What are pests?
Pests are unwanted insects, animals, or other organisms that enter the home and can cause damage or pose health risks. Common household pests include ants, rodents, cockroaches, bed bugs, moths, and bats.
Where are pests found?
Pests can be found throughout the home, especially in areas that provide food, water, and shelter. Common locations for pests are kitchens, pantries, bathrooms, basements, crawl spaces, attics, and behind walls and appliances. Small cracks and openings can allow pests to enter the home.
Health risks from pests
Pests can pose a variety of health risks. Some spread diseases – ticks can spread Lyme disease; bats and raccoons can spread rabies – and others can contaminate food and surfaces.
Pests can also trigger asthma and allergies. The droppings, saliva, and body parts of rodents and cockroaches are asthma triggers. Bites and stings of other pests can cause irritation or allergic reactions.
How can I protect my family?
Effective pest control includes prevention, identification, and minimizing exposure to harmful chemicals. This technique is also known as Integrated Pest Management (IPM). IPM focuses on using the safest and most effective method of control. This limits exposure to harmful chemicals but still addresses the pest issue. All pests look for water, food, and shelter. The key to IPM is eliminating their access to those three things. Below are some strategies to limit pests’ access to food, water, and shelter in your home.
Safer Pest Prevention Strategies:
- Keep counters, sinks, tables, and floors clean and free of clutter.
- Clean up dishes, crumbs, and spills right away.
- Store food in airtight containers.
- Seal cracks or openings around cabinets, especially where you store food.
- Seal cracks or openings around the exterior of the home – in the foundation, around doors and windows, and around any exhausts. Check your attic, basement, and garage – if you can see daylight through cracks, pests can get in.
- Use physical controls like sticky traps for insects and snap traps for rodents.
If after using all these methods you still have pests, you may need to consider using pesticides or hiring a professional. If so, choose products carefully to find the least toxic and use them according to their label.
Contractor information
In Pennsylvania, any professional using pesticides must have a license from the PA Department of Agriculture. They require pesticide applicators to be trained in the safe handling and application of pesticides.
PA educates all pesticide applicators about integrated pest management (IPM). IPM focuses on prevention, monitoring, and the least toxic treatment options.
- Pesticide Applicators, Registered Technicians, and Certification Exams | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Integrated Pest Management Program (PA IPM) | Penn State Extension
Resources
Pennsylvania Resources
- Integrated Pest Management | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- Pest Control | Allegheny County, PA
- Pest Management for the Public | Penn State Extension
- Got Pest Problems? Eliminate Household Pests with IPM | Penn State Extension
- Safe Pesticide Use: Home | PA Department of Health
- Common Urban Pests: Identification, Prevention, and Control | Penn State Extension
Learn more about pests and Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
- Controlling Wild Rodent Infestations | Healthy Pets, Healthy People | CDC
- Do you really need to use a pesticide? | US EPA
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Principles | US EPA
- Pest Control and Pesticide Safety for Consumers | US EPA
- Pests | Green & Healthy Homes Initiative
- Pests Found in Homes and Structures | Maine DACF
- Preventing Pests at Home | US EPA
- Public Health Issues Caused by Pests | US EPA
