What Is Pest Control?

Executive summary: What is pest control and why does it matter for your business?

The pest control is the set of chemical, physical, biological, and cultural strategies aimed at keeping insects, rodents, and other harmful organisms below levels that put health, food safety, or the integrity of facilities and products at risk.

Internationally, this approach is known as Integrated Pest Management (IPM):

• EPA: defines it as an effective and environmentally sensitive approach based on common-sense practices.
• FAO: highlights the careful consideration of all available techniques to discourage pest development while minimizing pesticide use.
• CDC: describes it as a common-sense, science-based method that prioritizes prevention and eliminating conditions that favor infestations.

In practice, IPM combines prevention, monitoring, and tactical control to strike a balance: maximum health and brand protection with the minimum chemical use necessary.

Relevance for public health and business

• The WHO emphasizes that vectors (mosquitoes, rodents, cockroaches, etc.) are a cross-cutting public health issue that require systematic surveillance and management.
• In the food industry, the FDA sets criteria on insect and rodent contamination, which affects product rejections, market recalls, and reputation.
• Data from the CDC on pesticide surveillance show that improper use carries health, legal, and labor costs.
• For the end consumer, PROFECO recommends hiring certified professional services to avoid risks from poor practices or unauthorized products.

In summary: without a formal pest control program, a business is exposed to health, legal, financial, and reputational risks.

Regulatory framework in Mexico and international standards

In Mexico, pest control in urban, rural, and food environments is heavily regulated:

• NOM-256-SSA1-2012: a mandatory standard for companies and personnel that carry out urban and rural pest control.
• COFEPRIS (Mexico's health regulatory agency): requires a Health License and a documented program describing target species, application sites, methods, and products.

For food companies seeking to export or become certified:

• BRCGS Food Safety v8 (section 4.14): requires a documented pest control program, with monitoring, verification, trend analysis, and corrective actions.
• AESAN (Spain) recommends the use of preventive strategies and IPM in its inspections, aligned with EU criteria.

This means a pest program is not just a good practice: it is a requirement to operate, export, and pass quality audits (BRCGS, HACCP, GFSI).

Key principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

1. Inspection and diagnosis

• Correct identification of the species.
• Assessment of the economic or health threshold (when the pest's presence is already unacceptable).

1. Prevention

• Good practices in cleaning, housekeeping, physical exclusion, and waste management.
• Hygienic facility design and packaging management.

Frequently asked questions about pest control

What types of pest control are there?

The main types of pest control are physical control (barriers, traps, and exclusion), chemical control (insecticides, rodenticides, and baits), biological control (use of natural enemies), and cultural or preventive control (hygiene, waste management, and maintenance). Integrated pest management (IPM) combines several of these methods to achieve lasting, safe results.

What is pest control for?

Pest control protects people's health by reducing the risk of diseases transmitted by insects and rodents, safeguards food and structures, and helps businesses comply with health regulations. Rather than just eliminating a one-off pest, its goal is to prevent problems and keep spaces under control sustainably.

How often should pest control be done?

In homes, a preventive treatment every 3 to 6 months is usually recommended, while in restaurants, industrial facilities, and businesses subject to health regulations, control may need to be monthly or quarterly. The ideal frequency depends on the type of pest, the environment, and each space's level of exposure.

Is pest control safe for children and pets?

Yes, when it's carried out by a professional company using certified products and trained personnel who follow proper dosages and re-entry times. At Fucesa, we apply safe treatments and let you know what steps to follow before and after each service to protect your family and pets.