Environmental safety to consider for Pest control services

Use of pesticides raises a number of environmental concerns. Research studies reveal that over 90% of sprayed insecticides/ pesticides penetrate into areas other than the target species, including air, water and soil. Besides, pesticides suspended in the air as particles are carried by wind to other distant areas, potentially contaminating the entire environment. Pesticides can also adversely affect biodiversity, destroy natural habitats of birds and endanger many different species.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for ensuring the environmental safety of pesticides. To regulate the safe use of pesticides, EPA
has in place two different laws — the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide & Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

Pesticides may legally be sold in shops if they have been registered with EPA and carry an EPA registration number. Pests may be bothersome – but the pesticides you use to control pests should not endanger the environment.

It is a fact that total elimination of certain types of pests is simply not possible.
The options available to you to control pests are - pest prevention, non-chemical pest controls, and chemical pesticides. It is generally believed that non-chemical method is safer and can be equally effective as chemical methods.

Compared to chemical treatments, non-chemical methods are effective for longer periods of time. Many non-chemical pest controls can be used with fewer safeguards, as they pose virtually no hazards to human health or to the environment.

If for any reason, you feel that the best method for you to overcome pest problems is only through chemical treatment or chemical combined with non-chemical treatments - then bear in mind that some of these methods can endanger the environment.

You can buy an “off the shelf” pesticide product to control the unwanted pests, but the fact is many of the products can be potentially dangerous to humans and environment - if improperly stored, casuallyhandled, wrongly applied or carelessly disposed off.

Please also remember that the results achieved by using chemical pesticides are, in most cases, temporary, and repeated treatments may be required. When using the chemical method, you must be aware of the following:
• Choose the right pesticide product.
• Carefully read the product label.
• Determine the right quantum to be used.
• Strictly follow the instruction of the manufacturer when applying.

Make sure that the pesticide you buy is the least-toxic pesticide to achieve the results you want and it is least toxic to the environment. Note the signal word on the pesticide label as it may state - Danger, Warning, or Caution. Please be aware that DANGER means poisonous or corrosive. WARNING means moderately hazardous and CAUTION means least hazardous.

Furthermore, pesticide application equipment that is sold separately from the pesticide itself is not considered to be an approved device for using any pesticide - as these separate devices are not regulated by EPA. In fact, a device is strictly not required to be registered with EPA - however, other requirements do apply to devices. For questions about whether a specific device is safe or not, you should contact your EPA regional office.

Certain recent researches have led to the discovery and development of new synthetic and natural pest management agents and other technologies that are potentially more environmentally safe. If you are unsure about the environmental safety of the pesticide you buy, you can contact your County Cooperative Extension Service, the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC), or your state pesticide agency for guidance.

Peterson is an expert author for Pest Control Extermination . He has written many articles about Bed Bug Exterminator . For more information visit our site Bed Bug Richmond . Contact him at avonpestcontrol@gmail.com