Answer:

Use integrated pest management to control pests. This safe and simple approach offers alternatives to using toxic chemicals to control pests. When used in combination, simple steps like cleaning up, sealing cracks and entryways, and cutting off food and water to pests can be highly effective. You can even ask your pest control professional to take this approach before resorting to toxic chemicals. Beyondpesticides.org can help you locate a pest control professional who practices IPM. They also have an extensive list of exactly what to do to address a wide variety of pests.

The New Jersey Environmental Federation and Clean Water Fund has an informative brochure than can also help you control pests without pesticides.

Answer:

Pesticide drift, when chemicals drift onto your property on the wind or contaminate groundwater nearby, is a serious concern for many parents who live near farms. Unless it’s an organic farm, one can assume that pesticides are sprayed regularly. If you live near a farm or even a home that sprays pesticides, there are ways you can protect yourself.

Since the main focus of our Health e House site is the home, we don't have a lot of information on agricultural uses of pesticides and how that affects neighboring residents. You can contact one of the national anti-pesticide organizations, such as Beyond Pesticides, NCAP, Pesticide Education Center, or PANNA.

Answer:

You are right to be concerned about pesticide use in your home. There are safer alternatives for controlling pests! There are also steps you can take to protect yourself after pesticides have been sprayed. It is recommended that you find out what kind of pesticide was used in your home and find out exactly where and how it was applied.

Open windows to let fumes out and then deep clean everything in the area.

Answer:

Your concern about the pesticide used in your apartment is valid. As the tenant, you do have certain rights. Keep yourself informed about pest control without pesticides so that you can share information with your landlord and neighbors.

What I recommend is that you contact the exterminator directly and ask for a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), which they are required to have by law. The MSDS will give you very detailed information about the active ingredient in the pesticides used. However there are also “inert” ingredients which may be harmful as well.

You can look at the pesticide fact sheets at Beyond Pesticide's website. From the main page, select Pesticide Fact sheets from the Info Services pop-down menu.

The Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides also has fact sheets on their website.

Answer:

You can contact the Northwest Coalition for Pesticide Reform or Beyond Pesticides.