Does Your Exterminator Offer Natural Pest Control ?

Environmentally-friendly (Green) exterminator services are growing in popularity, particularly in the commercial sector. Eco-savvy residential consumers are asking about natural alternatives to traditional pesticides, but their excitment often dwindles when confronted with the often 10% to 20% cost differential and lengthier time to see effects.  Treatments may also need to be more frequent.
IPM is “a better approach to pest control for the health of the home, the environment and the family,” said Cindy Mannes, spokeswoman for the National Pest Management Association, the $6.3 billion pest control industry’s trade association.

Due to America’s environmental consciousness rising, and increasingly stringent federal regulations, the pest extermination industry’s focus now includes  Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques. IPM is  not only safer for the environment, but safer for people and pets. Of 378 pest management companies surveyed in 2008 by Pest Control Technology magazine, two-thirds said they offered IPM services and natural pest control.

IPM focuses on environmentally-friendly prevention techniques designed to keep pests populations low, and below a thrushhold of what the customers consider comfortable.  Low- or no-toxicity products may be used to control pest.  In addition, elimination and control efforts focus on finding and eliminating the causes of infestations: entry points, attractants, shelter, and food.  IPM favors mechanical, physical and cultural methods to control pests, but may use bio-pesticides derived from naturally-occurring materials such as animals, plants, bacteria and certain minerals.

Schools and nursing homes  may be the first to insist on alternatives to hazardous chemicals.  Interest in IPM is bringing a host of new environmentally-friendly pest management products to the market.

The Integrated Pest Management Institute of North America is a non-profit organization that certifies green exterminating companies. The Integrated Pest Management Institute of North America developed the Green Shield Certified (GSC) program. Look for a IPMINA certified company to make sure the company you are considering is truely using  natural pest control and IPM in their program.

July 8th, 2009 | Tags: , , , , , | Category: Pest Exterminator General, natural pest control | Comments are closed