I want to be on the record of saying that I do think it is important to realize the Pro’s and Con’s to the use of Pesticides. As we progress and newer compounds are discovered it is important to switch and use those better pesticides. I have stated numerous times that I often seek out and investigate the new products available, some work better and some are better on all of us. Wouldn’t you agree that instead of spraying we could use a bait that targets just that one insect and that instead of spraying your entire house we could focus on a specific area like say a kitchen! I remember my early days of this industry, everybody sprayed inside homes and you could always tell because there was that wettable powder ring around the carpet and walls of homes. It is important to realize that pesticides are useful, look at the Bubonic Plague that wiped out 1/3 of Europe – times have changed and we know more now. Thank God! But that doesn’t give us the right to overdo it. We are stewards of the Earth, I live here too and I want to protect the water and the land for future generations. It may be necessary from time to time to treat inside your home, but most bugs come from the outside and that is where we primarily focus our work – to keep the bugs out.

Now what brought this to my attention, this article from the site http://unearthed.earthjustice.org. The EPAthrough the Food Quality Protection Act (FPQA) started a program many years ago to reduce the risk associated with many pesticides and chemicals. Basically it worked on the principal called the RISK CUP – this is the explanation “EPA pesticide tolerances allow applications in the amount of active ingredient to which a person can be exposed each day without becoming a health threat. Think of a cup that holds that exact amount: That’s the “risk cup.”  The article talks about one such chemical – Chlorpyrifos, banned from home use I think in 2000. With the banning of certain pesticides the Chemical Manufacturers are now coming up with other better pesticides and we all win, but these pesticides comes with a caveat – they cost money. Just like the Prescription Drug business, the making of a new drug cost money and frequently a lot of money goes into finding the active ingredient molecule, the testing and then marketing. While I’m on that subject, what do you think the guy is spraying that is charging you $25? I would ask and get on the internet and check it out!

Now don’t get me wrong on this, I think it is important to use all Pesticides in a safe manner according to the Labels and Material Safety Data Sheets. I empathize with the plight of people that may be allergic to certain products and I also try to be as careful as possible in the application of products. I still have customers who insist that the inside of their home be treated each month inside and outside. I still maintain that I can do my job without the use of a compressed sprayer inside that home (each time a compressed sprayer is sprayed some of that material becomes airborne), I often use dust inside the wall voids or caulk under sliding door thresholds and do home seals. It’s all about keeping that pest on the outside and reducing your exposure to pesticides – that is my goal (no bugs and less exposure).

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