Pest Control

Controlling Pests

Houses and apartments are often hosts to common pests such ascockroaches, fleas, termites, ants, mice, and rats. Pests can bea health hazard to you, your family, and your pets. It’s easy tounderstand why you may need and want to control them. Nowadays,you can choose from many different methods as you plan yourstrategy for controlling pests. Sometimes a non-chemical methodof control is as effective and convenient as a chemicalalternative. For many pests, total elimination is almostimpossible, but it is possible to control them. Knowing youroptions is the key to pest control. Methods available to youinclude pest prevention, non-chemical pest controls, and chemicalpesticides. The most effective strategy for controlling pests maybe to combine methods in an approach known as integrated pestmanagement (IPM) that emphasizes preventing pest damage. In IPM,information about pests and available pest control methods isused to manage pest damage by the most economical means and withthe least possible hazard to people, property, and theenvironment. (The IPM approach is presented more fully inEPA's CitizensGuide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety.)

[note:  The IAQ Tools for Schools Kit's "IAQCoordinator's Guide" outlines how to implement anIntegrated Pest Management program.]

Preventing Pest Problems

Pests seek places to live that satisfy basic needs for air,moisture, food, and shelter. The best way to control pests is totry to prevent them from entering your home or garden in thefirst place. You can do this by removing the elements that theyneed to survive. Remodeling and renovation offer opportunities totake the following preventive actions to prevent indoor pestproblems:

• Remove water. All living things, including pests, need waterfor survival. Fix leaky plumbing, and do not let water accumulateanywhere in or around your home. Remove or dry out water-damagedand wet materials. Even dampness or high humidity can attractpests.
   
• Remove or block off indoor pest hiding places. Caulk cracksand crevices to control pest access. Avoid storing newspapers,paper bags, and boxes for long periods of time. Also, check forpests in packages or boxes before carrying them into yourhome.
   
• Block pest entry ways. Install screens on all floor drains,windows, and doors to discourage crawling and flying pests fromentering your home. Make sure any passageways through the floorare blocked. Place weather stripping on doors and windows. Caulkand seal openings in walls. Keep doors shut when not inuse.
   
• Remove food. Consider pest-proof food and waste containers.You may use this as a criterion when evaluating cabinetry ordesigning space.

For more information see EPA's CitizensGuide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety