Pest Control Bakersfield CA is an ongoing process of prevention, suppression and eradication. The goal is to prevent pests from accessing the property and causing damage.

This can be done by removing their food, water and shelter sources. Store food in containers with tight lids and remove garbage regularly. Also, fix leaky pipes and keep the soil moist.

Insects are the most diverse and important group of animals on earth. With more than 1.5 million species, they are the biological foundation of all terrestrial ecosystems. They decompose and recycle nutrients, pollinate plants, control population of predators, parasitoids and disease vectors, provide a food source for many vertebrates (birds, mammals) and invertebrates, maintain soil structure and fertility and more. In addition, they are natural enemies of pests and can be used for biological control.

In order to be used for biological control, insect microorganisms must first be isolated and reared in adequate quantities, with careful consideration of the biology of the target insect, other organisms that may be affected by the release and possible unintended consequences. Once the target insects are properly bred and raised in a controlled environment, they are then released into the field where the target pest is abundant. Insects that are bred to selectively feed on one type of plant and act as biocontrol agents are called phytophagous, while those that feed on other insects and act as natural enemies are called entomophagous.

Mouthparts determine the way insects feed, with some insects chewing and others piercing-sucking. Insects that restrict their feeding to one type of plant are referred to as monophagous, while those that are moderately discriminating in their eating habits are called polyphagous.

Insects are nature’s recyclers, breaking down dead plants and animal material into simpler materials that are available to primary producers such as green algae and fungi. In addition, some insects help pollinate plants, spreading a substance called pollen from the male parts of flowers to the female part, where it is deposited to produce seeds. Other insects are predators of pests and can help control insect populations. Spiders, beetles, flies and true bugs are all examples of insects that prey on pest insects.

Rodents

They can range in size from the pygmy mouse (5 g) to the pig-sized capybara (Hydrocherus hydrochaeris). They are also a highly specialized group of mammals with various specializations such as cheek pouches for food transport, special extremities and claws, modified sense organs, and tail adaptations for balance and prehensile movement.

Rodents are a keystone species in many ecosystems, especially grasslands and forests. They are important prey and food for predators, scavengers and other rodents, and they are vital to the balance of plant life by aerating soils and dispersing seeds. However, in homes and businesses they are nuisance pests that cause a variety of problems from chewing through wires to spoiling foods. They also breed prodigiously, making them difficult to control with traps and other methods.

Rats and mice spread diseases by carrying bacteria, viruses and protozoans that can infect humans. They are known carriers of such illnesses as bubonic plague, typhus and Hanta fever. They also damage buildings, crops and vegetation, causing billions in losses.

The most effective long-term approach to rodent control involves sanitation, exclusion and the use of traps and baits as necessary. This is known as an integrated pest management (IPM) program, and it begins with a thorough inspection to identify the pests and their habitats. In addition, removing potential entry points, eliminating water sources and reducing clutter inside and outside the home are all helpful in preventing rodent infestations. Rodents are attracted to warm and dry shelters, so they are often seen in basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages and under decks.

Weeds

A weed is any plant that grows where it is unwanted, often competing with crops or interfering with human desires or needs. A weed can also be an invasive species that disrupts the natural environment, for example replacing native plants in wetlands or choking waterways. Weed identification is key to determining the most appropriate method for control.

Many weeds serve as host plants for insect pests. This is a dynamic interaction, with the particular characteristics of both the insect and the weed playing an important role in feeding behavior. For instance, prickly lettuce (Lactuca scariolata) is a common garden weed that provides a host for downy mildew; annual sow thistle (Sonchus spp) harbors clubroot of cabbage; and wild mustards host curly top virus of sugar beets. Crop production practices should seek to sever the taxonomic association between crops and weeds, thus eliminating weeds that harbor insect pests and their vectors.

Weeds compete with crop plants for water and nutrients, which negatively impacts yield, crop quality and soil health. They are the primary source of viral diseases that can affect agricultural crops, and they act as a shelter for insects that are damaging to crops.

The most effective methods for weed removal depend on the type of weed, its location and the time of year. For example, mulching the garden can prevent plantains from growing and a pre-emergent herbicide can be used in lawns to prevent geraniums and dandelion growth. Hand-pulling and the use of selective herbicides are other good options for managing flower, vegetable and garden weeds.

Invasive weeds such as poison hemlock and autumn olive can be difficult to eradicate. Learn the distinguishing characteristics to accurately identify these weeds and find strategies and herbicide tables for managing them in corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, burley and dark tobacco, cotton, wheat and forage crops.

Fungi

Fungi are a very diverse group of organisms, found in nearly every environment on earth. Many of them are saprobes, decomposers that help to break down organic matter. Fungi also serve as natural symbionts with other living species, acting in mutually beneficial ways to promote plant growth and decompose waste products. Fungi also have a number of important industrial uses. For example, certain species of fungi produce fungicides that are used to kill insect pests such as fruit flies and aphids. These fungicides are a safe and effective alternative to chemical insecticides.

Fungus can also help with soil improvement and restoration, as well as act as a pathogen against arthropods or nematodes that are detrimental to crops. There are a number of different types of fungi that are used for biological control, including Beauveria, Metarhizium, Isaria, and Cordyceps (Cryphonectria). Many products have been developed from these fungi that are known as mycoinsecticides or mycoacaricides.

Most of these fungi produce asexual spores, called conidia. They can be produced in a variety of ways, and there are two classification systems: one that uses anamorphs, and the other based on the shape of the sporangia and arrangement of spores to determine phylogenetic relationships.

Upon infection, the fungus hyphae slowly invade the insect’s body and attack its cells. After the host dies, the fungus releases its spores to infect other insects. The spores disperse by air and water, and the fungus can continue growing and infecting more and more insects.

The fungus Metarhizium, for example, has been used to effectively control grayscale mealybugs on pineapple plants in Hawaii. This has resulted in a significant increase in pineapple production. This fungus also shows promise in controlling Varroa mites, which are harmful to honey bees. Unlike chemical insecticides, entomopathogenic fungi are non-toxic and cause minimal damage to surrounding crops and other beneficial organisms. They also provide a less stressful alternative to the use of chemical insecticides that can contribute to resistance development in pest populations.

Nematodes

Nematodes are microscopic worm-like creatures that infest and parasitize pest insects, killing them in a few days. These “good guys” have many advantages over chemical insecticides, including: They don’t kill other plants; they’re safe to apply to soil and waterways; they require no specific nutrients to survive and can be used on a wide range of plant species; they’re environmentally friendly; and they are effective against insects that have become resistant to chemical controls.

There are several types of nematodes that can be applied to control insect pests in home gardens, turfgrass, nurseries, citrus, cranberries, and mushrooms. In general, nematodes are most successful when they are applied at the first signs of pest populations. The nematode selected should target the pest — for example, Steinernema carpocapsae is effective against white grubs (Japanese beetles, chafer beetles, June beetles and Ataenius larvae); Heterorhabditis bacteriophora will control strawberry root weevils, black vine weevils, peach tree borer, and clearwing borer in alder and sycamore; S. glaseri targets all of the various white grubs; and S. feltiae is effective against fungus gnats.

The effectiveness of nematodes is affected by environmental conditions, particularly soil temperature and moisture level. They need adequate but not excessive moisture; temperatures within their tolerance levels; and protection from UV radiation during application.

Beneficial nematodes are not sold in garden centres; instead they are available for purchase online and are usually shipped as frozen sachets. Once thawed, they can be mixed with water and spray-applied directly to the soil. The sachets should be refrigerated until they are ready to use, and it is best to wait until the weather is warm or cloudy to apply them.