| Pest Control | | | | In modern agricultural practice, there are different |
| Pest control can be defined as the process of | | | | methods of stop the problem of pest, from |
| regulating or controlling the population of insects or | | | | becoming a menace. Biological methods of |
| other small animals, which are responsible for the | | | | controlling the population of pests are quite |
| destruction of crops, plants and trees. Pests are | | | | effective. This method comprises of bringing the |
| different from weeds, which also significantly affect | | | | population of pests down by nurturing their natural |
| the growth and life of plants. The history of pest | | | | predators, which keep their numbers under check by |
| control can be dated along with the start of | | | | savaging them. Most of the pests choose dirty and |
| agriculture by primitive man. From the very | | | | ill-maintained places to breed such as an open drain, |
| beginning, humans knew the importance of killing | | | | heaps of garbage etc. By reducing the number of |
| harmful animals and plants, to increase food | | | | such places, the population of the pests could be |
| production and to sustain its top position in the food | | | | brought down to an extent. There are several |
| chain. | | | | other methods like poisoned bait, field burning, |
| | | | hunting, laying of traps, sterilization of species of pest |
| Besides few basic steps, controlling of pests has | | | | etc., which are being used throughout the sphere, |
| undergone a sea change. In many parts of the world, | | | | depending upon the location and the available |
| use of airgun, to kill small pests like rats, rabbits, | | | | resources. |
| squirrels, is quite common. Sometimes taking some | | | | There are many companies, which are now involved |
| preventive measures like proper storage facility for | | | | in the manufacturing of chemical pesticides, using |
| cultivated crops, appropriate disposal of food waste, | | | | which can food production can be significantly |
| and erecting scare-crows etc, can save a lot of | | | | increased. It is important that pesticides are duly |
| money and time, spent on the controlling of pests | | | | tested for their effects on the humans and nature, |
| and other animals. | | | | before they are launched in the markets. The |
| After agricultural revolution, scientists started looking | | | | contamination of underground water, due to |
| for counter-measures for bringing the problems | | | | excessive use of chemical pesticides, is causing some |
| created by pests, under control. Pyrethrum and | | | | serious effects on ecology and health of humans. If |
| Derris were amongst the first few pesticides, used | | | | you manage a small garden, try to use other Pest |
| for controlling pests. This was followed by more | | | | Control Services, before switching to chemical |
| popular pest control products such as DDT and | | | | pesticides. |
| herbicides. | | | | |