The 60 million consumers association warns of the risks presented by these products and promotes alternatives.
Coming back from vacation, Thaïs had a very bad surprise. Cockroaches have taken up residence in her house. His reflex was then to spray every corner of his apartment with “an armada of products” insecticides.
“I don’t care if I have cancer”
But according to a recent study by the association 60 million consumers70% of treatments against “pests” present a health risk, in particular because they can be bought and kept for several years in cupboards even though they contain dangerous substances that are even prohibited today.
“Me clearly, I want them to die. I don’t care about having cancer, frankly, rather die than having critters like that. I can’t”, replies Thaïs.
Problem: In addition to being harmful, these products are often ineffective. Thaïs therefore had to call on a specialized company. “I take my gel, I go behind the fridge, where there are nests, and I’m going to put gel tips”, shows the specialist.
Healthier alternatives exist
But for 60 Million Consumers, all these chemical solutions must be used as a last resort.
“There are alternatives, I am thinking of rodents for example: baits and traps are an alternative to the use of more dangerous substances”, explains Sophie Coisne, deputy editor of the magazine.
“You will also be able to put in your cupboards small animals which will not cause an infestation in your home but which, on the other hand, will attack the moth eggs and get rid of them” such as trichogramma (also called micro-wasps), explains- she again.
Alternatives can also have other beneficial consequences because in addition to being dangerous for humans, 75% of pest control products are also harmful to the environment. 60% of them can even endanger the health of pets.