Nix Pesticides

Eliminating pesticides probably easier than you think—try these three simple tactics.

First, since 80% of our exposure comes from pest-killing chemicals, according to the EPA, get all skull-and-crossbones labeled poisons for ants, flies, roaches or weeds out of your cupboards. Try pesticide-free natural remedies like red pepper for ants, white wine and dish soap for fruit flies, keeping crumbs off of counters, pouring boiling water over weeds. These things really work!

Second, according to the Environmental Working Group, you can lower your exposure by 90 per cent simply by avoiding the most contaminated conventionally grown produce. Check the Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce for the latest list—you might be surprised to find commonly found fruits like apples at the top.

Finally, avoid those antibacterial soaps, which depend on pesticides like triclosan to kill germs. Warm water and soap works just as well or better, studies show.

This entry was posted on Monday, June 30th, 2014 at 9:07 am. It is filed under Sustainability and tagged with pesticides, pests. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.