AN OUNCE
OF PREVENTION…
By Liberty Goodwin, Director
Toxics Information Project (TIP)
NOT SO SCARY -
CONTROLLING CREEPY CRAWLIES
It’s not small strangers knocking on your door at
Halloween that cause fear and trembling for the average householder. It’s the teeny weeny creepy crawlies that
may have a bite to them that evoke dismay and fright. And some are more likely to appear when the weather gets cold and
they seek a warm place - or your kids bring them home from school. Not to worry - there are ways to show these
unwelcome visitors the exit - and without poisoning the humans. This month, we’ll address how to banish a
Terrible Trio of pests - Spiders, Mice, and the awfuls that rhyme with mice!
General Tips
1. Don’t
Let Them In. Feel no shame if
you’ve got bugs or mice - they aren’t there because of housekeeping flaws. They
come from elsewhere/outside and you can shut off access to most. They are invaders, not house guests! What to do?
First, find and close off openings they might use to enter.
2. Eliminate
Any Attractants, including standing water and traces of food. Once inside, make them unwelcome! Cockroaches are sometimes a “gift” from the
neighbors. When I lived in New York
City years ago, we had a problem with these unpleasant beasties. I battened down the hatches - took every
single bit of food and made sure it was in a tightly closed container,
(including the garbage) or in the refrigerator. Result? Not a roach to be
seen.
3. Get
Tough, But Not Toxic. Kids and pets
are vulnerable - don’t spray, hold the toxic pesticides, think natural
deterrents and solutions.
Specific Pest
Strategies
SPIDERS: When you see a cobweb
just vacuum them up and dispose of the bag.
If needed, there is a cobweb eliminator available which breaks up the
web so the spider cannot come back and reuse it. (Note: Spiders have a
good side - they get rid of other, more noxious bugs. I do kill any found
inside, though, because I don’t want them crawling on me while sleeping)
FIELD MICE: Crumbs get inside cutlery drawers - make
sure you check them on a regular basis.
Clean out cupboards, check for droppings on worktops. Seal up cracks and crevices - mice do not
require much space to get inside. Use
snap traps - more humane than glue boards.
Don’t put poisons inside - they’re dangerous to kids and pets.
Our Own Mouse Saga!
I first became aware of our mouse problem in classic fashion: I saw one while in the bathroom -- and stood
on the toilet seat and screamed and screamed! When the mouse was not visible I
slipped out the door carefully to avoid letting it out to roam our
apartment. The final, comic finale to
this episode came when my fearless husband, Paul Klinkman, sneaked quickly into
the bathroom to reconnoiter. He
discovered the mouse had wound up IN the toilet, apparently in a desperate
effort to escape. However, the saga was
far from over. Sightings by our
downstairs neighbor in his place and by Paul in the basement led us to action
(and no mice since!).
Paul’s
Successful Mouse Hunt: “I saw a field mouse in the basement, on a
floor support up under the first floor. I purchased 8 mousetraps in all.
They were baited with peanut butter and each was placed at the top of the
basement concrete wall near floor joists. I placed the traps to hang out
one inch from the wall, peanut butter side inward, and positioned all traps at
least 4 feet from each other. We
caught 7 mice, then apparently ran out.
Note: When they die, they give off a dead mouse smell at that spot
which other mice to avoid it.
Bringing in the Experts When to call a
professional? If you don’t want to
clean up the mess. Or, if there is a
large nest you do not want to disturb. Turn to an eco-friendly pest control person. The best such resource we have found so far
in RI is Bio-Tech Pest Control, based in Westerly but travels. Go to http://biotechpestcontrols.com, or
contact David Jones at 401-315-2400 or bugs@biotechpestcontrols.com If using another service, insist on less
toxic solutions. Consult with TIP if
you have any doubts - and note that some pest control people are unaware of the
true hazards of the materials they are using.
HEAD LICE: Even nice, clean kids can pick these up at
school. Don’t panic - there are many
solutions to this unpleasantness. ALTERNATIVES & CAUTIONS:
Alternative
Lice Treatments Shiawassee
County Health Department, Corunna, Michigan (989) 743-2355, 800-859-4229, http://health.shiawassee.net/STD/alt_lice_treat.htm
Olive Oil, Mayonnaise, Baby Oil: Apply to the scalp and
hair. Leave on at least 8 hours (may be covered with a shower cap if done
over night- but use caution when doing this with small children to avoid
suffocation). Comb through hair before washing. Shampoo hair with
regular shampoo. May re-treat with this method every 4 days if needed.
Castile Soap (Or Coconut Oil/Olive Oil Shampoo: Shampoo hair, rinse. Shampoo, leave
lather in for 15-20 minutes. Remove nits with nit comb or
fingernails. Rinse with warm water.
Vinegar Rinse: Use 1 cup vinegar to 1 quart
water. Helps to loosen nits, helps to swell nits for easier viewing.
To
Treat The Environment: Fumigation
of the home is NOT recommended!!
Sprays for the home are NOT recommended!
Machine-Wash all washable clothing and bed linens
that have been in contact with the infested person in hot water and
detergent. Machine dry these articles at high heat for at least 20
minutes. Dry- Clean any article
that is not washable. (TIP: Use eco-friendly dry cleaner) An alternative to water washing/dry
cleaning (which can be expensive) is to Place The Articles In A Plastic Bag,
seal it and store it for at least 2 weeks. Another option is to put the
sealed bag in the freezer for 24 hours.
Soak Combs And Brushes in hot water (150 degrees F) for 5-10
minutes, or in a 2% bleach solution for an hour. (Bleach is not
recommended by TIP) Vacuum all
upholstered furniture, mattresses, carpets, floors, pillows, car upholstery and
where children play. Vacuuming up loose
hairs and lice, wiping furniture are necessary.
Promoting
a Natural Alternative to Chemical Head Lice Treatments www.headlice.org.uk/index.html
Dr.
Alan Greene, Pediatrician - Alternative Treatments For Lice
What the
NPA (National Pediculosis Association) Is Saying About Mayonnaise, Vaseline and Tea Tree Oil, www.headlice.org/faq/treatments/alternatives.htm
What Not to Use - Lindane Shampoo.
The
Dangers of Head Lice Pesticides, www.licebgone.com/dangers.html
Pesticide Action
Network of North America, Ban Lindane Now! Pages
www.panna.org/campaigns/lindane.html
FDA
Action Shows Grave Dangers Of Lindane Lice Treatment,
Says
National Pediculosis Association
www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content/news/FDA_lice_treatment.html
Head of
the Quebec Poison Control Centre Calls for a Ban on Lindane-Based Head Lice
Products www.headlice.org/news/classics/canadalindane.htm
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Liberty Goodwin is Director of the Providence-based Toxics Information Project (TIP). Contact her at: 401-351-9193 or liberty@toxicsinfo.org to submit a query or a TIP about healthier household choices. Visit TIP’s website: www.toxicsinfo.org for a wealth of info on keeping healthy in a toxic world.