Pesticides are harmful substances used to kill rodents, roaches, ants, and other pests. The whole world has been telling us that the use of pesticides is okay, especially in controlling minor infestations. The incidence of food poisoning and death says otherwise.
This substance is effective in killing the insects that harm us. However, using it will bring more harm than good. It is harmful to human and animal health, not to mention the whole environment. When people use pesticides, residue settles in water and land resources. This puts consumers at risk of developing a variety of diseases.
Did you know that these substances are one of the leading causes of death in third world countries? It is for this reason that the World Health Organization (WHO) aims to prohibit pesticide use. The organization also aims to protect the health of people, animals, and the environment by setting the maximum limit of pesticide use to land and water.
According to statistics, people who work in agricultural and industrial areas involving pesticides are prone to diseases such as cancer, infection, inflammation, and allergies. If you do not want to risk your family of its effects, you need to find ways to get rid of pests without the use of pesticides.
What Common Pests Do We Use Pesticides For?
There are specific pests that most of us find difficult to eliminate using natural methods. In great numbers, the infestation of the following insects could put our family and our home in peril.
House Mice
This is one of the most common winter pests in the United States. It is naturally an outdoor pest. However, when winter comes, they start to look for safe and warm places to outlive the cold weather.
In the household, they look for dark, moist, and secluded places where they can hide such as the attic and the basement. When reaching these areas put them in danger, they make holes on walls and floors just to reach their destination.
In great numbers, this creature is dangerous. Did you know that it is responsible for 25% of total house fire cases in the United States alone? This is the reason why we should never let their population grow.
To kill house mice, the first thing to do is find their nest. You can determine this based on the concentration of feces and urine in an area. It shows where the mice are most active. Plus, it indicates the estimated population of mice inside your house.
The more mouse feces, the more mice you’re dealing with. Hence, you’ll need to double or triple your methods depending on their population.
You can use a rat trap to catch them one by one. Mice are very impulsive creatures. They have no regard for what’s dangerous to them. This is why glue boards are effective against them. Simply place the trap on areas where mouse activity is at its peak. Place some attractants in the middle of the glue board and let it stay until it catches the mice.
In great numbers, you’ll need more mouse traps scattered in your home. You just need to make sure that no animal or child can access it. To prevent any more mouse from coming in, it’s best to seal all the cracks and crevices. In that way, you can easily kill the rats inside while preventing others from the outside.
Cockroaches
Another common pest is the cockroach. Although it does not do much damage to the house, it causes several diseases to human beings. In great numbers, people are put in an uncomfortable position. Considering the number of spawns present in one egg, it’s no surprise they can dominate the house in just weeks.
If you’re looking to eliminating roaches without using pesticides, here are DIY Tips you can use:
- Vacuuming - This is one of the most effective and most basic ways to get rid of roaches. Since roaches are attracted to food crumbs and dirt, you can reduce their population by eliminating their food source.
- Organizing - Cockroaches love clutter. In an unorganized home, they can have an all-access pass to a great hiding spot. If one practices the habit of effective housekeeping skills, then he or she can avert the infestation of roaches.
- Laundering - Did you know that roaches are attracted to stains and sweat on clothes? They are one of the culprits of weakened fabric. To prevent any roach infestation, do your laundry more often. This will remove any attractant of cockroaches.
Bed Bugs
Known as the silent predators, humans have no idea that they are being fed off while they sleep. When they wake up with red marks all over their body, the first insect that comes to mind is the mosquito or the flea. Little do they know that the bed bug is as capable of causing such a mess.
Bed bugs latch on to bags, luggage, shoes, clothing, and groceries when they have the chance. This is why we need to check ourselves first before we enter the house.
When they get in, they look for an empty and secure space to hide. Considering the width of their bodies, they can fit anywhere including cracks and crevices. They come out at night when everyone’s asleep and start to feed.
One way to kill bed bugs is by using Diatomaceous Earth (DE). This powder is made of diatoms that are lethal to the pests including roaches. To use, sprinkle a generous amount of Diatomaceous Earth around your bed and on your bedding. Spread it thinly using a broom and a cloth, respectively. Let it stay for a day then replace the powder with a new set.
DE works by destroying the exoskeleton of insects, killing them from the outside. Unlike pesticides, DE works mechanically. When pests such as bed bugs pass through it, they feel the sensation of a thousand needles piercing through their covering. This dehydrates them slowly, killing them in the process.
Fleas
As pet lovers and pet enthusiasts, this is one of your biggest problems. Not only do these pests cause discomfort to pests, but they also bring illnesses. In great numbers, they can cause anemia to dogs and cats. If left untreated, your pet will experience, lethargy, insomnia, lack of appetite, and other symptoms.
To get rid of flea infestations, here are a few tricks you can apply:
The use of a flea comb. A flea comb is a cost-effective way to segregate the fleas and flea dirt from the fur of your pet. To use, simply run it through your pet’s coat and put the fleas on a bowl filled with soap and water. The soap acts as an adhesive to the pests, keeping them in the water to drown.
You can also use Diatomaceous Earth to get rid of these pesky creatures. Simply sprinkle it on your dog’s fur then bathe them after one day. Do this regularly and often so you can control the population of these pesky pests.
Make sure to buy the food-grade Diatomaceous Earth for treating indoor pests so it’ safe to use around humans and animals. Also, when you change the powder for each area, throw the contents of the vacuum or the dustpan. That way, you reduce the risk of any more fleas from hatching and coming back.
Upgrade your pet shampoo. Summer is the season where pest activity is at its peak. To get rid of fleas, you need to look for s pet shampoo specialized for flea control. Consult the nearest vet for the best shampoo for your cat and dog. In this way, you can rest assured that they will not exhibit any adverse reactions to some contents of the product.
If you want to enhance the pet shampoo on your own, you can add baking soda to their bathwater. This makes the soap suds thicker, making it easier to suffocate the fleas. It inhibits them to latch to our pet’s coat and skin when you rinse. Hence, you’ll be making the ultimate flea control shampoo which is safe and completely natural.
Use natural oils. As much as we humans love the smell of natural oils such as lemon oil, peppermint, citronella, and lavender, it is toxic to fleas. To create your own natural repellent, you can make your own spray by diluting the oil with water. Put it in a spray bottle and use it on areas where your pet usually sleeps. You can also use this to deter fleas on mats, mattresses, couches, bedding, and pet toys.
You see, there are countless ways to get rid of pests without pesticides. However, if the population is too many for you to handle, look for Asheboro, NC area exterminators. This way, they can use high-end methods to eliminate and prevent all kinds of pests for good.
Go-Forth Home Services
For the ultimate pest control experience, call Go-Forth Home Services–one of the best pest control providers in North Carolina. They provide the best alternatives for pesticides which are completely safe for humans and animals. With the help of their experts, you no longer have to worry about any disease-causing or damaging pests.