What is a pest?

A pest is an organism so designated by the pesticide industry to promote the use of their chemicals. In reality, most so-called “pests” are nothing more than nuisances we occasionally encounter in our homes or business. Bed bugs don’t carry any diseases and are not dangerous. But they are one of the most profitable “pests” on the planet. In reality, they are nothing more than a nuisance you may end up sleeping with some night. Cockroaches are described by the pesticide industry as being filthy disease-laden bugs that will make you sick. Except in a few cases in ghetto type environments, that is not the case at all. Call your local hospital and ask them how many people they have due to cockroach related diseases. None. Then ask them how many people they have who are there because of pesticide problems. They will have some. Ants are a nuisance in most cases but some species like fire ants can be dangerous and should be considered a pest. Some other species, such as argentine ants, that have enormous colonies and can overrun a house should also be considered pests. Most species can be controlled with simple baiting solutions. There are other real pests such as certain species of mosquitoes that can carry diseases. Some fleas and ticks can carry diseases. Also some rodents not only carry diseases such as hantavirus, but carry ectoparasites that can cause problems. Termites can do serious damage to your home and some insects will destroy clothing or get into food. These can be considered pests. But most of the so-called “pests” we spray with dangerous pesticides are really no more than nuisances. I am not advocating, for instance,that if you have crab lice, you should try to stab them with an ice pick. But you don’t need to spray your crotch with a pesticide either. Rub some coconut oil or cedar on them and they will die and you will not suffer from pesticide exposure (or ice pick wounds).

We need to look at our household invaders and decide, are they dangerous, or are they simply a nuisance. Then act accordingly. Even in the case of real pests, most can be controlled without dangerous pesticides. The real “pests” in our society are the manufacturers of all these hideous pesticides, not the organisms they are designed to kill.