The word insecticides is a term that often conjures up fear in some people. Most likely because if you are using this word, you more than likely have some sort of infestation and are going to need an insecticide to quell it. When you realize that you have pesky little creatures trying to inhabit your office, home, or garden, you naturally want to get rid of the problem as quickly as possible. There could be a lone spider, a few straggling ants, or a pack of mice eating through your cupboards. Either way, you know when you need to head down to your local hardware store or grocer to pick up a treatment, and there are a number of do it yourself pest control products to rid you of a pest problem. Let's take a look at what they are, how we use them, and the difference in green pest control, and synthetic insecticides.
An insecticide is used to get rid of certain pests, like rodents, cockroaches, and insects, including their eggs or larvae. They can be used commercially, in your home, and in agriculture. They can be found in different application forms depending on your pest problem. The most common ones we think of come in either a spray form, or in a bait form. Sprays are good when dealing will ants or spiders. Baits are typically used on cockroaches, rats, and mice. Other forms are granules, powder, insecticidal dust, gels, smokes, and fumigants.
Before you use an insecticide, be sure to thoroughly read the label. This may sound like a simple and unnecessary step, but it is actually one of the most important steps in using insecticides safely and effectively. Reading the label will tell you how to properly use the product. For instance, using a granule, spray, powder or dust, may mean that you need to apply the product and let is set for a few minutes, or possibly even hours. In case of a smoke or fumigant, you may actually have to leave the dwelling in which you are treating. It will also tell you any limitations it has. For example, when you purchase your typical ant spray, it will tell you that it may not be effective towards red ants or carpenter ants. It will also tell you how to dispose of any remaining product and how to store it. Lastly, it will also tell you any safety precautions you need to take when using the product. Remember when using these types of products, depending on what form you are using, it may be very easy to inhale it, swallow it, have it absorbed through your skin, or get into your eyes.
Depending on what kind of pest problem you are having, there are a few steps you can take that may help eliminate the problem. We always hear about not having standing water in our yards so that mosquitoes don't have a breeding ground, but how about leaves, debris, or wood next to our homes? Make sure that you have at least a seven foot perimeter around your house that is free from mounds of leaves, piles of wood, and other organic materials, such as a compost pile. If you have a wood pile, try to make sure that it is not up against your home, and if possible, have it up a few inches from the ground. Clean your drain pipes and gutters frequently during spring and fall. Leaves that collect not only clog the drainage, they can be a great breeding ground for mosquitoes and spiders. Don't forget to cover any foundation cracks and make sure proper screens are in place on your windows and vents.
Many people are looking for greener products when it comes to pest control, and others stick with what they know. Both are good choices depending on how you want to treat the problem. Insecticides work in three different ways. They are systemic, which is primarily used in agriculture, contact, or ingested. Systemic means that it is turned into the soil, and then comes up through the plant. Then, if the insect chooses to eat the plant, it eats the poison and is killed, therefore, causing less harm to the plant. Contact is what we most commonly use in our homes in a spray form. This method kills the insect on contact, but it would not be used as an effective preventative treatment. Ingested is what we commonly use for rats, mice, or cockroaches. It is a poison that the insect or rodent eats and then it dies.
Organic insecticides are made with plant oils or fatty acids. They are also made more to repel the insect than killing it. Synthetic products are made with a base of silica or boric acid. They are made to kill the insect almost instantly. Both are effective, however, synthetic products tend to work faster and last a bit longer.
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