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What is Pest Control?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

Pest control is the process of minimizing or removing a wide range of undesirable insects and other pests from spaces occupied by people. The actual process can take place in the home, in a place of business, or in a public building. Controlling pests normally involves using some type of insecticide to prevent them from entering the space, and to kill any pests that have already established a presence within the space.

Many homeowners choose to manage pest control on their own. This process often includes a combination of strategies designed to make the space less desirable to roaches, bed bugs and other types of pests. Along with keeping the home clean and thus minimizing the potential for providing food for pests such as rats or mice, homeowners will often make use of over the counter products to kill any invaders into the living space. Along with commercial products, some people prefer to use time-honored methods of preparing anti-pest compounds using natural ingredients.

Ants surrounding a piece of food.
Ants surrounding a piece of food.

It is not unusual for homeowners, businesses, and municipalities to employ the services of a pest control service. Along with dealing with the usual pests that may seek food and shelter within the building, professional exterminators can also address the presence of pests that could cause serious structural damage to the property. For example, a pest control service is highly likely to deal with termites and ants that can infest the building and the surrounding landscape of the property and ultimately cost the property owner a great deal of money in repairs and replacement of buildings.

A pest control professional can work to eliminate pests like cockroaches.
A pest control professional can work to eliminate pests like cockroaches.

People often make use of both individual as well as professional efforts to maintain a pest-free environment. This often means keeping the space clean and uncluttered and making sure there are no cracks or crevices to allow easy access from outside. To compliment these efforts, an exterminator is contracted to come in and treat the space on some type of continuing basis, such as once a month.

Mice and other rodent pests may be poisoned to eliminate them from a home.
Mice and other rodent pests may be poisoned to eliminate them from a home.

The ultimate goal of all forms of pest control is to remove mice, roaches, termites and other types of pests from areas where human beings live, work, and play. Along with minimizing the chances for structural damage, pest eradication efforts also can reduce the chances of humans contracting diseases that are sometimes spread by various types of vermin. Pest control also is a comfort to people who are uncomfortable or have some type of phobia associated with different pests, in that consistent measures make it rare for these people to have to endure coming into contact with the pests.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including HomeQuestionsAnswered, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including HomeQuestionsAnswered, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

BobbieBays

A pest is considered to be anything that is in the way and detrimental to a humans health. Certain pests can carry diseases and can harm humans if they come into contact with them. Everything from bugs to rodents to birds can be considered pests. If all home remedies fail, and you cannot get any relief from your pest problem, find a professional pest exterminator. Try to find one that has experience and a good reputation. Professionals can identify the exact pest problem and location and the most effective ways of treating the problem of pest removal.

anon345451

Thanks for all the advice. I need pest control in South Jersey, NJ. We've never had a problem with bugs before this summer.

Sonia Verma

Pest control is a big term as there are thousands of pests to be controlled, depending on the climate and area. There are some places like delhi where there is no problem of bed bugs and there are places like bombay where there are too many rats. Pest are controlled according to the reason they cause harm to us or to our properties.

rome

What is the difference between pesticides and insecticides?

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    • Ants surrounding a piece of food.
      By: Sapsiwai
      Ants surrounding a piece of food.
    • A pest control professional can work to eliminate pests like cockroaches.
      By: R_R
      A pest control professional can work to eliminate pests like cockroaches.
    • Mice and other rodent pests may be poisoned to eliminate them from a home.
      By: jaggat
      Mice and other rodent pests may be poisoned to eliminate them from a home.
    • A flying cockroach.
      By: Mushy
      A flying cockroach.
    • Brown rats are a common pest.
      By: Ilia Shcherbakov
      Brown rats are a common pest.
    • Crop dusters are used to spray insecticides and pesticides on farms.
      By: Sly
      Crop dusters are used to spray insecticides and pesticides on farms.
    • Homeowners may employ the service of an exterminator.
      By: senkaya
      Homeowners may employ the service of an exterminator.
    • Snakes are one animal a pest control officer might have to deal with.
      By: Alexey Kuznetsov
      Snakes are one animal a pest control officer might have to deal with.