Many people in Australia are nature-conscious. Probably you are as well. But when pest control problems, keeping up with sustainability proves to be too hard. Still, people are looking into different ways to protect their homes from property-damaging insects and disease-spreading rodents without using the conventional chemical-based means of pest control. Can there be organic pest control?
Here we look closely at all-natural pest control and whether you can deter and control pests without chemicals.
You can call pest control organic when you use naturally occurring compounds to eliminate and deter pests without poisoning the environment. Environmentally friendly pest control methods are still being developed and tested to determine their effectiveness and practicality.
The primary concerns over conventional pesticides are related to their use in agriculture and their effects on global emissions. That is why using more naturally available resources for pest control has gained popularity in recent years.
In other words, scientists are looking into new eco-friendly ways to ensure our crops won’t be eaten by bugs. We are trying to feed humanity without compromising the environment. It will take decades until we achieve significant breakthroughs and drastically reduce agriculture’s carbon footprint.
However, the notion of natural pest control has transferred to the domestic consumer sector. Manufacturers often use labels such as “organic” and “all-natural” to promote their pest control products to appeal to nature-conscious consumers.
All these labels are misnomers and fuel misinformed decision-making because all forms of pest control, whether for agricultural or domestic purposes, are artificial and have a carbon footprint. Over time, an appeal to nature logical fallacy has been formed in the minds of affected consumers, suggesting that everything natural is good and beneficial for the environment, while everything man-made is bad.
Thus, many nature-conscious consumers now think that conventional chemical-based pest control methods are bad for the environment and people.
In reality, most chemical pesticides are specifically designed to target pests. They are formulated by scientists who know chemistry and biology. These products undergo several testing stages to confirm their safety for humans and other mammals (such as our beloved pet animals) before they are released for mass use.
In addition, their use and effects have been strictly observed over the years, and we know that they are safe for use, thanks to scientific observations. For example, if you have a problem with bed bugs, it would be best to book a professional service. But if you want to try to handle the situation on your own following a more “natural” approach, you can check our guide on how to get rid of bed bugs naturally.
Certain naturally occurring compounds indeed have pest-repelling qualities. Some plants and food ingredients are often mentioned as “natural” pesticides, but certain essential oils are most prevalent, researched, and effective.
For example, it is known that possums hate certain smells. Essential oils mainly act as deterrents, keeping insects and rodents away through their fragrance. While they might be somewhat effective at deterrence and prevention, dealing with an existing pest infestation in a domestic setting with “natural” products would be incredibly difficult and highly impractical.
There is no exact knowledge of the quantity of essential oil that will be necessary to treat the affected surfaces and areas properly. Besides, remember that you can smell the essential oil as well.
At the same time, the lingering effect of essential oils is not thoroughly observed. No clear evidence suggests that you will achieve lasting protection from pests through using such products. Not to mention that essential oils are expensive, and it would not be feasible to use mass quantities to treat your home.
Besides, the production of essential oils has its own carbon footprint. These are man-made products that have been manufactured using raw resources that have been grown. You can check our guide on dealing with mice naturally, but if you have rodent problems, it would be best to book a professional service.
If you make an informed decision and resort to “natural” pest control methods, you must understand that you are doing it at your own risk. You are essentially taking the role of an “explorer” who will have first-hand experience with things that might not work all too well.
There is no guarantee of success if you have purchased over-the-counter products with “natural, organic, eco-friendly” labels and ingredients. You need to understand that this DIY endeavour comes at your own risk and expenses, especially if you are dealing with possums.
Some forms of pest control don’t rely on chemicals, such as biological and mechanical pest control. However, an entirely non-chemical pest control approach would be challenging to achieve, and it comes with its own set of downsides and dangers.
Here are some good practices that you can follow:
Over the years, scientists have also looked into technological means of pest control. For example, noise-producing equipment that deter pests or highly precise laser systems that can directly burn the wings of insects.
However, these systems are costly and are not currently available for mass usage.
We would be the first to tell you that preserving nature and combating climate change are hugely important. But the notion of “organic, all-natural” pest control is the product of misinformation. It’s not so much that the idea itself is a myth – the reality is that pest control methods that have a lesser impact on the environment are still very much in development.
In the meantime, there is nothing wrong or dangerous with the conventional means of pest control for domestic and commercial purposes. They are cheap, highly effective, well-researched, and provide lasting effects and protection for you, your family and your pets.
If you’ve been experiencing pest-related problems, take a look at our convenient pest control services. We deal with all sorts of rodents and insects, using highly effective products that are approved for domestic and commercial usage.
We use the latest highly effective methods to provide you with lasting protection.
Have you tried controlling pests naturally? Have you had any luck?
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