When pest control and pest management are put side to side, it is common to not fully comprehend the difference between them. A quick way to explain the difference is that pest control focuses on eliminating infestations that already occurred. While integrated pest management focuses on preventative methods to limit the survival and reproduction of pests. The main difference between pest control and pest management is in their approach.

Pest Control

Pest control is usually performed now and then when treatment is needed due to the increased pest population. The goal of pest control is to eliminate specific pest infestations right away. For that reason, pest control experts usually won’t conduct a thorough inspection. The traditional system of pest control usually relies on one method which is pesticides. It puts little or no attention on prevention, potential property damage, and its effects on its surrounding. Their goal is solely to reduce the pest population instantly and control its population. The approach adopted by pest control is reactive because service is only provided when pest encounter occurs.

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated pest management (IPM) is professional care that focuses on providing preventative care against future pest problems. According to EPA, IPM is not a single pest control method. It is a series of pest management evaluations, decisions, and controls. IPM follows the proactive approach and is founded by the four-tiered approach based on EPA.

The first tier is the action threshold. A point where pest populations or environmental conditions indicate that pest control action must be taken. The second tier is monitor and identify the pest. IPM generally provides a complete internal and external inspection to provide detailed analysis of building entrances and possible pest nests. IPM also focuses on the ecosystem and its environment. Some pest does not need to be eliminated as long pest does not reach the action threshold or plays an important role in the ecosystem. Most IPM companies have laboratories and biologists to identify pests accurately and therefore provide the best preventative course.

The third tier is prevention. This is where the control methods suggested are made to be effective, cost-efficient, and present little to no risk to people and the environment. The fourth tier is control. When all prior tiers indicate that pest control is required, effective and less risky pest control methods are always chosen first like the use of pheromones to disrupt pest mating and trapping.

Conclusion

If you are looking to eliminate pests quickly with pesticides, pest control is what you are looking for. If you are looking for a pest preventative program that focuses on environmental, cost-effective, and last long-term, pest management is what you are looking for. There are so many benefits to a proactive approach such as bypassing costly pest control treatments, massive property damages, and reduced property value. Learn more about our services and contact us to get an effective pest management program for you through our free inspection.

Disinfection is the process of killing germs on surfaces and objects by the use of disinfectants. According to Bell-Young, disinfectant is a substance that kill, slow down, or prevent the reproduction of a microbe. Some strains are resistant to disinfectants and therefore, require sterilization. Further, disinfectant destroys the protective membrane that covers a microbe. As a result, the microbe becomes nonviable to reproduce as internal structure is not contained and protected.

The Covid-19 virus rarely spread through surfaces. It is mainly spread through respiratory droplets that are released in the air from a cough or sneeze of an infected person. According to Mayo Clinic, the virus cannot travel more than 6 feet or 2 meters. Covid-19 virus is highly contagious as it is airborne and can infect people who are exposed within minutes. It can also spread when a person touches his or her nose, eyes, or mouth after touching an infected surface or object. Due to its transmission and the nature of Covid-19 virus, routine cleaning and disinfection is highly crucial.

Cleaning and Disinfection

Cleaning is an important aspect that should not be overlook. CDC recommended that cleaning surfaces followed by disinfection is the best practice to prevent viral illnesses from spreading in a workplace. Cleaning is the removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. By removing the germs, it lowers their number and reduces spread. Accordingly, following a disinfectant after cleaning is found to be significantly effective in reducing Covid-19 virus and germs.

Spaces that are high in traffic area, poorly ventilated, lack in hand washing station, and occupied with high risk people need more frequent cleaning and disinfection. World Health Organization stated that disinfection practices are important to reduce the potential for Covid-19 contamination. Disinfectants that are proven to be effective against Covid-19 are sodium hypochlorite (0.1% concentration), known as bleach or chlorine, and 70%-90% alcohol.

In Orcid Mantis Indonesia, our employees health and safety are important to us. We understand how important the health of your loved ones to you, so practice cleaning and disinfection daily. We offer a premium quality disinfection service at an affordable rate. Visit our contact us page or call us for more information, quote, and booking.

Termites, also known in Indonesia as Rayap, are tiny insects that live in a colony and are divided into three distinct castes. The three distinct castes are swarmer, soldier, and worker.

First caste, swarmer, contains three reproductive parts: primary reproductive, secondary or supplementary reproductive, and tertiary reproductive. Primary reproductive transforms a moth to a king or queen that can produce around 30,000 eggs a day. Secondary reproductive grows from nymph to become a substitute for the primary queen function when the queen cannot produce eggs or die. However, tertiary reproductive is only formed when there is separation within the colony. Where individual termites can produce two to three times more eggs than the primary queen but have a shorter life expectancy.

The second caste, soldier, plays a role in protecting the colony from other termites and predators like ants. Lastly, the third caste is worker and is the smallest of all. Worker plays a role in finding food for the colony, taking care of the queen, and building tunnels and nests.

Character

Termites play an important role in the soil ecosystem. There are three types of termites: Subterranean termite, Dry wood termite, and Dampwood termite. One of the behaviors established by termites is random foraging up to 480 square meters and more. Termites also consume cellulose, mushrooms, and wood that is soft, moist, weathered, and have fungi grown. When termites get married, it starts with a moth swarm formation and is followed by the detachment of their wings. Once they successfully mate, they place their eggs in the nest. Termites thrive in a temperature between 15 to 38 Celsius and humidity between 75 to 90. Moisture content or rainfall is very important to keep water loss from the body.

Signs of termite presence can be seen from abandoned moth wings or dead moths, mud tubes or traveling aisles, presence of damage caused by termites, feces, or frass that is left exclusively for non-subterranean termites.

Termites Control and Prevention

There are different aspects of termite control:

• Physical Supervision: create a barrier for the entry of termites into the building (granite, stainless steel mesh)
• Biological: By exploiting predators or natural enemies of termites (Nematodes, fungi, or bacteria)
• Chemical: Chemical treatment to the soil layer. Two actions: Pre-construction and Post-construction. Chemical properties: Repellent and Non-repellent
• Feeding: By using an insect growth regulator

Regarding termite prevention, it is better to prevent the damage caused by termites before the infestation is severe and damage is beyond repair. Prevention is much more economical than carrying out a complete eradication and repairing the damage they caused especially in Southeast Asia where the chance of attack by termites is very high (90% if without prevention).

There are several methods to prevent/minimize damage to buildings that caused by termites:

• Considering the design of the building
• Minimize sources of moisture
• Installation of termites or barriers for termites to enter an area
• Dispose of food/something that has the potential to attract termites

Orcid Mantis Indonesia offers premium termite service in most cities in Indonesia. Contact us for more information, quote, and booking.

Fumigation is a method of controlling pest where fumigant (a combination of different chemicals that turn into gas when it reached a specific temperature and pressure) is discharged into a room or a tightly sealed and secured space to eliminate targeted pest.

The two most used chemicals are Sulfury Fluoride and Phosphine. Sulfury Fluoride is primarily used to eliminate SPI (stored product insects), moths in food factories and mills, wood boring insects, and Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. Meanwhile, Phosphine is used on food commodities and therefore frequently used for treatment on seeds and plant products, dry fruits, and other stored products.

There are different methods of fumigation: under cover sheet, structural, container, and silo. Fumigation starts by sealing off the space with a tent, except if it is already in a gas secure space. The duration of fumigation varies based on the type of infestation, temperature, dimension, size of the structure, and other factors.

It is important to note that having a licensed and professional fumigation provider is a must to yield a safe, effective, and efficient result. Not having a professional fumigation work done can be incredibly hazardous as it can harm human, animals, building structure, and its environment. It can also build a resistance against the targeted pest.