Historically, agriculture was the catalyst to the need for pest control. We have been experimenting with different methods since 2500 B.C. From herbs and oils to sulfur and rat poison, the focus seems to have been on one “magic” solution. In doing so, we created this need to balance the benefits of managing pests with the negative effects pesticides have on the environment and wildlife.
Ecological pest management is an integrated approach to control pest populations through natural methods. Using the knowledge of the species’ behavior, habitat needs, and how to manipulate these to prevent infestations for a long-term solution. This reduces the need for chemical intervention, and promotes biodiversity.
Who cares about the environment? Rat poison works, so we should keep using it!
Actually, the efficacy of rat poison is in question again, and could actually be making infestations worse. Recent studies are uncovering a genetic resistance to both generations of rodenticides, which means if you’re putting out poisonous bait that doesn’t work for their specific mutation, you’re just feeding the rodents and attracting them to the areas you’re trying to keep them out of.
This is an interesting time in the pest control industry, as we’re now faced with either turning to creating more toxic and harmful products, or committing to the research in Canada to use rodenticides in a more targeted, and responsible manner in combination with ecological management techniques.
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