LAWN CARE: PEST CONTROL

GREEN PEST SOLUTIONS

for the Green Industry

The time, money and effort you spend creating a beautiful landscape is all for nothing if pests make their way onto the property. What’s worse, many pest control solutions contain harsh chemicals that can eat away at landscape plantings and become harmful to welcomed wildlife. Luckily, you have options.

SiteOne’s “Green Treatments” webinar hosted by Pat Ryan of Pesticide Distribution & Marketing outlined the potential hazards of traditional outdoor pest treatments and introduced green alternatives.

For example, chemical run-off into lakes and streams or winds carrying sprayable treatments past their intended target areas can damage plants and animals, present health hazards for humans or become ineffective as their target area was not met.

In addition, using the wrong pesticide or treatment can be detrimental to people, wildlife and the landscape while being a waste of time and money. That’s why the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) stresses the importance of properly identifying the pest you are dealing with before applying pest management solutions.

The best way to get rid of pests, though, is by preventing them in the first place. Being aware of what attracts pests can be crucial in avoiding infestations. Standing water, access to food and overgrown yards bring critters and insects of all kinds, including mosquitos and mice. Mice are a pest on their own, but they are not the main problem. Mice are often riddled with tick larvae and can spread ticks as they run through your

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yard and even your home. Ticks and mosquitos can be deadly to humans as they are carriers of diseases and difficult to control. Preventing these pests from breeding and thriving on your property is the most effective form of pest control.

Today’s pest control laws have made it possible to effectively treat for pests without damaging the surrounding environment. The new legislation dictates the proximity of sprayable pesticides to bodies of water or homes, prohibits the use of harsh chemicals in sensitive areas where humans or wildlife would endure the effects and, perhaps most effective, introduced green alternative pest control solutions.

Remember to use safety protocols and use the least toxic methods first when applying pesticides and insecticides. It’s also helpful to inform home and business owners of any problem areas that could be attracting pests, such as overgrown yards, clutter, leaf piles or overly damp spots.

Green pest management solutions include:

25b Plant Oil Products:

• 25b plant oil products are pesticides made with ingredients deemed safe for people and the environment. • Effective against mosquitos. • Low-odor formula, gentle on equipment. • Fast-acting; immediate pest paralysis followed by death. • Biodegradable, can be used near water.

EcoVia EC and MT

• EcoVia EC is a botanical insecticide used to treat many crawling and flying insects. • EcoVia MT is used specifically for mosquito and tick control. • Available in dissolving blocks, sprays, dusts and granules. • Effective against mosquitoes, ticks, roaches and more. • Approved for all treatment zones.

BurrowRX

• BurrowRX is a carbon monoxide device that uses a smoke oil tracer for controlling burrowing rodents. • Dry ice formula fills rat burrows with

CO2. • Kills rats within three minutes. • Rats also carry ticks, so both pests are taken care of with one solution.

Rodents Stop

• Rodent Stop is a barrier paste to rodentproof a home or business. • Pet friendly. • Natural solutions, no poisons.

Pro-Pell

• Pro-Pell is an all-natural repellent that is not easily washed off of surfaces such as sidewalks. • Uses essential oils to deter pests. • Cannot be smelled by humans, but effective against mice for up to 60 days. • All-natural repellent.

Thermacell Tick Tubes

• Thermacell Tick Tubes are a no spray, pet-safe, biodegradable and environmentally friendly way to kill deer ticks. • Tubes filled with permethrin-cured cotton for mice to add to nests. • Tick larvae is eradicated as mice sleep on the cotton.