LocalMotionGreen - Pest Patrol

Pest Patrol

Of all the chemicals we introduce into our homes and yards, pesticides are of the highest concern. Some chemicals in cleaners or personal care products may unintentionally cause harm. By contrast, pesticides are designed to kill.

Did You Know?

• The United States Environmental Protection Agency does not "approve" any pesticide. In fact they state that, "no pesticide can be considered safe."

• Michigan’s Regulation 637, Pesticide Use, requires an IPM policy to be in place for public buildings and schools (public and private) and day cares and that all pesticide applicators be trained in IPM before any pesticides are to be used on site.

Pesticide is an umbrella term including herbicides (weed/plant killers), insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides, etc. Modern pesticides came in use in the 1940s and were touted as safe and inexpensive. Decades later, scientists have identified negative health effects for humans and the environment related to pesticides. Many of the chemicals in pesticides have been shown to cause reproductive problems, brain dysfunction, nerve damage, organ damage, endocrine disruption, and/or immune system deficiencies. Some have been banned. Many are still in use today.

Fortunately, we do not need chemical pesticides to prevent, repel, or control pests. In schools and buildings, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) serves to minimize pesticide use. The principles of IPM are effective in the home as well. IPM incorporates multiple pest control techniques, relying first on preventative measures and non-toxic controls.

"Integrated" Techniques of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Prevention: Check for pests. If present, identify where they are coming from. Caulk cracks and fill in openings around pipes. Use door sweeps. Eliminate conditions that encourage pests, such as standing or dripping water, food sources (crumbs or spills, food wrappers, pet food, stacked cardboard, etc.), habitat (wood/brush piles, dark covered places). Practice good sanitation.
Mechanical Controls: Use tools and devices, such as lice combs, glue traps, snap traps, and vacuum cleaners to trap and/or kill pests.
Biological Controls: Take advantage of mating instincts and predator/prey relationships. Sticky traps with female pheromones will trap pantry moths. Milky spore (a bacteria) or microscopic nematodes will prey on garden grubs. Grow native plants that support natural predators, such as birds and ladybugs (voracious eaters of aphids).
Chemical Controls: Use non-toxic sprays made with soapy water or hot peppers for garden pests. (Recipes) Non-volatile baits containing boric acid will kill roaches and ant colonies. Spot treatments or crack and crevice treatments are more effective than broadcast spraying of pesticides.
Education: Include the whole family in pest prevention.

LMG Articles of Interest - Healthy Living Library

Home Pesticide Use and Breast Cancer, Spring 07
Pesticides and ADHD, Spring 07
Packing Away Winter’s Wools, Spring 07
Pest Patrol: Grubs, Summer 06
Flea Free, Summer 06
Protect Your Little Campers, Winter 05
Picnic Perfect: Pest Protection, June 04
Local Health Facility Replaces Pesticides with IPM, March 04
Know Mosquitoes, August 03

Links

16824 Kercheval Place | Suite B100 | Grosse Pointe, Michigan 48230 | 313.881.2263