Pesticides: Chemical warfare in your home

Circle of Wellness
Physical - Environment

Do you reach for a spray bottle when your plants suffer from infestations? Do you store insecticides, termiticides, rotenticides, or fungicides in your home? Keep in mind that the word "cide" means "to kill." Pesticides should be avoided whenever possible, and handled with great care when they are used.

Health Effects of Pesticides

The reaction we suffer from pesticides depends on the product to which we are exposed. Therefore, it is important to research any pesticides before you bring them into your home. While some pesticides are irritants to the eyes, skin, and lungs, others may affect the nervous system, the hormonal system, or the endocrine system. Furthermore, some pesticides can be carcinogenic.

Try to use natural, rather than chemical, methods of combating pests. Here are some helpful ideas:

1. Choose plants that are disease resistant, so that pests will not become a problem.

2. Wash both your plants and your pets regularly

3. Try combing out flees or lice from hair or fur instead of using chemicals.

4. Fertilise, water, and aerate your lawn regularly to avoid the need for pesticides.

5. Plant ground covering plants, like chamomile or thyme, for a low-maintenance alternative to a lawn.

6. To prevent termites from damaging your home, do not allow the wooden parts of your home, like the siding, to touch the ground.

7. Try organic pesticides, such as bacillus thuringiensis, to control gypsy moths

If you must use pesticides...

1. Read labels carefully, and precisely follow the manufacturer’s directions.

2. Use them in a well-ventilated area. Bring the chore outdoors! Go outside to mix or dilute pesticides, and apply the solution to pets or plants.

3. Dispose of unwanted pesticides quickly, and according to the directions on the label.

If hiring a pest-control company…

Look for companies that have a proven track record of customer satisfaction. Do not sign a contract before having an inspection done, and without a written agreement on the control program. You should establish in advance what pests will be controlled, and what chemicals will be used. Do not hesitate to bring up any safety concerns with the pest-control company.

Quick Facts: Pesticides and your Family

• It has been estimated that eighty percent of people’s exposure to pesticides happens indoors.

• Up to a dozen pesticides can be detected in the air inside homes.

• The EPA states that 75 percent of homes use pesticides at some point, typically insecticides and disinfectants.

• Approximately 79,000 American children were poisoned by household pesticides in 1990.

• Nearly half of households with children under five years of age keep pesticides within the reach of children.

• Pesticides may enter the air in your home by leaking out from the containers in which they are kept.

Warning: Avoid the use of moth repellent paradichlorobenzene. This product is known to cause cancer in animals, and might have the same effect on humans. While manufacturers of some moth repellents claim that their products can be used as air fresheners, this practice may be dangerous.