The Future of Pest Control in North Port: 2025 Trends

The Future of Pest Control in North Port: 2025 Trends

Tick Control

Emerging Technologies: Smart Traps, Drones, and AI-Driven Monitoring


Oh! In North Port the future of pest control in 2025 is looking like a mash-up of gadgets and data, and its not what your grandparents used to know. Smart traps works with tiny cameras and sensors to catch rats or roaches and send alerts to your phone, so crews can act faster and use less poison (think: silent, solar-powered sensors). Theyre more targeted, but they aint flawless - batteries die and small animals sometimes trigger false alarms.


Drones has started doing the dirty work nobody likes: scanning rooftops for nests, finding standing water where mosquitoes breed, and dropping bait in spots thats hard to reach.

Mosquito Treatment

  1. Lawn Pest Control
  2. Sarasota, Florida
  3. Spider Web Removal
  4. Flea Control
  5. Residential Pest Control
  6. Mouse Exterminator
  7. Same-Day Pest Control
  8. Eco-Friendly Pest Control
  9. Organic Pest Control
  10. Port Charlotte Town Center
People worry about privacy and noise, and those concerns arent silly, yet the machines can cover acres way quicker than a person on foot.


AI-driven monitoring dont just spot species; it looks at weather, activity patterns and historical data to predict outbreaks before you see them. That means fewer surprise infestations and more preventive work, not just reactive spraying. Still, algorithms can be biased or wrong, so humans gotta check the recommendations.


Overall, the combo of smart traps, drones and AI could make North Port cleaner, cheaper and safer, but it wont replace experienced technicians - itll just change their job. Southwest Florida We should be excited, but cautious, and ready to learn as these systems grows and adapts.

Eco-Friendly Strategies: Integrated Pest Management and Green Alternatives


Wow!

Southwest Florida

  1. Tick Control
  2. Southwest Florida
  3. Southwest Florida
  4. Southwest Florida
  5. Southwest Florida
  6. Southwest Florida
  7. Southwest Florida
  8. Southwest Florida
  9. Southwest Florida
  10. Southwest Florida
  11. Southwest Florida
  12. Southwest Florida
  13. Southwest Florida
  14. Southwest Florida
North Ports future in eco-friendly strategies for managing unwanted critters isnt about massive spraying anymore, its about smarter, gentler ways that work with the environment (think native predators and habitat tweaks). Squirrel Removal People dont wanna see harsh chemicals on their lawns, and city planners was listening, so programs that combine monitoring, targeted treatments and community education are gaining ground.


The integrated approach - you know, IPM - uses simple steps like exclusion, traps, and biological controls instead of blanket poisons. Its focus on prevention, not reaction: remove food and water sources, fix entry points, and use low-tox options when needed. Plus, green alternatives like botanical sprays, beneficial insects, and pheromone disruption are becoming more available and affordable, so homeowners wont feel forced into harmful choices.


Looking toward 2025 the trend is toward tech plus nature: sensors to detect early infestations, apps to guide homeowners, and incentives for native landscaping that reduce harboring sites. And while change aint instant, collaboration between residents, businesses and local government could make North Port a model for sustainable nuisance management.

Regulatory and Community Impacts: Local Policies and Public Health Initiatives


Oh, local policy is going to matter a lot for the future of pest control in North Port. Its not just about chemicals anymore; residents wants safer strategies and the city must balance public health with environmental protections. City officials is juggling budgets, science, and community pressure (think pesticide setbacks for wetlands and more mosquito surveillance), and sometimes enforcement arent consistent.


Public health initiatives are pushing integrated approaches - education, habitat reduction, and targeted treatments - so were seeing less blanket spraying and more data-driven action. Schools, clinics, and pest professionals are partnering in pilot programs, and its pretty promising! Learn more about Termite Inspection Sarasota here. South Bradenton, Florida But history shows change is slow, and not every neighbor will agree on what safe means.


Budget limits and political shifts could slow progress, yet grassroots efforts tend to fill gaps. Communities that get involved early influence local codes, and those codes will shape what pest companies offer. Well, the bottom line is simple: policy and public health initiatives will steer the choices made, for better or worse, so staying engaged is key.

Preparing Homes and Businesses: Practical Steps for Future-Proof Pest Defense


Oh, North Ports changing climate means we gotta rethink how homes and businesses guard against unwanted critters. Southgate, Florida It arent just about spraying more; its about smarter habits, design tweaks, and community effort (check attic, crawlspace, and rooflines). Folks will want to seal cracks, manage standing water, and choose landscaping that doesnt invite rodents or insects - small fixes that makes a big difference.


Integrated approaches will be more common - monitors, regular inspections, and less reliance on broad chemical use. Bed Bug Exterminator Some tech like sensors and smart traps is getting cheaper, so even small shops can use data to spot trends before an infestation grows.

Mosquito Treatment

  • Termite Inspection
  • Termite Treatment
  • South Bradenton, Florida
  • Southgate, Florida
  • Bed Bug Exterminator
  • Mosquito Treatment
  • One-Time Pest Control
  • Squirrel Removal
  • North Sarasota, Florida
  • Osprey, Florida
We cant just hope for the best; prevention pays off and often costs less than reactive treatments.


Training staff, keeping good records, and working with licensed pros helps too - contractors know when baiting is smart and when exclusion work is needed. And homeowners shouldnt try every home remedy on the internet, because some things doesnt work and could make issues worse. Community-level programs, like neighborhood cleanups, are gonna help limit breeding sites city-wide.


In short, future-proof defense is about being proactive, using targeted tools, and learning from local patterns.

Bed Bug Exterminator

  • Bi-Monthly Pest Control
  • Pool Cage Spider Treatment
  • Pest Control
  • Lake Sarasota, Florida
  • Midge Control
  • North Port
  • Fly Control
  • Preventive Pest Control
  • Ant Control
  • Pantry Pest Removal
  • Longboat Key, Florida
Its doable, people will adapt, and with a little planning youll be better prepared. Mosquito Treatment Termite Treatment Stay vigilant!

Citations and other links

 

North Port is located in the United States
North Port
North Port
Location within the United States
North Port, Florida
City
North Port Public Library
North Port Public Library
Official seal of North Port, Florida
Seal
Official logo of North Port, Florida
Logo
Etymology: Shortened form of North Port Charlotte
Motto: 
"Achieve Anything"
Location in Sarasota County, Florida
Location in Sarasota County, Florida
North Port is located in Florida
North Port
North Port
Location within Florida

Coordinates: 27°3′58″N 82°10′19″W / 27.06611°N 82.17194°W / 27.06611; -82.17194[1]Country United StatesState FloridaCounty SarasotaIncorporated (City of North Port Charlotte)June 18, 1959 (1959-06-18)[2][3]Reincorporated
(City of North Port)1974[2][3]Government

 

 • TypeCommission-Manager • MayorPhil Stokes • Vice MayorPete Emrich • CommissionersBarbara Langdon,
Demetrius Petrow, and
David Duval • City ManagerAlfred Jerome Fletcher, II • City ClerkHeather FaustArea

[4]
 • City

104.21 sq mi (269.91 km2) • Land99.38 sq mi (257.39 km2) • Water4.83 sq mi (12.52 km2)  4.40%Elevation

 

9.8 ft (3 m)Population

 (2020)
 • City

74,793

 • Estimate 
(2022)

85,099 • Density752.6/sq mi (290.58/km2) • Urban

 (Port Charlotte–North Port, FL)

199,998 (US: 194th)[5] • Urban density1,484.8/sq mi (573.3/km2) • Metro

 (North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL MSA)

859,760 (US: 70th) • CSA

 (North Port-Sarasota, FL CSA)

1,089,011 (US: 56th)Time zoneUTC−05:00 (EST) • Summer (DST)UTC−04:00 (EDT)ZIP codes

34286-34291, 34293

Area codes941FIPS code12-49675GNIS feature ID0294334Websitenorthportfl.gov[6]

North Port is a city in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. The population was 74,793 at the 2020 census.[7] It is a principal city in the Sarasota metropolitan area.

It was originally developed by General Development Corporation (GDC) as the northern Sarasota County portion of its Port Charlotte development, the other portion located in the adjacent Charlotte County. GDC dubbed the city, "North Port Charlotte", and it was incorporated under that name through a special act of the Florida Legislature on June 18, 1959. By referendum in 1974, the city's residents approved a change to its name as "North Port", dropping "Charlotte" from its name to proclaim the city as a separate identity.[2][3] It is home to the Little Salt Spring, an archaeological and paleontological site owned by the University of Miami.

North Port includes Wellen Park, a master-planned community of over 7,000 acres with shopping, restaurants, distinct neighborhoods, and a vibrant downtown.[8]

History

[edit]

Archaeological digs at the Little Salt Spring show that what is now North Port was inhabited by pre-Columbian Native Americans. Evidence of their existence includes projectile points, a carved oak mortar, and a piece of a nonreturnable wooden boomerang.[9]

In 1954, the Mackle Brothers started the General Development Corporation with the intention of selling property in Florida to northerners. Not only would they plat and sell a majority of what is now North Port, the company's employees served on the city's first council.[10] The city itself was incorporated in 1959.[2][11]

On September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian made direct landfall in Florida just south of Sarasota County. North Port, in particular, experienced excessive flooding and the Holiday Park mobile home community was almost completely destroyed.[12][13]

Geography

[edit]

The approximate coordinates for North Port are

27°3′58″N 82°10′19″W / 27.06611°N 82.17194°W / 27.06611; -82.17194. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 104.16 square miles (269.8 km2), of which 99.58 square miles (257.9 km2) is land and 4.58 square miles (11.9 km2) (4.40%) is water.

North Port is a municipality containing large-scale residential subdivisions along with an extensive network of streets. The municipality has annexed nearby locales, including the area known as Warm Mineral Springs, the location of a notable artesian spring, as well as its own significant residential subdivision.

Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park is in North Port.

Climate

[edit]

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the City of North Port has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
Census Pop. Note %±
1960 178   —
1970 2,244   1,160.7%
1980 6,205   176.5%
1990 11,973   93.0%
2000 22,797   90.4%
2010 57,357   151.6%
2020 74,793   30.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[14][15][7]
North Port racial composition
(Hispanics excluded from racial categories)
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race Pop 2010[16] Pop 2020[17] % 2010 % 2020
White (NH) 46,752 58,417 81.51% 78.10%
Black or African American (NH) 3,824 3,788 6.67% 5.06%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 109 154 0.19% 0.21%
Asian (NH) 648 1,249 1.13% 1.67%
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH) 23 35 0.04% 0.05%
Some other race (NH) 112 371 0.20% 0.50%
Two or more races/Multiracial (NH) 885 2,924 1.54% 3.91%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5,004 7,855 8.72% 10.50%
Total 57,357 74,793 100.00% 100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 74,793 people, 25,592 households, and 19,716 families residing in the city.[18]

Of the 25,592 households in 2020, 4.8% of the population were under 5 years old, 18.6% were under 18 years old, and 26.7% were 65 years and older. 52.5% of the population was female.[19]

In 2020, the median income for a household in the city was $64,543. The per capita income for the city was $34,514. About 7.0% of people were below the poverty line.[19]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 57,357 people, 20,201 households, and 14,018 families residing in the city.[20]

Economy

[edit]

North Port is the Spring Training home for the Atlanta Braves, who hold extended spring training in North Port.[21]

Arts and culture

[edit]

In 1960, the American Police Hall of Fame & Museum was opened in North Port. The opening ceremony included remarks from the then Presidential candidate John F. Kennedy.[22] The museum has since relocated, first to Miami, and then to the present location in Titusville, Florida.[23][24]

In 2007, the North Port Art Guild leased a building from the city and established the North Port Art Center. The center hosts exhibits as well as classes.[25]

Government

[edit]

North Port has a city commission/city manager form of government.

The current city manager is Alfred Jerome Fletcher, II. The city commission has five members. The mayor/vice mayor roles are voted upon annually from the commission ranks.

As of 2024, the current commission includes:[26]

  • Commissioner Demetrius Petrow (District 1)
  • Commissioner Barbara Langdon (District 2)
  • Commissioner David Duval (District 3)
  • Vice Mayor Pete Emrich (District 4)
  • Mayor Phil Stokes (District 5)

The city of North Port has its own police force, fire department, and waste management.[27] City Hall of North Port is located at 4970 City Hall Boulevard.[28]

Education

[edit]
Entrance to North Port High School

North Port has five elementary schools, one public charter school (Imagine School at North Port), two middle schools, and one high school (North Port High School) operated by Sarasota County Public Schools.[29] Suncoast Technical College is also in the city.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d City of North Port History Book
  3. ^ a b c City of North Port Charter, §1.02, City Ordinance 74-5
  4. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  5. ^ "List of 2020 Census Urban Areas". census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  6. ^ "North Port". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. October 19, 1979. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  7. ^ a b US Census Bureau. "US Census Bureau Quick Facts - North Port city, Florida". US Census Bureau Quick Facts. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  8. ^ "New Home Communities In Venice Florida". Wellen Park. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  9. ^ Milanich, Jerald T. (1994). Archaeology of Precolumbian Florida. Gainesville: University Press of Florida. p. 53. ISBN 9780813012728.
  10. ^ Grove, Marshall W. (2009). North Port : the first 50 years. North Port, Fla.: City of North Port. pp. 17–19. ISBN 978-0976759461.
  11. ^ Staff Report (September 17, 2021). "Archaeology, sprint training, but no port: Five things to know about North Port". Sarasota Herald Tribune. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  12. ^ Licon, Adriana; Anderson, Curt (October 1, 2022). "After Ian, river flooding menaces Florida inland towns". Associated Press. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  13. ^ "Draft Public Action Plan". www.scgov.net. Sarasota County. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  14. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  15. ^ "North Port city, Florida". Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010; 2010 Demographic Profile Data. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020.
  16. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - North Port city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  17. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - North Port city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  18. ^ "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: North Port city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  19. ^ a b "QuickFacts North Port city, Florida". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  20. ^ "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: North Port city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  21. ^ Murdock, Zack (January 24, 2017). "Atlanta Braves executives 'can't wait' to land in North Port stadium". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  22. ^ Arenberg, Gerald (1965). "National Police Museum and Hall of Fame". American Bar Association Journal. 51 (2): 161–162. JSTOR 25723117. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  23. ^ Yanez, Luisa (February 6, 1990). "POLICE HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM MOVES TO MIAMI". South Florida Sun Sentinel. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  24. ^ "American Police Hall of Fame & Museum". Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  25. ^ "Our Story". North Port Art Center. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  26. ^ "City Commission | North Port, FL".
  27. ^ "City Services". City of North Port. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  28. ^ "Contact us". City of North Port. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  29. ^ North Port, FL : Education
[edit]
 

 

For the Doctor Who audio adventure, see Pest Control (Doctor Who). For the crossover thrash band, see Pest Control (band). For the Devilhead album, see Pest Control (album).

 

An agricultural aircraft applies low-insecticide bait against western corn rootworm.

Pest control is the regulation or management of a species defined as a pest; such as any animal, plant or fungus that impacts adversely on human activities or environment.[1] The human response depends on the importance of the damage done and will range from tolerance, through deterrence and management, to attempts to completely eradicate the pest. Pest control measures may be performed as part of an integrated pest management strategy.

In agriculture, pests are kept at bay by mechanical, cultural, chemical and biological means.[2] Ploughing and cultivation of the soil before sowing mitigate the pest burden, and crop rotation helps to reduce the build-up of a certain pest species. Concern about environment means limiting the use of pesticides in favour of other methods. This can be achieved by monitoring the crop, only applying pesticides when necessary, and by growing varieties and crops which are resistant to pests. Where possible, biological means are used, encouraging the natural enemies of the pests and introducing suitable predators or parasites.[3]

In homes and urban environments, the pests are the rodents, birds, insects and other organisms that share the habitat with humans, and that feed on or spoil possessions. Control of these pests is attempted through exclusion or quarantine, repulsion, physical removal or chemical means.[4] Alternatively, various methods of biological control can be used including sterilisation programmes.

History

[edit]
Bronze cat, Ancient Egypt. (664–525 BC)

Pest control is at least as old as agriculture, as there has always been a need to keep crops free from pests. As long ago as 3000 BC in Egypt, cats were used to control pests of grain stores such as rodents.[5][6] Ferrets were domesticated by 1500 BC in Europe for use as mousers. Mongooses were introduced into homes to control rodents and snakes, probably by the ancient Egyptians.[7]

The conventional approach was probably the first to be employed, since it is comparatively easy to destroy weeds by burning them or ploughing them under, and to kill larger competing herbivores. 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.[8]

Red weaver ants, here feeding on a snail, have been used to control pests in China, Southeast Asia, and Africa for many centuries.

Chemical pesticides were first used around 2500 BC, when the Sumerians used sulphur compounds as insecticides.[9] Modern pest control was stimulated by the spread across the United States of the Colorado potato beetle. After much discussion, arsenical compounds were used to control the beetle and the predicted poisoning of the human population did not occur. This led the way to a widespread acceptance of insecticides across the continent.[10] With the industrialisation and mechanization of agriculture in the 18th and 19th centuries, and the introduction of the insecticides pyrethrum and derris, chemical pest control became widespread. In the 20th century, the discovery of several synthetic insecticides, such as DDT, and herbicides boosted this development.[10]

The harmful side effect of pesticides on humans has now resulted in the development of newer approaches, such as the use of biological control to eliminate the ability of pests to reproduce or to modify their behavior to make them less troublesome.[citation needed] Biological control is first recorded around 300 AD in China, when colonies of weaver ants, Oecophylla smaragdina, were intentionally placed in citrus plantations to control beetles and caterpillars.[9] Also around 4000 BC in China, ducks were used in paddy fields to consume pests, as illustrated in ancient cave art. In 1762, an Indian mynah was brought to Mauritius to control locusts, and about the same time, citrus trees in Burma were connected by bamboos to allow ants to pass between them and help control caterpillars. In the 1880s, ladybirds were used in citrus plantations in California to control scale insects, and other biological control experiments followed. The introduction of DDT, a cheap and effective compound, put an effective stop to biological control experiments. By the 1960s, problems of resistance to chemicals and damage to the environment began to emerge, and biological control had a renaissance. Chemical pest control is still the predominant type of pest control today, although a renewed interest in traditional and biological pest control developed towards the end of the 20th century and continues to this day.[11]

In agriculture

[edit]

Control methods

[edit]

Biological pest control

[edit]
Main article: Biological pest control
Biological pest control: parasitoid wasp (Cotesia congregata) adult with pupal cocoons on its host, a tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta (green background)

Biological pest control is a method of controlling pests such as insects and mites by using other organisms.[12] It relies on predation, parasitism, herbivory, parasitody or other natural mechanisms, but typically also involves an active human management role. Classical biological control involves the introduction of natural enemies of the pest that are bred in the laboratory and released into the environment. An alternative approach is to augment the natural enemies that occur in a particular area by releasing more, either in small, repeated batches, or in a single large-scale release. Ideally, the released organism will breed and survive, and provide long-term control.[13] Biological control can be an important component of an integrated pest management programme.

For example: mosquitoes are often controlled by putting Bt Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. israelensis, a bacterium that infects and kills mosquito larvae, in local water sources.[14]

Cultural control

[edit]
Cultivation by ploughing exposes insect pests to predators such as black-headed gulls.
Spruce budworm (adult and pupa shown), a serious pest of forests, can be monitored using pheromone traps.
Main articles: Mechanical pest control, Insect trap, and Crop rotation

Mechanical pest control is the use of hands-on techniques as well as simple equipment and devices, that provides a protective barrier between plants and insects. This is referred to as tillage and is one of the oldest methods of weed control as well as being useful for pest control; wireworms, the larvae of the common click beetle, are very destructive pests of newly ploughed grassland, and repeated cultivation exposes them to the birds and other predators that feed on them.[15]

Crop rotation can help to control pests by depriving them of their host plants. It is a major tactic in the control of corn rootworm, and has reduced early season incidence of Colorado potato beetle by as much as 95%.[16]

Trap cropping

[edit]
Main article: Trap crop

A trap crop is a crop of a plant that attracts pests, diverting them from nearby crops.[17] Pests aggregated on the trap crop can be more easily controlled using pesticides or other methods.[18] However, trap-cropping, on its own, has often failed to cost effectively reduce pest densities on large commercial scales, without the use of pesticides, possibly due to the pests' ability to disperse back into the main field.[18]

Pesticides

[edit]
Main article: Pesticide
Spraying pine logs with insecticide against Ips sexdentatus, a pine engraver beetle

Pesticides are substances applied to crops to control pests, they include herbicides to kill weeds, fungicides to kill fungi and insecticides to kill insects. Application methods include sprays by hand, tractors, or aircraft or as seed dressings. To be effective, the correct substance must be applied at the correct time and the method of application is important to ensure adequate coverage and retention on the crop. The killing of natural enemies of the target pest should be minimized. This is particularly important in countries where there are natural reservoirs of pests and their enemies in the countryside surrounding plantation crops, and these co-exist in a delicate balance. Often in less-developed countries, the crops are well adapted to the local situation and no pesticides are needed. Where progressive farmers are using fertilizers to grow improved crop varieties, these are often more susceptible to pest damage, but the indiscriminate application of pesticides may be detrimental in the longer term.[19][unreliable source?][failed verification] The efficacy of chemical pesticides tends to diminish over time. This is because any organism that manages to survive the initial application will pass on its genes to its offspring and a resistant strain will be developed. In this way, some of the most serious pests have developed resistance and are no longer killed by pesticides that used to kill their ancestors. This necessitates higher concentrations of chemical, more frequent applications and a movement to more expensive formulations.[20]

Pesticides are intended to kill pests, but many have detrimental effects on non-target species; of particular concern is the damage done to honey-bees, solitary bees and other pollinating insects and in this regard, the time of day when the spray is applied can be important.[21] The widely used neonicotinoids have been banned on flowering crops in some countries because of their effects on bees.[21] Some pesticides may cause cancer and other health problems in humans, as well as being harmful to wildlife.[22] There can be acute effects immediately after exposure or chronic effects after continuous low-level, or occasional exposure.[23] Maximum residue limits for pesticides in foodstuffs and animal feed are set by many nations.[24]

Genetics

[edit]
See also: Plant defense against herbivory
See also: Plant disease resistance

Using crops with inheritable resistance to pests is referred to as host-plant resistance and reduces the need for pesticide use. These crops can harm or even kill pests, repel feeding, prevent colonization, or tolerate the presence of a pest without significantly impacting yield.[25][26][27] Resistance can also occur through genetic engineering to have traits with resistance to insects, such as with Bt corn, or papaya resistance to ringspot virus.[28] When farmers are purchasing seed, variety information often includes resistance to selected pests in addition to other traits.[29]

Hunting

[edit]
A contemporary wood engraving of varmint hunters shooting passenger pigeons, a varmint species that was known to damage crops. Overhunting resulted in complete extinction of the species.
Main article: Varmint hunting

Pest control can also be achieved via culling the pest animals — generally small- to medium-sized wild or feral mammals or birds that inhabit the ecological niches near farms, pastures or other human settlements — by employing human hunters or trappers to physically track down, kill and remove them from the area. The culled animals, known as vermin, may be targeted because they are deemed harmful to agricultural crops, livestock or facilities; serve as hosts or vectors that transmit pathogens across species or to humans; or for population control as a mean of protecting other vulnerable species and ecosystems.[30]

Pest control via hunting, like all forms of harvest, has imposed an artificial selective pressure on the organisms being targeted. While varmint hunting is potentially selecting for desired behavioural and demographic changes (e.g. animals avoiding human populated areas, crops and livestock), it can also result in unpredicted outcomes such as the targeted animal adapting for faster reproductive cycles.[31]

Forestry

[edit]
Further information: Forestry

Forest pests present a significant problem because it is not easy to access the canopy and monitor pest populations. In addition, forestry pests such as bark beetles, kept under control by natural enemies in their native range, may be transported large distances in cut timber to places where they have no natural predators, enabling them to cause extensive economic damage.[32] Pheromone traps have been used to monitor pest populations in the canopy. These release volatile chemicals that attract males. Pheromone traps can detect the arrival of pests or alert foresters to outbreaks. For example, the spruce budworm, a destructive pest of spruce and balsam fir, has been monitored using pheromone traps in Canadian forests for several decades.[33] In some regions, such as New Brunswick, areas of forest are sprayed with pesticide to control the budworm population and prevent the damage caused during outbreaks.[34]

In homes and cities

[edit]

Many unwelcome animals visit or make their home in residential buildings, industrial sites and urban areas. Some contaminate foodstuffs, damage structural timbers, chew through fabrics or infest stored dry goods. Some inflict great economic loss, others carry diseases or cause fire hazards, and some are just a nuisance. Control of these pests has been attempted by improving sanitation and garbage control, modifying the habitat, and using repellents, growth regulators, traps, baits and pesticides.[35]

General methods

[edit]

Physical pest control

[edit]
Main article: Physical pest control
Dog control van, Rekong Peo, Himachal Pradesh, India

Physical pest control involves trapping or killing pests such as insects and rodents. Historically, local people or paid rat-catchers caught and killed rodents using dogs and traps.[36] On a domestic scale, sticky flypapers are used to trap flies. In larger buildings, insects may be trapped using such means as pheromones, synthetic volatile chemicals or ultraviolet light to attract the insects; some have a sticky base or an electrically charged grid to kill them. Glueboards are sometimes used for monitoring cockroaches and to catch rodents. Rodents can be killed by suitably baited spring traps and can be caught in cage traps for relocation. Talcum powder or "tracking powder" can be used to establish routes used by rodents inside buildings and acoustic devices can be used for detecting beetles in structural timbers.[35]

Historically, firearms have been one of the primary methods used for pest control. "Garden Guns" are smooth bore shotguns specifically made to fire .22 caliber snake shot or 9mm Flobert, and are commonly used by gardeners and farmers for snakes, rodents, birds, and other pest. Garden Guns are short-range weapons that can do little harm past 15 to 20 yards, and they're relatively quiet when fired with snake shot, compared to standard ammunition. These guns are especially effective inside of barns and sheds, as the snake shot will not shoot holes in the roof or walls, or more importantly, injure livestock with a ricochet. They are also used for pest control at airports, warehouses, stockyards, etc.[37]

The most common shot cartridge is .22 Long Rifle loaded with #12 shot. At a distance of about 10 ft (3.0 m), which is about the maximum effective range, the pattern is about 8 in (20 cm) in diameter from a standard rifle. Special smoothbore shotguns, such as the Marlin Model 25MG can produce effective patterns out to 15 or 20 yards using .22 WMR shotshells, which hold 1/8 oz. of #12 shot contained in a plastic capsule.

Poisoned bait

[edit]
Rodent bait station, Chennai, India

Poisoned bait is a common method for controlling rats, mice, birds, slugs, snails, ants, cockroaches, and other pests. The basic granules, or other formulation, contains a food attractant for the target species and a suitable poison. For ants, a slow-acting toxin is needed so that the workers have time to carry the substance back to the colony, and for flies, a quick-acting substance to prevent further egg-laying and nuisance.[38] Baits for slugs and snails often contain the molluscide metaldehyde, dangerous to children and household pets.[39]

An article in Scientific American in 1885 described effective elimination of a cockroach infestation using fresh cucumber peels.[40]

Bait being placed in a rodent bait box.

Warfarin has traditionally been used to kill rodents, but many populations have developed resistance to this anticoagulant, and difenacoum may be substituted. These are cumulative poisons, requiring bait stations to be topped up regularly.[38] Poisoned meat has been used for centuries to kill animals such as wolves[41] and birds of prey.[42] Poisoned carcasses however kill a wide range of carrion feeders, not only the targeted species.[41] Raptors in Israel were nearly wiped out following a period of intense poisoning of rats and other crop pests.[43]

Fumigation

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Main article: Fumigation
Tent fumigation of a house in the United States

Fumigation is the treatment of a structure to kill pests such as wood-boring beetles by sealing it or surrounding it with an airtight cover such as a tent, and fogging with liquid insecticide for an extended period, typically of 24–72 hours. This is costly and inconvenient as the structure cannot be used during the treatment, but it targets all life stages of pests.[44]

An alternative, space treatment, is fogging or misting to disperse a liquid insecticide in the atmosphere within a building without evacuation or airtight sealing, allowing most work within the building to continue, at the cost of reduced penetration. Contact insecticides are generally used to minimize long-lasting residual effects.[44]

Sterilization

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See also: Sterile insect technique and Chemosterilant

Populations of pest insects can sometimes be dramatically reduced by the release of sterile individuals. This involves the mass rearing of a pest, sterilising it by means of X-rays or some other means, and releasing it into a wild population. It is particularly useful where a female only mates once and where the insect does not disperse widely.[45] This technique has been successfully used against the New World screw-worm fly, some species of tsetse fly, tropical fruit flies, the pink bollworm and the codling moth, among others.[46]

To chemically sterilize pests using chemosterilants, laboratory studies conducted using U-5897 (3-chloro-1,2-propanediol) attempted in the early 1970s for rat control, although these proved unsuccessful.[47] In 2013, New York City tested sterilization traps,[48] demonstrating a 43% reduction in rat populations.[48] The product ContraPest was approved for the sterilization of rodents by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in August 2016 as a chemosterilant.[49]

Insulation

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Boron, a known pesticide can be impregnated into the paper fibers of cellulose insulation at certain levels to achieve a mechanical kill factor for self-grooming insects such as ants, cockroaches, termites, and more. The addition of insulation into the attic and walls of a structure can provide control of common pests in addition to known insulation benefits such a robust thermal envelope and acoustic noise-canceling properties. The EPA regulates this type of general-use pesticide within the United States allowing it to only be sold and installed by licensed pest management professionals as part of an integrated pest management program.[50] Simply adding Boron or an EPA-registered pesticide to an insulation does not qualify it as a pesticide. The dosage and method must be carefully controlled and monitored.

On airfields

[edit]
Further information: Bird strike
Jet engine fan blades damaged by bird strike

Birds are a significant hazard to aircraft, but it is difficult to keep them away from airfields. Several methods have been explored. Stunning birds by feeding them a bait containing stupefying substances has been tried,[51] and it may be possible to reduce their numbers on airfields by reducing the number of earthworms and other invertebrates by soil treatment.[51] Leaving the grass long on airfields rather than mowing it is also a deterrent to birds.[52] Sonic nets are being trialled; these produce sounds that birds find distracting and seem effective at keeping birds away from affected areas.[53]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ Elliott, N. C., Farrell, J. A., Gutierrez, A. P., van Lenteren, J. C., Walton, M. P., & Wratten, S. (1995). Integrated pest management. Springer Science & Business Media.
  2. ^ Dent, D., & Binks, R. H. (2020). Insect pest management. Cabi.
  3. ^ Flint, M. L., & Van den Bosch, R. (2012). Introduction to integrated pest management. Springer Science & Business Media.
  4. ^ Gerozisis, J., Hadlington, P. W., & Staunton, I. (2008). Urban pest management in Australia. UNSW Press.
  5. ^ Taylor, D., The Complete Contented Cat: Your Ultimate Guide to Feline Fulfilment, David & Charles, 2011, p.9. Archived from the Original[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ Beadle, Muriel (29 October 1979). Cat. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-0-671-25190-1.
  7. ^ Sherman, D.M., Tending Animals in the Global Village: A Guide to International Veterinary Medicine, John Wiley & Sons, 2007, p. 45.
  8. ^ Chrispeels, Maarten J.; Sadava, David E. (1994). Plants, Genes, and Agriculture. Jones and Bartlett Publishers. p. 452. ISBN 978-0-86720-871-9.
  9. ^ a b "The History of Integrated Pest Management". Cornell University. Retrieved 27 August 2017. which cites Orlob, G.B. (1973). "Ancient and medieval plant pathology". Pflanzenschutz-Nachrichten. 26: 65–294.
  10. ^ a b van Emden, Helmut F. (1991). Pest Control. Cambridge University Press. pp. 1–4. ISBN 978-0-521-42788-3.
  11. ^ van Emden, H.F.; Service, M.W. (2004). Pest and Vector Control. Cambridge University Press. p. 147. ISBN 978-0-521-01083-2.
  12. ^ Flint, Maria Louise; Dreistadt, Steve H. (1998). Clark, Jack K. (ed.). Natural Enemies Handbook: The Illustrated Guide to Biological Pest Control. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-21801-7. Archived from the original on 15 May 2016.
  13. ^ "Augmentation: The Periodic Release of Natural Enemies". University of Wisconsin. Archived from the original on 17 March 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  14. ^ "Bacillus thuringienis Factsheet". Colorado State University. Retrieved 2 June 2010.
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  16. ^ Wright, R. j (1984). "Evaluation of crop rotation for control of Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in commercial potato fields on Long Island". Journal of Economic Entomology. 77 (5): 1254–1259. doi:10.1093/jee/77.5.1254.
  17. ^ Shelton, A. M.; Badenes-Perez, F. R. (6 December 2005). "Concepts and applications of trap cropping in pest management". Annual Review of Entomology. 51 (1): 285–308. doi:10.1146/annurev.ento.51.110104.150959. PMID 16332213.
  18. ^ a b Holden, Matthew H.; Ellner, Stephen P.; Lee, Doo-Hyung; Nyrop, Jan P.; Sanderson, John P. (1 June 2012). "Designing an effective trap cropping strategy: the effects of attraction, retention and plant spatial distribution". Journal of Applied Ecology. 49 (3): 715–722. Bibcode:2012JApEc..49..715H. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2664.2012.02137.x.
  19. ^ Hill, Dennis S. (1983). Agricultural Insect Pests of the Tropics and Their Control. CUP Archive. pp. 4–5. ISBN 978-0-521-24638-5.
  20. ^ Georghiou, G.P. (2012). Pest Resistance to Pesticides. Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 1–3. ISBN 978-1-4684-4466-7.
  21. ^ a b Carrington, Damian (29 June 2017). "Pesticides damage survival of bee colonies, landmark study shows". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  22. ^ "Pesticides". National Institute of Health Sciences. National Institute of Environmental Health. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
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  28. ^ Stearns, Stacey (3 October 2017). "Genetic Engineering and Plant Protection | Science of GMOs". Genetic Engineering and Plant Protection. University of Connecticut. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  29. ^ "Disease Resistant Vegetable Varieties | Cornell Vegetables". www.vegetables.cornell.edu. Cornell University. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  30. ^ Tellman, Barbara. "Varmint control in Cochise County over the years." (2005)
  31. ^ Allendorf, Fred W.; Hard, Jeffrey J. "Human-induced evolution caused by unnatural selection through harvest of wild animals." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 106. Supplement 1 (2009): 9987-9994
  32. ^ Lieutier, François; Day, Keith R.; Battisti, Andrea; Grégoire, Jean-Claude; Evans, Hugh F. (2007). Bark and Wood Boring Insects in Living Trees in Europe, a Synthesis. Springer. p. 39. ISBN 978-1-4020-2241-8.
  33. ^ Humme, Hans E.; Miller, Thomas A. (2012). Techniques in Pheromone Research. Springer. p. 432. ISBN 978-1-4612-5220-7.
  34. ^ Macdonald, D. R. (1968). "Management of Spruce Budworm Populations". The Forestry Chronicle. 44 (3): 33–36. doi:10.5558/tfc44033-3.
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  36. ^ "ESDAW-EU". Animal Policy In The EU. European Union. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  37. ^ Eger, Christopher (28 July 2013). "Marlin 25MG Garden Gun". Marlin Firearms Forum. Outdoor Hub LLC. Archived from the original on 18 September 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  38. ^ a b Pat O'connor-marer (2006). Residential, Industrial, and Institutional Pest Control. UCANR Publications. ISBN 978-1-879906-70-9.
  39. ^ Flint, M.L.; Wilen, C.A. "Snails and slugs". Pests in Gardens and Landscapes. UC IPM. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  40. ^ Scientific American. Munn & Company. 26 September 1885. p. 195.
  41. ^ a b Anderson, Emma (9 June 2015). "Farmer poisoned 24 animals in bid to kill wolf". The Local. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  42. ^ Barkham, Patrick (2 October 2014). "Gamekeeper found guilty of poisoning 10 buzzards and a sparrowhawk". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  43. ^ Newton, Ian (2010). Population Ecology of Raptors. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 262. ISBN 978-1-4081-3854-0.
  44. ^ a b Fred Baur (1 December 1984). Insect Management for Food Storage and Processing. American Association of Cereal Chemists. ISBN 978-0-913250-38-9.
  45. ^ Thacker, J.R.M. (2002). An Introduction to Arthropod Pest Control. Cambridge University Press. p. 193. ISBN 978-0-521-56787-9.
  46. ^ Dyck, V.A.; Hendrichs, J.; Robinson, A.S. (2006). Sterile Insect Technique: Principles and Practice in Area-Wide Integrated Pest Management. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 4. ISBN 978-1-4020-4051-1.
  47. ^ Bowerman, Alan M.; Brooks, Joe E. (1971). "Evaluation of U-5897 as a male chemosterilant for rat control". Journal of Wildlife Management. 35 (4): 618–624. doi:10.2307/3799765. JSTOR 3799765.
  48. ^ a b Tracy Swartz (22 December 2014). "CTA to put rats on birth control". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  49. ^ "ContraPest Rodent Control Product Wins EPA Approval". Pest Control Technology, GIA Media. 12 August 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  50. ^ "Finding Money in the Attic". Pest Control Technology, GIA Media. 25 May 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  51. ^ a b Murton, R.K.; Wright, E.N. (2013). The Problems of Birds as Pests: Proceedings of a Symposium Held at the Royal Geographical Society, London, on 28 and 29 September 1967. Elsevier. pp. 100, 184. ISBN 978-1-4832-6836-1.
  52. ^ Reed Business Information (29 May 1986). New Scientist. Reed Business Information. pp. 44–47. ISSN 0262-4079. cite book: |author= has generic name (help)
  53. ^ Swaddle, John P.; Moseley, Dana L.; Hinders, Mark K.; Peyton Smith, E. (6 May 2016). "Sonic net could save birds and aircraft, study suggests". University of Exeter. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
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