Green advice on residential pest management

Jen Marlowe, Eden Advanced Pest Technologies

With all the attention being paid to building green, it seems that green services should be given their due importance. After all, what is the point of building green if service providers so not continue to contribute to the green objectives originally intended?

Pest Management is a perfect example. If a house was built to minimize volatile gases, for example, then pesticides should not be regularly applied to the inside of the structure. A green program for pest management services only makes sense for a green built structure!

When considering green pest management, three areas are important for consideration: method, materials, and motive.

Method is the most important consideration. Any material, even those considered safe or natural, can be used in a manner that will harm people or the environment. The proper green method of pest management is called Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and consists of making pest management decisions after careful inspection and monitoring, incorporating long-term and non-material tactics with least hazard, botanical materials when appropriate, and evaluating those tactics for effectiveness. On the whole, this method (IPM) is more effective and can also be less costly.

Materials used in and around green structures should be carefully considered also. There are a variety of naturally occurring materials that can be very effective. These materials include essential plant oils, many which are considered food grade such as Eugenol (found in nutmeg and cinnamon), rosemary oil, and wintergreen oil. Natural mineral products including diatomaceous earth and borate compounds can also be used.

Motive is also important. You want to find a service provider (pest management provider) that truly understands the importance of your environment and, can not only help you create it, but also displays similar values in their business approach.

October 2nd, 2007