When it comes to pest management, many people are concerned about the impact chemical spraying will have on the health of their family, employees and pets. Redwood City’s Donovan’s Pest Control uses Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques to managing pests. “We’re a family-operated business,” says president and founder Jim Donovan. “We provide a service based on customers’ wants and needs. We care about the environment, and we care about our customers’ living, working and playing environments.”

When hired for a job, Donovan’s Pest Control doesn’t immediately start spraying chemical pesticides. Its first step is conducting an inspection to identify the exact type of pest and the extent and locations of its population. Often, this means mechanical or physical controls may be the best solution. Such steps include using dehumidifiers (to reduce the air’s humidity to a level at which pests can’t survive), sealing structures or removing tree branches and stacked firewood from the sides of a building. For mice or rats, traps may be preferable to poisons.

“If we do use pesticides,” says Mr. Donovan, “we start with solutions that have low toxicity levels. ‘Pesticide’ simply means ‘pest-killer,’ and, depending on the type of pest, products like Eugenia oil or other food additives can be effective. We primarily use botanicals and low-impact products.”

Donovan’s Pest Control believes in educating clients about the biology of pest organisms and showing them how they can inhibit pests’ life cycles while minimizing the use of chemicals. “We don’t start out with the idea of using chemicals,” says Mr. Donovan. “We provide a common sense, preventive approach that’s based on science and an inspection of the type and extent of the pest problem.”

When hiring a company to eliminate pests, it’s important to find one that understands the interaction of pesticides and the environment. That means ensuring it has the proper licenses and certifications to apply pesticides, and requires its workers to undergo continual training to stay current on the latest products and safety practices. “Companies should train their staff weekly,” says Jim Donovan, president of Donovan Pest Control, Inc. “It’s imperative, because there’s so much information to know in this industry.”

Mr. Donovan also advises asking how long the company’s staff has been employed. “The level of licensing is contingent on the length of time in the industry,” says Mr. Donovan. “The longer you work in the industry, the more you should know about bugs. Without experience, employees can’t move on to take the state board exams that let them perform identification, supervision, recommending solutions, and so on.”

The person who responds to your initial query should be a good indication of the quality of the company you’re considering. “If the person starts with a thorough inspection to identify the exact type of pest, you know you have a good company,” says Mr. Donovan. “Conversely, a person who starts out by applying chemicals will be more interested in charging for services than safely eliminating the pest problem.”

Q: Aren’t pesticides highly toxic to humans and pets?

A: The industry has come a long way since the days of spraying DDT. The products that professional pest management operators use are engineered and regulated to provide low impact control. All pesticides are toxic, but we prefer to use other types of inspection techniques and low-impact products. When that’s not enough, we use pesticides that have low impact, and we only apply pesticides when the particular conditions call for it. We have the most to gain by reducing the toxicity of the products we use.

Q: Are pesticides carcinogenic?

A: If you’re concerned about the toxic effects of any pesticide, ask your pest management operator to give you a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) on any product they intend to use before application. The MSDS will tell you exactly what concerns you should have about any particular product.

Q: Other than pesticides, what methods do you use?

A: There are many methods, and the ones we use depend on the species of pest and the local conditions. Sometimes, reducing humidity can eliminate or reduce a pest problem. Sealing a building, or even just door bottoms, can often be effective. Removing firewood or trimming trees and bushes so they don’t come in contact with a building can keep some insects out. Vacuuming using an HEPA filter can also be effective in some cases. That’s why we always do a thorough inspection first—to identify the exact type of pest, where they’re living, and the best means to eliminate the problem.

Q: What’s the best way to take care of an ant problem?

A: It depends on the situation. First, you have to identify the species of ant and where they’re coming from. If you start spraying right away, you may accomplish nothing except breaking one colony into multiple colonies, which can make the situation worse. If the ants are coming from outside, trimming trees and vegetation near the building and sealing cracks, doors and windows can often eliminate the problem. If pesticides are required, there are a number of low-impact products that can be effective. Often, dusting in attics and crawl spaces is enough. Dust products form an envelope that covers a wide area.

Q: Will your sprays remain in my living environment?

A: We don’t just spray into the air and let the pesticide fall over everything. We use products that break down in the environment, and we put them in cracks and crevices, so people and pets aren’t typically exposed. Even if you come in contact with the pesticide, the concentrations are so low that they don’t affect people or pets.