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Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Natural Alternatives to Pesticides

Our neighborhood is inundated with salespeople wanting to sell their services, such as yard work, tree removal, burglar alarms, etc. Today a salesman came by selling pesticide services. He said his company used pyrethins (chrysanthemum based) to combat spiders, centipedes, wasps, ants, etc. and the composition of the chemical was in a crystal form so that they could spread the crystals around the homes and around the properties. "It's perfectly safe, non-toxic to pets and wildlife, and it's a green alternative to traditional pest control," he said. Hmmm, I thought, not so much. We had a LONG discussion about the toxicity of pyrethins, and it ended with me asking for his business card so that I could send him info in an e-mail. He then assured me he wouldn't solicit my neighbors on my street so that my organic vegetable and herb gardens wouldn't be exposed to his "non-toxic" chemicals.


As soon as he left, I e-mailed his company asking for the MSDS on their chemicals and got a quick reply attaching the sheet (kudos to them!). They use a form of pyrethin called Bifenthrin, and here's what I found out about that particular chemical: "People may be exposed to bifenthrin through ingestion or skin contact, although dermal absorption has little to no risks beyond mild discomfort. Ingestion is moderately toxic for mammals. Bifenthrin, as with other pyrethroids, overstimulates electrical signals in nerve cells. This may cause tremors and paralysis. However, in the body, bifenthrin is broken down and excreted quickly. In a seven-day study on rats, excess bifenthrin was found accumulated in high-fat tissues, including skin and ovaries of females. The EPA listed bifenthrin as a developmental toxicant in the toxics release inventory(PANNA). The EPA has also identified bifenthrin as a class C carcinogen, meaning that it is a possible human carcinogen (EXTOXNET).
Symptoms associated with exposure to pyrethroid compounds include skin and eye irritation, irritability to sound or touch, abnormal facial sensation, sensation of prickling, tingling, or creeping on skin, numbness, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, salivation, and fatigue. At very high levels of exposure, muscle twitching and fluid accumulation in the lungs may occur (PANNA)." (source: http://toxipedia.org/display/toxipedia/Bifenthrin)
I know many people won't be affected by this chemical; however, many more will be, particularly those who have immune issues, chemical sensitivities, the elderly, the young and pregnant women. Also any wildlife and pets will be susceptible. Pyrethins are toxic to aquatic life, water fowl and bees (bees are insects, after all). They can also cause harm in pets - there are numerous web pages from veterinarians giving advice on treating a pet who has been exposed to pyrethin.
I also know that in some areas of the country - the Deep South, for instance - bugs are abundant and can be deadly if allowed to flourish. Here in Virginia we're plagued primarily with spiders and centipedes; spiders eat other bugs and centipedes snack on spiders, so I'm seeing a win/win here! We also have ticks and fleas and all the normal garden pests. But there are non-toxic solutions to treating these pests, y'all!
For ticks and fleas: dust your pets with food-grade diatomaceous earth, and dust pet beds and areas of your home with it, letting it stay for about two-three days before sweeping or vacuuming up. It attacks the exoskeleton of the fleas and ticks and is definitely non-toxic. Instead of spraying yourself with OFF!, spray on some essential oils. The formula is 10:1 or ten parts witch hazel/olive oil to one part essential oils. If you use a sprayer, put in one cup of witch hazel or one cup a combined total of a mixture of witch hazel and olive oil (so good for the skin!) and add 2 to 4 teaspoons of a combined total of the proper essential oil. Here's the list of bugs and the corresponding essential oil to whack 'em out:
Specific Oils for Specific Insects 
ANTS Peppermint, Spearmint
APHIDS Cedarwood ,Hyssop, Peppermint, Spearmint
BEETLES Peppermint, Thyme
CATERPILLARS Spearmint, Peppermint
CHIGGERS Lavender, Lemongrass, Sage, Thyme
CUTWORM Thyme, Sage
FLEAS Peppermint, Lemongrass, Spearmint, Lavender
FLIES Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage
GNATS Patchouli ,Spearmint
LICE Cedarwood, Peppermint, Spearmint
MOSQUITOES Lavender, Lemongrass
MOTHS Cedarwood,Hyssop, Lavender, Peppermint, Spearmint
PLANT LICE Peppermint, Spearmint
SLUGS Cedarwood ,Hyssop ,Pine
SNAILS Cedarwood, Pine, Patchouli
SPIDERS Peppermint,Spearmint
TICKS Lavender,Lemongrass, Sage, Thyme
WEEVILS Cedarwood, Patchouli ,Sandalwood

If your home is being invaded by pests, just use the above guide substituting distilled water for the witch hazel and/or oil, and spritz away! Cockroaches are essentially the same as beetles, so use peppermint and thyme for a roach spray. Caution is needed when using especially the mints, citrus, sages and pines:  these can be harmful to pets, so spray in areas that you know your pets can't reach, such as along baseboards (make sure the spray has dried before allowing your pet into the room and don't let him or her lick it!), behind the stove and refrigerator, and so on.

FLEA AND TICK REPELLENT FOR DOGS:
1 cup distilled water
1 teaspoon organic olive oil
5 drops geranium essential oil
2 drops Lemongrass essential oil
5 drops lavender essential oil
Shake well, spritz as needed. This can also be used on cats, but check to see if your cat can tolerate the smell - many cats don't like smelling like a flower!

FLY REPELLENT FOR HORSES:
1 cup distilled water
5 drops geranium essential oil
5 drops lavender essential oil

Here's to a happy, bug-free home and occupants!

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