Most of us homeowners can handle a pest infestation in the garden, but once insects or rodents come inside our homes to hang out and eat like teenagers, we run for the broom or the spray can. (And some – as my friend Ron did – hop onto the stove barking and waving a hockey stick at the raccoons as they ravage the kitchen.)
We see these little signs all over lawns and parks, but what was really sprayed on that turf…and what are the long-term effects?
Photo Credit: Suzanne Tucker/Big Stock Photo
Some organic gardeners advocate
ladybugs (lady beetles, really) for natural pest control.
Photo Credit: Annie Spiegelman
Mantids, large and statuesque, are predators of many other garden insects. Their appearance may spook you – but they’re one of the
good guys!
Photo Credit: Maureen Gilmer
Of course, most often homeowners are usually able to solve indoor pest infestations on their own by sealing cracks or holes or purchasing an environmentally safe control. And many outdoor infestations can be solved with an accurate diagnosis of the offending pest along with the right advice on the least-toxic methods to get rid of it – which could include adding predators or beneficial insects to the garden to help eat away the problem. (This sound practice is called integrated pest management, or IPM.)
But if you can’t seem to conquer a severe infestation on your own – either indoors or outside – it may be time to consider hiring a professional pest control company. But not just any one. My advice is to hire a company that chooses to use less-toxic chemicals. (And yes, they’re out there.) According to the EPA, an estimated 45 million pounds of pesticides are used annually in US homes and gardens, with sales totaling more than $2 billion annually. The Centers for Disease Control reports that 90 percent of us here in the US have a mixture of up to 43 pesticides in our bodies. (Yuck!) Many of these chemicals have been linked to health problems such as cancer, birth defects, reproductive health issues and neurological problems. So why make the problem worse by going for the “big guns” when attacking the pests?
Chemical pesticides of any kind should only be used as a very last resort in garden or home pest defense, especially if children are present! According to John Wargo, director of the Yale Center for Children’s Environmental Health, “More than 90 percent of pesticides and their inert ingredients are never tested for their effects on developing nervous systems. Children are more affected by exposure to such chemicals because they are smaller and their organs are not mature.” In 2000, a study published in the journal Cancer reported that children with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma were seven times more likely than healthy kids to have grown up in a home where pesticides were sprayed, and they were three times more likely to live in a home which was treated regularly by a professional exterminator.
So where do you look for “green” pesticide companies? The first step is to search your local phone book under “Pest Control” for companies that advertise their services as “environmentally safe.” If you can’t find any there, do a search online.
Once you’ve selected a company and the representative arrives at your house, ask how he or she plans to solve your particular problem. If pesticides are immediately suggested, ask what your non-chemical options are. If chemicals are the only solution you’re given, ask for the names of the products and a “Materials Safety Data Sheet” – or MSDS. (You’re really making friends now! But hey, your family’s health is more important than whether the rat-poison guy likes you or not.)
If it turns out that spraying appears to really be the only option for you, ask your pesticide rep to spray only specific areas to target the pest. If the spraying is outdoors, there’s another concern: Outdoor spraying often leads to water contamination in the entire neighborhood (what a great way to anger friends and neighbors). So before you make any decisions after the professional evaluation, tell the pest guy you’ll call him in the next few days – then do your homework:
Visit the Pesticide Action Network’s Pesticide Database and look up the health effects of the chemicals listed on the MSDS you were given to see if the pesticide recommended for your problem is listed in the high-risk category. If it’s deemed “high risk,” voice your concern with the company you had contacted and find an alternative option – or get a second opinion from another “environmentally-friendly” company.
As a final note, remember that pests don’t like clean yards or houses! They enjoy messy clutter and moldy, dirty places. So be proactive! The first line of defense in pest control is keeping your yard and home clean. And you know what that means: taking care of your plants, fixing leaky faucets, picking up outdoor debris, sealing cracks, washing your pets (and children!), vacuuming rugs and keeping kitchen counters and cupboards crumb-free.
For you, fellow New York City natives – and others dealing with the lovely cockroach clan – both boric acid and diatomaceous Earth (DE) have shown good results with cockroach control. DE has little toxicity to humans and pets, while boric acid has a low acute toxicity and should be handled carefully. Both treatments are stomach poisons that cause dehydration and death, so they should be handled with care! Place these powders under large kitchen appliances or in crevices and cracks in the wall or cupboards. Use a mask, goggles and gloves when applying these dusts. Keep away from food, children and pets. Baits or sticky traps are also good for smaller infestations.
When it comes to pest control, it all boils down to your health – and the health of those around you. Some pests you can live with – some you can’t. And some treatments you really can’t live with either, so choose your pest control options – and companies – carefully!
