Your Home (& critters)
Bedbugshelp!
Until a reliable, safe treatment becomes available, avoiding bed bug encounters will be the only reliable way to ensure they don¹t spread into your own home. Here are some tips for dealing with bedbugs:
* Prevention: Avoid bedbug-infested hotels (check travellers¹ hotel assessments on the Internet -below); do not pack more than you need.
* How to detect an infestation: By the smell (sickly-sweet); be on the look-out for signs of infestation on the mattress and headboard; pull the bed away from the wall. Lift the sheet and look at the side of the mattress for bugs, pearly eggs, or dark stains especially in crack, crevices, and seams. Check upholstered items and the backs of framed pictures on the walls.
For more bedbug info See the video on : http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/beating-bed-bug-epidemic?page=2#copy
* Keep bugs away from your luggage: Place your suitcase on the luggage rack and not on the bed. If you suspect your room may be contaminated, inform the desk manager, get a refund and leave. If possible, enclose your clothing and items within a plastic bag until you can deal with them.
* Avoid bringing bedbugs home with you: Undress in the bath or shower; place any suspect items in plastic bags and deep freeze for at least 24 hours, or tumble-dry for 30 minutes or wash at 60°C. Vacuum your luggage well.
* If you are bitten: There have been no reported cases of diseases being transmitted by bedbugs but allergic reactions to the bed bug saliva vary. See your health care provider and report the source of your infestation to the local health department and to the bed bug registry. www.Bedbugregistry.com public database of user-submitted bed bug reports from across the United States and Canada. Founded in 2006, the site has collected about 20,000 reports covering 12,000 locations. Just ignore the ads for pesticides.
www.PureHeat.com- a local Cape Cod company that treats bedbugs, ants, powder post beetle, and even some termite species (dry wood but NOT subterranean), etc., using heat treatments instead of toxic pesticides. This listing should not be construed as an endorsement but until now there has been no toxic-free home pest management available on Cape Cod. As always, it¹s buyer beware but we welcome a less toxic option. For more information on bed bugs and how to eliminate them without poisoning yourself and your family download: http://www.beyondpesticides.org/infoservices/pesticidesandyou/Winter10-11/bedbugs.pdf
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Learn about cancer rates and environmental issues in your town - visit the Massachusetts Health and Environment Information System produced by Silent Spring.
Body Burden From the Environmental Working Group, research on toxics in you and your family.
Safer Products Project: Alternatives for a Healthy Home Be sure to check out the report on the hazards of dust.
Safe Cosmetics Campaign
Whoa Nellie!! There's some truly nasty stuff in them there cosmetics. Find out why your lipstick could be stickin' it to your lips.
From Algae to Yellowjackets, this pest control chart from Peaceful Valley Garden Supply" provides a cross-reference between the pests being managed and the products (beneficial insects, physical controls, biologicals, mineral soaps & oils, botanicals, mineral fungicides) that help to control them."
Of Special Note:
Cat Fleas! Oh, no. Read this information on poisons from the Natural Resources Defense Council, NRDC.
Pests on People and Pets, information from Pesticide Action Network North America, PANNA. Includes fleas, lice, mosquitoes, ticks...
Mold information from the EPA. "the key to mold control is moisture control."
New
York Sues Dow
Can you imagine? Dow wants to say its poison is safe, and New York had
the gall to point out it was illegal. Read on.
Ant Control Solution from Planet Natural no endorsement intended, but a lot of helpful info.