Pest Control Terms Glossary

Welcome to our comprehensive glossary of pest control terms tailored specifically for professionals in the pest management industry. This resource is designed to provide clear and concise definitions of key concepts, practices, and terminology essential for effective pest control. Whether you're a seasoned expert or new to the field, this glossary will enhance your understanding and support your efforts in delivering high-quality pest management services.

Action Threshold(s): The specific point at which pest populations or environmental conditions indicate that pest control measures must be implemented to prevent unacceptable damage or health risks.

Application: The process of applying pesticides or other pest management products to control or eliminate pests in a targeted area.

Asthma: A chronic respiratory condition that can be triggered or worsened by allergens from pests like cockroaches or rodents.

Bacteria: Microscopic single-celled organisms, some of which can cause diseases; pests often carry harmful bacteria that can contaminate surfaces and food.

Bait: A pest control product that combines attractants with active ingredients to lure pests and eliminate them upon consumption.

Bait Stations: Enclosed containers designed to hold bait securely, allowing pests to enter and feed while preventing access by non-target animals and humans.

Botulism: A severe form of food poisoning caused by toxins from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which can proliferate due to improper food storage and pest contamination.

Commensal: Refers to pests, particularly rodents like mice and rats, that live in close association with humans, benefiting from our resources without providing any benefit in return.

Conjunctivitis: An eye infection causing inflammation of the mucous membranes, which can be transmitted by pests contacting the eyes or contaminating surfaces.

Contaminant: Any unwanted substance introduced into an environment or material, such as pest droppings or urine, making it unsafe or unclean.

Cryptococcosis: A fungal disease caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, often found in bird droppings, which can lead to serious infections when inhaled.

Desiccant: A substance used in pest control that kills insects by absorbing moisture from their bodies, leading to dehydration.

Dust: A dry, fine pesticide formulation used to control pests in cracks, crevices, and other hard-to-reach areas.

Encephalitis: Inflammation of the brain that can result from viruses transmitted by pests like mosquitoes.

Entomologist: A scientist who specializes in the study of insects, often contributing expertise to pest identification and management strategies.

Entomology: The scientific study of insects, including their behavior, ecology, and role in the environment, which is fundamental to effective pest control.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The U.S. federal agency responsible for regulating pesticides and enforcing laws to protect human health and the environment from potential risks associated with pest control products.

Escherichia coli (E. coli): A type of bacteria that can cause severe foodborne illness; pests can spread E. coli by contaminating food and surfaces.

Exclusion: A pest management strategy focused on preventing pests from entering a building by sealing entry points and eliminating access routes.

Exclusion Services: Professional services that involve identifying, sealing, and repairing gaps or openings in structures to prevent pest intrusion.

Extermination: The process of eliminating pest infestations through various control methods, including chemical, biological, or mechanical means.

Fogging: A pest control technique that disperses pesticides as a fine mist, allowing treatment of large or hard-to-reach areas to reduce pest populations.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA): A U.S. agency that regulates food safety, among other responsibilities; it sets standards that impact pest control practices in food-related industries.

Food Chain: The hierarchical system of organisms each dependent on the next as a source of food; pests can disrupt food chains and ecological balance.

Food Poisoning: Illness resulting from consuming food contaminated with harmful organisms or toxins, often due to pest contamination.

Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA): A 1996 U.S. law that strengthened pesticide regulations to ensure they meet contemporary safety standards, with a focus on protecting children's health.

Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA): Legislation enacted in 2011 aimed at shifting the focus from responding to food contamination to preventing it, affecting pest control protocols in food facilities.

Fumigation: A pest eradication method involving filling an enclosed space with gaseous pesticides to eliminate pests, typically used for severe infestations.

Fungicide: A type of pesticide designed to kill or inhibit the growth of fungi that can damage plants, structures, or health.

Fungus: Microorganisms like molds and yeasts that can cause structural damage or health issues; some pests are attracted to or spread fungi.

Gastroenteritis: Inflammation of the stomach and intestines causing symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting; can be caused by pathogens spread by pests.

Granules (or Pellets): Solid pesticide formulations intended for broadcast application; they release active ingredients over time or in response to moisture.

Harborage: Places where pests find shelter, food, and breeding conditions; identifying and eliminating harborage areas is crucial in pest management.

Heat Treatments: A chemical-free pest control method that uses high temperatures to exterminate pests like bed bugs and their eggs effectively.

Herbicide: A pesticide used to control or eliminate unwanted vegetation, such as weeds that may harbor pests.

Histoplasmosis: A respiratory illness caused by inhaling spores of the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, often associated with bird or bat droppings.

Initial: The first comprehensive pest control service provided to a client, involving detailed inspection, identification of pest issues, and implementation of initial control measures.

Insect Growth Regulators (IGR): Substances that disrupt the normal development of insects, preventing them from maturing or reproducing.

Insecticide: A pesticide formulated specifically to kill or manage insect populations.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM): An environmentally responsible approach to pest control that combines multiple strategies—cultural, biological, mechanical, and chemical—to manage pest populations effectively.

Listeriosis: A serious infection caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, which can be spread through contaminated food due to pest activity.

Multiple Feeding: Refers to rodenticides that require pests to consume the bait multiple times over several days to achieve a lethal dose.

Newcastle Disease: A contagious viral disease affecting birds, particularly poultry, which can have significant economic impacts on the farming industry.

Nonpersistent: Describes pesticides that degrade rapidly in the environment, reducing long-term exposure and residual effects.

Nonresidual: Pesticides that are effective at the time of application but do not leave lasting residues, minimizing long-term environmental impact.

Nonselective: Pesticides that are broad-spectrum, affecting a wide variety of pest species rather than targeting a specific pest.

Outbreak: A sudden increase in the number of pest-related health incidents or infestations in a particular area.

Paramyxovirus: A group of viruses that can cause diseases in animals and humans; certain pests may act as carriers or vectors.

Parasite: An organism that lives on or within a host organism, deriving nutrients at the host's expense, and often targeted in pest control efforts.

Pathogens: Disease-causing microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, or fungi; pests often act as vectors, spreading pathogens to humans or animals.

Pest Control: The practice of managing and eliminating pests to protect human health, property, and the environment.

Pest Management Professional (PMP): A certified expert trained in the latest pest control techniques and responsible for implementing effective pest management strategies.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Safety gear worn by pest control technicians—such as gloves, masks, respirators, and goggles—to protect themselves during treatments.

Pesticide: A substance used to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate pests. Types include:

• Desiccant: Kills pests by dehydrating them.

• Fungicide: Targets and controls fungal organisms.

• Herbicide: Eliminates unwanted plants or weeds.

• Insecticide: Designed to kill insects.

• Rodenticide: Formulated to control rodent populations.

Pesticide Amendment of 1954: An amendment to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act granting the FDA authority to establish tolerances for pesticide residues on food.

Plague: A serious infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, often transmitted to humans through fleas carried by rodents.

Pneumonia: Lung inflammation typically caused by infection from bacteria, viruses, or fungi; pests can be vectors for these pathogens.

Rat-Bite Fever: An infectious disease transmitted by rodents, caused by bacteria present in rodent saliva or waste.

Residual: Refers to pesticides that remain active for an extended period after application, providing ongoing protection against pests.

Rodenticide: A type of pesticide specifically designed to kill rodents such as mice and rats.

Salmonellosis: An infection caused by Salmonella bacteria, which can be spread through food or surfaces contaminated by pests.

Shigellosis: A bacterial infection caused by Shigella, leading to gastrointestinal illness; pests can transmit the bacteria through contamination.

Single-Dose: Pesticides or baits that are lethal to pests after a single ingestion, leading to quicker control of the population.

Synanthropic: Describes pests that thrive in human environments, benefiting from close association with people, such as house mice or pigeons.

Thigmotropic: Behavior exhibited by pests like cockroaches, preferring contact with surfaces on multiple sides, which leads them to inhabit tight spaces.

Thorax: The middle section of an insect's body between the head and abdomen, where the legs and wings are attached.

Toxoplasmosis: A disease caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected cat feces or undercooked meat.

Trichinosis: An illness resulting from eating undercooked meat containing the larvae of the Trichinella worm; pest control helps prevent contamination of food sources.

Typhus/Typhoid: Diseases caused by bacteria and often spread by pests like lice and fleas; effective pest control is crucial in preventing these illnesses.

Virus: A microscopic infectious agent that can only replicate inside living cells; pests can carry and transmit viruses to humans and animals.