Monthly Archives - February 2018

IPM For Home Owners

IPM Methods Applying In Your Home & Landscape

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a best safe, effective and economical to control pest problems while using environmentally sound ways to keep pests from attacking your home, damaging your plants, or annoying humans.

Taking an IPM approach is more likely to be cost effective and it is long-term prevention of pests or their damage through a combination of techniques which includes biological control, modification of cultural practices, habitat manipulation, and use of resistant varieties. It is also less or minimum effects to x     human health. Pests enter homes and buildings looking for food, water, and shelter, and there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution available in market that will solve all pest problems.

Successful IPM combines several different methods to prevent and control pest problems without harming children’s and family, or the environment. In IPM, sometimes using pesticides may be an option, but only when nonchemical methods are used first, mostly the pesticides are often not needed. Pest control materials are selected and applied in such a manner that minimizes risks to human health, beneficial and non-target organisms, and the environment.

Principles of IPM

Routine application of pesticide is involved in Traditional pest control of pesticide, while IPM, in contrast:

  • Focuses on pest prevention.
  • Uses pesticides only as needed.

IPM provides effective and environmentally sensitive approach.

-IPM programs use all strategies to control pest, including the judicious use of pesticides. Limited prevention of pesticide due to the risk of pesticide exposure may outweigh the benefits of control, especially where non-chemical methods provide the same results. IPM just not includes a single pest control method but rather it also involves integrating multiple control methods based on site information obtained through: Inspection, monitoring and reports.

If there is no effective non chemical methods are available then consider using pesticides.

Pesticides [Click Here]

Pesticides are also a part of IPM, but you should use them only as a last resort and only if you are tired to using all biological methods. But make sure first that your pest problem is serious to warrant a pesticide. Use the least toxic effective materials available in market and use them in such a ways which reduces the human and pet exposure and also protect the environment.

a. Technique of using combine pesticide treatments with preventive methods

Once when pests are controlled in an era then use preventive non-chemical methods to keep them from coming back.

Benefits of Integrated Pest Management

IPM benefits, It helps to:

  • Reduce the number of pests.
  • Reduce the number of pesticide applications.
  • Save money while protecting human health.

Health Benefits

Adopting the IPM reduces your exposure to both pests and pesticides. Two main health concerns faced by children and adults are:

Mites, Rodents, cockroaches, flies and mosquitoes are often present in buildings and can cause or inflame a serious allergic skin reactions or asthma attacks.

Basic preventative steps that can help us to stop a pest problem before it starts:

1. First of all eliminate food:

You should store food in hard, reusable containers with airtight, fitted lids; use a can to keep trash with a tight-fitting lid and take it out daily; vacuum up or clean or crumbs and spills when they occur; keep your fresh or stored food in the refrigerator when possible.

2.  Eliminate standing water:

 First of all fix all leaky and dripping pipes, try to reduce humidity in basements and moist areas of home, like bathrooms and kitchens; place metal screens to avoid cockroaches in drains where feasible.

3.  Talk with neighbors about pest management.

Pests mostly don’t stay only in one location, so it is necessary to work together to eliminate this pest issues in the community.

4.  Cultural controls

We can discourage pest invasion such as good sanitation, removing infested plant material and debris, proper watering and fertilizing to plants, growing competitive and insect repellent plants, or using pest resistant plants.

5.  Physical or mechanical controls

We can control pests with physical or mechanical methods such as by knocking pests off of plants with a spray of water, or we can use barriers and traps or by heat treatments.

Did you know that children in the Pakistan continue to face many serious risks arising from pests and the also the serious problems caused by pesticides in certain cases? 

Children’s may continue to contract with diseases carried by biting insects, respiratory attacks serious exposure to asthma triggers and allergens attributed to cockroach and rodent infestations and children may be exposed unnecessarily to pesticides that have been over-applied or misused at exposure places such as schools.

A school IPM program prescribes common sense strategies to reduce sources of food, water and shelter for pests in school buildings and grounds. Put simply, IPM is a safer and usually less costly option for effective pest management in the school community.

Keywords:

Integrated pest management, IPM, Integrated pest management approaches,
Integrated pest management methods, IPM approaches, IPM stands for, IPM in Pakistan, IPM vs pesticides, Benefits of Integrated pest management, Principles of IPM

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Insect Repellent Plants In Pakistan

Grow Mosquito And Fly Repelling House Plants

House flies and mosquitoes are recognized as carriers of easily communicable diseases. They collect different pathogens on their legs and mouths, females mostly lay eggs on decomposing organic matter, garbage, feces and animal corpses. Mosquitoes most breed in standing water. So, it is highly recommended to keep the surroundings clean and remove standing water sources. Diseases carried by house flies and mosquitoes include typhoid, cholera, malaria, dengue and dysentery.

100 million persons worldwide get infected with dengue annually, a resurging viral infection spread by the female mosquito.

There are two main methods have been employed to control house fly and mosquitoes: natural and chemical. Chemical pest control employs potent chemical pesticides to eliminate pests, while natural pest control employs organic or biological method to reduce infestation. Both of these methods have advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Natural/Biological Pest Control Methods

The main benefit of biological pest control methods is that it does not harm the environment. It will also not emit harmful toxins which could damage the ozone layer as compared to chemical pesticides. They continue to be effective for a long time once they introduced to the environment, making them sufficient and cost-effective. Biological control is self-regulating and as they don’t require any management. Biological control is just near to free of cost as it charges you very low. Biological control gives a long term control of harmful organisms. No side effects of biological control on human health while chemical control has many side effects and dangerous effects on the health of humans.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Chemical Pest Control Methods

Chemical pesticides are very easy to use. Apart from that, chemical pesticides also deliver results instantly right after the application. Mostly this fast result is what a lot of homeowners need. Chemical treatment also harms the environment as they release harmful toxins to the surroundings, although human exposure to these pesticides can be very dangerous. They are even more detrimental and toxic to the health of children and older people as they have weaker immune systems instead of elders. You may have probably read in the spray's inscription or may be heard about the insect repellent DEET (N,N Diethyl-3-methylbenzamide). This chemical is not present in all the products but it is widely used chemical, because of its easiness. Just spray and it works for 12 hours repelling. But it’s also having toxic, irritating effects on your skin. So, definitely, not really something you want to spray over your soft skin.

So we suggest you to find natural ways to repel insects and the best way is to use Houseplants in your backyard, front lawn and outside the gate that Repel Mosquitos and Fly.

Plants Easily Available In Pakistan Which We Can Use To Repel Insects Especially Flies & Mosquitoes:

Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum indicum L.)

Chrysanthemums are often called "mums" and they are widely used for their flowering beauty all around the world. Aromatic subspecies of Chrysanthemum are excellent mosquito repellents. Their blossoms have natural amazing compounds named as pyrethrum which inhibit female mosquitoes from biting.

You can easily prepare Homemade topical repellent from mums' flowers. Take dozen of blossoms, chop them finely and then just put this mash in a small cotton bag (a sock will do as well). Now soak the bag in half glass of olive or sunflower oil in a bowl. Lid the bowl and now you have to wait for 2 weeks after keeping it in in dark cool place.

Now filter the resulting oil (press and squeeze the remaining oil inside the mash) and keep in small vial. Now it is ready massage your pulse points with a drop of this oil and enjoy its repelling qualities on you while outside.

Catnip (Nepeta Cataria L.)

An interesting and amazing compound Nepetalactone extracted by steam distillation from Catnip a natural insect repellent which is claimed to be 10 times stronger than DEET, Mostly used as Commercial Repellent against.

  • Mosquitoes,
  • House flies,
  • Cockroaches and
  • Termites

It is easy growing perennial plant with pleasant minty aroma. Its fragrance reduces stress and promotes good sleep. But unfortunately, the process of steam distillation is not as easy to done at home, so oil can only be purchased from market.

Marigold:

It is a bright, annual plant, are a great choice for repelling mosquitoes. Marigolds also contain Pyre thrum and they have a unique aroma which bugs find repulsive. Marigold flowers themselves are beautiful and add colors beauty and can even make a great border or addition to any flower bed! So you can try placing them around borders of your home, and then mosquitoes definitely not want to cross over!

Lavender

Many of readers probably know that lavender a gorgeous purple flowering plant which also has a soothing, calming scent. But, did anyone know that we can use it as a natural mosquito repellent? We can grow it outside in our garden or flower bed or indoors near a sunny window and doors, to keep the bugs away. Use lavender to add color and calming aroma in your home.

Peppermint

Most of the bugs hate the smell and taste of peppermint and try to avoid this plant, so it is good choice to planting it in different areas of home where you want a repellent and plus, if ever you do happen to get bitten, just rub peppermint leaves directly onto the skin and it make a great relief our bite, with all of this it provides you a wonderful minty smell which makes a delicious addition to food and beverages!

Rosemary

A beautiful flowering plant often used to flavor lamb or fish dishes, but might be you did not noticed that it is also a natural mosquito repellent? So, it’s perfect choice to add herb garden or flowerbed to keep bugs away instead of using pesticides, and it even attracts butterflies and creates beauty in your plants area.

Geranium

The beautiful red color flowers are a great choice for mosquito repellent. Mostly planted in a hanging baskets and the colorful blooms will cascade over the side of the pot, provides you a beautiful visual piece with useful bug repellent nature!

Now you can see, there are many houseplants that naturally help to keep bugs away! So whenever you reach to buy a chemical bug spray, take your time and think again, and try to choose something more natural!

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon Spreng.)

Lemongrass oil is used widely as insecticide and repellent, but the main issue with this  plant it attracts bees and may not be usable for your balcony.

So, this plant is very useful to plant in your garden because it attracts bees as they are useful pollinators for fruit or vegetable in garden.

Penny royal

The penny royal adorable flower is a natural deterrent for mosquitoes. So, we suggest you to plant it somewhere around your flowerbeds. Penny royal plants used to make great ground covers, and they also attract a plethora of beautiful butterflies.

Ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum Mill.)

This plant contains a hepato-toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, It works as a natural insecticide. So, be aware, that you should not consume this plant in no case and it should not enter your system.

This plant attracts insects with his scent, but the chemical compounds inside the blossoms are rendering the insects sterile.

Cadaga Tree – Eucalyptus torelliana

A beautiful plant repels mosquitoes simply by being planted. The scent from the tree acts as a barrier to repel mosquitoes.

Catmint – Nepeta faassenii

 It is very effective in its way to keep mosquitoes away. It is even better than commercial bug sprays at keeping the pests away. You have to simply, cut off the flowers and boil them to make a spray.

Eucalyptus –

Natural oil which release from the eucalyptus tree repels insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, midges, stable flies, sandflies and more.

Mint – Mentha –

Mint is an exuberant aroma plant usually grown in gardens to flavor tea. Mint repels mosquitoes and even we can make our own repellent with mint! All wild and cultivated species of mint, contain aromatic properties repulsive to insects.

Pitcher Plant – Nepenthes alata

It is the most interesting carnivorous plant much similar to a Venus Fly Trap. This little beauty gobbles up mosquitoes and it just fun to see this plant work in your yard.

Sweet Fern – Comptonia peregrina

It is a natural green beauty herb that has many uses. Then main our priority purpose to fight against mosquitoes and you can also place some Sweet fern into a fire to keep the little bugs away from the fire and the surrounding area.

Now you can see, there are many houseplants that naturally help to keep bugs away! So whenever you reach to buy a chemical bug spray, take your time and think again, and try to choose something more natural!

Keywords: Mosquito and Fly Repelling House Plants, House Plants, Insect Repellent plants, Plants repel insects, natural insect repellents, flowering plants repel insects.

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Importance Of An Association & Pest Management Association

Pest management association in Pakistan

What is an Association?

Associations are organizations that bring together different peoples from a specific area. They range from nationwide associations to individual states, counties, cities or neighborhoods. Association can provide a number of benefits to individual who elect to pay dues and participate as members.

Benefits of an Association:

Association provides its members with opportunities to network and share information and resources. While some individuals that belong to an association are likely to be competitors, they still share certain needs and preferences. Association members can help one another directly with referrals for services such as accounting, recruiting staff and other marketing strategies.

Associations hold dinners and also arrange special events for their members, giving them chances to meet with their peers and enjoy the company of fellow entrepreneurs. Participation in a association may also serve as a social expectation in a community.

Pest Management association:

Pest Management association works to increase awareness of members’ services among consumers and promotes professionalism among members. Provide opportunities of communication at conferences, seminars and other special events.

The main aim of pest management association is to communicate the role of members as protectors of food, health, property, and environment and also affect the success of members through education and support. Goals include: promoting a higher level of professionalism in the industry through education and networking and it effectively representing the members and industry to regulators, legislatures, and consumers to increasing the pest management market in world.

Association working in the world for Urban Pest Management

  • National Pest Management Association
  • England Pest Management Association
  • Ohio Pest Management Association
  • Arkansas Pest Management Association

In Pakistan we don’t have any pest management association, although no local laws and rules are present to control and manage urban pest. Being a developing country is still in the process of establishing standardized control and regulatory authorities. Pesticides sector in Pakistan is regulated under the authority of the Plant Protection Department. The department strived to ensure that these toxic pesticides are used, stored and also disposed of in an appropriate manner with minimum environmental impact. But this has been limited to agricultural pesticides only and establishment of proper legislation for urban or public health pesticides is still a question mark.

We strongly need pest control association to manage and create laws for usage of pesticide in Urban areas, to avoid harmful effects of pesticide on human health. The main reason for pest control association is to exclude the quacks from pest management industry as they are showing themselves expert and created store and offices without any degree, diploma and Certificate and blindly using pesticides and heavy chemicals to control urban pest, it could be harmful and can create resistant in pests. It is the basic need of time, that Government should take a step to create a Pest Control Association for management of urban pests, for the development and safety of the entire country.

Keywords:

Pest Control Association, Pest Control Association in Pakistan, Pest Control Association benefits, Benefits of an Association, What is an Association, Urban Pest Management, Urban Pest Management in Pakistan.

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Funny Facts About Pests

FEW FACTS ABOUT PESTS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW

Cockroaches:

  • Cockroaches can be a carrier of 6 parasitic worms and 33 types of bacteria, and also trigger asthma attacks.
  • Cockroaches a speedy runner can run up to three miles in an hour.
  • Can any living thing live without its head? Yes a cockroach can spend up to nine days without head.
  • Over 5 million children in world are sensitive to cockroaches.
  • Kissing bugs bite and suck blood while human or animal host is sleeping.

House flies and Mosquitoes:

  • Housefly can carry and transmit harmful diseases more than any other animal in the world and known as most dangerous insect in the world.
  • House flies spit up upon their food to liquefy it and then they eat it.
  • A female mosquito drinks fresh blood in per serving is five millionths of a liter.

Ants:

  • A living creature that never sleeps is ants.
  • Ant queen dies, so does the entire colony become die, because no new workers are born.
  • Ants have jaws and cannot chew their food. They move sideways of jaws like a scissor and extract juices from food.

Spiders:

  • 27 spider species are known to have caused human death, while there are 35,000 species of spiders crawling in the world.
  • Spiders can be rock star as few male spiders design their cobwebs like a guitar, just to attract female spiders.

Rats:

  • Rats contaminate enough food to feed 200 million people worldwide per year.
  • In optimum conditions, a mice nest can deposit upto 18,000 droppings and even produce 2,500 heirs in only a period of six-month.
  • Adult female mite can live upon single person up to a month.

Bees and other Pests:

  • 100 peoples die every year as a result of bee and wasp stings.
  • The Africanized Honey Bee also known as a. “killer bee” chase people for over a quarter of a mile once they excited and aggressive.
  • A small flea can jump upto 130 times its height.
  • Scorpions give birth to several dozen live babies at a time.
  • Crickets an amazing creation of nature can hear through their knees.

Key words:

Facts about pests, Funny facts about pests, weird facts about pests, Facts about cockroaches, facts about House flies and Bees, Facts about rats and mice, Dangerous  facts about pests, Facts about scorpion, Facts about termites, facts about spiders,

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