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Published on October 22, 2019
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Alternatives to Pesticides for Pest Control

written by Gmaids

Photo by Rustic Vegan on Unsplash.

What are pesticides and their effects on our health:

Pesticides are defined as any substance used to control pests and disease carriers. There are different types of pesticides: herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and rodenticides, among others. All pesticides present some level of risk because their main function is to kill, repel or prevent living organisms from reproducing. We must bear in mind that even less toxic products or those that are natural or organic can cause health problems if these are exposed to at an excessive or considerable rate. 

The risk of health problems in humans and pets depends on how toxic the ingredients of the pesticides are and the actual amount of pesticide to which they are exposed to. Think of the substantial difference between spraying an environment as opposed to using localized bait. These substances can also affect health such as asthma, birth defects, and reproductive dysfunction, diabetes, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, and several types of cancer, if improper use is made and the instructions on the product or professional labels are not followed. Babies, children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with diseases are the most sensitive to the effects of pesticides.

Babies’ organs and nervous systems continue to develop after birth, which is why when they are exposed to pesticides they cannot eliminate the ingredients of pesticides from the body like adults. Additionally, babies breathe more times per minute, which makes them more susceptible to pesticide exposure. Likewise, babies and children are in constant contact with the floor and lawn areas (including public playgrounds) where pesticides may have been applied.

When you move into a new home or there is a change in seasons, before running to the supermarket to buy a pesticide for all types of pests and applying it throughout the home and garden, first make sure to identify what type of pests are inside and outside your home. Inspect for possible entryways or access points that need to be physically covered such as gaps between water plumbing pipes and the wall, loose toilet bases, and doors presenting slight gaps when closed. Humidity levels in areas like kitchen, bathrooms, and the HVAC or boiler equipment room are big culprits for fostering breeding grounds and attracting pests. This assessment will help you take specific control measures without the imminent use of broad chemicals.

Do not expect to live in a house completely free of pests year-round. Take steps to prevent incidents such as hiring Gmaids for recurring cleaning service indoors, and natural pest control company to do seasonal inspections both inside and outside the perimeter of your property. Also, keep in mind that repeated or inappropriate use of pesticides can be more dangerous in the long term than the pests themselves. Especially since many of the chemicals in pest control are designed to disrupt the hormonal and reproductive health of critters and rodents it’s important to use methods that respect the integrity of the space being treated whether it be eating, social interaction or sleeping. You can call a pest control operator to help you with inspection, identification, and handling.

You can visit the website of Beyond Pesticides to search and know the chemical information and effects on the health and environment of the pesticides commonly used. Including a handy list on their homepage denoting which ones are toxic to bees with a bee icon and those with the least toxicity with a green leaf icon.

Better alternatives: Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Once you have identified the pest and its biology, you can choose a less toxic way to control it, this is called Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a pest control strategy that uses a combination of methods to prevent and eliminate pests in the most effective and least dangerous way. This method evaluates the life cycle of the pest, its habits, needs, and dislikes to control it, such as eliminating its food source or blocking entrances and hiding areas. And only if necessary, when the pest problem is very serious, pesticides are used as a last resort. IPM may be more effective than when only pesticides are used. 

For the control of pests in the garden or yard, you can create a balance of organisms so that there is a diverse ecosystem and the populations of pests are naturally regulated. Traps, barriers, repellents, and decoys can be used to control pests and minimize damage to other beneficial animals. Contact an expert to help you with the ecosystem your garden needs.

According to IPM Institute of North America, when using this method, measures should be taken to control pests only when their number is likely to exceed acceptable levels. Any action taken is designed to attack the problematic plague and limit the impact on other organisms and the environment.

Again, you can visit the website Beyond Pesticides to know the specific and less toxic alternatives for each pest.

Local Pest Control

These are some Dallas pest control companies that use IPM, less toxic methods, and safer products for children and pets: