If you were born before the year 2,000, you have had plenty of exposure to unhealthy chemicals ranging from over the counter sprays to giant mosquito trucks indiscriminately blasting as they drive. The old mindset of finding the harshest chemical to do the most damage to unwanted creatures needs updated to include natural pest control methods.

THE RISE OF NATURAL PEST CONTROL: A HEALTHIER APPROACH

It hasn’t happened over night, but natural pest control and its associated methods is on the rise. Not only his this a much healthier approach for people, but it is safer and healthier for your pets too. To really put the icing on the celebratory cake of natural pest control, it is better for the environment too. Most amazingly, natural pest control methods tend to be more effective than harsh chemicals when chosen wisely. It is no surprise that natural pest control techniques are on the rise.

ESSENTIAL OILS FOR NATURAL PEST CONTROL METHODS

Essential Oils have been in use for pest control for decades. If they were so effective, why haven’t they taken over? The basic answer is that essential oils cannot be a magic cure all solution. They have their place in effective pest control, but benefit from combinations with other strategic efforts to maximize their efficacy. Here are a few key examples.

• Citronella – great at repelling mosquitoes. Combine it with eliminating water sources that mosquitoes use to breed. Mosquito repellants are high on the value scale for pest control methods to be familiar with. Mosquito control can be done on your own property, but not when you head out to parks and places you do not control. Being prepared with a good repellant helps avoid mosquito borne diseases.
• Peppermint – its strong oder blocks pheromone trails of insects such as ants and masks clear paths to food sources. Mix this with food source reduction and you have a winning combo.
• Clove – wasps show an aversion to clove. Reduce the prey that wasps feed on and clove can help deter even more of them..

HERBAL REMEDIES

Herbs such as garlic, basil, and flowers like marigolds all have properties that can deter pests from entering certain areas or reduce their populations. Herbal remedies are similar to essential oils in their need for multi-faceted control efforts.

The benefit that herbal remedies have over essential oils is you can plant and grow them in specific areas to provide assistance in the pest control efforts. This gives them a much longer useful life than an oil which may needs reapplication as frequently as daily or after a few hours.

DIY TRAPS

Traps are fantastic pest control equipment that are typically reusable. Keep in mind that not all traps are equal. It is worth a laugh whenever you hear the philosophical comments about building a better mouse trap. When you get in and look, there are loads of improvements continually coming out in mouse traps. These range from better bait containers to making them easier to clean.

If you have a specific pest you want to tackle, always start with researching traps. Read the pros and cons of the trap for that pest in general and then find out which specific traps are most effective and user friendly. Here are a few helpful tips on common pests.

MOUSE TRAPS ARE A NATURAL PEST CONTROL METHOD

Snap traps are the simplest and easiest to use for most mouse situations. Ensure the trigger is in the path that a mouse would follow along a wall. You want the mouse to be able to enter from either side. Use a bait that is similar to foods the mice typically eat in the area.

ANT TRAPS

Ant traps is a misnomer that should be ant bait stations. When you consider that ants may number in the hundreds of thousands, those tiny discs aren’t going to remove a colony. This is especially true since only a small percentage of ants venture out of the colony. Since they are bait that the ants carry back to the colony, you may have to try a few different types before they will accept one. Ant feeding preferences change frequently.

MOTH TRAPS AS A NATURAL PEST CONTROL METHOD

These traps are based on different pheromones that attract moths. These can be helpful in managing adults, but will not be able to eliminate the larva which will be feeding at the source. Combine moth traps with source food reduction for the win.

JAPANESE BEETLE TRAPS

These traps are very effective at collecting beetles. Seeing the bags fill up can be extremely rewarding. The problem is they do not reduce the damage done to trees and only potentially reduce the population for the next cycle. The population reduction is only a potential and not a proven element. Manual removal, direct treatment, or systemic treatments are most effective.

RAT TRAPS

Similar to mouse traps, rat traps can be very advantageous in the control arsenal for rats. These can be placed in high traffic areas as well as near locations where rats are likely to enter a room or area. Many manufacturers of rat traps have offered upgrades and improvements to improve ease of setting the trap, cleaning, and bait containment.

One key element that needs attention is the cautious behavior of rats. Rat populations can be neophobic. This means they may avoid new things added to their environment. In order to combat this, place the traps in their area for a period of time before attempting to catch them or set them. The more patience the better. You can place the trap where you want it, wait a few days, add bait to it, then allow the bait to be taken a few times. Once the rats are accustomed to the trap being a friendly feeder, you can set the trap and enjoy a higher rate of success.

MOLE TRAPS

There are many different kinds of mole traps. Whatever kind you use, combine it with an understanding of how a mole moves through the ground. Dig into a mole’s tunnel and you will find out that the peak of the tunnel lies just to the side of the actual tunnel. Moles dig and move through the ground at an angle. Set the trap where it will target frequent traffic areas without interfering with the void of the tunnel.

STICKY TRAPS

Glue boards and other forms of sticky traps are simple but effective tools in the natural pest control arena. These allow for non-toxic remedies to be utilized in both capturing and monitoring different insect, arachnid, or rodent populations. They are relatively easy to use and just as easy to dispose of when finished. Sticky traps are great in conjunction with other control measures, but should not be considered a stand alone fix-all solution.

*Pro tip: if a child, pet, or part of you gets stuck to a glue board, putting a cooking oil on the glue will help to work it off without having to dislodge hair or skin in the process.

ORGANIC PEST CONTROL PRODUCTS

Organic pest control can vary from being a specific agricultural certification to a catch-all for a holistic approach to pest control which may include:

• Biological Pesticides – these include bacteria, fungi, nematodes and viruses that attack the target pest. Some products such as Bt (bacillus thuringiensis) target a narrow range of pests. Others such as Beauveria bassiana target one specific pest (bed bugs).
• Organic Pesticides – is anything that is not synthetic such as essential oils, herbs, diatomaceous earth, neem oil, and pyrethrins. Some of these are more effective than others. Also, keep in mind that just because it is natural, does not mean that it is safer than alternatives (see the Natural-is-better Bias).
• Predation – introducing natural predators to control certain insects can be a way to achieve both control and better diversity. The Rove beetle is a frequent addition to gardens. Other examples of creatures used for predatory control include ladybugs, parasitic wasps, cats, and praying mantises.
• Preventive measures – changing the conditions to be less conducive to pest activity is a control method that should be a standard combination. This can include sealing food in pest-proof containers, changing the lighting to reduce flying insect attraction and subsequently spiders, minimizing moisture collection, etc.

INTEGRATING NATURAL PEST CONTROL METHODS WITH PROFESSIONAL PEST CONTROL

The most important thing to know is that a professional pest control company should be integrating natural control methods with their professional service already. If you have started to apply natural pest control methods to your home, yard, and business care, good on you! If you can see areas where improvement to results could occur, reach out to a reputable pest control company to learn more. A company like Rove Pest Control seeks the optimal balance among available effective tools whether you are already doing your own control measures or not. Each individual has different goals and needs to consider when putting together an effective pest control plan. If you want to learn what you can do in your specific situation, our experts are just a phone call away.

About Rob Greer: Pest Control Expert and Industry Leader
Rob Greer, co-founder of Rove Pest Control, has a deep connection with nature, developed during his upbringing in rural Idaho where he raised horses and cattle. He began his career in pest control in 2001 to support his university studies. After earning a BS in Business Management, Rob, along with Lenny Gray and McKay Bodily, founded Rove Pest Control.
Rob has played a pivotal role in shaping the operational framework of Rove Pest Control, with a focus on personal development for team members, public health awareness, and tailoring services to meet the needs of individuals and communities.
As an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) and Subject Matter Expert (SME), Rob has made significant contributions to the pest control industry. He has collaborated on the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s UMN Extension certification manual and exam development, the National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual for the EPA, and the Quality Pro Customer Service Credential Task Force. His expertise has also been recognized in his testimony for the pest control industry before the Minnesota state legislature as a State Policy Affairs Representative. Currently, Rob serves as the President of the Minnesota Pest Management Association Board. Learn more about Rob Greer.