Integrated Pest Management
Pesticides are substances meant for attracting, seducing, and then destroying pests. Pesticides are one of the most overused commodities in our country and often have a detrimental effect on organisms not intended to be impacted by them. In general, a pesticide is a chemical or biological agent that deters, incapacitates, kills, or otherwise discourages pests. According to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, 9 of the 12 most dangerous and persistent organic chemicals are organochlorine pesticides.
Luckily, there is a nontoxic method of removing pests, called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). IPM is a broad-based approach that integrates non-toxic practices to control pests. IPM means you'll look at environmental factors that affect the pest and its ability to thrive. This includes actions to keep pests from becoming a problem, such as caulking cracks to keep insects or rodents from entering a building.
Solutions
The most effective, long-term way to manage pests is by using a combination of methods. Approaches for managing pests are often grouped in the following categories.