In any home, the first line of defense against common pests, such as cockroaches, fleas, termites, ants and rodents is to prevent them from entering the home. This will help reduce or eliminate pest-related asthma attacks and allergic reactions and reduce the need for pesticides, which also can be a potential health risk to you and especially children. EPAFor many homes, total pest elimination is almost impossible. However, by following the Indoor airPLUS specifications for pest barriers, you can lower the potential for pest infestation.
Safely Solve Your Pest Problems
The key is to be willing to ask questions. Learning about the pest you have and options that are available to control specific pests is the first step. In most cases, there are several things you should do before even thinking about chemical pest control. Pests need food, water and shelter. Often the problem may be solved just by removing these key items. Reducing or preventing pest invasions often starts with the following.
Fixing leaky plumbing and looking for other sources of water, such as trays under house plants. Make sure food and food scraps are tightly sealed and garbage is regularly removed from the home. Don't leave pet food and water out overnight. Also, if you apply pesticides, pet food and water should be removed from the area. Close off entryways and hiding places (caulking cracks and crevices around cabinets or baseboards, for example). In addition, keep pets and children away from areas where pesticides have been applied.
Once these and other preventive steps are completed, traps or bait stations can be used against some pests. These are often effective and can be used with low risk of exposure to the pesticide, as long as they are kept out of the reach of children and pets. Other relatively low-risk pesticides are available for some pests. Consult your local cooperative extension service office for recommendations suitable for your area. The U.S. Department of Agriculture can help you identify your local extension service office.
Antimicrobials
Antimicrobials are used to destroy organisms such as bacteria or fungi on inanimate objects. Antimicrobials can be found in products such as disinfectants and antiseptics. Citizens Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety (PDF) provides a description of the types of antimicrobial products and how to use them. Consumers can learn how to control pests in and around the home, alternatives to chemical pesticides, how to choose pesticides, and how to use, store and dispose of them safely. It is also important to learn how to reduce exposure when others use pesticides, how to prevent pesticide poisoning and how to handle an emergency, how to choose a pest control company, and what to do if someone is poisoned by a pesticide.
