Safe chemicals that kill pests

Source: healthhack

It’s been raining quite often in some parts of the country. While we welcome the cool weather, we should also brace ourselves for the presence of pests in our homes.

Don’t be surprised to see more cockroaches in your kitchen and more mosquitoes flying around your home.

Experts say that a cool weather and the wetness that comes with it, especially in a tropical climate like ours, makes it possible for pests, such as mosquitoes, to thrive.

According to a physician, Dr. Moruf Abdulsalam, when it rains, places with poor drainages and waste disposal facilities get flooded and water-logged.

Abdulsalamin explains that such pools of water serve as breeding grounds for the female Anopheles mosquito, which is the vector for malaria parasite.

He says,“When you allow any area in your home to get flooded, you are inviting mosquitoes. Whether your neighbourhood is clean or not, as long as there is water and there is vegetation, mosquitoes will breed in such an area.

“Cockroaches and spiders also thrive in a moist environment. And when it rains, they are more active and breeding. So apart from cleaning your environment, you may need to take further steps to protect your family from frequent malaria infections as a result of mosquito bites.”

Although it is easy to jump at the option of fumigating the home with some chemicals, experts are saying that it is better to explore other safe ways of eliminating pests from our homes.

A pharmacist, Mr. Segun Omilabu, says the toxic chemicals that are used for indoor residual spraying are not too good for our health.

Omilabu notes that many of them have been found to expose babies and young children living in such an environment to respiratory or lung diseases.

Also, a panel of scientists have warned against the use of toxic chemicals in malaria-plagued countries such as Nigeria because people are exposed in their homes to high levels that may cause serious health effects.

The scientists also note that pesticides and insecticides should only be used as a last resort in combating malaria or getting rid of pests.

The researchers, after collating results from over 500 health surveys in several parts of Africa and Asia where these chemicals are used, reported that some pesticides may reduce fertility rates in men, increase risk of genital birth defects in children , and expose residents to breast cancer.

They say, “We cannot allow people to die from malaria, but we also cannot continue using pesticides or chemicals if we know about the health risks.

“Safer alternatives should be tested first and, if successful, should be phased out without putting people at risk.”

Use mosquito nets

Abdulsalamin recommends that people living in mosquito-prone areas, such as those living in coastal areas, watersides and densely populated areas in Lagos, should adopt the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets in their homes.

“An insecticide-treated net is a net (usually a bed net) designed to block mosquitoes physically. It has been treated with safe, residual insecticide for the purpose of killing and repelling mosquitoes, which carry malaria parasites.

“Parents should let their kids get familiar with sleeping under treated nets. It is one of the safest methods to prevent malaria infection among babies whose immunity level may be too low to fight off infections.”

Use camphor balls

Camphors are whitish in colour. This easily available ingredient could be the guide to how to kill mosquitoes in the house. Made from the extract of a tree, this compound has been found to have the longest mosquito repellent activity when compared to other natural products. Drop camphor in a room and close all the doors and windows. Leave it this way for about 15 to 20 minutes and go back to a mosquito free environment.

Use antiseptics/ antibacterial lotions

Omilabu says that instead of using pesticides, one can use antiseptic lotions and disinfectants to clean toilets, kitchens, floor tiles and other surfaces in the house.

He says they contain safe chemicals that are friendly for use in the home.

“ You can even use it to disinfect any drainage or gutter in your surrounding. Those chemicals are powerful enough to stop the breeding process of mosquitoes.”

Don’t get too comfortable with the sound of mosquitoes in your home, they can be deadly.

According to the World Health Organisation, malaria kills about 300,000 children under the age of five. The global body also states that a child dies every 60 seconds from malaria infection.

As the experts have said, mosquitoes live in dirty environments, a reason why your home must be kept clean this season.

Check your waste disposal system, block all drainages and make your home a mosquito-free zone.