Alternatives!
Common Sense Pest Control
There are more than one million insect species on this planet but less than one percent of those are considered pests. The other 99 percent play a crucial role in our food chain and many are indispensable. Flying insects such as bees and butterflies pollinate fruits and vegetables. Burrowing insects aerate soil and assist in the decomposition of organic material by returning nutrients to the soil. Insects also serve an important role as a food source for birds, fish, other animals and some plants. These facts seem to be forgotten in our quest to attain a "perfect lawn" and a pest-free home. Many people seem to think it is an "us against them" world in battling insects.But remember, a perfect lawn and pest-free homes are not really important in the big picture. What is important is preserving our health and maintaining a balance with nature.(Excerpt from Pesticide Fact Sheet - Broward County, Florida. We added the bold text.)
Pesticides are -by design- toxic chemicals. Many are known to cause cancer, chronic health problems and other adverse health effects in humans and other animals. The health effects of many of these substances are untested and unknown. Using least toxic pest management in your home and yard, you will be protecting yourself, your family, and your pets from unnecessary exposures to toxic compounds. However, even least toxic pest controls have impacts on health and the environment and should not be used casually or without reading the label.
The goal of GreenCAPE is to educate people about using least-toxic and alternatives to pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, and to help you recognize the need to protect and preserve the quality of our surface and groundwater resources in response to the pressures of a rapidly growing Cape population.
Pesticides are toxic to both humans and the environment. Reducing pesticide use to the greatest extent practicable will maximize the protection of both human and environmental health. Least toxic pest management prevents pollution and protects your health and the health of your family, friends and pets.
We are providing the following vetted links as a convenience to the reader but GreenCAPE accepts no money or compensation of any kind from these companies (or any others on our website) and does not in any way endorse them or accept responsibility for their claims.
Websites of Interest and Downloadable Documents:
Pest Problem Solver- from Planet Natural (Good Stuff for Your World!) See pictures, descriptions and a complete list of earth-friendly remedies http://www.planetnatural.com/site/pest_problem_solver.html
National
Coalition Against the Misuse Of Pesticides Factsheets
Least Toxic Control of Pests in the Home and
Garden www.beyondpesticides.org/alternatives/factsheets
a very complete list links to individual fact sheets describing
the least toxic methods of control.
NCAP's Alternative Resources www.pesticide.org/factsheets.html#alternatives Publications, fact sheets and articles from NCAP (the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides)
Integrated pest Management Practitioner www.birc.org/products.pdf The IPM Practitionerıs 2002 Directory of Least Toxic Pest Control Products. More information at www.birc.org Bio-Integral Resource Center, a non-profit in Berkeley, CA.
GreenCAPE FACT SHEETS
• Basic Alternataive Product List
for the Gardener. The least toxic options for your yard, garden, lake
and you, compiled by GreenCAPE and includes where to find more information.
Downloads in pdf format.
ASK GREENCAPE
Question:
I am having a problem with wasps coming out of the ground, and I'm afraid my grandchildren will be stung. What can I do that's safe?
Answer:
You might be interested in this new product which only has food grade mint oil and carbon dioxide in a spray can that shoots to 15 feet. Of course it's better not to kill insect predators and pollinators but if you feel it must be done, at least you won't be harming pets, grandkids, neighbors and yourself with this product, Victor Wasp and Hornet Spray. So far I haven't seen it locally but it can be purchased at www.saferbrand.com.