All-Natural Pest Control

We had an ant invasion recently. It was reminiscent of the week we moved in, nearly three years ago. (See this previous post.)

We learned the hard way that even those innocent-looking ant traps emit harmful vapors. Eventually we called our eco-friendly pest control operator, who saved the day. After he sprayed his proprietary blend of botanical solutions, the ants disappeared.

This time I used a homemade ant trap and an all-purpose pesticide powder. Our antagonists were gone within 24 hours. The recipes below can be used for a variety of invaders and may prove helpful for your own pest challenge!

1. All-Purpose Pesticide Powder
   
   • 1/2 c. bay leaves
   • 1/2 c. peppermint leaves
   • 1 1/2 tsp. each citrus peel, garlic powder, diatomaceous earth, cayenne pepper, pyrethrum, salt
   Grind the ingredients into a powder using a blender or mortar and pestle. Dust along affected areas.
2. Homemade Ant Trap
   
   
   • 1 tbsp. hot water
   • 1 tbsp. honey or sugar
   • 1/2 tsp. borax
   Place the ingredients in a small glass jar and shake to mix. Soak a cotton ball in the mixture, slightly squeeze out the excess liquid, and put the cotton ball on a small lid. Place the ant trap where you see the most ants. After the ants have disappeared, discard the cotton ball and keep the lid for reuse.
3. Neem Oil Insectide
   
   • 1 qt. warm water
   • 2 tsp. dishwashing liquid
   • 5 tsp. neem oil
   Mix water and dishwashing liquid. Slowly add the neem oil while stirring the mixture vigorously. Don't prepare more of the neem oil insecticide than you'll need, as it will lose its potency if stored. (1 oz. neem oil mixed with 10 oz. coconut oil makes an excellent mosquito repellent!)
4. All-Purpose Onion/Garlic/Cayenne Spray
   
   • 1 garlic bulb, chopped or ground
   • 1 small onion, chopped or ground
   • 1 tbsp. cayenne pepper
   • 1 qt. boiling water
   • 1 tbsp. liquid castile soap
   Mix garlic, onion, cayenne pepper and water; add liquid soap. Shake and pour into spray bottle. Freeze for long-term storage.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar Jar
   
   Pour an inch or so of apple cider vinegar into the bottom of a wide-mouth jar. Make a funnel with a sheet of white paper with a 3/4-inch hole on the bottom. The bottom should not touch the vinegar. Place the funnel into the jar and tape edges to secure the funnel to the jar. Effective against fruit flies and gnats.

For more all-natural pesticide ideas, see momsAWARE's Bug-Busting Bonanza and downloadable recipe list, the Pest-Punching Printout.

Are You One of the Few?

If you're reading this and you have a concern about indoor air quality, you are in the minority. According to the June 2012 issue of Consumer Reports a staggering 70 percent of Americans are not concerned about the health of their home. In fact, only 9 percent consider indoor air quality a threat to their health.

Here is the most interesting statistic, however: 65 percent of surveyed households have someone with a health condition affected by indoor air quality! More than half (and probably many more than this) would benefit from improving their home's indoor environment and are unaware of the connection.

The article, titled Is Your Home Making You Sick?, lists six hidden home hazards and offers suggestions for ways to protect yourself.

1. Household cleaners. The article cites the Environmental Working Group's 2009 study identifying 457 air contaminants in 21 household cleaners. "One fragrance can contain 50-200 compounds, including dozens of volatile organic compounds." The best cleaner for glass? "Mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice with 1 quart of water."
2. Old lead-based paint. "If you have young children and an older home, have it tested for lead by an EPA- or state-certified pro using an XRF machine, or have paint-chip analysis by an EPA-certified lab."
3. Carbon monoxide and radon. "Run a long-term (90-day or longer) radon test. They cost $20-$40 and are sold online." In addition, the article suggests installing a CO alarm on each level, including the basement.
4. Combustion of particles or gases. "Even vented gas ranges, cooktops, furnaces, and fireplaces can release harmful gases, soot, and particles into the air if they're not properly installed and maintained." Suggestions include running the exhaust hood when using your gas range or cleaning your oven, as well as opening a window. (I recently cleaned my oven using sea salt, washing soda, and baking soda, and it's sparkling! See this previous entry for the recipe and before and after pictures.)
5. Interior mold. "The ideal indoor relative humidity is between 30-50 percent. Less than that and nasal passages can become dry. At higher levels mold can grow." Suggestions include making sure gutter pipes extend at least five feet from the house and ensuring that the soil around the foundation slopes away from the house. (Note: The article also suggests treating small areas of mold with a mixture of chlorine bleach and water, which will not be 100% effective. See question #12 in this interview with leading toxicologist Dr. Jack Thrasher.)
6. Air fresheners, candles, and incense. "Behind the soothing fragrances of air fresheners, candles, and incense are volatile organic compounds. Air fresheners can also contain phthalates, which are linked to cancer and reproductive problems." The article quotes Dr. Stanley Fineman, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, who says, "Most patients who stop using scented products have noticed an improvement in their symptoms."

Improving the air quality in your home is one of the most practical ways you can improve your health. It may even save your life or the life of someone you love.

To read an online version of the full article, see Is poor indoor air quality making you sick? at the Consumer Reports website.

Farm-Fresh Personal Care

Since beginning our health journey and incorporating fresh foods into our diet, I have become intrigued with non-toxic alternatives for personal care products. The average adult woman uses 12 products each day. This amounts to more than 500 chemicals in various forms applied each day. Is it possible to nourish our skin, face, and hair without adding to the toxic load?

Two years ago I challenged myself, "If I can’t eat it, I won't use it." What if I eliminated all of my beloved toxic products? My self-imposed plan has led to a rewarding lifestyle. I now have thicker, shinier hair, smoother skin, and healthier gums and teeth.

The bright, colorful, alluring labels of store-bought personal care products promise rapid wrinkle repair, luminescent skin, and smooth, silky hair. Washing away the flakiness on our scalp is somehow supposed to wash away our cares.

What do these products contain? Triclosan. Retinyl palmitate. Parabens. What are these? Petroleum-derived chemicals. Surely it's a stretch to say we're unknowingly putting gasoline on our face every morning, but are these chemicals safe? Are we paying a price for our "ageless skin"?

Natural alternatives abound. Here's a small sample.

Avocado: Avocados contain sterolins, proteins proven to reduce the appearance of age spots and sun damage. The oil derived from avocados helps slow down the inevitable loss of collagen that occurs with age.

Eggs: Egg yolks are high in lecithin and protein, both of which do wonders for your skin. For a simple hair treatment, whisk together two egg yolks and apply to dry scalp for an hour each week. Watch the luster and shine return.

Green Juice/Apple Juice: Fruits and vegetables offer vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants like bioflavonoids, as well as beneficial fruit acids. Freeze a portion of your juice in ice cube trays and use one cube daily as a skin toner.

When we embrace the fullness of farm-fresh ingredients for personal care, we no longer need the questionable products. More often than not the products lose their promise and allure.

Overwhelmed by the idea? Start small. How about a simple avocado face mask?

Recipe:

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tsp. coconut or olive oil
• 1 tbsp. organic honey (warmed if needed)

Peel the avocado and cut it into pieces. Mash with the honey and the rest of the ingredients until you have a smooth and creamy paste.

Apply to face and neck, staying away from eye area. Leave on for 20-30 minutes. Rinse with warm and then cold water. Wipe dry and feel the difference!

Toxic Talk Tuesday Tomorrow!

Have an ant problem? Wondering how to deter those pesky mice? Want to avoid the use of chemicals when battling those inevitable summer bug problems? Don't miss our next Toxic Talk as we discuss the hidden dangers of chemical pest control and unveil our Bug-Busting Bonanza! Join Chris and me on Chris Fabry Live! on Moody Radio at 2:00 p.m. Central time, or visit the website to listen online or download the podcast.

Type 1 Perspective

It's been almost five years since our 12-year-old son Colin was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. He wrote a blog last week that offers his perspective on living with this disease.

One day is all it takes to change your life. June 26th happened to be that day. The day I was diagnosed. The day that told me that life was going to be different from now on. It was the day that I found out that I, Colin Fabry, had it. Type 1 Diabetes. When I first heard it, I thought it was some type of deadly disease, or something that would never go away. I happened to be right about the latter. But although I looked upon this disease with disdain at first, I later found that there was a gift in this curse.

Coming up on five years with Diabetes, I see now that there was a reason for me having this disease. It was so that I could find a unique way to endure. And I have endured. At times, I just want to take a day off, or go a meal without testing or dosing. But I know that although life would be so much easier if I could, I also know that life would not be complete. We all have our own personalities, our own ways we do things, and our own lifestyles. Mine is living with Diabetes.

When I tell people that I have Diabetes, they usually look a little sad in the eye. Hey, it gets me attention, but it also makes me a little angry. "Why?" you would ask. Because I feel that no one should be sad about my life, lifestyle, and my disease. Usually people with a disease would also look sad and discouraged. Not me. That's why whenever someone hears that I have Diabetes, and gets the sad gleam in their eyes, it makes me a little angry. Because although, yes, it's sad that I have a disease, it shouldn't change everyone's opinion of me. I'd rather be known as Colin Fabry. Not the kid with Diabetes who does a prick here and a shot there. I want to be recognized as me.

Diabetes is a hardship that many people have to face. So whenever I do meet someone with my disease, I feel proud that I can relate to them. I feel as if we share a day. One day. One day that told both of us that nothing would ever be the same. One day. Because one day is all it takes to change your life forever. And that one day was June 26th.