|
|
check
this site http://ciin.org/pages/07-library.html
DON'T POISON THE PLANET WITH TOXIC CHEMICALS
How to survive in a toxic world .
Ask your doctor to pass this around to all his patients with undiagnosed symptoms as they are likely to be suffering from chemical sensitivities and the poisoning the planet .
|
So many doctors do not know about chemical sensitivities and the industry implies this does not exist. Help us all and share what you know about effects of chemicals on yourself and others and share this site .
Santa
Clara County Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Program
Table
of Contents
What Are
Hazardous Household Products?
Hazardous
household products are products purchased for use in the home, containing
ingredients that, because of their chemical properties, have the potential
to harm people or the environment. Typical hazardous products include:
- Automotive
fluids household cleaners
- Disinfectants
polishes
- Pesticides
pet care products
- Paint
products photographic chemicals
- Swimming
pool chemicals
- Personal
hygiene product
Even though
easily purchased at the local store, a product can still be harmful to
you, your family and the environment. Many household products contain
chemicals that are poisonous, corrosive, flammable, and/or chemically
reactive. Many have not been tested for potential long-term health effects
on humans.
Households
with small children must be especially careful about the hazardous nature
of a product. In the hands of a curious child, products that are reasonably
safe when used as directed can cause grievous harm. In 1990, 11% of
calls to Poison Control Center involved a child and a cleaning product.
Improper
disposal of these products can endanger the health of your family, the
community, sanitation workers, and the environment. See page 58 for
information on how to dispose of these products properly.
Becoming
a Less-Toxic Consumer
First
of all, know that you can make a difference! This booklet was developed
to help you make that difference by becoming a consumer of less-toxic
products.
As an
informed consumer, you can have an impact on the amounts and types of
household products produced. By shopping for less-toxic or non-toxic
products, you send a message to manufacturers which encourages them
to produce safer alternatives to hazardous household products. If your
local store doesn't stock products that are recommended in this booklet,
talk to the store's manager and ask him/her to consider selling the
product. For suggestions on where to find some hard-to-find products,
contact the offices listed in Additional Resources, p. 63.
Vote
with Your Dollar!
- Reduce
The Use. Use less-toxic alternatives whenever possible.
- Be A
"Smart Shopper".
- Always
read the label, and buy the least-toxic product.
- Buy
only the amount that you need.
- Don't
be seduced by sales.
- Think
"Safe".
- Properly
handle and store materials.
- Dispose
of household hazardous waste legally and safely.
How to
Use This Booklet
Use this
booklet when you make up your shopping list. Better yet, take it with
you when you go shopping. Then, if you require additional information,
you can simply thumb through the guide until you find what you need.
This booklet
is designed to help you identify and shop for safer substitutes to hazardous
household products. It includes information on less-toxic or non-toxic
alternative products and techniques, safe handling, storage and disposal
of the hazardous products you do buy, and who to contact for additional
information.
Read this
booklet with a pen in your hand.
Here is
a brief summary of what you will find inside:
- Reading
Product Labels
In
this section we take a look at a typical pesticide label. If you
don't do so already, get in the habit of reading labels. This will
help you know more about the products you purchase and aid you in
selecting the least-toxic product.
- Alternatives
& Safer Substitutes
This
section lists a variety of alternatives and safer substitutes organized
according to product type. In some cases, there are specific safe
handling recommendations. The shopping lists that follow each discussion
include brand name examples and information about the recommended
materials. (page 11)
- General
Information
This
section outlines general safe practices for handling and storage
of household products that contain ingredients that have the potential
to cause harm. (page 57)
It
also includes the hotline number for information on the disposal
programs in Santa Clara County. (page 58)
There
are two brief sections on specific concerns associated with aerosol
containers and septic systems. (page 59)
- Resources
This
section contains information on who to contact locally about hazardous
household products, and agencies and books that can provide additional
information on alternative products and safer substitutes. (page
62)
Reading
Product Labels
Federal
law requires that most hazardous household products include specific
types of information about the product on their labels.
The Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) regulates labeling
of products which contain pesticides.
The Federal
Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA) regulates labeling of all other hazardous
products.
Most product
labels tend to advertise the virtues of the product rather than emphasize
information on product safety. The consumer must know what to look for
and how to read the fine print on a label.
Reading
a Pesticide Label
When pesticides
are registered they are subjected to tests that examine the acute or
immediate hazard associated with that product. The signal word on the
label can give you a general indication of the level of toxicity (lethal
dose) of the product:
- "Danger/Poison"
The most lethal type. Drinking a few drops to 1 tsp. of the product
will kill the average person.
- "Warning"
Drinking 1 tsp. to 1 ounce of the product will kill the average person.
- "Caution"
Drinking over 1 ounce of the product will kill the average person.
Look for the
following information on pesticide labels. See the sample label on the
next page.
- Brand
Name
- Common
Name of Primary Chemical(s)
- Ingredients
Statement - Every pesticide label must name and list the percentages
of all active ingredients (i.e. the ingredients that kill the pest).
Manufacturers are now required to list several inactive, inert ingredients
that have hazardous qualities (e.g. petroleum distillates).
- Type
of Formulation - Label tells what form the product is in (e.g. powder).
- Pests
Registered Against - Label includes a list of the pests the pesticide
has been proven to be effective against in California registration
tests.
- Child
Hazard Warning
- Net
Contents
- Directions
for Use - The label must tell you how to use the product within its
legal requirements and for best results. Watch for special directions
for use on vegetables.
- Warning
statements and signal words - This section includes recommendations
on protective clothing and equipment and on precautions to take to
avoid exposure of children and pets. May contain warnings about toxicity
to fish. Includes the signal words (see discussion on previous page)
that indicate relative acute toxicity to humans). Labels do not indicate
any long-term or chronic hazards (e.g. cancer or birth defects) of
the chemicals contained in the product. Many products have not been
tested for their long-term effect on humans.
- Misuse
Statement/Liability
- Registration
and Establishment Numbers - Every pesticide must be registered with
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Labels must contain the
registration number (EPA Reg. No. XX) and an establishment number
(code for the manufacturer) (EPA Est. No. XX).
- Name
and Address of Manufacturer -Manufacturer can be contacted for additional
information. The manufacturer can supply you with more detailed information
about product constituents in their "Material Safety Data Sheet."
Sample
Pesticide Label
Directions:
Spray thoroughly on infested plant parts. Repeat as necessary. Household
pests (Roaches, Ants, Flies): 2 Tablespoons per gallon of water. Spray
on area frequented by insects. Avoid contamination of food, dishes,
utensils and waster. Repeat as necessary. Vegetables (Broccoli, Brussel
Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Kale, Beans, Peas, Potatoes):
1 Tablespoon
per gallon water. Do not apply to Broccoli and Peas within 3 days of
harvest and to Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower or Kale within
7 days of harvest. Do not apply to Beans within 1 day of harvest. Use
up to harvest on Potatoes.
CAUTION:
Harmful if swallowed. Do not breathe vapor or spray mist. Avoid contact
with skin and hands. Wash hands thoroughly after using. Avoid contamination
of food. Keep children and animals away from treated areas until the
areas are dry. If poisoning occurs, call a physician immediately. Note
to Physicians: Emergency Information - call (123) 456-7890. Atropine
is antidotal. Do not use, pour, spill or store near heat or open flame.
Food utensils such as teaspoons or Tablespoons should not be used for
food purposes after use with pesticides. Do not reuse container. Dispose
of container when empty. This product will kill fish. Keep out of any
body of water. Do not contaminate water by cleaning of equipment or
disposal of wastes. Apply this product only as specified on this label.
This product is highly toxic to bees.
NOTICE:
Buyer assumes all responsibility for safety and use not in accordance
with directions.
Product
1223344 EPA Reg. No. 0000 EPA Est 111-22-3
Chemico
Chemical Company, 100 Main Street, Beaverton, MD 54321
ZAPPO
Tranziapon Insect Spray
CAUTION: Keep out of reach of children
Net Contents
8 fl. oz.
Store in a cool, dry place. Read entire label. Use in accordance with
label cautions and directions. Keep original container. Do not put concentrate
or dilute into food or drink container.
Active
Ingredients by wt. Tranziapon* -49%
Petroleum
Derivative Solvent -34%
Inert Ingredients -17%
3 Ditransudate of cismercapto pontificate
Makes
up to 24 gallons
Diluted spray kills insects: Aphids, Red Spider Mites, Flies, Mealy-Bugs
and Scales.
Alternatives
& Safer Substitutes
This section is divided into general product categories:
- Automotive
Products
- Cleaners,
Polishes & Deodorizers
- Paint
Products
- Personal
Hygiene Products
- Pesticides
and Fertilizers
- Pet
Care Products
- Miscellaneous
Products
Each subsection
contains recommended alternatives and safer substitutes for specific types
of commonly-purchased products.
It is
important to note that some of the recommended materials may not be
non-toxic but rather are less-toxic, safer alternatives to products
that are believed to be hazardous.
To make
it easier to find the recommended pest control and cleaning products,
brand name examples are included. The examples have been collected,
primarily, from five documents written by recognized experts in their
respective fields. These source documents are preceded by an asterisk
on the lists of books found on pp. 64 and 65.
No endorsement
of named products is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products
that are not mentioned.
Automotive
Products
| For
This |
Try
This |
| Air
Conditioning |
If
your air conditioning system needs a charge of freon (a chlorofluorocarbon
Freon Recharge (CFC)), the system is leaking and is contributing
to the depletion of the earth's ozone layer. Don't add more freon.
Get the leak fixed.
Find a garage that has the equipment to recover and recycle freon.
Buy a car without air conditioning. Almost all car air conditioning
systems use freon. Substitutes are being studied. |
| Antifreeze |
Have
your antifreeze changed at a garage that recycles antifreeze. Call
and ask.
Don't drain your used antifreeze into the street. What goes into
the storm drains flows directly into our creeks and on to the Bay
with no treatment. See page 17 for more info on antifreeze.
Drain your used antifreeze into a drain pan. Collect the 2 gals.
that were in your radiator plus 2 additional gals. of flush water.
This will capture most of the metal particles (toxic to fish) that
were in your radiator fluid. Take to an HHW Disposal Program. See
p. 58.
Change your antifreeze regularly to prevent corrosion in your radiator. |
| Radiator |
Chemical
flushes, which contain very chemical corrosive chemicals, have been
shown to flushes sometimes cause more damage in your radiator than
help. They may loosen up mineral deposits that have been protecting
weak, corroded spots in the radiator.
Install a simple back flushing system to allow you to really flush
your radiator well with just water.
Ask your mechanic. |
| Degreasers |
Never
hose down oil and grease spills. To absorb grease and oil spills
on concrete surfaces, sprinkle cornmeal, sawdust, or kitty-litter;
allow to sit for several hours, then sweep into a plastic bag and
place in the trash. (Professional garages always have an absorbant
material on hand in case of fluid spills.) |
| Grease on hands |
Wear
gloves to keep hands clean. This becoming standard practice in some
professional garages.
Use citrus-based hand cleaners.
Rub greasy hands with baby oil. Then clean with soap and water. |
| Motor oil |
Always
recycle used oil! If your neighborhood has curbside pickup of recyclables
like aluminum and newspapers, you probably have curbside oil pickup.
Call your garbage company.
Or, contact local recycling centers to see if they accept used oil.
Or call 1-800-553-2962 for a list of service stations and other
businesses that accept used oil.
Have your oil changed professionally. They will recycle the oil.
Fix your car's oil leak! People who would never think of pouring
oil down a storm drain or into a creek, allow their car to leak
oil onto the street.
Do not use waste oil on roads to control dust. Most of that oil
will end up being washed into our creeks.
Re-refined, recycled oil is now becoming available. Ask your retailer.
Support the recycled products market. |
| Oil Filters |
Drain
filters into your used oil pan for 24 hrs.
Place filter in a plastic bag. Your city's curbside oil program
may accept filters. Call your garbage company. Or, take to a disposal
program, see p. 58.
The metal will be recycled. |
| Transmission
& Brake fluid |
Fix
leaks.
Some automotive fluids can be recycled.
Keep fluids separated and take to a disposal program, p. 58. |
| Car batteries |
Easy
to recycle, see p. 17 for info on batteries and p. 66 for a list
of battery recyclers.
Clean battery terminals with a paste of baking soda and water. |
| Gasoline |
Walk,
bicycle, or use public transit.
Limit your use of fuel by driving a fuel-efficient car and keeping
it tuned, by carpooling, and by planning vehicle trips efficiently
("cold engine" starts really pollute).
Consider modifying your engine to use propane, methanol or natural
gas. They burn cleaner than gasoline. And pumps are scattered throughout
the Bay Area.
Or buy an electric car - the car of the future. Contact California
Energy Commission for info: (916) 324-3298.
Avoid having to dispose of old gasoline. Stored gas can go stale
after 6 months. Stale gas can make starting an engine very difficult
or even impossible. (If uncontaminated, gas can be used up, a cup
or so at a time, by adding to tanks of fresh gas. Or see p. 58 for
disposal programs. |
| Boats |
Use
up or transfer gas before storing the boat over the winter. |
| Lawn mowers |
Buy
only enough gas to do the job for the next month-even 1/2 gal. at
a time. Storing gas in mower can damage carburetor parts in a few
months.
Next time, buy a manual push mower. There are no fuel costs, no
pollution, no noise, and you get exercise! |
| Windshield
Washer Solution |
Use
plain water, or water with a touch of liquid soap. A dilution of
3:1 (water to fluid) of the average ready-to-use commercial windshield
washer fluid is adequate freeze protection for most of California
(i.e. down to 20 degrees F.) (Commercial products contain methanol
to prevent freezing, and a detergent. This alcohol contributes to
air pollution and is dangerous if swallowed.)
Do not use a vinegar mixture. May damage the windshield washer pump.
See more on glass cleaners, p. 20. |
| Washing the
Car |
Take
cars to a commercial carwash. Their wastewater either goes to a
wastewater treatment plant or is recycled at the carwash.
If you wash the car on the street, use only water. If you need to
use soap (e.g. to cut grease), use one that has been shown to biodegrade
quickly (see p. 17). Empty your bucket into a sink or toilet, not
the storm drain. Whatever goes into the storm drain goes directly
into our creeks with no treatment. Chemicals in soaps and detergents
are highly toxic to fish and other marine life.
Wash cars on your lawn or a dirt area so that water can return to
the groundwater supply, not run off into the storm drain. Also,
the chemicals in your soap or detergent could be filtered by the
soil and biodegrade in the soil into less harmful substances. |
| Polishes |
To
polish chrome, apply a paste of baking soda and water with a sponge
or soft cloth; after a few minutes, rinse clean and dry. |
| Degreasers |
Use
water-based detergents or citrus-based degreasers. Avoid products
which contain methylene chloride (known to cause cancer in laboratory
animals). Never use gasoline to clean auto parts. Gas contains benzene(known
to cause cancer in humans). Evaporating gas contributes to air pollution.
Kerosene or diesel fuel may be adequate for your degreasing needs
(less flammable and less dangerous to store than gas; doesn't evaporate
as fast as gas; recyclable (see p. 58).
Steam clean your engine at carwashes equipped with coin-operated
steam cleaning equipment. |
Safe Handling
Gasoline
- Because of its flammable and toxic characteristics, gasoline can be
one of the most dangerous products found around the house. Gas contains
benzene, a chemical known to cause cancer in humans. Avoid breathing
gas fumes and never use gas to clean auto parts or hands. Avoid storing
any type of fuel. If you must, only use containers specifically designed
for this purpose and leave a couple of inches for vapor expansion. Store
the container in a secure, well-ventilated area of the garage or storage
shed, away from the hot water heater, with its pilot light, or other
potential source of heat, sparks or flame and where children can't get
at it.
Used
motor oil - Used oil has been found to cause cancer in laboratory
animals. Keep hands as clean as possible while working on the car.
Solvents
- Auto part degreasers are usually composed of solvents that evaporate
quickly. The fumes are often toxic and very flammable. Never smoke while
using degreasers. Use outside, ideally, or in well-ventilated areas
with open windows and a fan.
Car
batteries - Be careful not to spill the fluid that's inside the
battery. Sulfuric acid found in batteries is extremely corrosive; just
a small amount can burn skin and cause blindness if splashed in eyes.
Sulfuric acid also gives off ignitable gases (so don't smoke near the
battery). The lead in improperly disposed of batteries can contaminate
groundwater supplies and surrounding soils. Lead affects the human central
nervous system. Always turn in old vehicle batteries when purchasing
new ones or give/sell used batteries to a battery recyclers (see p. 66).
Antifreeze
- Though highly toxic, ethylene glycol, the main ingredient in antifreeze,
has a very sweet smell and taste which is attractive to small children
and pets. Clean up any spills immediately and never leave antifreeze
in open, unattended containers. Antifreeze going down a storm drain
carries the ethylene glycol and metal fragments (esp. lead) from your
engine into creeks and on to the Bay. Both ethylene glycol and these
metal particles are toxic to fish.
Shopping
List of Safer Alternatives
- Baby
oil (mineral oil)
- Baking
soda
- Biodegradable
liquid soap (i.e. biodegrades quickly) (e.g. Dr. Bronner's Castile
Soap, Shaklee Basic H, Life Tree Home Soap, Bi-O-Kleen II or other
vegetable-based or citrus-based soaps)
- Cornmeal
- Citrus-based
hand cleaners (e.g. Fast Orange)
- Citrus-based
degreasers
- Detergents-SEE
FRAGRANCE FREE ORGANIC
- Gloves
- Kitty
litter SEE ZEOLITE
- Re-refined
motor oil (e.g. America's Choice available at WalMart stores-nearest
stores are in Pittsburg and Vallejo; this oil meets the American Petroleum
Institute standards. Ask your retailer to stock re-refined motor oil.)
Cleaners,
Polishers, & Deodorizers
Cleaners
The right
tool makes a big difference! Buy vegetable-based or citrus-based soaps
instead of petroleum-based soaps/detergents. Oil is a limited resource.
| For This |
Try
This |
| Surface Cleaners |
Find
a combination that works for you, and always keep some ready in
a squirt bottle. You'll find that weak acids like vinegar & lemon
juice are good at cutting grease.
Mix:
1 quart hot water, 1 tsp vegetable oil-based soap/detergent, 1
tsp borax, & 2 tb vinegar.
Note: vinegar is used here as mild acid to cut grease; borax
is used as a water softener, esp good in areas with hard water,
to prevent soapy deposits.
Or, mix 1/2 cup vinegar in 1 quart of warm water.
Or, dissolve baking soda in hot water for a general cleaner. |
| Dishes |
Hand washing:
Use vegetable oil-based soaps/detergents.
Automatic
dishwasher:
Automatic dishwashing detergents have a very high level of phosphates.
|
| Products with Drain Openers |
Put
a strainer on all drains.
Pour boiling water down the kitchen drain once a week to keep it
grease free.
Toss a handful of baking soda and 1/2 cup vinegar down the drain.
Cover the drain, sealing in the carbon dioxide gas bubbles as they
agitate your clog loose. Let sit 15 min. Rinse with 2 qt's. boiling
water. Follow with plunger.
Most bathroom sink clogs are caused by hair. Prevent with a good
sink strainer.
Use a metal snake to unclog stubborn drains. A snake is a great
investment.
Roots
in drains:
Do not use copper sulfate-based root control products for drains
blocked by roots. This product releases copper into the Bay (toxic
to marine life).
Have drains cleared by a professional who uses mechanical root
removal techniques or non-metal ic, foaming herbicides.
Have breaks in sewer lines repaired to prevent further entry of
roots. |
| Glass Cleaners |
1/4
cup white vinegar / 1 qt. water.
The pros use a squeeze of dishwashing liquid in gal. water.
A quality squeegee is the pro's secret to streak less windows. |
| Oven Cleaners |
Mix
2 tb liquid dish soap & 2 tsp borax in 2 cups of warm water. Apply
and let sit for 20 min., then scrub.
Or, use a non-chlorinated scouring powder, like Bon Amid. Or use
a baking soda, salt, and water paste.
Clean glass oven door with Bon Ami. Use razor blade or spatula for
tough spots.
Avoid aerosol oven cleaners. Easy-off brand has a non-caustic formula
with no lye (sodium hydroxide).
Don't use any abrasive cleaning materials on self-cleaning ovens.
Prevention:
Periodically clean the oven with baking soda and water.
Protect oven floor from spills. Always place a cookie sheet or
foil pan under pans to catch drippings. |
| Mildew Removers |
Scrub
mildew spots with borax/water with a nylon scouring pad. If plaster
wall is penetrated by mold, leave a borax/water paste on the wall
for a couple days. Vacuum off.
Or, try scrubbing mildew with a vinegar and salt paste, if problem
is not severe.
To clean mildew from a shower curtain use a mixture of 1/2 cup borax/1
gal water
Or, try vinegar full strength, then rinse.
Or, machine wash curtain, with a towel. Add 1 cup vinegar to rinse
cycle.
Prevention:
Wash grout often enough so mold can't get established.
Always air out damp areas.
Seal grout after cleaning by painting grout with a water sealer.
To inhibit mold and mildew, wash area with 1/2 cup borax/1 gal.
hot water.
Or, use a very dilute bleach solution of 1/4 cup to 1 gal. water.
Keep a small squeegee in the shower. |
| Rug, Carpet & Upholstery |
Regular
vacuuming will keep dirt from getting ground in. |
| Cleaners |
Clean
up spill right away. You knew that...
Pour club soda on a spill and blot.
Use a non-aerosol, soap-based cleaner.
Mix 1 qt. warm water, 1 tsp. vegetable-oil-based soap/detergent,
1 tsp. borax, and a splash of vinegar; apply with a damp cloth or
sponge and rub gently; blot. |
| Toiletbowl Cleaners |
Use
mix of 1/2 cup borax /1 gal. water to clean and deodorize.
Let 1 cup borax sit in the bowl overnight.
Coat stains in toiletbowl with paste of lemon juice and borax. Let
sit about 20 min. and scrub with bowl brush.
Clean frequently with a solution of baking soda and water; sprinkle
baking soda around the rim.
Avoid solid toilet bowl deodorizers that contain paradichlorobenzene
(there is evidence that it causes cancer in laboratory animals)
Some toiletbowl-cleaning products contain acids (read labels). If
acids are mixed with a cleaner containing chlorine (like bleach),
toxic chlorine gas is released. |
| Tub & Sink Cleaner |
Use
baking soda like a scouring cleanser. Use non-chlorinated cleanser
(e.g. Bon Ami). Very effective and doesn't dissolve as fast as baking
soda.
Try fine grain wet/dry sandpaper (400 grit) to remove pot marks
in porcelain sinks (gentler than common scouring cleansers).
Chlorinated cleansers may still be necessary to remove stubborn
stains in porcelain.
Caution: chlorinated cleansers contain bleach which can react
with other cleaners that contain ammonia or acids, to form dangerous
gases.
To remove mineral deposits around faucets, cover deposits with strips
of paper towels, soaked in vinegar. Let set for 1 hour and clean.
Note: Hard water means the water has a high mineral content (e.g.
calcium, magnesium, iron, etc.). This often results in whitish mineral
deposits left on faucets, shower doors, drains, windows. Vinegar,
a weak acid, can dissolve many of these deposits. |
Safe Handling
- Chlorine
bleach can produce a toxic gas if mixed with ammonia or acid-based
cleaners (some toilet bowl cleaners contain acids).
- Undiluted
bleach spilled on fabric can damage the fabric.
- Bleach
spilled on skin can be an irritant.
- Bleach
swallowed can cause nausea and vomiting and, on occasion, has been
known to burn tissue in the throat (call Poison Control Center for
instructions).
- Avoid
lemon-scented bleach. It smells attractive to children.
- Avoid
aerosol disinfectants. Hospitals use liquids. Aerosols often carry
the fluid to unintended areas. Aerosols increase the user's exposure
to the chemical through breathing.
Shopping
List of Safer Alternatives
- Baking
soda
- Biodegradable
(i.e. biodegrades quickly) and vegetable oil-based liquid soap (e.g.
Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap, Shaklee Basic H and Satin Sheen, Life
Tree Home Soap, Bi-O-Kleen II, Murphy's Oil Soap)
- Borax
(find in supermarkets)
- Club
soda
- Drain
strainers
- Hydrogen
peroxide
- Low-phosphate
dishwasher powders (e.g. Kleer II (by Mountain Fresh), Life Tree and
Bi-O-Kleen)
- Non-chlorinated
cleansers (e.g. Bon Ami)
- Razor
blades (single edge, in a scraper holder)
- Sandpaper
(very fine, wet/dry-400 grit)
- Scouring
pads (copper and nylon)
- Squeegees
(for windows or shower)
- Water
sealer (e.g. Thompson's Water Seal)
- White
vinegar
Laundry
Products
| For This |
Try This |
| Laundry Detergents |
Use
detergents that don't contain phosphates. Liquid laundry detergents
do not have phosphates. Fortunately, non-phosphate detergents have
been shown to clean very well.
See an analysis of the effectiveness of laundry cleaners in Consumer
Reports, Feb 1991.
Some laundry compounds have been shown to contain fewer polluting
metals than others (see examples in the shopping list). Use simple
laundry soap. Cleans better if a water softener like borax, washing
soda, or baking soda is added to prevent soap scum residue.
Or, consider installing a water conditioner in your home. Softens
hard water; lets soap work better.
Use products which contain "washing soda." Washing soda brightens
fabrics, costs less than bleach and is safer to have around. |
| Chlorine Bleach |
Use
non-chlorine dry bleach or washing soda to whiten clothes.
Use hydrogen peroxide-based liquid bleaches. Hydrogen peroxide breaks
down to water and oxygen in wastewater.
If you use chlorine bleach, try using half the recommended amount
and add 1/4 to 1/2 cup baking soda per load.
Limit use of bleaches where possible.
Don't buy lemon-scented bleaches. Makes bleach attractive to children.
See Safe Handling, p. 22. |
Polishes
| For
This |
Try
This |
| Floor
Cleaners |
To
clean vinyl tile and linoleum, use 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup
of washing soda, in 1 gallon warm water.
Remove scuff marks on linoleum with toothpaste.
To clean wood floors, damp mop with a mild vegetable oil soap and
dry immediately.
For painted or varnished wood floors, mix 1 tsp washing soda & 1
gal. hot water; rinse with clear water. Dry immediately.
To clean polyurethane-sealed wood floors, use 1/4 cup white vinegar
in 1 gal. water. Dry immediately. |
| Shoe
Polish |
For
leather shoes, apply olive oil, walnut oil, or beeswax to shoes
then buff with a chamois cloth.
To clean leather, rub equal parts of white vinegar and linseed oil
into leather; buff with soft cloth.
To shine and protect patent leather shoes, rub with a dab of petroleum
jelly.
To clean dirt marks from suede, rub with an art-gum eraser and buff
lightly with sandpaper, an emery board or a wire suede brush.
Avoid products containing trichloroethylene (TCE), trichloroethane
(TCA), methylene chloride, nitrobenzene (chemicals seen to cause
central nervous system problems; liver damage, if swallowed). If
you use conventional shoe polish, use in well-ventilated area. |
| Furniture
Polish |
Polish
unvarnished wood with almond, walnut, or olive oil. Work it in well
and wipe off excess. Oily surfaces attract dirt.
To clean and polish varnished wood, use a mild vegetable oil soap.
Use linseed oil to revitalize old furniture.
Wash painted wood with a mix of 1 tsp washing soda in a gallon of
hot water; rinse with clear water.
To remove watermarks from wood furniture, rub toothpaste on spot
and polish with a soft cloth.
Many furniture polishes contain petroleum distillates-very dangerous
if swallowed. |
| Metal
Polishes |
Brass:
Mix 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 cup white vinegar with enough flour to
make a paste. Apply thickly. Let sit for 15 min-1/2 hr. Rinse thoroughly
with water to avoid corrosion.
Copper:
Polish with a paste of lemon juice and salt.
Silver:
Boil silver 3 minutes in a quart of water containing:
1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, and a piece of aluminum
foil.
- Or, rub silver with a baking soda/water paste and a soft cloth;
rinse and polish dry.
- Or, rub with toothpaste.
Use a toothbrush to clean raised surfaces. Be careful not to scratch
surfaces. Be gentle and use a light hand.
Chrome:
Wipe with vinegar, rinse with water, then dry. (Good for removing
hard water deposits.)
- Or, shine chrome fixtures with baby oil and a soft cloth. (Good
for removing soap scum off faucets.)
Stainless
steel: Clean and polish with a baking soda/water paste or
a cleanser like Bon Ami. |
| Dry
cleaning |
Remove
the plastic bags from fresh dry cleaning and air the clothing out
before hanging in your closet. This will limit your exposure to
perchloroethylene, the solvent used in dry cleaning.
Hand wash, where possible. Ask questions about cleaning options
when you buy the clothes. Consult U.C. Extension Home Economist
for fabric care information - (408) 299-2635.
Buy clothes that don't require dry cleaning (e.g. washable rayon
or silk) |
| Fabric
Softener |
To
freshen and soften natural-fiber clothing, add 1 cup vinegar or
1/4 cup baking soda during final rinse. To reduce "static cling"
in synthetics, line dry clothes. Or remove clothes from the dryer
while they are still slightly damp.
Fabric softener sheets are safer to have in your laundry room than
a liquid or aerosol softener (less chance of product being swallowed
or getting into eyes or lungs accidentally). |
| Presoak |
Soak
heavily-soiled items in warm water with 1/2 cup washing soda for
30 minutes. |
| Spot/Stain |
Use
your regular laundry detergent as a Remover booster. Make a paste
from a powder detergent or pour a liquid detergent directly on a
stain. Rub into stain with toothbrush. Then launder as usual. See
Spot/Stain Removers, p. 29. |
Shopping
List of Safer Alternatives
- Art-gum
eraser
- Aluminum
foil
- Baby
oil (mineral oil)
- Baking
soda
- Beeswax
- Borax
(found in supermarkets)
- Chamois
cloth
- Oils:
linseed, olive, walnut, almond
- Petroleum
jelly
- Sand
paper or emery board
- Toothpaste,
white
- Vegetable
oil soap SEE FRAGRANCE FREE ORGANIC
SOAP
- Washing
soda
- White
vinegar
Spot &
Stain Removers
| For This |
Try This |
| Stains |
Avoid
products with 1,1,1-trichloroethane on Fabrics (TCA) or napthalene.
Blood:
Immediately clean stain with club soda or sponge with cold water;
"bleach" with 1/4 cup borax in 2 cups water. Sponge with cold
water and rinse. - Or, saturate with hydrogen peroxide. Let sit
a couple of min. and wash. May bleach out color, so test first.
Chocolate
and coffee: Soak in cold water, rub with soap and a borax
solution, rinse, then launder. If necessary, rub with a borax/water
paste.
Fruit
stains: Soak in cold water 30 minutes; rub soap into remaining
stain; then wash; "bleach" with lemon juice and sunlight, if needed.
- Or, soak in vinegar.
Grease:
Apply paste of cornstarch and water. Brush off when dry.
- Or, cover spot with baking soda or cornmeal. Let absorb the
grease and brush off.
- Or, scrub spot with toothpaste.
- Or, sponge grease spot on suede with a cloth dipped in white
vinegar; dry, brush off.
Ink:
Tough to get out. Try saturating stain with milk.
- Or, sponge stain with alcohol.
- Or, apply cream of tartar and lemon juice paste. Set for 1 hr.
Lipstick:
Rub with cold cream or shortening to dissolve color; rinse area
with solution of washing soda and warm water to remove grease;
wash in soapy water.
Oil:
Rub white chalk into stain before laundering.
- Or, scrub spot with toothpaste.
Stains
Perspiration: Pretty tough, but try on Fabrics sponging stain
with a weak solution of white vinegar or lemon juice, and water.
Rust
stains from clothing: Moisten spot with lemon juice, sprinkle
with salt, and leave in the sun for a couple of days.
- Or, try a "waterless" auto mechanic's hand cleaner.
Tea:
Stretch fabric over a basin and pour boiling water over the stain;
wash as usual.
Wine:
Blot with paper towels to absorb wine. Then apply either club
soda, rubbing alcohol, borax or white wine (!) to blot out the
stain. |
| Stains |
Rub
with moist baking soda, cornstarch on Porcelain or salt.
Tougher
stains: Make a paste using 3 tbs borax and 1 tb of lemon
juice; scrub with nylon scouring pad and rinse with water. |
Shopping
List of Safer Alternatives
- Baking
soda
- Borax
- Club
soda
- Cornstarch
or cornmeal
- Cold
cream or shortening
- Cream
of tartar
- Hydrogen
peroxide
- Lemon
juice
- Nylon
scouring pads
- Olive
oil
- Rubbing
alcohol (isopropyl)
- Toothpaste,
white
- "Waterless"
auto mechanic's hand cleaner (e.g. Goop)
- White
chalk
- White
wine
- White
vinegar
| Dishes |
Phosphates
contribute arsenic to the Bay (toxic to marine life). Choose a detergent
with low phosphate content (read labels and see examples in our
shopping list). Unless your water is very hard, you should get good
results using half the recommended amount in your dishwasher.
Sprinkle a handful of baking soda over the dishes instead of filling
the open dispenser with detergent.
Camping:
Never wash with soap directly in a lake or stream. The chemicals
in soap are toxic to fish and other marine life. Wash in buckets
or pots and use soap that biodegrades quickly. Drain wash water
onto the ground, well away from the water's edge.
Disinfectants:
Soap and hot water is sufficient for most of your household cleaning
needs.
For the occasional disinfecting job (e.g. to kill germs on your
meat cutting board; to wash down shower stall floor to prevent
spread of athletic's foot fungus; to prevent mold growth in damp
areas) mix:
1/4 cup liquid chlorine bleach in a gal. of water. The U.S. Dept.
of Health and Human Services recommends this dilution of bleach
for disinfecting in health care and dental settings.
Any container holding a bleach solution should be child-proof
and well-labeled.
Hydrogen peroxide (sold in a 3% solution) is effective against
viruses.
Keep surfaces dry. Bacteria, viruses, mildew, and mold generally
cannot live without dampness.
Borax has been shown to have disinfecting qualities. Mix 1/2 cup
in 1 gal. water. (Note: Borax has not been through EPA's stringent
testing that qualifies a material as a disinfectant.)
Note: Disinfecting your toilet may be an exercise in futility.
Any household cleaner can clean the toilet, even baking soda.
|
Shopping
List of Safer Alternatives
- Baking
soda
- Borax
(found in supermarkets)
- Non-chlorine
dry bleach (e.g. Clorox 2 Dry Bleach, Shaklee Nature Bright, Arm &
Hammer Dry Bleach)
- Hydrogen
peroxide-based liquid bleaches (e.g. Liquid Clorox 2, Vivid)
- Laundry
soap (SEE FRAGRANCE FREE ORGANIC SOAP
)
- No-phosphate
powder laundry detergents (these examples tested relatively low in
polluting metals: e.g. Shaklee Basic L, Arm & Hammer powder, Purex
powder)
- No-phosphate
liquid laundry detergents (these examples tested relatively low in
polluting metals: e.g. Tide liquid, Cheer liquid, Cheer Free liquid,
Shaklee Liquid L, Ecover Liquid, Purex Liquid)
- Washing
soda (sodium carbonate-find in drug stores and supermarkets)
- White
vinegar
Air Fresheners
& Deodorizers
| For
This |
Try
This |
| Air
Fresheners |
If
there is an odor, address the problem directly by cleaning or removing
the cause.
Open doors and windows.
Improve ventilation.
Use a stove fan when cooking.
Leave baking soda in open containers in refrigerator, closets, and
bathrooms.
Most air freshener products either mask the odor or contain chemicals
that desensitize your nose. They also contain chemicals that contribute
to air pollution.
Avoid products that contain paradichlorobenzene (evidence that it
causes cancer in laboratory animals).
Air fresheners/disinfectants don't disinfect the air when sprayed
into the air. They are disinfectants only when sprayed on surfaces. |
| Deodorizers |
For
carpets, sprinkle a mix of baking soda, borax and cornmeal liberally
on carpet. Wait an hour or overnight. Vacuum.
Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of cat box before adding kitty
litter.
Sprinkle borax in the bottom of garbage cans to inhibit the growth
of odor-producing molds and bacteria. ZEOLITE |
Paint
Products
| For This |
Try This |
| Paint |
Use
latex (water-based) paint instead of oil-based paint. Oil-based
paints contain a high percentage of solvents which contribute to
air pollution. You are exposed to solvent fumes while the oil paint
dries.
Calculate amount needed carefully. Patronize stores that will give
you expert help. Many paint stores will take back unopened cans.
Ask them.
Give good left-over paint to a community organization that can use
it-use your imagination. If you have 5 or more gals of same color,
call (408) 299-7300 to donate it to organizations the County has
become aware of that want paint.
For disposal of waste paint, see disposal programs, p. 58. Your
old latex will be recycled into new latex.
Use whitewash for barns, basements, and fences instead of paint.
(A simple mix of hydrated lime & water-a less-toxic alternative
to white paint.)
Air out newly-painted bedrooms before people sleep there again.
see afm products
|
| Brush
Cleaners |
Clean
brushes immediately after use. Wash out latex paint over a sink,
not outside, in the gutter.
Work mechanic's "waterless" hand cleaner into brush and wash with
soap and water.
Clean paint brushes hardened with dried oil-based paint by soaking
in hot vinegar. |
| Paint
Thinners |
Avoid
using oil-based paints which require solvent thinners for cleanup.
Pour off clear thinner for reuse after particles have settled out.
Wrap particles in newspaper and throw in trash. |
| Chemical
Paint Strippers |
To
strip paint, use a heat gun, a paint scraper, or a sanding block
with course sandpaper (wear safety goggles and a mask).
Note: Stripping lead-based paint is dangerous and should be done
by a professional. Inhaling the dust or vapors can cause lead poisoning.
Water-soluble paint strippers are available that contain less-hazardous
ingredients.
Avoid strippers containing methylene chloride and trichloroethylene
(TCE) (evidence that these cause cancer in laboratory animals);
benzene (known to cause cancer in humans); 1,1,1-trichloroethane
(TCA) (irritant to eyes and tissues), xylene (toxic by drinking
or breathing); or toluene (known to cause birth defects).
For disposal of old and unwanted stripping compounds, see p. 58. |
| Spray
Paints |
Don't
use aerosols. Aerosols make it more likely that the user will breathe
in the paint. The aerosol propellants contribute to air pollution. |
| Wood
Preservatives |
Do
not use old products which contain pentachlorophenol (PCP) (evidence
that it causes cancer in laboratory animals), creosote, tributyltin
oxide, or folpet.
Do not burn wood treated with wood preservatives. You'd be releasing
the chemicals into the air. Old, treated, scrap wood can be taken
to a landfill for disposal.
Water-based preservatives are available that can seal wood and protect
it from water rot and insects.
A water sealer or polyurethane can prevent wood rot. Use types of
wood (such as redwood and cedar) that are naturally resistant to
insects and wood rot. see |
| Wood |
Buy
"pressure-treated" lumber. Preservatives have already been applied.
Eliminates the need to handle wood preservatives and exposure to
toxic chemicals.see
If untreated wood will be in contact with soil, you may need to
use an arsenic-based product. Arsenic is more toxic than copper,
zinc or boric acid preservatives. |
| Wood
Stains |
Use
finishes derived from natural & Finishes sources, such as shellac,
tung oil, and linseed oil.
Use water-based stains.see
afm products
Try the new less-toxic wood working compounds that are becoming
available. |
Safe Handling
- Many
paint products contain solvents. Most solvents are poisonous if swallowed,
cause skin irritations if splashed on skin, and cause severe damage
or blindness if splashed in eyes.
- Always
wear gloves and protective goggles when handling paint products and
avoid inhaling vapors (esp. strippers and thinners).
- Always
work with paints and solvents in well-ventilated areas. Outside is
best, but if you must work indoors, well-ventilated means two windows
open, with a cross current, using a fan to carry fumes outside. see
afm products
Shopping
List of Safer Alternatives
- Borax-based
wood preservative (e.g. Tim-Bor)
- Finishes
derived from tung oil and linseed oil
- Heat
gun, paint scraper, sanding block
- Insect/weather-resistant
wood (cedar, redwood)
- Latex
paint & water-based paint products see
- Safety
goggles and mask
- "Waterless"
mechanic's hand cleaner (e.g. Goop)
- Whitewash
(find at hardware or paint stores)
Personal
Hygiene Products
| For
This |
Try
This |
| Deodorants
& Antiperspirants |
Use
non-aerosols such as solids and roll-ons.
Try baking soda as a powder. |
| Fingernail
Polish & Polish Remover |
Fingernail
polish contains a high percentage of solvents. If you use nail polish,
apply it in a well-ventilated room.
Only patronize salons that are well-ventilated.
Nail polish remover is basically acetone, a solvent strong enough
to dissolve furniture finish and some plastics. It evaporates quickly.
Avoid fumes by only using in well-ventilated areas.
Poisonous if swallowed. Can cause blindness if splashed in eyes. |
| Hair
Sprays |
Use
non-aerosol pump sprays or styling gels.
Note: Aerosol hair sprays are a surprisingly significant contributor
to air pollution. |
| Shaving
Cream |
Use
shaving soap and a lather brush instead of foam products in aerosol
containers. Even aerosols that do not contain CFCs anymore, contain
gases like butane that are both flammable and contribute to air
pollution.
Give shaving soap a try. |
| Thermometers |
Use
an electronic thermometer instead of one containing mercury. |
Shopping
list of Safer Alternatives
- Baking
Soda Non-Aerosol Products
- Shaving
Soap
- Electronic
Thermometer
Pesticides
& Fertilizers
Insect
Control
| Ants |
In
the house: Keep counters, floors and pet feeding areas clean.
Remove and clean up whatever the ants are after.
Follow the ant trail and find out how they're getting in. Wipe up
ants & ant trails w/soapy water.
Caulk openings where they enter the house. Petroleum jelly in the
cracks or duct tape can be a quick, temporary fix.
Apply diatomaceous earth or silica gel into cracks. Apply a fine
dusting to entry points that can't be caulked.
Or, apply boric acid dust into cracks where ants emerge. It is a
poison, so be sure it is inaccessible to pets and children.
Apply a pyrethrin-based insecticide to entry points. Very effective
as a repellent.
Indoor
Plants Note: Insects seem to always find stressed and weakened
plants.
Plants become stressed:
- if there is water in the saucer all the time.
- if plants are over-fertilized
- (insects love fast, fragile new growth).
In
the yard: Ants are generally beneficial in the garden (e.g.
they attack termites and eat flea eggs), so limit your control
efforts to problem areas.
Ants will protect aphids from their natural enemies and carry
aphids to other plants. To prevent ants from climbing, apply a
sticky, adhesive material (like Tanglefoot) to a band of nursery
tape, tin foil, or plastic wrap wrapped around the base of the
plant (band should be 12" wide for trees; as wide as possible
for bushes), several inches above the ground.
Place ant baits in problem areas. Look for boric acid ant baits
or hydramethylnon baits. Less-toxic than arsenic.
If an ant nest is a problem because it is near your house, you
can destroy it with boiling water, insecticidal soap, a pyrethrin
solution or diatomaceous earth. |
| Ash
White Flies |
The
whitefly that appeared in large numbers throughout the Bay Area
during summer and fall '91 was the ash whitefly.
Pesticides won't help. Use of pesticides won't even put a dent in
the population, while killing some of the whitefly's natural enemies.
Encarsia partenopea wasps, a tiny, sting-less wasp, a predator of
the ash whitefly, is being released in affected communities in California.
Things should be back in balance in a couple years. (May be difficult
to order these wasps.)
Be sure plants get enough water while under attack. White flies
suck plant fluids.
Use commercially available non-toxic whitefly traps or make your
own traps by painting a piece of cardboard bright yellow, coat with
a sticky product like Tanglefoot or a mix of petroleum jelly and
detergent. Hang near infested plants.
Safe for Encarsia wasps who are not attracted to yellow.
Greenhouse:
The common whitefly that we usually see in our gardens and greenhouses
is the greenhouse whitefly. Insecticidal soaps will help if you
catch the problem early. Encarsia formosa is a predator of this
whitefly. (Commonly available from suppliers-see Directory of
..., p. 64.)
Insects
on Indoor Plants Gently sponge or spray leaves with soapy
water, then rinse.
Use insecticidal soaps.
Horticultural oils are very effective against scale.
Take infested indoor plants outside for a couple of days (if not
too cold) to let your yard's predatory bugs take care of your
pest problem. |
| Caterpillars |
Hand
pick, if possible. (It has been reported that tomato hornworms glow
at night under a "black light.")
Apply products containing Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) an effective
and popular product. Must be applied to the leaves when the caterpillars
are eating. Safe to mammals and other insects, but will kill butterfly
caterpillars, too, so be sure to target only the pest caterpillar-infested
plants. |
| Garden
Insects |
It
is easier to figure out how to control the in general pest if you
know what it is. Bring a sample of the bug and the damage it is
causing (in a sealed container) to a nursery, to County Agricultural
Commissioner's Office, or to the U.C.Cooperative Extension Office
(p. 63).
Introduce frogs, toads and lizards into your yard.
For small infestations, handpick or spray with full-force spray
of water.
To protect local beneficial insects like green lacewings and lady
bugs, avoid using conventional pesticides. To attract and keep beneficial
insects, grow a variety of flowering plants for year-round blooming.
They need nectar, too.
And you can buy beneficial insects. See p. 64 for Directory.
Less-toxic
products to consider first:
- dehydrating dusts (e.g. diatomaceous earth and silica gel) See
info on p. 46.
- horticultural oil sprays (dormant oil in winter; and summer
or supreme oils for the rest of the year)
- insecticidal soaps
- biological pesticides (e.g. Bacillus thuringiensis)
For severe infestations, use less-toxic insecticides (e.g. pyrethrin)
Generally gauge the toxicity of a pesticide by the signal words
on the label. See discussion, p. 8 |
| Flies |
Successful
fly control requires eliminating fly breeding areas rather than
trying to control adult flies after they emerge. Keep kitchen garbage
containers tightly closed. Clean regularly. Sprinkle dry soap or
kitty litter into bottom of container. Rinse out your recyclables.
Check your yard for:
- garbage cans with loose lids,
- fruit rotting under trees,
- pet waste not collected daily,
- compost piles that are not turned at least once a week and where
decomposing food is not covered with dirt or black plastic.
Screen windows and doors.
Use fly swatters, flypaper (streamers), traps with pheromones (sex
attractant) or meat-baited traps. |
| Mosquitoes |
Screen
windows and doors.
Remove all standing water near your house (tires, wading pools,
bird baths, vases, barrels). Critical step!
Stock ornamental ponds with mosquitofish (about 2 1/2"; free from
County Vector Control, p. 63).
Use Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (a non-toxic, biological
control) in ponds. Kills the larvae in the water.
Encourage
mosquito predators: birds, frogs, turtles, ants, spiders,
dragonflies, bats, praying mantids.
Repellents:
Use citronella oil insect repellents. Burn citronella candles
or oil at outside gatherings. While not proven, some people find
that mosquitoes find them less attractive if they take B vitamins.
Don't wear any strong smelling products like lotions, deodorants,
hair spray, sun tan oils. They attract mosquitoes.
The more-toxic mosquito repellent should be applied to clothing,
not to skin. (Test fabric first to see if it will stain.) Yellow
porch lights don't attract flying insects. |
| Moths |
Clothes:
Destroy all stages of clothes moths by cleaning garments before
storing.
Hang clothes in the sunlight and beat them to dislodge moth larvae
and eggs, before storing.
Store clothes in sealed bags.
Vacuum closets thoroughly.
Cedar repels moths.
Note: mothballs contain paradichlorobenzene (evidence that it
causes cancer in laboratory animals) or naphthalene (toxic by breathing). |
| Roaches |
Close
openings into house (e.g. gaps around pipes and electrical work,
door moulding, cracks in walls, etc.) with caulking, screening,
weather-stripping.
Seal all food containers.
Clean dishes nightly, or, if you don't, be sure they're sitting
in a basin of soapy water.
Do not leave pet food out overnight.
Apply boric acid dust into cracks and places where roaches hide,
like under the refrigerator. Apply only in out-of-the-way places
where pets and children can't touch it. Roaches will avoid piles
of boric acid, so use a fine dusting. This is a proven, less-toxic
roach control product.
Apply fine dusting of diatomaceous earth or silica gel to roach
walkways. These dusts dehydrate and repel roaches.
Place bay leaves in the pantry, cupboards and on shelves to repel
cockroaches.
Use non-toxic roach traps (like Roach Motels¸) to monitor
the change in the population. |
| Silverfish |
Silverfish
feed on paper, glue, starch and some fabrics. They like warm and
damp areas. Their presence can be an early indication of wood rot.
Dry out damp areas.
Vacuum to eliminate any food source in carpets and cracks. Follow
advice under Roaches above. |
| Snails
and Slugs |
Minimize
breeding spots-shady, cool, moist spots in the garden like an ivy
patch, agapanthus, lilies, ice plant, wood pile, empty flower pots,
etc.
Hand pick-safest and surest method. Snails are active at night.
With a flashlight, check traps (see below) 2 hrs. after sunset or
in early morning. Kill snails by smashing or drowning in soapy water.
(Dead snails will attract flies if not covered with dirt or collected
in a bag). Use copper barriers (see below) to protect plants. If
infestation is severe, judicious use of a metaldehyde snail bait
may be needed. Be sure that pets can't get at it, e.g. place bait
inside flattened tin cans (that snails can enter but your pet can't
"nose" into) in the garden section with the most snail damage. The
bait can attract and poison dogs. It is also toxic to birds, so
place bait carefully.
Traps:
Propped up, overturned clay pots, boards, or black plastic sheeting.
Sink shallow pans, filled with stale beer, in the ground, with
the rim even with ground level. Remove dead snails regularly.
Yeast in the beer attracts snails.
Barrier:
Copper stripping (2"+) mounted around raised planting beds keeps
snails and slugs out of the protected area. (Snails won't cross
copper.) Be sure to capture all snails already in the area. Bend
sharp edges under to protect children and pets. |
| Termites |
If
you suspect you have termites, have the type identified; p. 63 for
experts.
Prevention:
Subterranean termites need water, so keep water away from the
perimeter of the house.
Keep area under and around the house free of decaying wood. Wood
(house frame or firewood pile) should not be in direct contact
with soil.
Build with borate-treated wood.
Watch for and destroy any termite-built earthen tubes (pencil
width) in basement and foundation area. These are a sure sign
you have subterranean termites.
Treatment:
Hire a professional who uses some of the following less-toxic
techniques:
Sand barrier around the house.
Heat or cold treatment for drywood termites.
Silica gel (dust) applied in attic.
Use of less-toxic pesticides like pyrethroids, borax, and methoprene.
Contact the Bio-Integral Resource Center for more info: (510)
524-2567. |
| Wasps |
Use
non-toxic wasp traps (basically Yellow jackets plastic boxes wasps
can't get out of).
Trap wasps by suspending a piece of raw meat 1/2 inch over soapy
water in a 5-gal. bucket.
If you find a wasp nest, contact County Vector Control, for information
on wasp baiting. 299-2050. |
Shopping
List of Safer |