A pest can be any living organism that is invasive or prolific, detrimental, troublesome, noxious, destructive, or a nuisance to either plants or animals, human or human concerns, livestock, or human structures.

Pests are associated with animals (vertebrates such as birds, rodents, and other mammals; or invertebrates such as insects, ticks, mites and snails; or nematodes such as worms) because they cause damage to agriculture, wild ecosystem and or human habitats. The term pest can also refer to all other harmful organisms such as plants (weeds) and pathogens (bacteria, viruses, or fungi).

Common pests in Mechanicsville and Central Virginia include termites, cockroaches, silverfish, fleas, spiders, rats/mice, flies, mosquitoes, mites, bed bugs, etc.

Why do pests need to be controlled in Virginia?

As a homeowner, renter, or business owner, pests need to be controlled because:

• The financial loss and human/animal suffering caused by pests in Hanover County by far outweigh the cost of controlling pests responsibly.
• Pests in Central Virginia normally have a large environmental adaptive ability, large gene pool, and high reproductive rate. Pests are invasive, exploit changing conditions and can become a problem quickly.
• Pests can negatively affect the health of people (especially children), animals and plants in Richmond, VA by:
• Causing allergic reactions resulting in emergencies (especially stinging insects).
• Contaminating food (e.g. cockroaches).
• Transmitting/spreading diseases quickly by leaving behind toxic droppings.
• Pests destroy your assets including homes, commercial buildings, landscapes, etc. BE AWARE - Generally, homeowner’s insurance policies contain clauses excluding gradual damage caused by pests (including termites) and infestation.
• Pests can cause hazardous situations in central Virginia; including fires (chewing wires and spilling flammables) and collapsing roads/walkways/drains, etc.
• Pests destroy crops and consume or contaminate food supply affecting agriculture and other industries.

What is Pest Control Management?

UNIVERSAL EXTERMINATING CO., INC. Co in Mechanicsville, VA views Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as a broad-based approach that responsibly utilizes "best pest control practices" for the economic and environmental friendly control of pests (i.e. the least possible hazard to people, animals, property, and eco systems). We believe in a pest control approach that uses the least toxic method first to solve your pest control problems.

Responsible pest control is a strategized blend of the following pest control techniques:

• Biological pest control is a method of controlling pests such as insects, mites, weeds and plant diseases using other organisms (natural enemies). It relies on predation, parasitism, herbivory, or other natural mechanisms, but typically involves an active human management role.
• Mechanical/Physical pest control is the management and control of pests using physical means to eliminate breeding grounds, kill pests, remove pests or block out pests.
• Electronic pest control involves the use of any of the several types of electrically powered devices designed to repel or eliminate pests, usually rodents or insects.
• Chemical pest control is the use of pesticides to attract, seduce, and then destroy pests. Pesticides are chemical or biological agents (such as a virus, bacterium, antimicrobial, or disinfectant) that deters, incapacitates, kills, or otherwise discourages pests.