3 tips for finding accurate pest control info online

Dr. Michael Bentley, BCE

An unfortunate side effect of today’s powerful search engines is that they can return an overwhelming number of search results that may or may not contain accurate information. The margin for error is razor thin when confirming technical information, and having to wade through pages of responses to find reliable articles can be challenging. Here are three tips to help you separate fact from fiction on your next internet search.

1. Set yourself up for success by starting with a simple and focused search query. Use quotation marks around key phrases to ensure that only results containing that phrase are returned. You can even use a plus sign (+) or minus sign (-) in front of words to require or exclude those keywords in your results.
2. Once you’ve executed your search, look for content published from trusted sources. These can include industry-recognized organizations such as Pest Management Professional magazine or the National Pest Management Association, government agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, extension agencies, and academic entities including universities and colleges. These sources often will contain peer-reviewed content with cited references that can be used to substantiate facts and source claims. When in doubt, call or email subject matter experts for help.
3. If you use an image search for pest identification assistance, don’t assume the text below the image is accurate. Always follow the link back to the source of the post to confirm the legitimacy and accuracy of the identification. It is very common for search results to return images posted to consumer forums and open-sourced websites that are not trustworthy sources; these are commonly riddled with misidentifications and incorrect information.

There are many advantages to getting immediate answers to questions. But those benefits are only realized if the information you’re finding is correct.

<p>The post 3 tips for finding accurate pest control info online first appeared on Pest Management Professional.</p>

from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/2024/08/13/3-tips-for-finding-accurate-pest-control-info-online/
Sacramento CA