Pest Control

Pests

Controlling pests is a necessity. Pests can weaken the structure of your home, spread disease, contaminate food, and do significant damage to plants, trees, and clothing and furniture fabrics within the home.

Typical pests include ants, rats, cockroaches, spiders, mice, and moths.

Pesticides

• Insecticides (insect killers)
• Herbicides (weed killers)
• Fungicides (fungus killers)
• Rodenticides (rodent killers)

Pesticides are toxic not only to pests, but also to pets and humans. Pesticide gas or vapor can linger in the air and be inhaled. Pesticides can also seep into groundwater and ultimately into the drinking water supply. The effects of these chemicals on humans can range from mild skin irritation to damage to the nervous system, and possibly even cancer.

What are the pros and cons of pesticide use?

Pesticides have been used for centuries as a way to sustain livability in a region, protecting the food stuffs, homes, and overall health of communities.  But over time, these animals and insects develop resistance to pesticides that had previously been effective deterrents.  Consequently, this creates a cycle in which new chemical pesticides need to be created so that the most recent strain of pests can be eliminated. 

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services publication “Cancer and the Environment,” there are approximately 900 registered pesticides in the U.S. today.  Of those 900 pesticides, 20 active ingredients are known to cause cancer.  It is also important to note that pesticides registered by the EPA do not indicate that they are safe to use, but that there are particular handling methods to ensure user safety.  Read more about the history of pesticides in the US and the role of the EPA here.

The Short List: Pros and Cons of Traditional Pesticides

Pros

• Prevent damage to crops
• Improve crop yield
• Limit the spread of insect-borne diseases

• Pests may develop resistance
• Killing pests starves their natural predators
• New infestations become more difficult to control
• Often toxic to humans as well

Integrated Pest Management

Prevention is an important first step to pest management.

• Seal all entry ways to your home where pests may enter from the outdoors
• Never leave open containers of food or trash, which will attract insects and rodents
• Use safer alternatives (PDF) to control pests
• Use Integrated Pest Management methods

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a more environmentally responsible method of controlling pests. IPM focuses on tailoring specific solutions to specific pests while trying to minimize the risk of harming humans, animals, or the environment. IPM prioritizes all approaches to pest management emphasizing prevention first, followed by suppression, and finally complete elimination of pests.