Pest control with a conscience
Are household pests prompting reluctant calls to pest control companies?
Do you have fears about the safety and toxicity of the pesticides used?
Now there's a new choice.
merican Pest Control, a woman-owned professional company
of more than 34 years, is on a phase out campaign in the use of dangerous
pesticides to now offer highly effective, healthier alternative options.
In early 1995, American Pest Control's management was
urged to reconsider its philosophy and address society's growing concerns
about the use of certain types of toxic pesticides in and around the home.
Now, after a year of in-house investigations and testing, American is happy
to report unexpected success and feasibility of these new alternative weapons
in the war against pests.
"With an ever increasing amount of inquiries from
persons with health conditions and special needs, especially pregnancy,
American became committed to finding and offering to the public, the safest,
most intelligent products and methods within the industry," states
Tamara Tibbett, General Manager of American Pest Control.
The harmful chemical pesticides in question - all available
to the general public - are well known by environmental groups that vehemently
oppose either professional application or home use by the public.
"We pondered the question that if you could smell
vapors of the chemical, days after treatment, then weren't there actual
particles of the active ingredients, along with the solvents, being inhaled
and absorbed by customers as well?" asked Tibbett. Additionally, she
feels that these new products and methods will greatly benefit the health
and lower exposure risks for her company's field applicators.
One of American's licensed technicians, Randy Holley,
stated, "We're told by Cal OSHA to keep our work uniforms separated
from our family's laundry and have them professionally laundered. Well,
how safe is it to apply these chemicals to a customer's carpet, especially
if they have infants and small children crawling around? As a first-time
expecting father, there's no way I'd spray my own home with the old chemicals.
I wouldn't hesitate for a moment with the new, safer, less toxic alternatives,"
he stated emphatically.
Strict IPM guidelines
American Pest Control maintains strict adherence to
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) guidelines set forth by EPA policies in
serving schools, hospitals, nursing homes and public buildings. "With
IPM techniques, coupled with our innovative line of human and environmentally
friendly products, the past risks are all but eliminated, while effectiveness
of our treatment is greatly enhanced," Tibbett added. American reports
widespread success using alternatives in eliminating all general pests and
rodents, including subterranean and drywood termites.
Furthermore, the company makes available a variety of
information about their alternative option programs. They also offer documentation
on hazardous pesticides, reported poisonings and environmental impact. Interested
persons may call American at (619) 284-2633.
