In this issue...

• What They Mean by "Green"
• In part 3 of 4 Rob McMastertalks about how to identify a bed bug problem
  
  
  

What They Mean by "Green"

by Rob McMaster, President, Halt Pest Control

The nice looking young man at the door just told you he was going to be able to get rid of all those nasty bugs that have been troubling you. Not only was he going to be able to get rid of them (usually any type of bug you complained about), he said he was going to do it, “naturally." After all the sign on his truck said Eco, Natural, Green, or some other combination of words and pictures alluding to nature.

You asked him if the chemicals he used were, ”safe.” "Sure," he said, “we only use natural chemicals.”

It sounded pretty good. He said it was “natural” and it’s going to get rid of all your bugs.

Then you ask, “Well how are you going to do this?” Being a good consumer you wanted a little more information.  

His eyes shift around, he hesitates, then replies, “Well, we'll first spread dust all over the subarea and attic of your house. Then we'll come inside and spray your baseboards. After that we're going to spray all over your yard and fence line and around your house and under the eaves and anywhere else you would like us to spray.” 

In fact the more places you think of, the more places he is willing to spray. As you mention more types of bugs, his “natural” spray seems to be increasing in its effectiveness. What a great offer. You sign up.

This scenario happens every day and the same version of this plays out over the phone; and I’m not exaggerating. I can’t tell you how disappointed this makes me in my own industry. I get mad, actually. Yesterday I saw one of these all “natural” companies with the big tank power sprayer in the back happily spraying a house. By the way, it’s not only the “natural” companies using these high output sprayers. There is nothing “Green” or “Natural” about any of that.

Where do I start?

Words are a powerful thing. Words like “Green” and “Natural” fit into the same category as “Free.” The mere mention of these words is enough to suspend any critical thinking by the consumer. This is not the consumer's fault. Companies purposefully name themselves with some “Green” name or image in order to take advantage of the marketplace.

Remember : Your mother told you there is no such thing as a free lunch. I know this sounds like sour grapes but I assure you we do very well without having to say we are “Natural” all the time. And we feel we are far better stewards of the environment. Our company has been around for more than 20 years and continues to grow. We have seen all types of pest control companies and marketing schemes come and go over the years.

I would like to try and clarify some terms and ideas. Pest Management Companies use Pesticides. By law they cannot say that these materials are “Safe” or imply that since a pesticide is derived from something “Natural” that it is safe. Pesticides are designed to kill particular pests not just “bugs.” Also by law pest management companies cannot say that they are not using a pesticide. All materials used by a pest control company for hire is a pesticide registered by the E.P.A. It is illegal to imply or sell your services as not using pesticides if you intend to make an application of any kind.

Pesticides range in toxicity and are classified by how toxic they may be. Toxicity is a measurement of risk and exposure - risk to the environment and organisms that it may come in contact with. Toxicity (risk) can be increased or decreased by the amount (dose) of a particular pesticide used and the time an organism is exposed to it. Toxicity can also be increased or decreased by the choice of pesticide used. Some are more toxic (risky) than others regardless of the dose. Let me be clear, a molecule designed or manufactured to be used as a pesticide does not know if it is “Natural” or “Green.” It can only be measured in terms of its toxicity. Any other claim is misleading and intended to create emotions in the consumer to make them buy something.

Back to the scenario we first started with, the one that makes me mad. Putting pesticides any- and everywhere does little good for the environment and usually does no good in getting rid of bugs. Increased rates of pesticides (dose) increases risk.  Putting pesticides were they don’t belong increases the chance of exposure and risk. Terms like Eco, Natural, or Green have nothing to do with pesticides or their application. There is no such thing , these are marketing claims, not claims of how a pesticide works. Because somebody claims a pesticide is “natural” does not mean it should be used indiscriminately and that it kills any or all “bugs.”

This being said, we do have choices in the type of pesticides we use and how we use them. The materials we use are chosen because they carry the least risk (Toxicity) and are applied in the least amounts (dose). We also put them where they are least likely to come into contact (exposure) with organisms other than the pests we are trying to take care of. Common sense you would think. It also works well. I think this makes us “green.”

I could spend more time in this article about our choices in least toxic materials and the risk they pose verses everyday risks or the risk of not taking any action. But I just wanted to clarify what They mean by green.

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RobMcMaster discusses the bed bug invasion (part 3)

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