Green Pest Management:The word "green" has never really been defined, subsequently, it should be considered a subjective term. I.e. Am I green if I use plastic bags at the super market, by not using a forest product that is produced by cutting down trees? or Am I green by using a natural forest product and not using bags made from petroleum?
In pest control, would I be green if I used "natural" pesticides? Strychnine, nicotine, methly bromide and poison from venemous snakes are all "natural". They are also some of the most toxic poisons found.
BEING "GREEN" IS NOT ALL ABOUT PESTICIDES. It is about the overall approach to pest management in a manner that reduces the impact on the environment. Please note that there is NO “Green List” of pesticides. It is the manner in which the product is applied that is of importance, and products such as enclosed insect bait stations maybe labeled as “green” even though the active ingredient is synthetic.
Toxicity, is dose (exposure) specific. Water, sugar, salt and oxygen are all toxic, if consumed in the right dose. Botulism, one the most toxic products known, at the appropriate concentration, can be injected into lips and eyelids for cosmetic reasons.
“Green Pest Management” awaits a specific definition, and pest control industry leaders may be working to achieve this. From the opinions of many pest management professionals there are clear similarities between “Green” pestmanagement and “Integrated” pest management. In the overall goal of reducing any negative impact on the environment, while still managing pest problems that affect our customers, we must emphasize:
Proper identification of the pest and understanding its biology and habits
Habitat modification to remove conditions conducive to the pest presence
Exclusion to prevent entry to structures
Inspection and monitoring to verify the presence of the pest
The use of non-chemical control measures where appropriate and effective
The use of the least hazardous chemicals where appropriate and effective.
Green Pest Management should also evaluate every other aspect of the business in the goal of lowering any negative impact on the environment. This includes efficient use of vehicles to reduce gas usage, recycling of all containers and other waste products if possible, good building maintenance for efficient energy use, and other areas not directly related to the control of pests.
In pest control, would I be green if I used "natural" pesticides? Strychnine, nicotine, methly bromide and poison from venemous snakes are all "natural". They are also some of the most toxic poisons found.
BEING "GREEN" IS NOT ALL ABOUT PESTICIDES. It is about the overall approach to pest management in a manner that reduces the impact on the environment. Please note that there is NO “Green List” of pesticides. It is the manner in which the product is applied that is of importance, and products such as enclosed insect bait stations maybe labeled as “green” even though the active ingredient is synthetic.
Toxicity, is dose (exposure) specific. Water, sugar, salt and oxygen are all toxic, if consumed in the right dose. Botulism, one the most toxic products known, at the appropriate concentration, can be injected into lips and eyelids for cosmetic reasons.
“Green Pest Management” awaits a specific definition, and pest control industry leaders may be working to achieve this. From the opinions of many pest management professionals there are clear similarities between “Green” pestmanagement and “Integrated” pest management. In the overall goal of reducing any negative impact on the environment, while still managing pest problems that affect our customers, we must emphasize:
Proper identification of the pest and understanding its biology and habits
Habitat modification to remove conditions conducive to the pest presence
Exclusion to prevent entry to structures
Inspection and monitoring to verify the presence of the pest
The use of non-chemical control measures where appropriate and effective
The use of the least hazardous chemicals where appropriate and effective.
Green Pest Management should also evaluate every other aspect of the business in the goal of lowering any negative impact on the environment. This includes efficient use of vehicles to reduce gas usage, recycling of all containers and other waste products if possible, good building maintenance for efficient energy use, and other areas not directly related to the control of pests.
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