.A few recent developments in the pest control world may bring about some new ways to treat pests.
The “spidey” gene
Scientists at the university of Hawaii have recently discovered a new gene. It’s called the “spidey” gene, and could have potential benefits for pest control. Most bugs have a waxy coating that they produce that can help them repel water. Scientists have discovered how to control that gene, which could lead to some very effective uses in pest control.
According to Yew, an assistant researcher based in the Pacific Biosciences Research Center of UHMānoa’s School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology. “When we knocked out spidey in adult flies, the flies exhibited several striking features: their lifespan was shortened by about 50 percent, they lost almost all of their waxy coating and flies frequently got stuck to the sides of the plastic vials and were unable to free themselves,” SEE FULL ARTICLE HERE.
This is great news because it could lead to a very safe way to protect crops and humans from pests if it can be adapted to other pests like mosquitoes. It’s still several years in development but it shows great potential for pest control outside of toxic chemicals.
CO2 to stop pests?
A new technology has just been approved by the EPA. It involves using CO2 for pest control. This would be a much safer alternative to toxic chemicals for fumigation in pest control. Fumigation or “tenting” is a process of releasing poisonous gas into either a home, business, or sometimes even shipping containers of grains or other things.
One downside of fumigation is that highly toxic chemicals are used. Secondly, it can take a week or more for your home or business to be safe to enter again. This new CO2 technology would allow for a much safer alternative and quicker turn around.
According to the article on westernfarmpress.com, “CO2 immediately induces an amnestic effect and pests confined within this space succumb to a lack of breathable air resulting in pest suffocation. There is no contamination of soil or other spaces due to lasting chemical and toxic agents.”
This technology is still a few years out from mass approval and use, but it does look good for more environmental and people friendly treatments to be on the way into the pest control industry.
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