Local resident advocates for effective pest control

After local resident Christine Ashton’s garden service found a dead owl in her yard last week, the North Riding resident was moved to plea with Randburg residents.

Ashton urged residents to be selective when they selected pest control measures in their yards while she shared her story with the Randburg Sun. The avid birder and teacher at St Stithians College would often enjoy the sound of different bird calls while she read with her sliding door open at her home. Ashton was ‘upset’ when the garden service called her outside to view the owl carcass. Sarah Orchardson of EcoSolutions integrated pest management specialists shared that since the national lockdown, rats have increased their presence in residential areas which has subsequently resulted in the increase of predators such as owls.

Although many believe that effective pest management involves the use of pesticides, Orchardson explained that all pesticides are dangerous. “There are no pet-friendly options – poison is essentially just that, poison.” When asked about alternative ways to control pests, Orchardson suggested rodent stoppers sold by the organisation, as well as routinely cutting branches which served as ‘highways’ for rodents. She said that we would ‘never be rid of rats, although these are ways to lessen them’.

Orchardson concluded that although she was aware that the natural reaction to a pest problem has been poison, she encouraged the use of these alternatives as poison affects the food chain. Although the presence of pests was undesirable, the use of poison indirectly increased their presence due to the secondary poisoning of the predators who eat them. EcoSolutions was pleased that residents like Ashton were eager to discuss such issues as well as actively provide sustainable solutions to protect animals.

Details: EcoSolutitions: 072 365 9777.