[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Controlling pests (summary)



Here is a summary of the posts regarding my cluster flies and groundhog:

First, the groundhog will have to go.  Although the pesticide seems
relatively safe, it will be better for her or him to burrow elsewhere,
where there's no danger of breaching the basement walls of the building.
I'll also ask Physical Plant to put some mesh there to keep other
critters out.

The sticky fly paper is safe, fortunately.  How many times have I stood
up to find it sticking to my hair?

For non-toxic solutions, a couple of people advocated caulking,
screening, tightening, etc. over the course of time, as it has reduced
the problem greatly for them.  Because the flies are so fat and lazy,
they also can be vacuumed, but it's time consuming and disgusting.  They
can leave "oily smears."

Regarding pyrethroids, one person recommended the Washington Toxics
Coalition website at http://www.watoxics.org/.  Another said there was
an article in the New York Times a week or two ago on malaria which
talked about pyrethroids.  An organic gardener said they biodegrade
slowly and are quite strong.  The EPA considers them "safe" and a major
alternative to more toxic compounds.  They have granted a 3 year
conditional registration, and are waiting for studies on their effect on
aquatic invertebrates and fish.

A final warning came from another correspondent who worked at several
campuses where spraying outside the buildings to control pests was
common.  He said to be sure that the HVAC system's air intakes are
protected or isolated from the spraying to avoid drawing contaminants
into the building.

Thank you so much to everyone who responded!  Your advice was
invaluable.

Rebecca Fitzgerald, CA
Mt. St. Mary's Archives & Dept. of Special Collections
Mt. St. Mary's College & Seminary
Emmitsburg, MD
301/447-5397
301/447-6868 (fax)
rfitzger@msmary.edu

A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List!

To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to listserv@listserv.muohio.edu
      In body of message:  SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname
                    *or*:  UNSUB ARCHIVES
To post a message, send e-mail to archives@listserv.muohio.edu

Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at
     http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html

Problems?  Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <rschmidt@lib.muohio.edu>