Emma

Edwards

Analytical Report

Eco Friendly Pesticides: What Would Work

Best?
October 30, 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Introduction 3
Methodology.......... 3
Results... 6
Recommendations. 6-7
References.. 8

ABSTRACT:
In this research, we are comparing the effectiveness of environmentally friendly
pesticides. The pest focused are ones that invade homes such as ants, cockroaches and rodents.
The few pesticides that are being tested are Chrysanthemum blossoms, diatomaceous earth and
other natural remedies that include different herbs and fruits will be tested on different types of
pests. These tested are the natural remedies that were tested to be highly functional and are
compared with each other to determine which is a better alternative to poisons.

ECO FRIENDLY PESTICIDES

INTRODUCTION
Pesticides have been harming more than the pest that invade our food, homes and other
commodities. They have been harming the
environment also. environmentally friendly
options for handling pest problems have
been on the rise to attract more
environmentally engaged residents to apply
to live at property that the company is
managing.
The use of organic pesticides will
ward off insects, roaches and rat in a way
that is harmless to life around. Many such
as the Chrysanthemum blossom,
diatomaceous earth and other natural
remedies that include different herbs and
fruits will be tested on different types of pests. The data recorded will be based on the percentage
of these pest will avoid the area with the pesticides or become deceased.

METHODOLOGY
To understand which natural pesticide will work the best we have to follow a three step plan.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Develop evaluation criteria

Differences in environmentally safe and chemical pesticides
Methods on dealing with insects
Methods on dealing with mice and rats.

Step 1: Developing an Evaluation Criteria

As part of a greening effort to reduce the use of harmful pesticides, it is important that the
following criteria is met when evaluating the outcomes of each eco-friendly counterpart to
dealing with each pest:
Ingredients/HazardsWhat is used in the pesticide and if it poses a threat to humans or
to other animals.

EffectivenessHow well the pesticide worked on preventing and or killing the pest. In
addition to the variety of pest it impacts.
These criteria were the basis of the evaluation of natural and environmentally safe pesticides in
the Results and Discussion sections later in this report.
Step 2: Differences in Environmentally Safe and Chemical Pesticides
invading homes, but at what cost. The chemical pesticides used everyday can be
harmful. Natural pest control is less expensive than buying and applying pesticides, and it's safer
for your garden, your family, the natural wildlife and the environment. These pesticides are made
from ingredients that come from natural sources such as herbs, insects, certain vegetables or
flowers. Each year North American homes use approximately 136 million pounds of pesticides
on lawns and gardens, and in the home. In fact, homeowners use about three times the amount of
pesticides as farmers. Most wildlife pest poisonings, and most surface water contamination from
pesticides, come from single-family homes (Natural). The use of natural
Insects affected by
or organic pesticides means that the residents lower their risk of being
Diatomaceous Earth
harmed from the dangerous chemicals in common pesticides.
Ants

Step 3: Methods on dealing with insects (ants, spiders, roaches)

In the sense this situation is focused on those residing in new
living complexes. The company is wanting to deal with pest that pose a
threat in homes and those that spoil food, such as ants, spiders, and
cockroaches in a more environmentally friendly way.

Bedbugs
Fleas
Cockroaches
Silverfish
Flour Beetles
Darkling Beetles
Grain Beetles
Carpet Beetles
Colorado Potato
Beetles
Caterpillars
Earwigs
Centipedes
Millipedes
Sowbugs
Pillbugs
Spiders
Crickets
Slugs

A method on dealing with insect problems is Chrysanthemum

blossom or diatomaceous earth. Mums contain pyrethrum, which induces a
toxic effect in insects when it penetrates the cuticle and reaches the
nervous system. The toxicity profile in Chrysanthemum blossoms is very
low. For mammals, doses that elicit toxic reactions are significantly larger
than the exposures people typically experience in using pyrethrum based
products (How). The only downfall to this method is that is does not last very long in the
environment. Sunlight (UV light) and high temperatures degrade the chemicals such as
pyrethrum over a small period of time. The pro is that this method fast acting and is used to kill
the pests immediately, in addition works better on soft bodied insects such as aphids.
Another method, is the use of diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth is made from
silicon of fossilized diatoms. The abrasive nature of this compound affects a wide variety of
insects because the silicon dries the insect inside-out. It does this by absorbing the oils and fats

from the cuticle of the insect's exoskeleton. Its sharp edges are abrasive, speeding up the
process (Bunch). It remains effective as long as it is kept dry and distributed in large amounts.
A study was conducted to see if the product worked against bed bugs and the results given were
relatively positive. When three different bug strains were exposed continuously to labeled
amounts of DE in petri dishes, more than 90 percent mortality occurred within four days and all
bugs were dead after 10 days (Romero et al. 2009). This comes to show that if applied correctly
depending on the pest, this product can eradicate the problem over a short time. The results
might not be immediate, but is proven to maintain the problem over time.
Diatomaceous earth is beneficial and non-toxic to non-insects. There are thousands of nonpesticide products that contain diatomaceous earth. These include skin care products,
toothpastes, foods, beverages, medicines, rubbers, paints, and water filters. This product is multifunctional and super effective. In addition, adding some essential oils, such as peppermint or
citronella oil, to the substance, it can become a repellent to other pests.
Step 4: Methods on Dealing with Mice and Rats
Eco-friendly methods in dealing with rodents are normally methods used to prevent them
from coming or pushing them away. Common methods include cotton balls soaked in
peppermint or spearmint oil and place them around the house, rodents are allergic to peppermint
and will avoid it. but the results of this working are inconclusive. Another method is using the
same oils, but soaking them in diatomaceous earth. The only issue is that the oils lose their
strength over a short period and need to changed out often.
An eco friendly option that the living complex can buy and use is a product called Fresh
Cab. It is 98% biodegradable, so its safe for the environment as well as people and animals.
Fresh Cab has a pleasant scent. Its made from balsam fir needle
essential oils, plant cellulose fiber from corn cobs, and a mixture of
additional essential oils, including lemon, grapefruit, cedar wood, and
eucalyptus. This scent repels mice, because it confuses them by
triggering their escape behavior (Earthkind). The product is proven
to cover 125 square feet per pouch. This fact shows the large area that
is being affected. Mice will avoid the area because of the scent.
Placing this product in openings around the home will ward of
rodents and prevent them from returning.
On the other hand, the best way to not have rodent
infestations, is to prevent it. Sealing cracks in walls, throwing away
trash,
Phase 5: Analyze the types of pesticides:

Using the information and measurements gathered, we chose one insecticide and one
rodenticide that seemed best fit to be used in the new community. Using the criteria, we
developed in Phase 1 of our research plan, we analyzed our plan to determine if it was effective
and non toxic to the environment. We compared the two methods for insects and the two
methods for rodents.

RESULTS:
The results gathered, Diatomaceous earth eradicates insects the better than the
Chrysanthemum blossom and for rodents the answer would be the Fresh Cab product. The
diatomaceous earth is eco friendly and only affects insects. It works more than 80% of the time
and has various uses.
Diatomaceous Earth: Over time the product proved to eradicate 100% of different
strains of bugs over a span of 10 days use. The results may have not been instant but is proven
to work effectively over time depending on the severity of the issue.
Chrysanthemum blossom: The product is fast acting, but does not prevent more
infestations over a period of time. In addition, the range of insects that can be affected the best
are limited due to that soft bodied insects are more prone to the toxicity of the blossom.
In addition, it works quickly on ridding the premises of insects as well as preventing
more from invading. As for rodents, the Fresh Cab does not kill the pests but it drives them away
with aromas that may be an allergy or stigma to the animals. With the continued use of this
product around a home, it can keep rodents away. This product is biodegradable and non toxic
meaning that it does not pose a threat to any life.
Spearmint or Peppermint Oils: This method has mixed results and are solely based on
time. This product loses its effectiveness over a short period of a few days.
Fresh Cab: Though true experimental results remain inconclusive, from reviews of the
product. Many users compliment the effectiveness of the product and the area it covers with one
small pouch (125 square feet).

RECOMMENDATIONS:
From this experiment, one can conclude that the diatomaceous earth and the fresh cab are
the best alternatives to poisons and chemical pesticide because they are low on the toxicity level

and overall work as good pesticides in eradicating the pest or preventing them from entering
homes.
Insects: The Diatomaceous earth worked better than its competitor, the pyrethrum oils or spray
because it lasts longer in defending a home from insects. In addition, it kills the pests physically,
not chemically, meaning that the insects cannot create an immunity to the compound.
Rodents: The Fresh Cab may be an advert, but it is a natural product that has proven to be
effective in removing and preventing rodents from invading homes. It contains herbs that have
scents that rodents avoid. This effect makes the rodents leave the premise to find a new location
without these scents. Peppermint oil is an allergy to most rodents, but does not always work due
to natural selection and animals adapt. In addition, it also works temporarily.
Overall, the best selection for the company would be to use diatomaceous earth and the
Fresh Cab product to ward off pest in an environmentally friendly way.

REFERENCES:
Works Cited
Bunch, T. R.; Bond, C.; Buhl, K.; Stone, D. 2013. Diatomaceous Earth General Fact Sheet;
National Pesticide Information Center, Oregon State University Extension Services.
"How It Works." Pyrethrum Nature's Insecticide. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2016.
"Richsoil." Diatomaceous Earth (food Grade): Bug Killer You Can Eat! N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Oct.
2016.
"Safe Rodent Control." Transition to Organics. N.p., 2016. Web. 30 Oct. 2016.