Controlling Cockroaches and Other Bugs - Natural Non-Toxic Options

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Columns - Green Living

Green Living - Questions & Answers

......with Debra Lynn Dadd

After recovering from MCS by removing toxic chemicals in her home, Debra Lynn Dadd went on to become a pioneering consumer advocate for health and the environment. Author of Home Safe Home, she also has a popular website containing a directory with more than 1000 links to nontoxic and eco-friendly products, a Q&A blog with many MCS bloggers, recipes for using natural sweeteners, and more. Debra is also available by phone for consultations. She lives in Florida with her husband, who drives a car powered by vegetable oil. Visit her website at http://www.dld123.com.

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009:

Controlling Cockroaches and Other Bugs

by Debra Lynn Dadd

Q:

Dear Debra,

Thanks so much for your newsletters! I'm so glad you're sending them! Do you have a remedy to fumigating for cock roaches? I've lived in the same place for 11 years and only in the last year have I had cockroaches which got into the building. I will get sick if the manager fumigates my apartment, but she says she must if I can't get rid of them fast.

Thanks!!

P.N.

A:

I suggest boric acid. Here in Florida we have a similar creature called a palmetto bug. Boric acid worked great.

Also, read this article on controlling cockroaches from the University of Minnesota Extension service. It tells a lot about the characteristics of cockroaches, how to prevent infestations, and nontoxic controls such as sanitation tips and where to apply insecticides for best effect. They also discuss insecticides both toxic and nontoxic (including a recommendation of boric acid).

And this article from Beyond Pesticides about the safety of boric acid.