Jul 5, 2024 | Going Green, Pest Control
When it comes to maintaining a healthy and comfortable home environment, pest control plays a crucial role. However, traditional pest control methods often involve the use of harsh chemicals that can be harmful to both the environment and your family’s health. This is where green pest control comes in. As a pest control company in Georgia, we are committed to offering alternative pest solutions that effectively manage pests while protecting our planet.
What is Green Pest Control?
Green pest control utilizes environmentally responsible methods and products to manage and eliminate pests. This approach prioritizes the use of natural and non-toxic treatments over conventional chemical pesticides. The goal is to minimize the impact on the environment while ensuring that your home remains pest-free.
How Does Green Pest Control Work?
Green pest control operates on the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). This holistic approach involves several key steps:
- Inspection and Monitoring: The first step in IPM is to conduct a thorough inspection of your property to identify pest problems and determine their sources. Continuous monitoring helps track pest activity and assess the effectiveness of treatments.
- Prevention: Preventive measures are crucial in this approach to pest control. This includes sealing entry points, removing food and water sources, and maintaining proper sanitation to make your home less attractive to pests.
- Eco-Friendly Treatments: When treatment is necessary, eco-friendly products such as botanical insecticides, natural predators, and organic baits are used. These products are effective in controlling pests without posing a threat to humans, pets, or the environment.
- Education and Maintenance: Educating homeowners about pest prevention and maintenance is an integral part of this method. By understanding the habits and habitats of pests, you can take proactive steps to prevent infestations.
Benefits of Using Green Pest Control
Choosing green pest control for your home in Georgia offers several advantages:
- Safety: Green pest solutions are non-toxic and safe for your family and pets. Unlike conventional pesticides, they do not release harmful chemicals into your home environment.
- Environmental Protection: Green pest control reduces the use of synthetic chemicals, which can contaminate soil, water, and air. By opting for alternative methods, you contribute to the preservation of Georgia’s natural ecosystems.
- Long-Term Effectiveness: Integrated pest management focuses on long-term solutions rather than quick fixes. By addressing the root causes of pest problems, this method provides sustainable results.
- Cost-Effective: While green pest control methods may initially seem more expensive, they often prove to be more cost-effective in the long run. Preventive measures and natural treatments can reduce the need for frequent applications and lower overall pest control costs.
The Importance of Routine Pest Control for Households
Routine pest control is essential for maintaining a healthy and comfortable living environment. Pests such as ants, roaches, rodents, and termites can cause significant damage to your property and pose health risks to your family. Regular inspections and treatments by a professional pest control company can prevent infestations and protect your home from potential harm.
Moreover, routine pest control helps in early detection of pest problems, making it easier to manage them before they become severe. It also ensures that preventive measures are consistently applied, reducing the likelihood of future infestations.
As a responsible pest control company in Georgia, we are dedicated to providing alternative pest solutions that prioritize the health of your family and the environment. Green pest control, with its focus on safety, sustainability, and long-term effectiveness, is the ideal choice for managing pests in an eco-conscious manner. By opting for integrated pest management, you can enjoy a pest-free home while contributing to the preservation of our planet.
Routine pest control is not just about eliminating pests; it’s about maintaining a healthy and safe living environment. Contact a pest control company near you today to learn more about our green pest control services and how we can help protect your home.
Apr 5, 2023 | Going Green, Pest Control
Macon Pest Control: Benefits of Green Pest Control
Green pest control is an environmentally friendly approach to managing pests that utilizes natural and organic methods to prevent and eliminate pests. In Georgia, this approach to pest control is becoming increasingly popular due to the many benefits it offers.
One of the biggest benefits of Northwest’s green pest control is that it is a safer option for both humans and the environment. Unlike traditional chemical pesticides, which can be toxic and harmful to the environment, these alternative pest control methods use natural ingredients that are derived from botanicals and are safer for both humans and the environment. This means that you can protect your home and family from pests without risking their health.
Another benefit of this eco-friendly pest control is that it is effective at controlling a wide range of pests, including common pests like ants, termites, and roaches. In the long run it is more of an affordable option because it is more sustainable and often requires less frequent treatment.
Pests are a nuisance and can be detrimental to both your home and your health. Protecting your family is of utmost importance, regardless of the pest control service you choose to use. Reach out to your local pest control company to receive the care you deserve.
Mar 12, 2021 | Going Green, Mosquito
Mosquito season is right around the corner! Heat and humidity during these months combine to provide an ideal environment for mosquitoes to thrive. The season usually starts in the spring and peaks over the summer. Besides leaving behind itchy, red welts, these nuisance pests are dangerous to humans by vectoring serious diseases like Zika virus, West Nile virus, and chikungunya. Fortunately, there are several green pest control options you can utilize as an eco-friendly alternative to control mosquitoes. Here are 3 steps you can take for green mosquito control.
Identify Nesting and Resting Sites
The first step to controlling mosquitoes is identifying and eliminating what attracts them in the first place. Mosquitoes will come around in search of two things: nesting sites and resting sites.
Where do mosquitoes breed? Every species of mosquito lays its eggs in water. While the type of water source may vary between species, it only takes a minute amount of water for mosquitoes to hatch and develop. Get rid of any potential breeding sites by:
- Cleaning up debris around your home. Moisture can accumulate under piles of leaves, boards, mulch, rocks, and other outdoor items.
- Walking around your yard and identify any items that can hold water – pots, cans, bird baths, lids, toys, and planters. Empty them or store them upside down when not in use.
- Inspecting your gutters for clogs and keep them cleaned out. Watch out for sagging gutters or low spots where the water can accumulate.
- Repairing any poor drainage sites in your yard as these can lead to standing water. Consider leveling your yard or installing a french drain.
Once mature, adult mosquitoes will often rest in shady areas that are protected from the wind. Some common resting sites include trees, shrubs, potted plants, patios, and front entryways.
Protect Yourself From Bites
Any time you can protect yourself from mosquito bites you should. Prevent mosquito bites by:
- Blowing them away. Any breeze above 1 mph will make it difficult for mosquitoes to fly. If you have to spend time outdoors, consider using fans, whether battery powered, plug in or ceiling. Try to keep the air flow from the fans pointed at the lower half of your body as mosquitoes tend to fly closer to the ground to avoid said wind.
- Avoiding peak mosquito hours. Mosquitoes tend to feed at dawn and dusk as the wind typically dissipates around these times. Try to stay indoors during these times, especially during the warmer months.
- Applying insect repellent before going outdoors. When applying repellent, spray it onto your hands and rub it onto your skin rather than spraying it directly onto the skin. Repellents with DEET block the mosquitoes’ CO2 receptors, making them especially effective.
- If you are opposed to DEET, there are other natural mosquito repellents you can use instead.
- Picaridin is CDC approved and the most broadly used repellent outside the United States.
- IR 3535 is CDC approved and also repels deer ticks.
- 2-undecanone is CDC approved and is found naturally in cloves.
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus is CDC approved and has been proven in studies to repel as well as DEET.
- Avon Skin so Soft was shown in a 2015 study to repel mosquitoes for up to 2 hours.
- Permethrin fabric spray can be used on clothes, shoes, tents, and netting.
- Essential oils containing eucalyptus, rosemary, cloves, basil, and peppermint have also been shown to repel mosquitoes and are even used in many commercial products.
- Covering up when outdoors. Wear tightly woven, light colored clothing. The synthetic fibers in athletic wear are especially good at repelling mosquitoes. Dark colors stand out to mosquitoes, while lighter colors are less attractive.
- Considering the use of plants that repel mosquitoes around your home such as citronella, lavender, lemongrass, marigolds, and basil.
Applying Green Mosquito Treatments
Yards and climates vary across the region so the effectiveness and longevity of mosquito treatments will vary from home to home. Regardless of where you live or what kind of home you have, a green mosquito control program can be effective at helping control mosquito populations. Green mosquito control utilizes eco-friendly products that are just as effective as traditional products.
A complete green reduction program includes monthly mosquito treatments during mosquito season. Green treatments use products that are derived from flowers and botanicals and area only applied to the areas where they are needed instead of over the entire yard. They are effective at reducing both adult and larvae populations.
The green mosquito reduction program includes an inspection to identify resting and nesting sites; larvacide and adulticides to target all aspects of the population; source reduction and elimination by removing any areas of standing water; and a service guarantee where they will come back between treatments if needed, usually at no cost.
If you have a problem with mosquitoes or any other pests, contact a professional pest control company who can provide you with a thorough inspection and the most up to date traditional pest control and green treatment options available for you.
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Nov 6, 2020 | Pest Control
Millipedes (“thousand feet”) are one of the most common pests found after rainstorms. These moisture loving creatures are usually tan or black in color with segmented bodies and dozens of legs. They have small antennae and large mandibles and are often mistaken for centipedes. Because they seek moisture and humid environments, they are most often found outside in your yard where they burrow and hide in small spaces. They can also be found indoors near patio doors, windows, and in basements. If they are found indoors it is usually because they have wandered inside by mistake.
Millipedes will eat plants and small insects. They usually eat decaying matter or plants that are already dead so they are generally harmless to healthy plants; they will, however, eat young seedlings. Millipedes don’t bite, sting, or transmit diseases to humans. They are considered by many to be beneficial to have around as they eat decaying matter and help control populations of smaller insects.
If you do feel the need to keep millipedes out of your home, there are several natural options you can try for both repelling and eliminating these pests. Here are a few of our favorites:
Traps
DIY millipede traps are pretty easy to make plus you don’t have to be there to check it! Put the piece of fruit inside the bottle so that it sits in the bottom. Grab a piece of vinyl tubing (about 6 inches in length), a plastic soda bottle, some caulk or tape, and a piece of ripe fruit. Try to get a piece of tubing that just fits snugly into the lip of the bottle. Slide the tubing into the bottle so that about 2 inches of tube is inside and seal it with the caulk or tape. Lean the bottle on its side, making sure that the tube doesn’t touch the edges of the bottle. Millipedes will crawl into the tube to get to the fruit as it starts to rot and not be able to crawl back out. You can place several of these traps anywhere you see millipede activity.
Manual Removal
One of the easiest and quickest ways to get rid of millipedes is to manually remove them. Try not to just squish them with your foot as they will give off a foul odor similar to stinkbugs. You can use a broom and dustpan to sweep them up and dump them in a bucket of soapy water to kill them; or you can just vacuum them up with a vacuum cleaner or shop vac and dispose of them outside.
Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
Diatomaceous earth is a crystalline powder substance that can be used for a variety of pests. The crystals in this natural product pierce the hard exoskeletons of pests, causing micropunctures all over their bodies. This then dehydrates and slowly kills the pests over time. DE can be sprinkled around room perimeters, under appliances, under door gaps, on sliding glass doors, around foundations, in houseplant soil, and under fences. DE is safe to use by and around humans.
Boric Acid
Boric acid is similar to DE. It also cuts up the pests as they crawl across it, causing them to slowly dehydrate. It also upsets the digestive system of millipedes, causing it to work faster than diatomaceous earth. Boric acid should not be used in areas with kids or pets.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are more effective as repellents rather than insecticides. Tea tree oil and peppermint oil are the two most common for use against millipedes. Essential oils should always be diluted with water before use. Apply the oil mixture around entry points like windowsills, door gaps, basements, vents, foundation cracks, and crawlspaces. You can also apply them outdoors in any areas millipedes may be, as long as it is shielded from rain.
Cayenne Pepper
Like essential oils, cayenne pepper works best as a repellent rather than an insecticide. Cayenne pepper also works for other pests besides millipedes. You can buy whole cayenne peppers and grind them yourself or buy the powder. Sprinkle the pepper in any areas where millipede activity is spotted. You can also sprinkle it around foundations and entry points to your home.
Prevention
Like any pest, prevention is key to heading off infestations before they get out of hand. While the above methods are great for existing millipede problems, keeping them out of your house in the first place is the most natural remedy of all. Try these millipede prevention tips to help keep millipedes away.
Eliminate Moisture
Millipedes are attracted to moisture so keeping your home dry will help make it less attractive to them. In kitchens and bathrooms, wipe up any excess moisture from handwashing, dishes, etc with a towel. Use less water when possible and don’t turn faucets on full blast. Seal or cap any containers with liquid in them. Try to wash dishes all at once instead of throughout the day. In basements and garages, wipe up any excess moisture that accumulates. Try to clean up water spills immediately. Dry cars, boats, tools, and equipment outside. Store any wet equipment outdoors. Use a dehumidifier if necessary. Outside, clear out any clogged gutters or install gutter guards. Keep water away from your foundations. Fix any damaged drains, sloping tiles, and unlevel ground. Repair sprinkler systems. Practice good pool maintenance. Avoid overwatering your lawn and try to water early in the morning so the moisture has time to dry out before nightfall. Adjust your sprinklers to prevent pooling.
Clean Up
Remove any mulch, leaves, grass, hedge clippings, boards, firewood, boxes, stones, etc. from around foundations. If you can’t remove them, try to elevate them. Keep grass mowed and plants pruned. Don’t overfertilize your lawn. Secure your trash and compost. Keep your floors clean and dry (this eliminates both food and water sources for millipedes). Caulk any cracks or crevices in foundations and around wiring and plumbing. Make sure weatherstripping and thresholds are in good repair and fit tightly. Caulk around doors and windows and expansion joints where sidewalks, patios, sunrooms, etc. are next to foundations.
While millipedes aren’t harmful (and are even considered beneficial by some), they can be a nuisance if you find them in your home. If you have an issue with millipedes or any other pest, contact your local pest control company for a free evaluation and appropriate treatment plan.
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Feb 11, 2020 | Termite Control
Termites cost homeowners billions of dollars each year in damages, treatments, and repairs. While traditional termite treatments are extremely effective at eliminating and controlling termite populations, environmentally sensitive homeowners often go in search of more green pest control options. One popular trend on the market today is orange oil treatments. Orange oil is an extract from orange rinds and is commonly used in cleaning solutions and food additives. The active ingredient in orange oil treatment is D-limonene which kills termites on contact by breaking down their exoskeleton and destroying their eggs. Orange oil treatments are the most common no-tent, no move out, organic termite control solutions.
Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of orange oil termite treatments:
Pros
- Low toxicity and more environmentally friendly than other termite control options
- Effective against drywood termites, carpenter ants, and wood-boring beetles
- No need to move out at night during treatment
- No need to remove plants or board pets during treatment
- No need to bag up food or medicinal supplies during treatment
- No potential damage from treatment to roof tiles
Cons
- Not effective against subterranean termites
- Although low toxicity, should not be ingested. Prolonged exposure to oil or fumes can cause skin and eye irritation, nausea and vomiting, lung irritation, and other symptoms
- Product is flammable and combustible once wicked into wood
- Only kills termites on contact and will not kill any undetected infestations
- Treatment requires drilling holes into your walls and other wood components of your home
- Multiple treatments are required as the entire colony is usually not exterminated during a single treatment
- Treatment of larger infestations can be more expensive than fumigation methods
- Treatment can only be applied to existing infestations; there is no residual protection against future infestations
Orange oil treatments are only effective against drywood termites because these pests live and colonize the wood they are infesting. They are not effective against subterranean termites as these pests live in the soil and only come up to feed on wood. Orange oil treatments will begin with a termite inspection to determine the type of termite and the extent of the infestation. Once the areas of termite damage and activity are identified, the technician will drill a hole into the wood and treat the infested areas. Orange oil is then injected into these drilled holes where it spreads throughout the wood beams via capillary action, passing through porous cells in all directions. This kills any termites and eggs on contact. This does not, however, kill any termites that don’t come in contact with the oil treatment. After treatment, the holes are then patched and painted.
In summary, orange oil does, in fact, kill termites but it is limited in its effectiveness. It is considered a secondary spot treatment as it is only effective when it is applied to areas with active infestations. Any termites that remain undetected and untreated will continue to eat, continuing the damage to your home. Because of this, multiple treatments are usually required. These treatments don’t eliminate the entire termite colony, leaving your home vulnerable. Whole structure treatment (fumigation) is a guaranteed method of completely exterminating termites from a structure. During fumigation, the whole house is treated at once. Fumigant gas is used to penetrate the walls, floor, lumber, and other surfaces where termites reside. If you suspect you have a termite issue, contact a professional pest control company who can help identify the type of termite you have, the scope of the infestation, and the best treatment options for your home.
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