Whether you have just started your pest control business, or you are well-established in the field, finding and adapting your methods to more environmentally-friendly measures is important if you are looking to become a more sustainable company.
Around four out of five customers are now more likely to choose a brand that places sustainability as a priority, with 90% agreeing that it is essential for society to become more eco-conscious.
In an industry that predominantly relies on harsh chemicals, are there ways you can adapt to provide your clients with a high-quality service with as minimal damage to the surrounding environment?
Lynne Fisher, Chartered Insurance Broker, Associate Director at Cliverton, pest control insurance providers, says: “Providing high-quality services to your clients which remove pests as quickly and efficiently as possible doesn’t always have to be damaging to the environment.
“There are many reasons you would want to adopt new approaches, whether this is to establish yourself as an eco-friendly business or to avoid harming your client’s pets when working on domestic cases.
“Finding new methods which reduce your impact on the surrounding areas can widen your service offerings and reduce the likelihood of accidental damage.”
Predatory insects
One biological method of removing pests without inflicting damage to the surrounding environment is through predatory insects. These are specialised insects targeted at the insect and pests you are trying to remove.
As they feast on specific, smaller insects, they are less likely to cause harm to the surrounding environment. It also reduces the risk of neighbouring insects being harmed – preserving as much wildlife as possible.
Natural chemicals
If you feel more confident in using chemicals as part of your service treatment, then using natural chemicals can help remove pests without harming the further environment. Choices such as microbial insecticides and biopesticides such as neem oil are naturally occurring, so a sustainable choice for your business.
These tend to be biodegradable and so remain for a lesser time in the environment than synthetic chemicals, which take a while to break down. This means that they can still be effective for pest control without remaining after the fact.
Making sure you do your research on each individual natural chemical you use is important. While these chemicals may harm the environment less than synthetic ones, they can still be toxic to specific wildlife – for example, ryania is toxic to aquatic life and so shouldn’t be used near garden ponds.
Physical barriers
Another method which is both environmentally friendly but also humane are physical barriers. Humane capturing traps can be used as a method of removing pests, especially if you know your client is dealing with specific pests such as rodents.
This will involve setting up traps around the home or commercial area and regularly checking. Once caught, you can remove the pest to a safe area to be released. Removals can also be used for wasp and bee nests – rehoming to a safer environment for both the pests and the clients.
Other physical barrier methods include blocking entrances. After a thorough investigation, if you realise the pest is entering through a specific crack in the foundations, a window, or somewhere else then a safe precaution might be to simply block the entrance.
Deterrents
Deterrents can also be an environmentally-friendly approach to remove pests from a single area. This can include anything from scent to sound deterrents. Mint and chilli repellents might be particularly useful and something which clients can administer themselves – making them a great opportunity for smaller scale sales.
Pest removal doesn’t always have to be harsh on the environment and the animals, and some clients might opt for more humane methods of pest control. Knowing your options across the three sectors: chemical, physical, and biological can give you the best range of services for your clients – no matter their pest problem.
No comments yet