Organic Insecticides | Organic Pesticides | EcoSMART Bug Spray

How Safe Are Some Home Pest Control Services?

March 26th, 2010 Posted in Organic & Chemical Pesticides

Home owners have a lot on their plate. They are often so busy, that dealing with pest problems can be too large to handle on their own. When this happens, it’s perfectly acceptable to call in professional home pest control services to help.

For years, some pest control services have labeled themselves as experts in ridding homes of all types of pests. But you may not be aware of some of the risks posed by the chemicals used in their services.

Read on to learn:

• What Synthetic Chemicals Do
• How Professionals Can Go Green
• What You Can Do

What Synthetic Chemicals Do

Some home pest control services promise to only resort to chemicals when absolutely necessary. But after all other options have been exhausted, synthetic, and potentially dangerous chemicals, are the next step. In those instances, people should be made aware of risks to usingboric acid and hydromethylnon in home pest control services.

Boric Acid Risks

Boric acid is a low toxicity mineral, but should still be kept away from children and not used in locations where it contacts people or animals.

How does it work?: Boric acid poisons the stomachs of ants, cockroaches, silverfish and termites and also wears down insects exoskeleton.

Exposure risks are minimal if applied correctly, but the EPA still considers boric acid “moderately acutely toxic.”

Why? Boric acid can cause eye and skin irritation as well as oral and dermal toxicity. However, if used correctly by applicators, exposure to these risks can be reduced.

Hydromethylnon Risks

The EPA lists hydromethylnon in toxicity category III (with I being the most toxic on a scale of I to IV). This means any products with hydromethylnon must have the word CAUTION on the label.

How does it work?: Hydromethylnon is used in baits to kill ants, cockroaches, crickets and termites. It works by blocking an insect’s biological process that makes ATP (which provides energy for insects’ activities). Once blocked, insects slow down and stop eating, death usually comes within 24 to 72 hours.

Tests revealed hydromethylnon to be slightly toxic through ingestion and skin exposure. This can cause eye irritation and irritation of the mucous membrane in the respiratory tract. The EPA classifies hydromethylnon as a ‘Group C’ carcinogen meaning it could possibly be cancerous in humans.

So even if home pest control services promises to only use chemicals as a last resort, there are still dangers associated with synthetic materials. Why take a chance when you could use an organic ant killer instead?

How Professionals Can Go Green

This is not to say that all professionals will use chemicals. It is very possible to call home pest control services and lay down some eco-friendly guidelines which they then comply with.

First, you can ask them right away if they use any chemical free commercial products. If not, hang up and try again. If they say they do, dig a little deeper.

Many progressive home pest control services use commercial products that utilize organic pest control methods. Two examples of organic brands are EcoPCO and EcoEXEMPT.

If an exterminator uses these in your home, you will not have to worry about side effects like those associated with chemicals.

EcoEXEMPT makes an insecticide concentrate that kills pests like:

• Aphids
• Ants
• Cockroaches
• Beetles
• Millipedes
• Moths
• Ticks

And even more.

The best part about it? The main active ingredient is rosemary oil and other ingredients include oil of wintergreen and mineral oil. Absolutely no synthetic chemicals included.

What You Can Do

Ultimately, it is up to you what kind of home pest control services you use. But if you already use organic pesticides like a natural wasp killer spray, why switch to chemicals now? Don’t expose your family when many professionals offer safer, chemical-free options.

When you contact a professional to take care of a pest problem, don’t be afraid to ask them what kinds of products they use and insist on only organic solutions. Ever heard the phrase, “The customer’s always right?”

Just by asking a few simple questions, you can solve your pest problem. But the best part is you will never have to compromise your commitment to safely protecting your home with home pest control services.