... Limit use, change lifestyle, says PCA

THE USE of pesticides to control household pests should be a last resort, according to Registrar of the Pest Control Authority (PCA) Michael Ramsay. He believes that many householders are contributing to the growth of pests such as roaches by their failure to observe basic sanitation practices.

"Food, water, and shelter are the main reasons most pests continue to thrive in their surroundings," he told The Gleaner.

"Customers often don't see themselves playing a role in pest control - they want an instant fix. But for cockroaches, and rats in particular, sanitation is always the first thing. So if you have a roach problem in a food-preparation or food-serving area, it's always a sanitation problem. What is needed first and foremost is to clean out the place and a change of habit. For example, do not leave food around for the pests," he shared.

"If you spray and get rid of the pest population for a time, they will return because of the availability of food, whether this is inadvertent or deliberate," Ramsay added.

Usually, in frustration at what they see as ineffective measures, people tend to gravitate towards the quick fixes with sometimes long-lasting and toxic effects. The affected persons usually are not able to make the connection with activities 10 years ago and their current ill health.

The widespread use of chlorpyrifos in Portmore, St Catherine, is of particular concern to Ramsay. Many children in the municipality reportedly fell ill after the chemical was used in two schools.

He explained: "We have been told anecdotally that in Portmore, they use clorpyrifos as standard treatment for termites, which is often worse because these are homes with lots of children, and when you use clorpyrifos for termites, you're putting it in the soil. In some places, they are putting it on wood inside the house which will absorb chemicals, and it will be there for years."

Even when using a licensed professional, Ramsay wants consumers to not leave the matter up to these professionals. He argues that they owe it to their families to find out about the chemicals that will be used in their homes and opt for the less toxic choices.

The problem is that some of these things will work as well, but the user is also at risk of contamination, especially in using the popular 'ants power', which is a carbaryl which research suggests could cause cancer.

"Some of these things don't have immediate effects. It builds up over time. Continuous contact with it affects certain enzymes in your body and your nervous system, and over time, it's going to cause problems," Ramsay said.

- C.S.