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Combat in a New Mode
Shirlee Sky Hoffman
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the moving crumbs are on the march
across the thawing land.
they'll occupy our homes as nests
if we don't take a stand.
arising up from where they've been,
below our sight and mind,
foraging scouts are launching forth
for goodies they can find.
we fool ourselves our homes are clean,
not seeing what survives,
the tasty morsels that attract
formicidae to our hives.
despite our blind complicity,
we can't forsake the field;
instinctive folk, relentless foe
they're not about to yield.
buy up the poison sprays and traps,
deploy them at the breach.
except--that's deadly wrong today!
instead, here's where we reach:
a new approach, unlike the past,
when mindlessness was rife,
and no one had a greening thought
'bout taking a little ant's life.
ants have a niche we must preserve
in earth's ecology chain.
destroying them is not the way
to guard their role, maintain
the scale that homo sapiens tilts--
who knows how far off kilter?
for answers, call in the web's
ever-spinning quilters:
cinnamon, mint, vinegar, chalk,
one might just do the trick,
repel the advancers, back, toward our neighbors...
without making living things sick.
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Safer Pest Control Project
is dedicated to reducing the health risks and environmental impacts of pesticides and promoting safer alternatives in Illinois.
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Why are Americans Hooked on Grass?
Follow the link to this wonderful article by New Yorker writer Elizabeth Kolbert
I love this article because it takes all of the different aspects of lawn care in America and distills it into a cogent argument for reducing our dependence on chemicals for our lawns. It is also a fascinating history of lawns in American.
[link:http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/books/2008/07/21/080721crbo_books_kolbert ]
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More Than Just Lunch
IPM and Green Cleaning Workshop for Charter Schools
On August 11 Safer Pest Control Project will host an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Green Cleaning luncheon for Charter Schools at the Garfield Park Conservatory. The event is designed to address IPM and Green Cleaning as it relates to Illinois law and the Charter School experience.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Green Cleaning methods are state-of-the-art for safer and healthier school sanitation and maintenance. We’ll be showing charter schools the best way to get started implementing these programs.
For more information and to register for the workshop go to www.spcpweb.org/training. Then come join us for a healthy organic lunch and more.
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SPCP Seeks a Fall Intern
Do you have an interest in the environmental field? Are you looking for an experience that will allow you learn all about pesticides and their effect on the environment? Then a Fall internship with SPCP might be a good choice. Download the PDF to learn more about this opportunity.
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Pesticide Free Zone
Let everyone know that your yard is pesticide free and pet and child friendly by posting a pesticide free zone sign. You can post these signs at schools, parks, and businesses.
Ideally, pesticide free means that no chemical pest controls at all are used. However, we consider the use of organically certified materials and EPA-exempt pesticides to be compatible with our philosophy because we want to encourage manufacturers to develop safer products. If the sign accurately reflects your practices, you can purchase it from SPCP.
The signs are eight-inch diameter aluminum signs that will last through harsh winters and hot summers. Each sign costs $10.00 which includes shipping and instructions for posting. Use our order form (at right) to place your order. Call about discounts for larger orders.
This sign comes with two factsheets: Talking to Your Neighbors About Pesticides and Pesticide Free Zone Yard Sign, including display instructions. | | 
orderform1.pdf |
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Natural Lawn Care is promoted in City of Chicago Parks
Safer Pest Control Project has partnered with the Chicago Park District and Department of the Environment of the City of Chicago to promote natural lawn care techniques. Check out the materials that will be placed in all of the field houses in the Park District.
Chicago Park District Healthy Parks | |
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BED BUGS BE GONE
Fact sheet offers solution to this not-so-little problem
Bed bugs are on the rise nationally -- from four star hotels to one bedroom apartments. Since they are so small, bed bugs are one of the most difficult home pest problems that you'll see (or not see as as the case may be!). They don’t just hide in mattresses but also bed frames, furniture, wooden floors and carpeting. Even after you have found them bed bugs are still very hard to remove. Not even the use of hazardous pesticides is totally effective.
Don't panic. The best strategy is one of persistence and patience. If you have bed bugs, immediately remove all sheets and wash them in hot water. Place them in a dryer, and turn the heat on high for maximum effect. Next, put a plastic mattress cover over the bed. This will have to stay in place for at least 4 months. For treatment in carpets and furniture, use a portable hand held steamer set at the highest setting. Press the steamer hard into the fabric and slowly move it over the entire surface. This will kill bed bugs and their eggs. You may need to repeat this several times over the next few months.
For more tips please take a look at our Bed Bugs fact sheet. For our fact sheet in Spanish click Bed Bugs (Spanish).
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SPCP featured in Green Options Media Blog
SPCP Executive Director, Rachel Rosenberg, spoke at length to local writer, Jason Phillips about our work.
Both articles address the problems with chemical lawn care, and with pesticides in general. Please pass it on to your friends.
Getting Americas Lawns Off Drugs
Tackling the Toxic Problem of Pesticides
Ironically, notice the Google ads on the page for chemical lawn care. If the advertisers featured could only read what the article said, I don't think they'd want to be linked on this page!
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Protect Yourself from Involuntary Pesticide Exposure
The State of Illinois Has Laws to Protect Homeowners and School Children
Did you know that there are a number of laws in Illinois that protect homeowners and school children from involuntary pesticide exposure? SPCP has written a fact sheet that you can easily download that explains the two laws and gives you information on reporting violations. Laws to Protect You From Outdoor Pesticides
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