Pesticides In The Urban Environment

What Is The Impact Of Dangerous Pesticide?

There is no doubt that pesticides work wonders in preventing the spread of insect pests that can negatively impact wildlife and agriculture. However, there are dangers about these products that should be observed and avoided.

Over the years, the impact of pesticides in major cities has been an area of great concern. In Australian state of New South Wales, pesticide use is controlled by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA). Local exterminator, Adam Love from Pro Pest Control Sydney says certain products have proven to be dangerous and have even been banned in particular parts of the country. Meanwhile, a whole slew of healthy, green alternatives have popped up in the market place and have become more and more popular for city governments and consumers as well.

What is the impact of dangerous pesticides and what is being done to combat the damage they can do in big cities?

Impact of pesticides in the urban environment

Pesticides are undeniably very helpful to keep plants and food safe from pests that could spread filth, disease, and death. Over the last few generations, pesticides have worked wonders for the way that we grow, store, and consume our food. However, it cannot be ignored that they can also be very dangerous to humans and animals if used in the wrong way.

Pesticides are poisonous substances that are released into the environment on purpose. Despite the fact that each pesticide is designed to kill a specific bug, a considerable percentage of pesticides end up somewhere other than their intended target. When pesticides flow off from fields, leave storage tanks, are not properly removed, and are sprayed aerially, they can readily pollute the air, land, and water. You can read more about the Regulatory Impact Statement Proposed Pesticides Regulation of 2009 here.

What impact do pesticides have on urban areas in our country?

Water

Ground water, streams, rain, rivers, lakes, and seas all contain pesticides.

Pesticides can enter the water in four different ways. It has the potential to drift outside of the spraying area, seep through the soil, be transported as runoff, or be spilled accidently. read more

Pest Control Licencing Australia

Pest Managmemt License Information

A pest control licence is required for any individual or group intending to administer pest management services. Pest management technicians are professionals who undertake various pest management activities and treatments as well as fumigations. The treatment is aimed to ward off or destroy any plant, animal or other biological entities that are harmful to an ecosystem, place or different types of structures. Below is an analysis of the requirements of obtaining a pest control license in Australia.

Western Australia

Only skilled applicants can receive permissions and licences from the Western Australia government. Upon completion of the mandatory training competencies, the applicant may then contact the Western Australian department of health (pesticide safety) for application documents. The department also recognises competencies and certificates obtained from other states.

Licenses available

Full technicians licence: issued once all course requirements are satisfied. The full technician’s licence allows the recipient to offer general pest management (including fumigation), timber pest (termite) control services

Provisional technician licence: holders of this licence must work under a full technician`s supervision for a full month (30 days). During this period, the holders must fill a log book within the period to be submitted to the Pesticide Safety department.

Salespersons licence: All salespeople must possess the S.P (sales persons) licence. Holders of the licence are restricted from handling, mixing or applying the pesticides.

Requirements for licence

Complete the various application forms and pay the fees.

For businesses conducted in residential property, you must contact the local government to obtain an approval letter to be submitted to the Health department

Clear display of your organization`s name, initials and registration number on business vehicles.

Learn more from the West Australian Health Department.

Queensland

The Queensland Department of Health, through its Environmental health section, issues the pest control licences. read more

Pesticide Use In Australia – A Look At Past, Current and Future Trends

Pesticide use in Australia has been increasing from early 1990s to-date. This has brought about numerous benefits to urban as well as rural settings due to the fact that dangerous and annoying creatures have been kept under control. But there have been challenges as well. Cases of pests becoming resistant to chemicals and concerns about the environmental impact of this activity have triggered several debates.

The fact however remains, a wide presence of professionals who help administer pesticides professional has played a big role in the improvement of quality of life. Some of the pests that invade Australian homes from time to time have the potential to cause serious negative effects not only to the concerned families but also to the economy at large if not kept under control.

Which are the most dominant pests in Australia?

Although there are many different types of pests in Australia, there are a few that present the biggest headache to homeowners.

Termites

Top on that list are termites which invade at least 1 in every 4 Australian homes. These are highly destructive and are estimated to cause an average of $8,000 loss to homeowners yet no home insurance policies cover this damage. One of the most commonly used pesticides for termite extermination is Befenthrin – used in both pre-construction barriers and existing buildings.

Mice

Another common type of pest is the house mice which is active all year constantly damaging furnishings and damaging food. If left unattended to, mice can spread disease further affecting the host household. Alpha-Chloralose is considered one of the most effective ways to keep mice and other vertebrate pests under control.

Cockroaches

Since time immemorial, cockroaches have invaded Australian homes with wall cavities and kitchens providing their perfect hideout. They often crawl out at night and feed on leftovers – this may cause a spread of disease. Boric acid and LambdaStar Ultra 9.7 are some of the recommended chemicals to get rid of roaches.

Wasps

Wasps are also a common phenomenon. According to Museum Victoria Entomologist Patrick Hona, about 10 per cent of wasp nests survive through winter and thrive into spring. Each nest contains about 30,000 wasps. A generally safe way to deal with wasps is by spraying them with Yates 350g Blitzem Wasp and Nest Killer Insecticide. read more