What is "exclusion" in pest control?

Exclusion in pest control refers specifically to the strategies and methods employed to prevent pests from entering a property. This is accomplished through the implementation of physical barriers, such as sealing cracks, gaps, and openings in buildings, as well as making necessary repairs to infrastructure. The focus of exclusion is proactive and preventative, targeting the entry points that pests may use to access living spaces.

By ensuring that these entry points are closed off, property owners can significantly reduce the likelihood of infestations occurring, which is key to an effective pest management strategy. This preventive measure is often more effective and less disruptive than other approaches, such as extermination or chemical treatments, which are reactive solutions addressing existing pest problems rather than preventing them from arising.

Regular inspections and monitoring, as well as habitat destruction, play important roles in an overall pest management plan but do not define exclusion directly. Therefore, understanding that exclusion centers around creating barriers is essential for effective pest control practices.