If you use pest control products on a regular basis, you are probably pretty familiar with how they work. However, you may not pay much attention to what is actually in these products. Why permethrin is a popular choice Studying the labels of pest control products will reveal that there are a few main chemicals [...]
(Beyond Pesticides, July 31, 2013) Environmental officials are investigating why dozens of dead fish are washing up on the banks of two rivers in western Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.), Canada. For the third time in three years, dead fish have been spotted rising to the surface of Barclay Brook where thousands of fish died in [...]
Have mosquitoes been making your life miserable? If you’ve had enough of their annoying bites and have decided to rid yourself of these pests, you’ve probably been looking for a way to banish mosquitoes for good. As you may have already discovered, there are many mosquito repellant options available to you. To help make the [...]
(Beyond Pesticides, July 30, 2013) A recent study published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry found levels of pesticide contamination from agricultural drift in Pacific Tree frogs in remote mountain areas including national parks. The study supports past research on the pesticide transport through atmospheric dust and rain. To conduct the study, researchers collected Pacific Chorus [...]
There are a number of different products you can use in battling a flea problem. Flea sprays are a popular choice for eradicating these tiny little pests quickly and easily. Why flea spray is a good choice Flea spray is convenient and easy to use. You simply apply it to areas where you have seen [...]
(Beyond Pesticides, July 29, 2013) Researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and University of Maryland have found that low levels of pesticide exposure from crop pollination make honey bees more susceptible to the deadly gut parasite, Nosema ceranae, contributing to declines in bee populations. The study’s findings, released Wednesday July 24 in the [...]
Most likely, you’ve used a variety of products to solve various pest control issues. These probably included some combination of sprays, granules, concentrated formulas—and perhaps even some traps. But there may be one thing you are leaving out of your strategy for battling bugs. What you should know about insect growth regulators One insect control [...]
(Beyond Pesticides, July 26, 2013) Thousands of people from across the country took action last month to prevent Dow AgroSciences from using its influence to insert Farm Bill language that would allow the food uses of the pesticide sulfuryl fluoride to continue, despite a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposal to phase it out. Dow’s [...]
Bed bugs are among the most feared and dreaded of all household pests. It’s not just that their bites can be painful, itchy—and embarrassing. They are also feared because of their intimidating reputation for having amazing survival skills. Bed bugs are notoriously tough to get rid of, so just the thought of trying to eliminate [...]
(Beyond Pesticides, July 25, 2013) In a sweeping victory for the protection of human health and the environment, the Takoma Park, Maryland City Council on July 22, 2013 unanimously passed the Safe Grow Act of 2013, which generally restricts the use of cosmetic lawn pesticides on both private and public property throughout the Maryland city. This is [...]
When considering options for controlling flies, trap products are one of the most common choices. Fly traps come in a wide variety of forms, so you will want to think about which might be best for your purposes (and preferences). A glue strip is the most basic option, and also the cheapest. The downside: it [...]
(Beyond Pesticides, July 24, 2013) Gina McCarthy, a veteran environmental regulator and President Obama’s pick to run the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), finally had her appointment confirmed by the U.S. Senate after an almost five month delay imposed by Senate Republicans. Ms. McCarthy’s appointment got caught up with other cabinet appointments that Republicans were [...]
If an ant invasion has you feel like you’re under attack, it’s time for you to launch a killing campaign of your own. Don’t be intimidated—while the ants may have you outnumbered, you can win this battle. In fact, with a smart game plan, you will soon reign supreme as Assassin of the Ants! Here’s [...]
(Beyond Pesticides, July 23, 2013) When shopping for sportswear nowadays, you might notice the stickers or tags on some clothing items touting the apparel as “antimicrobial.” What’s not mentioned on those tags, however, is the point that these antimicrobials, often titanium dioxide or silver nanoparticles (nanosilver), are largely untested, and recent studies are revealing that [...]
Have you been invaded by flies? These pests are annoying and also carry bacteria and disease, so of course you want to get rid of them. But constantly swatting at them takes a lot of time—and generally isn’t very effective anyway. So what can you do? We suggest trying a fly light trap. These traps [...]
If you have a flea problem, you need to launch a quick and powerful response. (And if you’ve seen even just one flea, you do already have a problem. For every flea you see, there are many more hiding in your carpet, on your furniture—or even on your pet.) Why the Right Flea Treatment Matters [...]
Fleas can make things very uncomfortable for you and your pets because their bites can be itchy and uncomfortable, even painful. Fleas can be scary because they are notorious for multiplying quickly and being very tough to eliminate. Have no fear—you can be a powerful flea killer in no time! While it’s true that fleas [...]
(Beyond Pesticides, July 19, 2013) A recent report by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) examines the health of the nation’s streams over 20 years and finds that streams nationwide are severely degraded by humans, exhibiting elevated levels of pesticides and nutrients as well as streamflow modifications. Overall, the report finds that 83 percent of streams [...]
(Beyond Pesticides, July 18, 2013) A few months after the groundbreaking decision to suspend the use of three neonicotinoids shown to be highly toxic to bees, the European Commission is moving forward again with a proposal to restrict the use of the insecticide fipronil, which has also been identified as posing an acute risk to [...]
It’s almost time. July 20th to 28th, 2013 National Moth Week Events in the US “Citizen scientists around the world will be setting up white sheets and lights in backyards, woods and fields July 20 through July 28 for the second annual National Moth Week, a global science project begun last year to encourage the public to […]