There are many ways to manage pests. Some people choose quick and efficient chemical control methods, while others opt for more natural solutions that are environmentally friendly and non-toxic. Some folks are interested in self-management, while others prefer the services of a professional pest control company. Choose the pest treatment that is best suited to your circumstances.
Chemical Pest Treatment Methods
Chemical pest treatment utilizes synthetic chemicals to discourage feeding, mating, and other critical behaviours. It’s affordable, easily found for purchase, and regulated. Chemical methods include:
- Rodenticides: These chemicals are formulated as bait and designed to kill rodents. If pets or children consume the dead rodent, poisoning can occur.
- Insecticides: This type of pesticide controls or kills many types of pests. It eliminates insects at any life stage, including larvicides, ovicides, larvae, and eggs. However, insecticides can cause damage to your health and the ecosystem.
- Glyphosate: Absorbed by the leaves of plants, this pesticide migrates to roots, growing points, and propagating structures. It controls grasses and weeds in a variety of situations.
- Fungicides: Choose this method to protect plants by reducing blights, mildew, and rust and destroying fungi and spores.
- Nematicides: This chemical pesticide kills nematodes that harm plants. However, nematicides can cause groundwater contamination.
Natural Pest Treatment Methods
Natural pest treatment involves chemical-free remedies. These methods are non-toxic, eco-friendly, and safe for children and pets. However, they offer slower results and often require frequent application.
- Exclusion: This pest control method involves pest-proofing your home by sealing door thresholds, maintaining/repairing window screens, sealing exterior cracks and penetrations (utility installations, phone wiring, cable lines, internet service, etc.), properly storing trash, and covering openings with mesh (roof vents, the chimney, the dryer vent, the crawl space vent, etc.).
- Natural predators: This pest treatment includes introducing/attracting natural predators (ladybugs, hoverflies, green lacewings, praying mantids, ground beetles, soldier bugs, assassin bugs, etc.) to ensure healthy plants.
- Barriers and Traps: Instead of using chemical pest control, barriers (row covers, cloches, barrier paper, etc.) and traps (yellow sticky traps, maggot traps, pheromone traps, snap traps, electric traps, etc.) prevent pest infestations.
- Homemade remedies: Simple, effective remedies involve dish soap, essential oils, vinegar, insecticidal soap, a spray bottle, and diatomaceous earth.
Are you interested in discovering pest treatment options for your home and yard? Do you need residential or commercial pest control services? Contact One Man and a Lady Bug. Our licensed and trained technicians offer many solutions, including environmentally friendly options. Dealing with pests is our pleasure
