scooping them into a container or plastic sandwich bag. (A tweezers or forceps might come in handy.) Most adult insects can be placed into the freezer to kill and preserve for identification. Soft-bodied insects can be preserved in rubbing alcohol.
Rodents or other animals may be trapped or caught on glueboards available in grocery stores, hardware stores or nurseries
If you are squeamish about pests, you can take a photo or digital image to use for identification. You can send a digital image to your County Extension Agent by e-mail for rapid identification.
If you are unable to locate the animal, collect sample of damage that pest caused or droppings from the animal or take a photograph or digital image for identification of damage, droppings or other signs of the pests. When taking photographs or images, use a recognizable reference item such as a coin or ruler to indicate actual size.
When you have collected one of the items above:
use a field guide or Extension literature to identify the pest
or
take or e-mail evidence or specimen to local Extension office
or
bring to pest control company or local nursery for identification
Sanitation is the key to solving most household pest problems. It involves removing food, water and shelter from the pests and eliminating breeding sites.Here are Action Steps:
Take out trash several times per week
Keep trash in a closed container lined with a plastic bag
Clean trash container and garbage cans inside and out
If you recycle, store items in container with tight lid
Rinse bottles and cans before storing
Clean recycling containers regularly
Keep recycling containers outside
Eliminate food and water sources
Keep all food, including pet food, in pest proof containers
Do not leave food, including pet food, out overnight
Do not leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight
Clean kitchen counters, tables and floors often
Clean spilled food products immediately including food from pets eating inside the home
Encourage eating at the table only. Do not allow children to walk around with food
Sweep and vacuum regularly
Repair leaky plumbing
Caulk cracks around pantry shelves to avoid food accumulation
Inspect and discard all infested food products
Eliminate pest breeding sites
Clean drains (toilets, sinks, showers) with a stiff brush and flush with boiling water
Do not allow food crumbs and debris to build up on grout of tile floors
Avoid storing newspapers, magazines and other items that make hiding places for pests
Inspect food products and containers for pests. Be especially cautious with pet foods.
Even if household pests elude your first line of defense, sanitation and exclusion, do not immediately reach for a can of pesticide spray to solve the problem. There are other alternatives that may be equally effective. And always try least toxic approaches first.Here are Action Steps:
Non-chemical control
For pests such as cockroaches, flies or mice try a trapping device such as a “roach motel”, fly paper or a mouse trap. For fleas, a vacuuming regularly helps control even if insecticides are used.
A mixture of liquid detergent and water in a spray bottle can be used for “emergency” ant control on the kitchen counter
Chemical control
Pesticides are available in a number of formulations, and some may be safer and more effective than others for specific pests.
If available, try baits first. Baits are often the safest and most effective control for ants, cockroaches and small rodents, especially when delivered in tamper-proof plastic bait stations. Give baits sufficient time to work and do not apply sprays while when using baits.
Gel formulations of insecticides are also available that can be used along cracks and crevices
Insecticides, even as sprays, can often be effectively applied in very specific locations such as along baseboards or in cracks and crevices instead of as broadcast sprays
Make sure the product you buy is labeled for the pest you want to control and the area that you are targeting
IDENTIFY