Pesticides
Pesticides are not only poisonous to insects but are also
poisonous to humans and animals. Overseas studies have shown
that young children, have an increased risk of getting leukaemia
if they live in a home where pesticides are often used, either
in the home or garden. Childhood brain cancer has also been
linked to the use of some pesticides.
Pesticides can affect us if we breathe them in or if we come
into skin contact with them.  Pesticides
can contain active ingredients including naphthalene (suspected
cancer causing); phosphorus (irritates throat and lungs);
heavy metals (such as mercury and lead affect brain development
and causes lowered IQ deficiencies in children); lindane (can
cause dizziness, tremors and convulsions); chlorocyclohexanes
(permanent kidney damage, anaemia); and organophosphates (linked
to neuromuscular blockage, headaches, fatigue, dizziness,
profuse sweating, nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhoea, tightness
in the chest, and muscle twitching).
Common pesticides used in gardens (for example, weed killers
and aphid killers) include many harmful chemicals such chemicals
as chlorpyrifos and methoxychlor. These chemicals can affect
the brain and nerve development in children and can harm pets.
Lawn sprays can cause an increase in cancer in children. Children
growing up in gardens which are treated with pesticides have
a greater risk of developing tumours called sarconomas. Most
pesticides persist in the environment for a long time and
can continue to have harmful health effects long after they
have been applied.
BAYGON products, used to control cockroaches, flies, mosquitoes,
and lawn insects, have been linked to child leukaemia in a
couple of studies. BAYGON is harmful if swallowed  or
absorbed through the skin. Short-term exposure to some of
the chemicals found in Baygon products can cause tightness
in chest, sweating, small pupils, stomach pains, vomiting
and diarrhea. Baygon products contain Propoxur, which can
cause headaches, vomiting, and nausea, and Cyfluthrin, which
can cause lung problems, convulsions, asthmatic attacks, pneumonia,
muscle paralysis and possibly even death due to respiratory
failure.
DOOM products contain Lindane,
which has been banned in many other countries because of its
health effects. Lindane may cause cancer and also been linked
to hormonal and reproductive problems. DOOM products also
contain petroleum distillates which can damage the nervous
system, skin, kidneys and eyes, and may even cause cancer.
RAID contains cypermethrin, which
is suspected to be cancer causing. Exposure to this chemical
can lead to dizziness, headache, nausea, fatigue, vomiting
and skin and eye irritation. Long-term exposure to this chemical
can cause brain and locomotory disorders and weaken the immune
system.
Flea powder contains chemicals which have may cause skin,
breathing, kidney, liver and heart problems. Flea collars
have been linked to brain cancer.
Recommendations for use of insecticides
If using pesticides avoid contact with skin and eyes, use
cotton or leather gloves, goggles, respirator mask, protective
overalls and footwear. Keep children and pets away from areas
being treated. In case of accidents, the following rules apply:
skin contact: remove contaminated clothes. Wash
exposed areas with plenty of mild soap and water eye
contact: flush with clean water for 15 minutes and seek
medical aid inhalation: keep subject under
observation ingestion: when the patient is
conscious, provoke vomiting (by pharyngeal stimulation).
Seek medical aid.
Safe Substitutes for Pesticides in Home and Garden
Against pests in the home, the best offence is a good defence.
The first step is to make the house, especially the kitchen,
unattractive to insects by cleaning up food spills immediately,
keeping hard-to-reach areas reasonably clean, and removing
clutter that can hide pests. Store foods attractive to pests,
such as flour, in the refrigerator.
Green up your yard and stop using pesticides--try to use
natural products instead. Pull weeds by hand. Use traps, parasites,
and natural predators such as ladybugs. Use disease and pest-resistant
plants. Use compost and mulch to improve soil health and reduce
the need for pesticides and fertilizers. Use plants that repel
insects. Some herbs and flowers – including basil, chives,
mint, garlic, marigolds, and chrysanthemums – mixed in with
other plants, help keep pests away.
 A
number of non-toxic substances can be used to repel insects.
Generally, they are herbs or spices that have a strong smell.
Powdered chill pepper, garlic, peppermint, bay leaves, cloves,
citrus oil, lavender, rosemary, tobacco, peppercorns, and
cedar oil can repel various types of insects.
For specific house pests, try these solutions:
-
For ants: sprinkle powdered red chill pepper,
paprika, dried peppermint, or borax where the ants are
entering.
-
For beetles: Kill manually when you see them.
-
For cockroaches: Mix by stirring and sifting 1 ounce
TSP, 6 ounces borax, 4 ounces sugar, and 8 ounces flour.
Spread on floor of infested area. Repeat after 4 days and
again after 2 weeks. ( Note: TSP stands for trisodium
phosphate. It is a mixture of soda ash and phosphoric acid.
TSP is toxic if swallowed, but it can be used on many jobs,
such as cleaning drains or removing old paint, that would
normally require much more caustic and poisonous chemicals
and it does not create any fumes. You should ask your pharmacist
to get it for you)
-
For fleas: Feed pet brewer's yeast.
-
For fishmoths: Air clothes well in the sun; store
in airtight containers, scatter sachets of lavender, cedar
chips, or dried tobacco in with clothing. Epsom salts
also repels fishmoths.
-
For rats and mice: Prevention is the best cure.
Seal all entry points (openings/holes) and storage containers
properly. Cover rubbish. Buy a cat!
-
For termites: Any wooden parts of the house should
be at least 18 inches off the ground, as subterranean
termites cannot tolerate being exposed to air and light.
-
For slugs and snails: pour half a cup of black
caffeinated coffee on the pests
- For weeds: Spray vinegar on to the leaves of larger
weeds. Make sure to coat the leaves evenly. This works best
on hot, sunny days. The weeds should die within two weeks.
- An easy all-purpose garlic spray for repelling
insects from plants in your garden, can be made by mixing
½ cup of finely chopped garlic with 500ml water. Let this
mixture sit for an hour. Strain out the garlic, pour into
a spray bottle and spray your plants.
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