Pest control with a scientific method. The days of simply spraying the bugs away have come and gone. Pest control has changed for the better, this method has developed both for safety reasons and effectiveness. Let's explore this method one step at a time.
The first step in any process, which is not indicated on the graphic, is to identify the problem. Mistakes are easily made when this step is overlooked. I have experienced situations where chemical applications were made, only to find the pests that were being targeted were nowhere to be found. Another common problem, especially with ants, that the wrong products are used, causing a problem to intensify. Knowing and identifying the problem is the only way to proceed on the path to eliminating it.
The next step in control is to find cultural means of controlling a pest. Cultural means of control are correcting sanitation and habitat change. For example, if you find sow bugs, silverfish, or centipedes, there is often a moisture problem. Eliminating this moisture problem can often eliminate the pest. First look for the reason for the moisture problem, often the culprit is drainage that isn't directed away from the house (gutter downspouts) or leaking plumbing. The next option would be to install a dehumidifier, eliminating the moisture from the air. Many ant and cockroach problems start with identifying food sources and cleaning the infested area.
Physical or Mechanical, is fairly simple. When you use a flyswatter to kill the fly, or a vacuum to suck up a spider; you have used mechanical control. Pulling weeds is a mechanical means of control. Mouse traps are another example of mechanical pest control.
Biological control is a little more difficult. Asian lady beetles, the orange with black dotted beetles similar to ladybugs, were an attempt at biological control for aphids in farming. Unfortunately, the repercussions of introducing an invasive pest were highly underrated and the solution turned into a problem of its own. A better example that has not caused that kind of problem is a fungi used to control bed bugs. The spores are in a liquid formula and applied to areas where the bugs will contact it. The fungal spores are easily transferred to other bed bugs and control is the result. Getting a cat as a solution to a mouse problem, is a fine example of biological control.
The last step is chemical control. With the target identified, and the other steps taken; it would be time to select the correct product for the situation. Resistance management is highly important in this step, as it not only improves effectiveness but is the responsible manner of using the chemical approach. There are a multitude of products, designed for many purposes. Selecting the correct products comes with experience and knowledge of the target. Some products work as repellents, others attract pest, and some are non-repellant so the pests don't suspect anything. Most products available to consumers are repellants, which can cause issues with certain pests, namely ants and bed bugs. Using the wrong product in the wrong situation can cause the scene to get worse, often spreading the infestation. Other products target specific periods of growth in a target. Insect Growth Regulators are a great example. They often target the molting process insects go through, not allowing them to grow from one stage to the next. Using the chemical step is no longer a spray and go option, as knowledge and experience play a large role in knowing what to use and when to use it.
