Technology is making Pest Control Springfield MO more efficient and sustainable. The latest innovations in pest control focus on reducing chemical usage and environmental impact.

For example, new rodent detection systems rely on thermal imaging or sensors to identify infestations in real-time. Pheromone dispensers help homeowners and businesses keep pests away using natural methods.

Smart Sensors

Smart sensors are a piece of the IoT puzzle that’s allowing pest control services to become more preventative, rather than reactive. They work by detecting the presence of pests and alerting homeowners via their mobile devices, often in real-time. These notifications can help them address issues early and prevent damage, such as nest building or chewing.

Unlike traditional sensors, smart ones have internal mechanisms to avoid false detection in harsh environments. They also automatically adjust their output signal strength and threshold to adapt to environmental conditions, eliminating the need for outside analytics tools or resources. This makes them more efficient than traditional sensors.

Another major benefit of smart sensors is that they’re designed to be compatible with green pest management practices. By using precise detection and targeted intervention, they minimize the use of harmful chemicals that can harm the environment or non-target species.

As the IoT grows, so does its potential for improving pest detection and response systems. PMPs are already leveraging IoT in many ways, from routing and scheduling software to GPS technology to text-to-pay services like those offered by Environmental Pest Service.

Rogoway notes that smart traps are a part of this and that they offer a dual benefit by protecting physical property from pests and providing mental peace of mind for the homeowner. He shares a story from a customer where a smart mousetrap sent an alert to their smartphone when it detected a rodent, allowing them to resolve the problem quickly and avoid any property damage. The same approach can be used for other types of pests as well, such as flies, which are an ongoing problem in aircraft hangars due to the paint booths where they’re attracted.

Drones

From crop-munching caterpillars to disease-transmitting mosquitoes, insects that threaten crops, ecosystems, and public health are being targeted with new pest-management strategies incorporating drone technology. These unmanned aerial systems—better known as drones—have been used in military and civilian applications for years, but their role in entomology has recently expanded significantly. The latest special collection in the Journal of Economic Entomology features 15 articles that use drones for everything from monitoring insect behavior and spraying pesticides to finding hidden nests and other hard-to-reach spots on plants.

One of the most promising drone innovations in pest control is the use of multispectral sensors to detect changes in plant health often associated with insect infestations. The technology allows farmers to identify pest damage in the field early, enabling them to take preventive action before an infestation reaches critical mass.

Aside from allowing farmers to detect damage, drones are also being used to help improve the efficiency and accuracy of applying pesticides. Drones allow for more precise application and reduce the risk of pesticides being applied to non-target areas, such as surrounding crops, waterways, or wildlife habitats.

Drones can also play a key role in biological pest control by enabling the efficient release of beneficial predators or parasites. This approach is especially important for fields with complex topography that cannot be easily sprayed from the ground or by air.

For example, an entomologist is using drones to apply natural predators against the hairy caterpillar (Euproctis fraterna) in rice fields. The specialized drones release a cocktail of natural scents to disrupt the moth’s breeding cycle and lure male caterpillars into traps like the Pied Piper, eliminating the need for massive applications of pesticides.

Heat Treatments

Heat treatment is one of the most effective methods for eradicating pests without chemicals. It involves raising an area to lethal temperatures that cause thermal stress, dehydration, and ultimately death for targeted organisms. This method has become increasingly popular due to its efficiency, effectiveness, and eco-friendliness. It can be used for a variety of pests including bed bugs, cockroaches, and termites. The process is safe for humans, pets, and the environment.

Many of the most significant innovations in pest control focus on reducing the use of chemicals and other toxic substances. This includes new, more targeted solutions that reduce the impact on non-target organisms. For example, CRISPR gene editing technology allows experts to target and disrupt genes that are essential for pest survival and reproduction. This can significantly reduce pest populations over time and may also lead to a reduction in the use of traditional pesticides.

Other innovative pest control technologies are based on the use of biological resources to manage insects and weeds. These can include everything from releasing beneficial insects to using microbe-based sprays. These natural methods have a positive impact on the environment and may help to prevent resistance to chemical treatments.

These exciting developments in pest control technology can offer a better, more sustainable future for businesses and homeowners. In addition to providing safer and more effective solutions, these technological advances can help to reduce costs and increase productivity. For instance, intelligent IoT systems like Rentokil’s PestConnect can monitor facilities 24/7 and identify pest activity with infrared sensors, alerting technicians in real time to potential threats. This can help to improve response times and prevent costly damage to products and facilities.

Biotechnology

Biotechnology is one of the fastest-growing fields in present-day science. It empowers scientists to change/alter a living being’s DNA. The most common examples of biotechnology are transgenic crops, vaccines, and blood tests. Biotechnology also offers new opportunities for integrated pest management (IPM) programs in agriculture.

IPM is a scientifically based strategy to control pests through a combination of biological, cultural, and physical methods rather than chemical insecticides. It can help farmers decrease crop losses, reduce environmental damage, and protect human health.

Insect pests are a major threat to agricultural production. Farmers often resort to chemical insecticides, which can be harmful to humans and animals. However, these chemicals don’t always provide the desired results and can hurt the environment. In addition, they can easily become resistant to them over time.

Fortunately, some plants and other organisms naturally produce proteins and other chemicals that act as natural defenses against insects. Scientists can introduce these genes into crops by using the molecular breeding technique. This process allows plants to produce pesticidal proteins without needing to add synthetic chemical insecticides.

Other innovations in pest control include gene editing, which uses specialized nucleases to cut specific genomic target sequences. There are two types of gene editing tools: transcriptional activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR/Cas9. These technologies can be used to engineer crop plants for improved resistance to pests.

In addition to improving crop yields, biotechnology can make foods healthier and more nutritious. For example, genetically modified rice has been enriched with beta-carotene, which the body can convert into vitamin A. It can also be used to develop new biofuels, such as ethanol.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence, or AI, has the potential to reduce behind-the-wheel time for pest control technicians and allow them to work more efficiently. The technology is also able to automate repetitive, manual tasks. This can make the job easier and safer for everyone involved.

As the name implies, AI is a computer-based technology that uses machine learning to identify patterns and relationships between data points. It can learn from past interactions and apply what it has learned to current situations, making it a powerful tool in the fight against pests.

AI can help develop precision pest control strategies by analyzing data from a variety of sources, including monitoring systems, weather and GPS satellites, historical records, and more. This data reveals insights such as when and where infestations may occur, enabling pest control professionals to take proactive measures.

This is especially beneficial in agricultural settings. For example, cotton farmers use AI-based pest detection along with pheromone traps to manage bollworm infestations. This helps them avoid overspending and supports higher yields.

Another way that AI improves pest management is by identifying species of pests and suggesting the safest, most effective treatment. This can prevent unnecessary chemical usage and protect the environment, people, pets, and livestock. Likewise, in homes and vehicles, AI-powered apps enable fumigators to quickly identify pests and recommend the most appropriate solution.

The future of pest control is bright thanks to the innovations of AI. These technologies reduce environmental impact, increase precision, and boost customer satisfaction. Moreover, they allow pest control companies to deliver better services and save on operational costs. This makes them a valuable asset for any business in the industry. For the best results, pest control companies should consider incorporating these technologies into their daily operations.