In the past, people used some pretty grotesque chemicals to kill pests and rodents.

Now, people are wising up and realizing that such chemicals can be dangerous. These folks are finding new, eco-friendly to keep their homes pest-free.

Environmentally friendly exterminating services, dubbed integrative pest management, are popping up across the nation. The companies, who mostly work with commercial clients, say the demand for their services is on the rise.

“Traditional pest control companies run around spraying pesticides,” said Joel Sklar, vice president of sales at Assured Environments, an integrated pest management company in Manhattan. “We’re using glue traps to find out where there are animals and pests … and we seal holes and areas to prevent them from getting in.”

As always, it’s still a battle to rid yourself of unwanted rodents. But now you don’t have to screw up the entire environment just to do it.