Pesticide Alternatives

Although Recicladora Temarry de Mexico S.A. de C.V. does not process pesticides, we are providing this information as a public service to those who would like to find safer alternatives to pesticide use.

At one time or another most of us have found unwelcome visitors in our homes or yards - rats, weeds, insects and other pests. Pesticides are the insecticides, herbicides and other chemicals used to kill such nuisances. Their value lies in their toxicity to the living things we want to get rid of. That same trait is also the reason pesticides can be dangerous.

Dangers of Pesticides

pesticides can be harmful when misused or stored where children or animals can get into them. They can also affect beneficial animals and insects. Over the years, many insects have become resistant to insecticides, which means larger doses or stronger chemicals are needed to kill them. In addition, the health effects of many pesticides, even when properly used, is not fully known. Some of the more persistent pesticides (those that do not break down easily in the environment) can remain for up to 20 years, passing from one living thing to another. For example, DDT sprayed on crops can end up in lakes from rainwater runoff. Plants ingest the DDT from lake water, minnows get it by eating the plants or absorbing it through their gills, bass eat the minnows and fishermen eat the bass. In this way, environmentally persistent substances such as DDT can be passed along the food chain. That is one reason why most uses of DDT are illegal in the U.S. All pesticides are required to have directions for proper use. Most also have instructions for safe disposal and what to do in case of accidental poisoning. Still, every year 2 million people suffer from pesticide poisoning, and 40,000 die. In the U.S., 50,000 cases of pesticide poisoning are recorded annually.

Safe Alternatives

Some pesticides are non-hazardous or less hazardous than others. When purchasing pesticides, look for the least toxic product that does what you want it to do. An even better solution is to use safe substitutes instead of pesticides - for example, pulling weeds instead of using herbicides. Many amphibians, reptiles, birds, bats and insects are good natural pest controls. Other natural alternatives are listed here for the following pests:

Ants: Indoors, mix together equal amounts of powdered sugar and powdered borax. Sprinkle in corners and around base-boards. Pour salt, red chili pepper, cream of tartar, dried mint or sage at the point of entry. Store food in sealed containers and keep the kitchen clean. Outdoors, plant onions around beans or place powdered charcoal or bone meal around the garden.

Aphids: Spray plants with soapy water and rinse after aphids are dead. Plant garlic, chives, petunias and nasturtiums in the garden. Introduce lacewings or ladybugs.

Beetles, caterpillars: Pick pests off plants and drop in a can of soapy water.

Cockroaches: Indoors, mix together equal amounts of powdered sugar and powdered borax, or oatmeal flour and plaster of paris, or baking soda and powdered sugar. Sprinkle in corners and around baseboards. Store food in sealed containers and keep the kitchen clean. Place bay leaves around cracks.

Cutworms, tent caterpillars, gypsy moths: Smash gypsy moth egg masses. Sink paper cups (with bottoms removed) around seedlings to block cutworms.

Fleas: Feed pets garlic tablets, vitamin B or brewers yeast.

Flies: Set bowls of mint sprigs or ground basil leaves where flies enter home. Mealy bugs, red spider mites, , lice: Spray plants with soapy water and rinse after pests are dead. Introduce ladybugs.

Millipedes, wire worms: Punch holes in the sides and bottom of a tall juice can. Bury upright in garden border. Fill with carrot or potato peelings. Empty can weekly.

Moles, mice: Plant "mole plant."

Moths: Place cedar blocks or small bags of dried lemon peels, dried lavender, bay leaves, whole cloves, dried rosemary, mint, or whole peppercorns with clothes.

Mosquitoes: Drain stagnant water to kill larvae, or pour a film of salad oil on surface. Burn a citronella candle.

Potato beetles: Plant horseradish or flax.

Slugs, snails: Plant onions. Sink a shallow pan with beer or vinegar in the ground to trap them. Place old cabbage leaf or board on ground for them to gather under for easy killing.

Termites: Remove scrap wood from yard. Eliminate direct contact between wood and soil.

Tomato worms: Plant asparagus, marigolds.

For More Information:

Bio-Integral Resource Center (BIRC) (510) 524-2567

University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardner's: (858) 694-2860

Storm water Hotline: (888) THINK BLUE / (888) 844-6525

Household Hazardous Waste Hotline (pesticide disposal info): (877) 713-2784

Pollution Prevention Program: (858) 495-5799

University of California IMP website: www.ipm.ucdavis.edu

DTSC or pesticide information www.cdpr.ca.gov/

info@temarry.com