Everything about Pest Control totally explained
Pest control refers to the regulation or management of a
species defined as a
pest, usually because it's perceived to be detrimental to a person's
health, the
ecology or the
economy.
Pest control is at least as old as
agriculture. In order to maximize food production, it's 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's 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's 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. 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 isn't 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.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Pest Control'.
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