As projected by an industrial insecticide official, the government’s most recent laws may make American consumers expend an additional $145 million dollars per year to regulate the presence of the powder post beetle, a very prevalent pest. The Environmental Protection Agency sees things differently, though, noting that the industry itself produced figures that show there are equally cost effective and work just as well to target the powder post beetle as the old chemicals.

Workers in the pest control business stand by their claim that since certain products have been banned for use it has become increasingly costly to get rid of the powder post beetles and some other common household pests. He noted statistics that show that this insect, similar to a termite in nature, infests up to 140,000 homes a year. The previously used chemical was great, he noted, because it allowed the exterminator to spray the house once a year and then be able to guarantee that the home would be beetle free for a year or more. He says there was nothing dangerous about the chemical and that it was highly effective, but now that it is banned they have no choice but to use total fumigation.Pest Controllers information is only a click away.

This is much more invasive as the tenants will have to leave the home while it is filled with chemical gasses. Instead of what normally must be paid for a regular chemical treatment, usually less than $1,000, the homeowner may now be charged anywhere from about $1,000 all the way up to $2,000. The EPA does not see things this way though, noting that the chemical industry has highlighted several possible alternative to the previous product which should be similarly effective and cost about the same. The spokesman was also quick to point out that the threat of the powder post beetle is questionable since it can only cause aesthetic damage.

The new chemical is pentachlorophenol, which has already been approved by the EPA for controlling the powder post beetle, and provides effective control for nearly the same price as the banned pesticide. For this reason, the agency believes that there is no reason for the American consumer to worry about cost increases. The spokesman for the EPA even mentioned that the information that they used was actually obtained from pest control organizations and the maker of the recently banned chemical. The testimony was gleaned from hearings the EPA conducted when addressing what stance they should take on halting the use of the banned chemical.

If the industry insiders fears are realized, it would mean that consumers will be asked to pay millions of extra dollars a year to fend off the powder post beetle. Pest control company employees are not happy, though, since they claim to have been effectively and safely treating homes with the old chemical for more than 30 years and they worry what reaction they will receive when they have to explain to their customers that the formally cheap treatments will now be over a thousand dollars.These people do not believe the EPA got all of the facts before making a decision. He plainly states that the decision by the EPA was erroneous, but wonders how long a reversal will be hung up with public hearings and other road blocks.

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