Introduction
Although pests such as rodents may seem like mere annoyances, they pose serious health risks to humans. Apart from causing physical damage to property, they carry disease-causing organisms that may lead to outbreaks of pestilence. Therefore, it’s important to take measures to control pest populations, such as using pest control chemicals. However, it’s important to use these chemicals safely and responsibly to avoid any harm to humans or the environment.
As a result, homeowners and property owners must consider pest control as part of property management. Effective pest control measures prevent and manage infestations to protect the health of individuals and the well-being of communities.
Pest control businesses use various solutions and software. The use of chemicals is one of the most effective strategies. Chemical pest control involves the use of pesticides and other chemicals to target and eliminate pests.
However, with so many options on the market, it can be challenging to determine the best pest control chemicals for your business. To make your decision-making easier, we’re going to explore the top pest control chemicals which are safe and effective.
Definition of Pest Control Chemicals
The pesticide law defines a pesticide as any substance or mixture of substances used to prevent, destroy, repel, or eliminate pests.
A product is a pesticide if it has the following features on its labeling or marketing material:
- Claims to prevent, kill, mitigate, repel, or destroy any pests
- Indirectly implies an action against a pest
- Draws a comparison to a pesticide
- Has pictures of pests on its label
Importance of Pest Control Chemicals for Businesses
Pest control chemicals are essential for efficient and effective control of pests from customers’ properties.
Here’s why.
Efficiency
Pesticides are fast-acting and highly effective in killing or controlling any particular pest. Chemicals exterminate any pest that hasn’t adapted to the deadly substance inside the agent. Apart from killing fast, chemicals are likely to be 100% efficient.
Quick Action
Most pesticides are designed to exterminate the vermin in three to four days. This leads to faster pest control compared to organic methods such as importation or augmentation. Some can even kill the pests on the spot to give the client immediate results.
Localized Targeting
You can target the use of pest control chemicals in a particular area or organism, unlike chemical-free methods. This leads to accurate and precise results. On the contrary, there’s no way to control the behavior of a pest control organism.
Easy Application
The ready-to-use pest control chemicals ease the work of exterminators. Most pesticides are packed in bottles designed for use and ready for application. You can easily read the instructions on how to use the chemical and the recommended pests on the label.
There’s no need to worry about using the wrong chemical or other form of misuse. Application of pesticides is easy and they can get into crevices where some pests may be hiding.
Ideal Where Other Methods Can’t Work
Places like sports facilities need pest control as part of their maintenance schedule. Pests can be a big problem on pitches and sports terrains. The turf needs proper maintenance to ensure it remains usable.
Pesticides are highly effective in exterminating pests such as chinch bugs, ants, white grub worms, and bluegrass weevils from sports facilities.
Choosing the Right Chemicals
To achieve desired results while the safety of humans, pets, and the environment, understand what insecticide do professionals use. A wrong choice may lead to an ineffective process and harm non-targeted organisms.
Here is what to keep in mind when choosing chemicals for pest control.
- Identify the pest to eliminate
- Choose a chemical that works effectively to eliminate that particular pest
- Consider the treatment area
- Look for signal words and ingredients on the chemical label
- Get the required safety equipment
Factors to Consider When Choosing Pest Control Chemicals
Let’s explore the considerations to understand what chemical do pest control companies use.
Crop Or Pest Stage
Crops with physical barriers such as canopies or pests with pupal cases may reduce the efficacy of the chemicals. No action or partial control may be required if the crops are at a resistant stage or have time for a compensatory yield.
Mode Of Action
Determine how fast the chemical degrades and the mode of action on the target pest. Pesticides act directly during the application or indirectly through a dried residue. Some may need ingestion by the pests. New-generation soft insecticides become active inside the gut of the pest.
Assess Off-Target Impact
You have a responsibility to minimize the impact of the chemicals on the environment, surrounding animals, crops, and humans.
Determine the natural enemies of the pest present and whether they are susceptible to the chemicals. In addition, there shouldn’t be any likelihood of late flaring or secondary pest emergence.
Weather Condition
Temperature, wind speed, and humidity impact pesticide droplets and the behavior of the target pest. This has an overall impact on the efficacy of the chemicals. The use of pesticides isn’t recommended when there’s high evaporation outside.
High humidity increases chemical degradation. In addition, it leads to an extended droplet lifetime and increases drift risk. Increased temperature leads to pesticide volatilization. The chemicals transform into gas and they end up in the air.
Cost
The price of the chemicals is important. However, the cheapest product is not always the best option. You may need additional applications because of resistance and flaring of secondary pests. A single application of a more expensive chemical is more cost-effective in the long run.
Top Pest Control Chemicals for Businesses
If you’re wondering what chemicals do pest control use, here are our top recommendations.
- Boric Acid – controls mites, spiders, mold, fungi, and weeds when combined with sodium salts.
- Fipronil – it’s a white powder with a moldy odor for controlling beetles, cockroaches, ants, termites, mole crickets, ticks, and fleas.
- Hydramethylnon – available as granular baits or ready-to-use gelatin to control ants, cockroaches, termites, and crickets.
- Piperonyl Butoxide – with low toxicity to humans, BPO doesn’t kill insects. However, it works with insect killers to boost effectiveness.
- Pyrethrins and Pyrethroids – Pyrethrins control pests on pets or livestock. Pyrethroids are more toxic to animals and humans and last longer in the environment.
Using Pest Control Chemicals Safely and Effectively
Chemicals are highly effective in controlling pests. However, they can be dangerous when not handled properly. Improper use of pesticides can cause serious harm to humans, pets, and the environment.
Here are the best practices when using chemicals for pest control.
Safety Considerations When Using Pest Control Chemicals
When using pesticides, you must take safety considerations in mind to protect yourself, others, and the environment.
Here are the safety considerations to keep in mind.
- Read the label to get information about its ingredients, proper use, and dosage
- Use personal protective equipment to prevent inhalation, ingestion, and absorption
- Keep children, pets, and toys away from the areas of operation
- Ventilate indoor spaces to prevent the buildup of toxic fumes
Proper Storage, Handling, and Disposal of Pest Control Chemicals
Let’s look at the proper storage, handling, and disposal of pesticides.
During mixing or application:
- Don’t eat or smoke
- Follow the directions of use
- Mix or dilute chemicals in a well-ventilated area or outdoors
- Keep children and pets away
Storage:
- Don’t put chemicals in food containers
- Store them in their original containers
- Clean spills promptly
Handling during application:
- Avoid over application
- Follow all label instructions to prevent drift
- Spray as closely as possible
- Don’t apply during hot temperature
After application:
- Remove chemical residues
- Wash gloves and boots with soapy hot water
- Wash any part of the body that may have got into contact with the chemical
- Don’t mix contaminated clothes with other laundry
Conclusion
Chemical pest control is fast-acting and highly effective while ensuring the safety of humans, pets, and the environment. Achieving the desired results requires knowing what do pest control companies use. Consider factors such as type of pest, weather condition, cost, and off-target impact.
Take necessary precautions when using pest control chemicals to eliminate pests and keep clients’ properties safe. A good idea is to back it up with pest control software for small business for scheduling to streamline operations.
Recap of Top Pest Control Chemicals
- Pesticides have advantages including easy and localized application
- Top pest control chemicals include boric acid and are ideal where other methods fail
- When choosing chemicals consider the mode of action, plant or pest stage, and cost.
- Wear protective equipment and avoid eating or smoking during application.
- Use chemicals for that particular pest and read instructions well
- Wash thoroughly with water and soap any body part that gets into contact with the chemicals
- Increase chances of business success by using pest control business software.
Final Considerations for Choosing the Right Chemicals
Choosing the right pest control chemicals is crucial for the extermination of a pest infestation. After identifying the pest, choose a chemical that works effectively. Check the label and ingredients on the pack to ensure that you use the right chemical, the right dosage, and the application procedure.
Importance of Professional Advice for Chemical Use and Application
Here are key reasons to rely on professional pest control spray to eliminate pests.
- Ensures guidance on the safe handling and application of chemicals
- Advice on the most effective chemicals and application methods to achieve desired results
- Guidance on compliance with regulations and guidelines
- Minimizes waste and optimizes results
- Use of the most sustainable and environmentally friendly chemicals.
Overall, professional advice ensures the safe and effective use of pest control chemicals. This guarantees the safety, effectiveness, compliance, and sustainability of pesticides.
