Some pests are beneficial

How bad are “pests”? Cockroaches can cause problems in homes or businesses, but outside they are very beneficial. Their feeding habits in nature increases the amount of nitrogen in the soil. They are professional recyclers as they eat almost anything, including dead plants and animals, and animal waste. They are a source of food for many animals, birds, and other organisms and when cockroaches are sprayed with pesticides, any animal that eats them will be infected as well. They have also created more jobs than congress.

Ants outside move about the same amount of soil as earthworms. They loosen the soil and increase air and water movement in the ground. They keep the ecosystem clean of dead insects and aid in the destruction and decomposition of plant and animal material.

Spiders are good predators and keep insect pests under control. They are important biological exterminators in and around homes and in yards, gardens, and on crops. They are much better at pest control than human exterminators are. It is believed that without spiders to eat pests that are harmful to agriculture, that our food supply would be put at risk.

All organisms on the planet are beneficial in some way. They didn’t evolve just to terrorize us. The pesticides we use are far more damaging to the ecosystem than any insect. We spend a lot of money having pesticides sprayed in and around our homes and businesses, when there are safe and effective methods that can be used. We don’t want cockroaches, ants, and other “pests” in our homes, but we need to realize they didn’t move in to annoy us, they just wandered in and in some cases, they feel at home. We can deal with them in a safe and effective manner and we don’t have to use pesticides that can do more damage than the “pests.

You can join my environmentally friendly bug club if you want. When you join, I will address any pest issues you have now and in the future via phone or email. I will send you relevant handbooks via email. I will identify any pests you have if necessary. If you want to join the club, the cost is normally $30 for a lifetime membership, but because of inflation, you can contribute any amount you want to join.  Contact me at askthebugman2013@gmail.com if you want to join the bug club. There is no reason to spray toxic pesticides inside or outside your home.  Pesticides are weapons of mass destruction.