No-Kill Alternatives for Pests

Most people think they have a right to smash, spray, or stomp anything that invades their space.  Believe me, I’m not a fan of bugs either.  If one comes within 100 feet of me I run screaming.  But I don’t believe it’s my place to kill them either.  Just because I don’t like something doesn’t automatically give me the right to kill it.  If that was the case then the population would be going down instead of up.

When pests invade your home, it’s hard to deal with, especially if you have a fear of them.  I usually use the carry it outside method, but when there’s more than one, sometimes you have to take action.  Things like mice, ants, and roaches especially become a problem this time of year.

Alternatives to killing the pests can actually benefit you as well as the creatures.  Natural methods of eliminating pests are usually better for the environment and safer for your home.  Sprays and poisons can be dangerous, especially if you have children or pets who can get into them.  Mouse traps are also dangerous and messy.

When you’re dealing with a specific pest, find out how to make your home a less inviting place for them.  There are natural options for discouraging every creature.  Here are some examples:

Mice – No-kill traps are available at most retail stores.  The Mice Cube has proven to be the most effective, and can be found in the pesticide section of Wal-Mart and also ordered online.  Not only does this save the lives of the mice, but you can reuse them instead of throwing out the traditional traps and buying more.  It’s also safer and has no mess.  Just make sure to release the mouse at least 300 feet away from your home or they will come back in!

Mice also hate peppermint oil.  If you place the oil around the area where the mice seem to be living, they will leave.  You can buy this online or at stores that carry various aromatherapy products or essential oils.

Ants – When you see one ant, there’s always going to be more.  This is probably one of the hardest pests to control, especially in the spring and summer.  By cleaning counters and windowsills with a mixture of 50/50 vinegar and water, you can help to deter the ants from entering.  Sprinkling black pepper along the areas where ants seem to be entering will also help keep them away.

Of course, the most important way to keep ants out is to make sure not to drop any food around the house.  They’re pretty stubborn and might ignore your vinegar and water to go for a big delicious crumb.

Roaches - A natural roach repellent can be made by combining 1 cup water, 1 tsp. salt, 20 drops of peppermint oil, and 10 drops of cypress oil.  Shake the mixture and spread it around the edges of the wall or where you have seen roaches.  You can also soak a cedar chip in the mixture and place them in the roach infested areas.

These are just a few examples of ways you can be nature-friendly and keep your home free of harsh chemicals and pesticides.  There is always a natural option for dealing with unwanted creatures, and it’s worth consideration.  If you’re dealing with a pest, look up natural alternatives online or feel free to send me a message and I will help!

Versace’s Refrigerated Beach

The fashion house Versace is opening a new beachfront hotel in Dubai called the Palazzo Versace.  This top-dollar hotel wants their guests to be comfortable at all times.  Everyone knows that sometimes the sand on beaches gets hot and can even burn your feet in high temperatures.  Most people would just strap on some sandals and go for it.

Not at Palazzo Versace.  Instead they are placing a network of pipes beneath their beach that contain a coolant which absorbs the heat from the sand, leaving it a cool, comfortable temperature.  The hotel will also be refrigerating their pool so the water stays refreshing, and they are discussing options to put in giant fans outside that will keep a constant breeze blowing through.

It’s so nice to see that when the world is suffering from a recession, there is still enough money to refrigerate beaches.  God forbid rich people have to wear a pair of their Jimmy Choos out onto the beach to keep their feet from burning.  I think a hotel is nice if they have HBO and a continental breakfast.

Finally Putting Chocolate to Good Use

I’m one of the few people who thinks that making chocolate is a waste of time.  I don’t like the taste of it at all and I can’t stand how crazy people go over the stuff.  But now, finally, I have a reason to appreciate it.  Scientists at the University of Warwick have unveiled a race car that runs on chocolate.

Using waste from chocolate factories and combining it with vegetable oils, scientists have created a chocolate-based biofuel that can power this vehicle at speeds of up to 145 miles per hour.  The car meets the formula 3 racing standards, while also meeting many environmental standards.  Besides running on natural fuels, the car is made of renewable materials.  The steering wheel is made of carrot fibers, the body is made from potatoes, and the seat is made from flax and soybeans.

I’m not sure if race cars should be the first cars to be environmentally friendly.  They get used far less than our massive amounts of transport vehicles.  But it’s a start, and hopefully this will lead to more environmentally friendly procedures in the auto industry and others.

Nature Up Close

The Hancock Wildlife Foundation in Canada has set up a live webcam to watch a nest where a pair of bald eagles have created a family.  The live cam allows you to watch the babies grow, chirp for food, and be cared for by their parents.  It’s a rare glimpse into the life of an animal we hardly ever get to observe in its natural habitat.

I never thought I could be so fascinated just watching baby eagles all day, but I think I’m becoming attached to the little family.

The Hancock Wildlife Foundation has set up these live cams in the hope of educating people about animals they may not normally have a chance to understand.  It gives everyone a chance to experience the life and habitat of amazing creatures without disturbing them.  Hopefully this will bring more understanding and support to the preservation of wildlife and their environments.  The Foundation’s mission is “to promote the conservation of wildlife and its habitats through science, education, and stewardship.”

You can watch the live camera feed at the top of this article or by going to the website here: Hancock Wildlife Eagles

Also check out some of the other webcams available from Hancock Wildlife here: Hancock Wildlife

Kentucky Aquarium Acquires Baby Shark Ray

Shark Rays are an extremely rare species which live mostly in the waters near Asia.  They are currently on the Red List of Threatened Species because of how few actually exist.  They are also considered a delicacy and eaten in some parts of Asia.  They are being hunted and killed at a higher rate than they are being born, which is always a cause for alarm with rare species.

The Newport Aquarium in Newport, Kentucky has worked for animal and environmental conservation since it’s opening in 1999.  They acquired the only Shark Ray in this part of the world when they took in Sweet Pea.  Soon after Sweet Pea they got Scooter, which made them the only male/female Shark Ray pair in the Northern Hemisphere.  By working closely with conservationists and Shark Ray specialists, Newport began the world’s first Shark Ray breeding program, a key in keeping these rare creatures in existence.

Now Newport Aquarium has announced the arrival of their newest addition to the Shark Ray family — Sunshine, a baby Shark Ray, who will be able to help them understand the needs of a growing Shark Ray so they will be prepared if Sweet Pea and Scooter have one of their own.

Click Read More to see videos of the Shark Rays, including one of Sunshine being introduced to her new home at the Newport Aquarium.
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Victory Gardens

Victory Gardens first came about during the 40s, when America was at war.  The government suggested that people plant gardens as an act of support for the country during a struggling time.  Not only was it a way to grow food for your family and community when the nation was struggling, but it helped to bring people together, working on gardens together and making it a social activity.  Millions of Americans planted gardens.

Today, with the U.S. in the midst of a recession and another war, and with the fear of global warming constantly an issue, some people are asking for the Victory Gardens to be revived.  Michelle Obama has even planted a garden at the White House.  With fewer people growing their own food these days, it has to be shipped across the country, or even from other countries.  The costs of shipping, along with the gasoline used, all adds to the rise in cost of food.  It also adds to global warming because of all the extra travel and pollution caused by the trucks and manufacturing, packaging, and processing.

People have been looking for different ways to cut costs with the economy in this state, but instead of just cutting back, you can add fresh produce to your diet, while avoiding the high prices at the grocery store.  Now that spring is here, it’s the perfect time to plant.  And why not make it a social activity like they did during the war?  Have the whole family get involved with choosing which things to plant and what you can cook once it grows.

Even if you don’t have a yard, you can grow small plants on a porch, balcony, or windowsill.  What you plant also depends on the region in which you live.  You can find out which plants are best suited for your region at the Arbor Day Foundation here: Arbor Day Foundation You also need to know what time of year to plant.  Some plants must be planted early in the season, and some later.  Find out here: Planting Dates

There are many sites available for ordering seeds.  Here are a few options:

Seed Savers

Rare Seeds

Victory Seeds

Gardens Alive!

[Thanks to Katie!]

London’s Container City

Since tonight is Earth Hour, I thought it was appropriate to concentrate on the subject of the environment.  Container City in London was designed by Urban Space Management in 2001.  It is made completely from shipping containers with recycled materials added in for windows and balconies.  Shipping containers are usually sent to the dump after they are used, but by turning them into homes and offices, Urban Space Management has created the ultimate plan in large scale recycling.

The city looks modern and unique, and is also an incredibly cheap option.  Building materials are already there, so the cost of construction is very low and the process is fast.  Using more materials that are ready for use instead of creating more helps out the environment and the cost of living — two things that we are having a problem with in the world today.

The History Channel did a special on Container City, which you can watch after clicking Read More.
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