In commercial spaces, particularly within industries such as hospitality, food service, and transportation, maintaining a pest-free environment is not just a priority but a legal necessity.
While chemical pest control methods have traditionally been used to tackle infestations, more businesses today are recognising the benefits of alternatives. Unlike chemical approaches that involve potentially harmful substances, physical pest control offers a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable way to manage and prevent pest issues.
So, what is physical pest control anyway?
Physical pest control, or sometimes called mechanical pest control, encompasses a variety of non-chemical methods to deter or eliminate pests, such as traps, barriers, and exclusion tactics.
In this article, we’ll explore why these methods are often superior to chemical options, especially in commercial settings where health, environmental impact, and regulatory compliance are paramount.
Environmental and Health Benefits
One of the strongest arguments for physical pest control is its minimal impact on the environment and the health of people in the vicinity.
Chemical treatments, while effective in the short term, often come with risks and side effects that can be harmful to ecosystems and human health.
Minimal Environmental Impact
Physical pest control methods, such as traps and barriers, avoid introducing toxic substances into the environment. This is especially important in sensitive settings like outdoor facilities or spaces that connect to water sources. By not relying on chemicals, we can protect soil, water, air and non-target organisms from the harmful effects of pesticides.
Health Safety
Chemical pesticides can pose significant health risks to employees, customers, and even nearby communities. In commercial areas, especially where food is prepared or served, exposure to chemicals is a major concern due to risks of cross-contamination. Physical pest control methods, by contrast, provide a safer solution that minimises these health hazards, offering a pest-free environment without the risk of chemical exposure.
Chemical pest control in the UK
In the UK, we have certain standards which govern chemical controls. These are aimed at preventing against health, safety and environmental risks such as those mentioned above. However, while best efforts are made to safeguard the environmental and people’s wellbeing, the use of chemicals always pose some level of risk. Measures imposed in the UK are:
· Rigorous Authorisation Process: Each pesticide undergoes strict evaluation before approval, focusing on human safety and environmental impact.
· Compliance Requirements: Businesses using pesticides must comply with the Official Controls regulations, requiring responsible handling, storage, and disposal.
· Regulatory Controls: Regular monitoring and enforcement by authorities ensure pesticides are used sustainably, aligning with public health and environmental standards.
Long-Term Sustainability
Chemical pest control methods can often lead to diminishing returns over time as pests develop resistance to commonly used pesticides. This can make infestations harder and more expensive to manage as new, stronger chemicals are required. Physical pest control, however, avoids this issue and provides a sustainable, effective approach that remains viable in the long run.
Reduced Chemical Resistance
One of the major issues with chemical treatments is that pests can become resistant over time. This phenomenon forces operators to either increase dosages or switch to stronger or alternative chemicals.
However, physical methods, such as exclusion barriers, traps, and manual removal, do not rely on pesticides, so they are not affected by this phenomenon.
Degradation over time
Unlike chemicals that may lose potency or degrade over time, physical measures continue to be effective. Degradation can occur either while chemicals are in storage, or if they have been laid as a bait, but not been consumed by the pest.
Compliance with Commercial Regulations
Businesses in industries like hospitality, food service, and healthcare must adhere to strict regulations regarding pest control and environmental impact. Physical pest control methods offer an advantage here, as they align more easily with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
Many industries have guidelines or rules that discourage or restrict the use of certain chemical pesticides, particularly in areas where food is prepared or consumed. For example, the food industry follows HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) principles, which favour non-chemical control methods to avoid contamination risks. Physical pest control solutions are more compliant with such principals.
In addition, for some pests, chemicals are carte blanche not allowed. For example with birds; UK laws protect pest birds for the most part, which means you can’t poison them or spray them with chemicals. Therefore, physical controls, such as spikes, fire gels, bird-proof bins etc are the optimal solution in most cases. Of course, depending on the site, we might recommend lasers, or acoustics, or for large areas, biological controls such as hawks.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM): The Optimal solution
For the most effective pest control, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is normally the best solution. IPM can involve any combination of:
- Physical controls
- Chemical controls
- Cultural controls
- Biological controls
A certified pest control technician assesses each case individually to create a tailored strategy that considers the type of pest, environment, and risk factors, the entry points and attractants, and develops the most effective strategy for the client.
So while physicaal control can be better than chemicals in may ways, its not a clear cut case of swaping of all chemical controls for physical ones. Each case is different. However, while it’s normally possible to veer away from chemicals and to solve pest problems with non-toxic alternatives, chemicals must to remain an option for certain pest types, in certain sitations.
For example, rodent control often benefits from a mix of chemical poisons alongside physical methods like sealing entry points to prevent future infestations. This balanced, adaptable approach minimises risks and maximises effectiveness. While it would be possible to control rodents with mechanical traps, the use of poison will help significantly in reducing the pest population.
On the other hand, pests such as cockroaches would be almost impossible to eliminate without any use of chemicals. Even with chemicals they can be quite challenging, so without using chemicals, it would affect the treatment success rate.
An example of where chemicals are not necessary would be bed bugs. They can be eliminated completely using whole room heat treatments, or spot heat treatments combined with trained sniffer dogs. These are one of Merlin Environmentals’ specialities .
So, in conclusion, pest control is not a ones size fits all solution. It involves a strategic approach that takes all things into consideration, including the on-site factors, the pest involved, the budget, the clients preferences, and legislation.
Need a non-toxic pest control solution?
Prioritising a a non-toxic approach, within an IPM framework, Merlin Environmental provides tailored pest control solutions that focus on health, sustainability, and effectiveness. Our certified technicians assess each situation individually, ensuring that every pest management plan uses the optimal balance of physical, chemical and other methods. Whether you’re dealing with rodents, insects, or other pests, we can advise you on the safest, most effective options to get rid of the pests, while remaining compliant. Reach out to Merlin Environmental to explore a comprehensive, eco-friendly approach to pest control.
