Monthly Archives: June 2012

Is There Such a Thing as a Good Snake?

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non-venomous snakes

Eastern garter snake-a non-venomous snake found in the eastern United States http://www.flickr.com/photos/7147684@N03/1054559796/

To save you from the guesswork, the resounding answer is yes! Snakes get a very bad reputation as creepy, slimy, lethal predators.  Whether this comes from ancient references to them as evil and satanic, their unusual means of transportation or the fact that the worst of them are incredibly dangerous, remains unclear.  The phrase “the only good snake is a dead snake,” is quite common in popular culture, but that’s actually not the kind of good snake we’re referring to.  Even though most people associate all snakes with deadly, flesh eating bites, the number of non-venomous snakes in the US far outweighs the venomous ones.  There are approximately 12 snake-bite related deaths in the United States every year and many of these occur as a result of humans handling or owning venomous snakes.  Wanting to avoid close encounters with snakes is understandable, but we have a few enticing reasons why you should generally leave snakes alone.  Continue reading →

The History of Pesticides

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In today’s society of increasingly health-conscious consumers, pesticides are placed under a great deal of scrutiny, and in many ways rightfully so.  However, often times, today’s vastly improved pesticides get an unfairly, bad reputation.  When used improperly, pesticides can be very dangerous, which is the case with pretty much any type of chemical.  Fortunately, when used in moderation and following the appropriate instructions, many of today’s pesticides really aren’t so bad.  While it may be easy to swear by the lyrics to Counting Crow’s Big Yellow Taxi, “farmer, farmer put away the DDT, I don’t care about spots on my apples leave me the birds and the bees, please,” those sentiments are a bit exaggerative and outdated. Continue reading →

What to do When the Bed Bugs Bite

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Bed bugs are a major problem throughout the United States, and this problem escalates during the summer as travel increases.  To preface this topic, it’s important to mention that anytime you discover or suspect bed bugs, you should seek the help of a professional, because these pests will plague yor home and are very difficult to get rid of.  With that said, if you encounter a bed bug problem and you or someone in your family has bed bug bites, you will likely be in search of a remedy.  These bites are painful and very uncomfortable, but there are some remedies to try until you can get the problem resolved.

  1. Oatmeal Bath: This is a great remedy for itch relief from a variety of issues including bed bug bites.  All it takes is a bathtub full of warm water and a box of oatmeal for some serious itch relief.
  2. Baking Soda Paste: A simple combination of water and baking soda will create a great, homemade cream that can be applied to bites.  This paste can be left on for about an hour to provide a soothing, itch relief.
  3. Aspirin Paste: Taking an aspirin orally can have some effect, but creating a paste with a small amount of water and a crushed aspirin can bring more immediate relief. 
  4. Ice: As with many stings and bites, ice is a great way to reduce swelling and temporarily relieve pain.  Some bed bug bites are quite small but some bites can swell up to be very large, which is when the ice comes in handy.
  5. Aloe: If you happen to have an aloe plant, you can cut off the tip of one of the plant’s leaves and squeeze out the gel inside. This can be applied to the bites for instant, soothing relief.

Preventing Silverfish

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silverfish

Silverfish-a pest commonly found in bathrooms http://www.flickr.com/photos/blodgett-esq/3860389034/

Maybe you’ve heard people refer to the common household pest silverfish, but many people only recognize the pesky bugs that look kind of like tiny scorpions.  Silverfish have a long body that thins toward the end and two long antennae.  These critters are wingless and are a grayish silver color. Silverfish prefer moist areas, which is why they are often found in bathrooms and basements.  Though they are generally harmless, if not controlled, certain areas of your house could become infested with these pests.  Silverfish can live for long periods of time without food, which helps them survive in your home.  They also will feed off of many materials inside your house such as book binding, furniture glue and starch and grain products. Continue reading →