This article focuses on the usage of insect growth regulators (IGRs), but its primary objective is to highlight how important it is to know the biology of your target pest, particularly its reproductive cycles. This is a very different viewpoint on pest problems.
The majority of the products experts use have uses that are established by the movement, harboring, and feeding behaviors of the target insect. The same criteria apply to IGR applications; however, in order to optimize IGR efficacy, an understanding of reproductive cycles is necessary. Because of this understanding, IGRs are now an essential component of a genuine Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, often providing a further level of effectiveness that would not be feasible without them. Go here if you need pest control experts for exterminating pests from your home.
The right time to deploy IGR applications for pests
More than ever before, PMPs are being required to provide security in more types of pest conditions. Fortunately, experts now have more tools available to them than before to control these pests. Just the choice of products might be bewildering! It can be a complicated estimation, but with the correct knowledge and a little research, it is easy to scientifically choose when to use which treatment for which pest in which condition for best results.
Instead of noticing decreasing results and changing the course accordingly, experts often resort to trial and error to determine what works for us and continue with it until it no longer works. This results in a loss of respect and worth from the clients as well as frustration in the workplace.
What are IGRs?
Pesticides known as insect growth retardants (IGRs) inhibit insects that go through complete or partial metamorphosis from developing or growing normally. From eggs that cannot hatch to larval and pupal phases that do not develop to sterile adults with damaged reproductive organs, different IGR configurations affect different life stages. Although IGRs have been utilized in agriculture for more than 50 years, it was not until the late 1980s and early 1990s that they became available for structural pest management.
Since this discovery, PMPs have been looking into how IGRs affect some of our most severe pest problems, such as German cockroaches, filth flies, mosquitoes, stored goods pests, and species of occasional intruders. The structural pest control company frequently uses two types of IGRs: chitin synthesis inhibitors (such as diflubenzuron, hexaflumuron, and novaluron) and juvenile hormones (like methoprene, pyriproxyfen, and fenozycarb). You can choose the best product for the job if you have some knowledge of how each form of IGR interacts with insects.
Instant Gratification? Not at all
A significant part of our society today is an instantaneous, “I want it now” culture. This is not the case in the realm of IGR applications, though. Depending on the phase of the life cycle, IGRs have different impacts on insects. Insect development time is greatly impacted by surroundings such as temperature, humidity, food availability, etc. There are many examples of this in the literature that covers the life cycles of insects.
One need only consult the NPMA Field Guide, the industry standard for pest management. For example, according to the NPMA Field Guide, the average developmental time (from egg to adult) for German cockroaches is around 103 days, with a typical range of 54 to 215 days.
Understanding biology
IGRs can be used in more pest situations than might be clear at first sight. It is usually fairly simple for trained professionals to figure out which applications are appropriate for IGRs. However, younger technicians may not have accumulated sufficient expertise to realize the value of knowing the life cycle of the target pest, which could limit their ability to decide if IGRs are relevant in the field.