Pests are a problem. If it’s not ticks biting your pets, it’s termites damaging your home. Even those lovely wasps and bees that bring in the spring can damage your property and cause injury with their nests and stings. But even with a pest problem, you don’t want to cause unnecessary harm. You want to keep pets and children healthy and avoid damaging plants and wildlife unnecessarily. How can you do this? What are some pest control methods that are eco-friendly, yet still actually work? Let’s explore a few of the best options.
Why Choose Eco-Friendly Pest Control?
Maybe you’re already sold on the more
eco-friendly pest control options for your Northern Beaches home. But for those who may not know, what are the problems with traditional pest control? Conventional pest control methods typically use chemical treatments to get rid of pests quickly. However, while chemical methods give quick results, their adverse effects don’t necessarily stop with the pests. Pesticides are known to harm humans, pets, and wildlife. With long-term exposure, using pesticides in your North Shore home is even known to cause health problems like neurological disorders, respiratory issues, and cancer. Most of all, these chemical treatments also persist in the environment, causing adverse effects on other species of insects, larger animals, and even entire ecosystems. The chemicals contaminate the soil, water, and air, and don’t break down quickly. On top of this, persistent pesticide use leads to pests becoming pesticide-resistant. This means we then have to use even more harsh, potent chemicals in future.
Traps & Mechanical Pest Control
Traps may seem cruel, but they are some of the oldest pest control methods to be free from harsh chemicals. You probably already use pest control methods like a fly screen on the door of your Sydney home, or sticky paper for insects. Perhaps you’ve even used mouse traps with some tempting food. These mechanical pest control methods can all be executed humanely, without excessively harmful chemicals. An insect screen door is simply a barrier preventing insects from entering your home, while some models of rodent traps can humanely trap a mouse or rat in a chamber, to release it into a better habitat.
At-Home DIY Pest Control
Did you know that certain everyday household items also make good pest repellents? Certain spices and foods have pest-repellent and even antibacterial properties. Mint leaves, cinnamon, and citrus peels provide a fantastic fragrance for your home and don’t just taste good, but also repel a variety of pests naturally. In the case of mint, this may include cats!
A vinegar and water mixture near your entrances and exits is a good way to keep ants out of your Northern Beaches home, while soap and water put off soft-bodied insects like aphids.
Professional Eco-Friendly Pest Control
These eco-friendly pest control solutions are perfect for prevention and small infestations, but what about when you need to bring out the big guns? Have no fear – in major pest control situations, eco-friendly pest control comes to the rescue again.
Neem Oil
Neem oil is a superb, eco-friendly pest control option for a range of Sydney pests. From caterpillars and aphids to ticks, fleas and more, this aromatic Asian seed contains the same natural pesticide ingredient that you find more concentrated in commercial products – Azadirachtin. Neem oil is so non-toxic to humans, plants, and animals, you can even spritz it on your dog’s coat to keep them pest and pong free.
This scented, eco-friendly pest control oil has to be ingested for its toxic effect on a pest. Because of this, neem oil is best for pests that will eat your plants or other materials on which it is sprayed. You don’t need to worry about beneficial insects like bees being affected. Another advantage of neem oil is how quickly it degrades. Though this means regular reapplication is required, neem oil won’t pollute the water or soil.
Diatomaceous earth
This mineral-rich, eco-friendly pest control powder is created from the fossilised remains of diatom algae—the milled or micronised desiccant works by dehydrating the exoskeletons of any insects that touch the powder. Diatomaceous earth also repels nearby North Shore insects by drying out its immediate environment. Food-grade diatomaceous earth is considered safe for pets, but the fine powder is still unsafe for anyone to inhale. It’s also used in cosmetics and bath mats to keep your body healthy. If you have any pest problems and need eco-friendly pest control you can trust, contact Everest Pest Control. Our team of fully licensed professional exterminators will use safe, effective pest control methods to keep you, your family and pets safe at every step. You’re in safe hands with the proper pest control methods for every property and the most effective methods for every pest.
