Pesticides and Insecticides

POISONS IN YOUR HOME: PESTICIDES

When you spray pesticides to kill garden or household vermin, you're also exposing your children (and yourself) to these toxins. Think about it: These concoctions are designed to kill insects. Even if you use them as directed, they still have the potential to cause a wide range of health problems in people because of their toxicity.

Natural Alternatives to Pesticides:  
BASIC SOAP SPRAY RECIPE
Soap has been used for centuries as an all-purpose pesticide. It disrupts insects’ cell membranes, and kills pests by dehydration. The key is not to use too much soap, or you’ll also kill the vegetation near the pests. If you follow the proportions of soap to water in the Basic Soap Spray recipe, below, your garden would be fine. Note: Buy a liquid soap, NOT a detergent. Castille soap works best, although you could also buy liquid organic cleaners through direct sellers or in certain supermarkets and home stores.

Basic Soap Spray: 1 to 2 tablespoons liquid soap 1 quart water Combine ingredients in a bucket, mix, and then transfer to a spray bottle as needed.  

Garlic Variation:
1 to 2 heads garlic, chopped Enough boiling water to cover Put garlic in the bottom of a jar and cover with boiling water. Put lid on and allow to sit overnight, then strain and add garlic-water to the soap spray. This will decay, so be sure to freeze leftovers until ready to use again.  

Repelling Pests - Simple tips that will help repel biting and buzzing pests without using toxic products that can harm your health and the environment.
1. If you’re camping, bring along some coriander seed or lemon balm leaves to throw on the campfire. Both are great pest deterrents.
2. When you do the laundry, add a few drops of essential oil of lavender to the rinse water. You’ll think your clothes smell heavenly, but the pests won’t!
3. You can buy essential oils from most pharmacies and aromatherapy shops. These essential oils are good repellents for the following pests:
(i) Ticks: Rose Geranium, Palmerosa, bay, eucalyptus, European pennyroyal lavender, tickweed (American pennyroyal)
(ii) Mosquitoes: Pennyroyal, lemon balm (citronella), thyme, lavender
 (iii) Black flies: Sassafras, lavender, eucalyptus, pennyroyal, cedar, lemon balm (citronella), peppermint.
(iv) Head Lice: Tea tree, rosemary, lavender, eucalyptus, rose geranium.
(v) Fleas: Orange oil