Living in South Florida, you know the importance of pest control. Obviously pesticides will prevent pest infestations, but theycan have adverse effects on our health and the environment. So what can a South Florida home or business owner do? Try green pest management.

Green pest management does not completely eliminate the use of pesticides; rather it limits the amount and type of pesticide used, combining a number of practices to keep pests under control. Similar to the integrated pest management system recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use in agriculture, green pest management is not only effective, it is better for the environment than more traditional methods. Stressing preventive measures as the first step in pest control, green pest management aims to limit a pest threat before it becomes an issue.

If prevention is unsuccessful and further steps become necessary, the green method evaluates the situation, choosing options which will be effective but cause the least harm. Control begins with first identifying the type of pest involved and then determining what type of intervention is necessary. Options for pest control which avoid the use of traditional pesticides might include the following:

• The physical removal of pests, through methods such as raking or blocking pest access
• The use of chemicals which are less toxic than traditional pesticides, such as soap, sulfur, or plant extracts
• The use of naturally occurring things which kill the pest, such as disease, parasites or predators
• The biological enhancement of naturally occurring things which kill pests, or other action taken to enhance the effectiveness of nature, such as increasing the native population of a predator or parasite
• The use of a combination of methods, such as physically removing pests by setting pheromone traps

Green pest management solves pest problems by working with nature, not against it. If you are interested in learning more, or need help to prevent or control a pest infestation, contact Haggerty Pest Service, which has provided reliable pest control in the Boca Raton area of south Florida for over 30 years.

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