Sustainability is now on the agenda for most companies. Governments and consumers are keen to see more sustainable business practices as it becomes harder to ignore the effect we are having on Planet Earth.
While we can’t all drive electric cars or build windfarms, there are smaller, cost-effective things we can do to reduce our impact on the planet like using fewer chemicals at home and in the garden – or ‘green’ alternatives.
Thank goodness pest control is rapidly changing - at least in England. However many people still think ‘green’ pest control is an oxymoron. They assume you need to use chemicals to get rid of insects and rodents. The truth is that much of what Cleankill does isn’t focused on eradication but prevention.
What is ‘green’ pest control?
Pest control is about protecting us and our properties from ‘distress’ pests such as wasps and public health pests such as bedbugs, rodents, cockroaches, pigeons and gulls. Most of these pests can be managed using ‘green’ alternatives as part of an Integrated Pest Management approach.
In fact, many of the old methods are still effective and can be considered green. For example, the traditional mouse trap does still work, if set in the right place and using the right food bait, but it won’t be highly effective against a large infestation of mice. When it comes to bird control, we can use Harris hawks to scare nuisance birds into not roosting in industrial estates and residential areas. These methods don’t use chemicals and, in the case of the hawks, are wildlife friendly resulting in ‘moving’ the problem from the customer’s premises.
Prevention not eradication
When we think of rats and mice, we often see them as similar creatures. In fact, they are quite different in their habits. For example, rats don’t really like being in our homes, but mice do. They are drawn to our properties for food, warmth and safety.
To keep them out, the first thing you need to think about is access. A mouse can squeeze itself through a tiny hole – down to 6 mm. We recommend surveying your premises and plugging all holes that are bigger than 6 mm. But make sure the materials you use are rodent proof otherwise they will enjoy nibbling through it or nesting in it.
Of course, it’s impossible to make your property 100% rodent-proof, but a trained pest control surveyor will know which areas to look at and will be able to suggest solutions for creating barriers, such as fitting a one-way value to a foul drain that allows waste out but prevents rats from getting in.
Secondly, you need to consider what is attracting rodents to your property. They want safety and they want food and water. Storerooms should be regularly checked and supplies tidy and correctly stored. Rodents are seeking safe harbourage so if you constantly disturb them, they will move away.
They also want food. Good housekeeping is a vital component in preventing pest infestations. Remove all sources of food and you this will help to remove the infestation.
Two simple things you can do:
Always clean up at the end of the day before going home, don’t leave it until morning as rodents are always more active at night.
Always make sure all food is sealed away in rodent-proof containers and food waste is removed to solidly constructed bins outdoors.
Second line of defence
However hard you try rodents may still enter your property. Although, if you are promoting good housekeeping they probably won’t stay too long. In any case, enclosed traps can be placed in strategic positions to catch the rodent without the use of rodenticides.
Less chemical use
Pest control chemicals should always be used as a last resort and only if there is no alternative.
Historically, pest controllers would spray areas indiscriminately to try to deal with infestations of insects. Nowadays, we thoroughly investigate an area before applying any pesticide. Non-toxic insect detectors such as tracking dust are placed in potential problem areas to determine the extent of an infestation or where a pest is entering the premises. We can also use video cameras. This allows us to target treatments far more effectively.
We can use insect controlling gels that, although not 100% ‘green’, do reduce the need for spraying and allow us to target our interventions more accurately. These gels have the advantage of actively attracting the insects and can be applied in removable detectors so, once the insects have gone, the gel can easily be removed.
Other options include desiccant dust, for insects such as cockroaches, and specialised heat treatments for bed bugs.
I’m glad to say the industry is changing with many companies, like Cleankill, adopting a greener approach. Our customers like the approach and so do our technicians who pride themselves on taking a more environmentally friendly approach and enjoy the challenge.
About Cleankill
Cleankill Pest Control is an award-winning pest control business with offices across the south of England and a team covering Bristol. We specialise in helping businesses protect themselves from public health pests such as mice, rats, cockroaches and pest birds. We pride ourselves on offering fast and efficient service delivery and are recognised as a market leader for ‘green’ and innovative pest control methods. We are also licensed waste removers.
From our Bristol office, formerly Good Riddance Pest Control, we cover most of Gloucester, Bristol, Bath and Somerset.
Go to www.cleankill.co.uk for more information and email info@cleankill.co.uk for a free pest control survey or cost comparison.
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