Firstly, Pest management or Pest control?
(If you’re interested in understanding which is which, and which is best for you then look for our next blog post outlining the difference between then two)
However, Pest management as a whole process is important for a number of reasons which can be covered by the three D’s, prevention of Damage, Diseases and Distress:
- Preventing the spread of Disease.
- Pests can carry diseases that can be harmful to humans and our companions. Pests can either be biological vectors of diseases (such as rodents and leptospirosis, or mosquitos and malria) or they can be mechanical vectors such as cockroaches and salmonella or house fly’s and MSRA (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-83228-7#:~:text=On%20average%2C%207%25%20of%20stable,upon%20removal%20from%20the%20farm ).
- Protecting Damage to property.
- Pests, especially rodents, can damage property by chewing on wood, wires, and other materials. They can also contaminate food and other products with their fur, urine and faeces.
- Preventing Distress.
- Distress can occur in many ways. Firstly and most obviously is the phobia’s that are commonly associated with pests and the negative impacts these can have on peoples quality of life. However distress can extend beyond the realms of the personal and have tangible effects on businesses. Reptuations and livelihoods can be decimated by an unexpected or uncontrolled outbreak of pests.
Finally pest management is key to maintaining a healthy environment. Many pests thrive on the abundance of food, waste and opportunities human society presents them. Often this then causes pest populations to increase in a way that brings them out of balance with the surrounding ecosystem, potentially overwhelming that delicate balance. Pests can disrupt the natural balance of an ecosystem by competing with native species for food and habitat. They can also introduce invasive species and diseases into an area, which can have a negative impact on the environment. Pest management can help to protect the environment by controlling the populations of pests before they disrupt the natural balance.
Pest management is a complex and challenging field, but it is essential to protect human health, property, and the environment. By understanding the importance of pest management, we can work together to keep pests under control and create a healthier and safer world.