Author: jasmineso

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Weed Management

Ongoing research continually proves that there are health hazards of chemicals used to control weeds. They have been shown to affect people and plants including those under the soil surface. For example, “2-4-D, used for selective weed control in turf is a proven carcinogen”. The author believes that there are numerous alternatives to use in place of chemicals for weed control. Weeds are believed by the author to be evidence of nature working to restore natural succession and biodiversity. And biodiversity is significant because Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each species, no matter how small, all have an important role to play. Large areas of bare soil are not natural and should be covered or planted to avoid not just weeds, but erosion from natural forces. Anything that covers the bare ground will discourage the weeds.

 

This article revolves around the hazardousness of chemicals used to control weeds and the different forms to ward of the dangerous health risks brought by the chemicals . This article relates to environmental science, because pest management is one of the many branches of environmental science. The pest management industry’s commitment to the protection of public health, food and property is a factor that this article mentions. Because using chemicals for weed control is dangerous it should be banned and replaced with healthier and safe methods. The author proposes that “Mechanical weed control is, in many areas, a viable alternative to the use of herbicides.”

 

Weed Management | Ganna Walska Lotusland. (2015, November 14). Retrieved November 23, 2015, from http://www.lotusland.org/learn-green-practices/managing-plants-and-pests/weed-management/

 

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Reducing Pesticide Exposure at Schools

Pesticides are used for food supply protection and disease control, but they also attribute harmful effects to human health. Pesticides are often implemented at schools to help maintain sanitary conditions and suppress rodents and insect populations. The author conveys that “exposures and potential health risks to children and school staff can be reduced by avoiding routine pesticide applications through an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program”. IPM is an alternative pest-control technique that manages and suppresses pests by preventing their access to food, water and shelter. These strategies can be more cost-efficient than traditional pest control options.

 

This article relates to environmental science, because it talks about the relationship chemicals have not only on the environment, but to humans, too. This represents the relationship between human activity and the environment. We are poisoning our own environments, and in the  process are hurting our health. Evidence shows that exposure to pesticides at schools has been the cause of illnesses among employees and students. Rates of illness from pesticide exposure at schools have been shown to be higher in school staff than in children, because staff members are more likely to handle pesticides.

SH, N. (2015, January 18). Reducing Pesticide Exposure at Schools. Retrieved August 31, 2015, from http://www.healthyfacilitiesinstitute.com/a_159-Reducing_Pesticide_Exposure_at_Schools

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Pest control experts learn by doing at Texas A&M AgriLife program

The Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Dallas recently held an inaugural hands-on integrated pest management, or IPM, training class for more than a dozen professionals and paraprofessionals in the business of pest control. The class was the first to be offered using the IPM Experience House, a facility designed to train pest-control professionals how to control pests more safely and effectively. Integrated pest management is a way of conducting pest control that seeks the best, science-based solutions, while protecting the environment and human health.

 

This article connects with environmental science because it talks about how we as humans interact with the environment. Pest management professionals provide critical services to our communities by controlling pests like termites, fire ants, cockroaches, bed bugs, rodents and other important pests. This article centers around finding ways to deal with these effects on the environment caused by incorrect use of pesticide. In addition, it mentions how to innovate the usage of pesticides.

Schattenberg, P. (2015, August 18). Pest control experts learn by doing at Texas A&M AgriLife program. Retrieved August 31, 2015, from http://today.agrilife.org/2015/08/18/pest-control-ipmexperiencedallas/


 

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What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the use of pest and environmental information with pest control methods to prevent extreme levels of pest damage by the most economical means and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment. PM is not a single pest control method, instead it is a series of pest management evaluations, decisions and controls. Not all insects, weeds, and other living organisms require control, and some are even beneficial to the environment. Monitoring and identification prevents the possibility that pesticides will be used unnecessarily or that the wrong kind of pesticide will be used. As a first line of pest control, IPM aims to suppress pest populations below the economic injury level.


This article connects with environmental science because it discusses the interaction between pest management and the environment. Also how the chemical products used affect the environment. With IPM and the information gathered, we are able to understand better deal with the effects on the environment. Prove of this is Pest Management specialist use less of pesticides when they are not really needed.

What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)? (2015, January 15). Retrieved August 31, 2015, from http://www.healthyfacilitiesinstitute.com/a_240-What_is_Integrated_Pest_Management_IPM

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Controlling Your Pest Problem With … Bugs

Pest control is an important factor on farms, although it costs a lot of money, and the haphazardness of overdoing it on pesticides that can disturb nearby ecosystems is always present. A new report states simple actions farmers can take to increase biodiversity and foster interactions between insect species to help keep pests under control. Reports show that it wasn’t just species diversity that contributed to pest control, but also the interactions between insects. Similarly, farms had the fewest pests when insect species had about the same number of links to each other.

This article connects with environmental science because it discusses topics about biodiversity, which is a topic that branches from environmental science. Not only that, but it describes the connections between insects and pests. This article proved a detailed way on how using insects, farmers can eliminate pests faster.

COLLINS, N. (2015, July 31). Controlling Your Pest Problem With … Bugs. Retrieved August 3, 2015, from http://www.psmag.com/health-and-behavior/to-control-pests-foster-a-community-of-insects 

 

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Knock Out Mosquitoes and Beat the Bite This Summer

Mosquitoes are referred to as America’s most bothersome and dangerous pests. According to the Centers for Disease Control , there were 2,205 U.S. cases of West Nile virus in 2014, 97 of those cases were fatal. These invading parasites have become frequently active in the United States, the high levels of mosquito activity have caused state agencies to implement local mosquito abatement techniques. Substantial emphasis is being put on this situation, because it is a dilemma, since West Nile virus is the illness most frequently contracted through mosquito bites. The author believes that the way to reduce contact with mosquitoes and prevent the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses are the following ways: Eliminate areas of standing water around the home such as flowerpots, Screen all windows and doors, and Minimize outside activity between dusk and dawn.

This article that revolves around mosquitoes relates to environmental science, because pest management is one of the many branches of environmental science. The pest management industry’s commitment to the protection of public health, food and property relates to the article. This article conveys how mosquitoes endanger the safety of Americans, since mosquitoes are more prone to infect people with Nile virus. The author proposes thoughts on ways to solve the problem of mosquito infections and the health risks which seem easily to follow.

Knock Out Mosquitoes and Beat the Bite This Summer. (2015, June 18). Retrieved July 27, 2015, from http://www.pestworld.org/news-and-views/press-releases/press-releases/knock-out-mosquitoes-and-beat-the-bite-this-summer/