How to Reduce Pesticide Use in Your Home

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Jim Donovan, President of Donovan’s Pest Control, Inc., a Diamond Certified company, says to start this process by identifying what a pest is to you. Not every living organism is truly a pest, so know what your “pest threshold” is. Next, consider what action to take if the pest is harmful to you and your home. The idea is, according to Mr. Donovan, to eliminate food sources, water and shelter for the pests.

Your options range from keeping all food stored in containers to sealing off cracks and holes with caulking material to using a mechanical device like the Bug Vac, which electrocutes bugs on contact. Other effective measures include bait, pheromones and natural pesticides such as clove oil and mint oil where placement is key. A good source for more information is the book Common Sense Pest Control: Least-Toxic Solutions for Your Home, Garden, Pets and Community.