Illinois Pest Control Guide

Natural pest control methods for three common household pests

The development of many types of chemicals nowadays has enabled the much dreaded household activity of controlling pests a very easy and efficient one. It can kill any bugs and leave them dead and unmoving instantly. However, all homeowners must be cautious of these chemicals as some of these can produce harmful side effects on any person’s help as well as on the surroundings. This is why all homeowner’s are advised to familiarize themselves with different methods of natural pest control that are sure to remove or lessen the presence of any pest while avoiding any possible side effects that non-natural methods provides. In this article, we list some common household pests and the most natural methods of controlling them.

Ants - they can be found in almost any place as long as there is a potential food source for them. This is why the most natural pest control for ants is to remove any possible food source for them. Keeping kitchens and tables clean after eating as well as covering all types of food containers can really produce results.

Cockroaches - The sight of cockroaches can really evoke some feelings that are better left unsaid as these insects are often associated with a dirty and unsanitary environment. The best natural pest control method for them is to keep the house clean and dry as much as possible especially in the kitchen and bathroom areas.

Mosquitoes - these are one of the main carriers of many diseases and their bites can really prove to be irritating to anyone. The most natural pest control for them is to remove all still water areas where they can breed and prevent them from entering the house by using screens and placing mosquito repellants on doors and windows.

By making use of these natural pest control methods, any homeowner can reduce or eliminate the existence of these common household pests.

Find natural pest control at Terminix or Service Magic.

What we spray around our homes, pets and family is a big deal these days. Gone are the days of buying a can of bug killer and doing the old “spray and pray” to rid your home of pests. Pest control ain’t no joke!

It’s a sad fact of life that we have to live with ants, fleas, spiders, ticks rats and roaches. These pests are just down right annoying and dirty too. At the same time, many of us are not interested in pest control and the problems caused by pests as well as the pesticides we use to control pests.

Here are some questions most asked when thinking about pest control:-

- How can pests be reduced and controlled safely?

- Are the pesticides available, effective and safe?

- How and when should pesticides be used?

Pests are beneficial as well as a curse to mankind. Animals, bacteria and some insects are beneficial to people in many ways, but the same time they can also be pests. Pests such as rats, ants, cockroaches, mice and flies are common in houses and apartments. There should be an effective pest control to prevent pests in multiplying themselves in houses, which include effective pest management, pest control and pest prevention.

Natural and Traditional Pest Management

The best and most effective way for controlling pests is integrated pest management which includes many steps. The first and most important step in Pest Control is to identify the pest problem. This includes finding out exactly what you are up against. Some pests (bacteria, animals) are really helpful to people, so it is very important to find out any harmful pests. The second thing is to decide how much pest control is necessary. Only the family who live in the affected area can judge how serious it is to take action. The third thing is to choose an available option for pest control such as chemical pest control or non chemical pest control.

You can control pests by many means; some of the options available are:-

* Non Chemical pest control (organic pest control)
* Chemical pest control
* Biological Methods

Another good solution for pest control is the use of chemical pesticides. It is not advisable in and around the home and commercial premises, as it will affect people adversely. The major drawback of this method is the result of the chemical pesticides treatment which are generally temporary, which in turn need repeated treatments. If used incorrectly, home-use pesticides can be poisonous to humans. While you are using chemical pesticides for pest control, the most important thing to remember is to take care in choosing the right pesticide product.

Another effective way in controlling pests is using the biological method. This is the method of using pest’s natural enemies to control them. Spiders, centipedes, ground beetles and ants are some of the beneficial bugs. This method is not harmful to people in any means and can be implemented effectively.

Whether you use traditional “synthetic” pest products around your home (we’re talking about flea and ant and roach killer here) or so-called “organic pesticides; do you really think they are deemed “safe?”

Science is constantly changing, growing and learning; ie: evolving..and so is the pesticide industry. Thirty years ago pesticides were very toxic and left residues in the environment for a long time.

Today, we use “Integrated Pest Management” to manage pests with the least possible impact on people, property, and the environment. That means no blanket spraying of pesticides. It also means using means other than chemicals to rid the area of pests. A good example would be removing dead wood that attracts bugs rather than spraying that wood pile with chems. Cool right?

Modern pesticides are the result of billions of dollars spent on research over the years. Some of the research has come from public institutions, such as universities, and some from large multinational corporations.

The end results are products that are safer and more effective than ever. Today’s pesticides are more focused and have fewer dangers for people and the environment.

These products typically target the nervous system of the particular pest and the dosage is designed to be strong enough to kill the pest while leaving very little residue in the home or soil.

One example is Bayer’s Maxforce Roach Killer Bait Gels, which have USDA authorization for use in federally inspected meat and poultry plants. You can use Maxforce Gel in residential food processing areas without covering food preparation surfaces during treatment. It’s also fine to use in occupied rooms of hospitals, nursing homes and extended care facilities. It’s a very safe product.

In the last 10 years, one line of research has been in the area of “natural” pesticides. This typically means that certain botanical plant oils have been processed, combined, or concentrated into pesticides.

These plant oils have a unique action that targets a key neurotransmitter receptor called octopamine which is found in all invertebrates (i.e. insects), but not in mammals.

Octopamine regulates an insect’s heart rate, movement and metabolism. Interrupting the function of octopamine results in a total breakdown of the insect’s nervous system.

In the last 5 years, actual pesticide products have been developed. And, in the last 4 years, the EPA has determined that some of these products pose a “reduced risk” or “minimum risk” and are exempt from many EPA regulations.

The bottom line for you is that today’s products are safer and more effective in controlling pests than ever before in our history. Whether you use synthetic or natural pesticides is up to you, but both work in similar ways and offer a great value.

You can get estimates from proven professionals who use a combination of Integrated Pest Management and responsible, organic pest control using our partner network on Service Magic.

Find organic pest control services here

Some organic pest control methods that any gardener can make use of

Over the years, gardeners have devising various organic pest control methods in order to avoid utilizing conventional chemical ones which are said to be effective but are capable of producing more harm in many ways than one. This is because organic pest control methods are derived through natural ways and means making them more acceptable to the environment and is less likely to produce harmful effects like pollution and poisoning.

One of the organic pest control methods that are commonly used by gardeners is the utilization of plants that have a high resistance against common plant pests and diseases. This is quite easy to do since plant breeders are continuously producing stronger and more resilient plant varieties than the usual ones. However, it’s still advisable to choose wisely since some modern plant breeds are derived from techniques that has a high risk of producing many harmful side effects.

Another of the many organic pest control methods that are said to be effective is through the use of other animals that prey on common garden pests. Doing so will help a lot in reducing the population of these pests without breaking any sweat. You can just leave them to do their job thereby promoting a more natural environment and ecosystem in your garden.

The use of many “friendly” substances can also help in dealing with many varieties of garden pests. These can be readily found at home such as soaps and some cooking oils and are also said to be effective organic pest control methods that can be utilized by any gardener.

Get organic and natural pest control from Terminix or get several estimates from Service Magic.