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Physical Methods of Pest Control¹

ABSTRACT

Physical approaches to control are discussed including those direct or indirect measures which either destroy the insect, disrupt normal physiological activity by means other than chemical, or modify the environment to a degree that is unacceptable or unbearable to the insect. A recognition of specific ecological factors and tolerance thresholds are prerequisites to utilization of physical controls. Temperature survival limits are discussed together with the more subtle use of radiofrequency energy. Manipulation of the environment to alter normally expected humidity patterns is an acceptable approach in the case of certain household, forest, and agricultural pests. Radiant energy, in the example of light traps, incorporates approaches in which traps are used alone, in combination with pheromones, and integrated with both chemical and biological methods. Especially encouraging for night nuisance pests is the use of insect-free lighting. Infrared, reflected light, and light amplification are discussed. The general prospects for use of sounds are cautiously hopeful as are techniques employing the manipulation of the environmental atmosphere. We are entering an era when systems approaches to pest management will necessitate the integration of a number of methods. The utilization of physical approaches as restraining agents is viewed with moderate optimism.

¹ Paper presented Dec. 28–29, 1970, in Chicago, Ill., at the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Section "O" Agriculture Symposium on "Agriculture and the Quality of the Environment in the Seventies."

² Department of Entomology, Purdue University, Lafayette, Ind., 47907.