Toxic chemicals can impact people’s health, especially children and pregnant women. Pesticides can drift in air and water, contaminate private and public drinking-water sources, and negatively affect non-targeted plants, animals, and people. 
More information for alternatives to toxics:
> Tips for Weeds, Lawns and Landscaping
> Taking Care of Your Lawn Without Using Pesticides
> Tips for Indoor and Outdoor Pests
> Pesticide and Herbicide Factsheets
> Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides (NCAP)
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Alternatives |
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| Herbicides such as Roundup (Glyphosate) and 2,4-D | Manually pull weeds, wilt with boiling water or steam, or mix and spray 1 gal. vinegar, 1 cup Epsom salts, ¼ cup Dawn dish detergent directly on leaves of targeted plants. Use caution. |
| Moss in lawns | Please consider moss as an economical ground cover. To keep moss out, maintain a healthy lawn. More information: Taking Care of Your Lawn Without Using Pesticides |
| Dandelion | Please consider keeping all or some for bees and pollinators. If control is needed, see suggestions under Alternatives to Herbicides. |
| Blackberry | Use goats or cut / mow vines to the ground, dig out roots. |
| Insects | Seal cracks and holes, wipe surfaces, remove clutter. More information: Tips for Indoor and Outdoor Pests |
Please do not use rat poison as its poisonous pellets may be attractive and harmful to
small children. It can kill pets and wildlife, and the predators that eat the poisoned rodents (leading to more rodents, in the long term, due to fewer predators!). To prevent entry by rats and mice, seal holes inside and outside buildings. Keep areas clean and free of crumbs and water. Seal food in rodent-proof containers. Use snap-traps instead of baits whenever possible. Keep the traps indoor where wildlife such as birds and other non-targeted animals won’t become accidental victims of the traps. In extreme cases, call a qualified professional.
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