Kuala Lumpur, Jun 3 Pesticides were once believed to be the best defence against pests, but now an advocate of safe substitutes has come up with safer ways of getting rid of them.

Stephen L. Tvedten from US believes that it is better to use intelligence against pests, and he has come up with more than 2,800 safe and effective alternatives to pesticides.

Tvedten, a former boxer, has even posted a virtual pest management encyclopaedia called "The Best Control II" which, among others, states that using aspartame (sweetener) or even beer is effective in killing rats.

"All one has to do is use a lasagne pan which has a thin layer of oil on it," the New Straits Times Online quoted him as saying.

"Then pour some beer on the pan. Once rats consume the beer, they would develop some internal reaction before their tummies blow up," he said.

He also noted that pesticides were not only dangerous, but often did not work effectively.

"If we use our intelligence, we will win the battle against these pests, but if we use pesticides, we will lose," he said.

"If pesticides actually work, there will not be insects around us," he added.

Tvedten was invited by the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) and gave an insight on his views to the press on June 2.

CAP president S.M. Mohamed Idris, who was also present, said that CAP had always maintained there should be a phase-out and banning of toxic chemicals.

"It will be better to immediately work towards drastically lessening the number of existing toxic chemicals and preventing the introduction of new ones," he said.

"The unbridled introduction and use of toxic chemicals must be checked," he added. (ANI)