Pest Biology and Behavior
Species-specific knowledge of feeding habits, reproductive patterns, seasonal activity, and harborage preferences that drives all treatment decisions.
Detailed Overview
Understanding pest biology is essential for effective control. German roaches are thigmotactic (prefer tight spaces), nocturnal, aggregate using pheromones, and prefer warm humid areas near food and water - this drives inspection focus to appliances, cabinets, and plumbing voids. Bed bugs are cryptic, hide in groups, feed at night on sleeping hosts, and can survive 12+ months without feeding - explaining why fumigation or heat needed for severe infestations. Subterranean termites are social insects requiring moisture contact, forage up to 300 feet from colony, follow chemical trails, and are repelled by disturbed soil - explaining why they tube over treated soil barriers. Norway rats are neophobic (fear new objects), require water daily, gnaw constantly, and burrow in soil - guiding trap pre-baiting and burrow treatments. Carpenter ants are nocturnal, have parent colony outdoors and satellite colonies indoors, forage 100+ yards, and prefer moisture-damaged wood - explaining inspection patterns and two-step treatments. Phenology (seasonal patterns) affects activity: mosquitoes peak summer, cluster flies overwinter in walls, termites swarm spring, fleas emerge from pupae in vacant homes when vibration detected. Biology determines everything: where to inspect, what to treat, when to treat, and how to treat.
When to Use
Apply species-specific biological knowledge during inspections to predict harborage locations, feeding sites, and entry points. Use behavioral knowledge to optimize treatment timing and methods.
Required Skill Level
Should only be performed by licensed pest management professionals
Benefits
- Improves inspection efficiency by focusing on likely harborage
- Optimizes treatment timing based on activity patterns
- Explains pest behavior patterns to customers
- Guides monitoring device placement
- Predicts seasonal population changes
- Improves treatment effectiveness
Limitations
- Requires extensive study and experience
- Behavior may vary by local conditions
- Multiple species may require different approaches
- New or invasive species may have unfamiliar biology
Related Concepts
Other principles that may be useful
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
A prevention-based pest management method that provides long-lasting pest control, improves building conditions, and is less harmful to residents and pets than traditional pest control.
Pest Triangle
The four essential requirements pests need to survive: food, water, shelter, and ways to get around. Eliminating any of these makes an environment inhospitable to pests.
Threshold Levels
The point at which pest populations or damage reaches a level that requires action. IPM uses threshold levels to determine when treatment is necessary rather than treating on a schedule.