The Bald Eagle was nearly extinct in the lower 48 U.S. states by the middle of the 20th century, pushed to the brink by its sensitivity to DDT.

Dear EarthTalk: I read a disturbing report recently that the long-banned pesticide, DDT, was being used in Mozambique to combat malaria.  Malaria is a killer , but isn’t a return to DDT even scarier?
– Graeme Campbell, South Africa

Much of the developed world banned the use of DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane) within about 10 years of the 1962 publication of Rachel Carson’s book, “Silent Spring.”

Carson’s book, which is credited by many as having spurred the creation of the modern environmental movement.

She documented the ecosystem damage caused by DDT crop spraying throughout the United States and linked the pesticide’s use to the disappearance of songbirds and raptors.

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From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine

Health officials at the time also linked DDT exposure to nerve damage in humans, and blamed DDT for causing cancer in people who had applied it recklessly. Today, because of widespread indiscriminate use up through the 1960s, most people have traces of DDT in their bodies. DDT has since become increasingly associated with childhood developmental problems, according to the organization, Beyond Pesticides (BP).

Today, two dozen countries–including Mozambique and nine other African nations–permit the use of small amounts of DDT for controlling specific insect-borne diseases, including malaria . Malaria kills one million people, including 800,000 African children, every year. Dr. Arata Kochi, leader of the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) global malaria program, strongly advocates using DDT to fight malaria, claiming that it poses little or no health risk when sprayed in small amounts on the inner walls of people’s homes.

“Indoor residual spraying is useful to quickly reduce the number of infections caused by malaria-carrying mosquitoes…and presents no health risk when used properly,” agrees Anarfi Asamoa-Baah, WHO’s assistant director-general for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Asamoa-Baah insists that DDT’s public health benefits for mosquito bite treatment and prevention far outweigh its risks.

Jay Feldman, executive director of Beyond Pesticides, disagrees and advocates for techniques that do not rely on pesticides like DDT. “The international community has a social responsibility to reject the use of this chemical and to practice sound and safe pest management practices,” he says. Feldman cites a recent study showing South African women living in DDT-treated dwellings to have 77 times the internationally accepted limit of the chemical in their breast milk. Researchers postulate that large amounts of DDT may have contaminated drinking water, exposing entire villages. “This highlights why no society can be unconcerned with DDT’s impact” on health and the worldwide ecosystem, Feldman says.

Feldman is calling for alternative strategies for disease control, including addressing the conditions of poverty that lead to mosquito breeding. We should “no longer treat poverty and development with poisonous band-aids, but join together to address the root causes of insect-borne disease, because the chemical-dependent alternatives are ultimately deadly for everyone,” says Feldman.

CONTACTS Beyond Pesticides, www.beyondpesticides.org; World Health Organization Malaria Information, www.who.int/topics/malaria/en/

GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? Send it to: EarthTalk, c/o E/The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; submit it at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/thisweek/

or e-mail: earthtalk@emagazine.com.

DDT Spray Does Uganda Need It?

“Food products originating from Uganda would have to be tested and if levels of DDT exceed the MRL, they would be denied entry into the EU,” she said. Aryada said the DDT debate should be less driven by concerns of the EU

The Debate Over DDT And Malaria Continues

The debate over using DDT to control Malaria has continued since the insecticide was banned in the USA in Dec. 1972. However, the 2006 controversial decision of WHO to actively support the use of DDT in Malaria control stirred a heated discussion

Bill Gates Demonstrates Why We Should Make DDT Legal Again In The US

I suspect much of the debate boils down to the insoluble difference between those who value human life above insects and those who do not. I realize that insects outmass humanity, outmass mammalia, and outmass vertebrates on Earth. 

The DDT Debate: To Spray Or Not To Spray?

Collins Vumiria Kakaire’s blog – It all started with a severe headache – got me thinking about malaria, about DDT, and about the potential for conflict between environmental concerns and health. Uganda is rightly worried 

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here is some information about natural oils and foods that can act as an insect repellent and  keep you from getting mosquito bites.

It is such a wonderful feeling when the warmer weather approaches. You can pull out your swimsuit, sunscreen, baseball glove, tent, boat, and barbecue. However, along with all those fun-in-the-summer activities comes the annoying buzz of pesky mosquitoes!
With the recent alarming increase in mosquito-borne viruses such as the West Nile Virus, many summer revellers are worrying about more than just a few itchy bites. The appearance of these seasonal pests usually has people running for the insect repellent, but before immersing yourself in a cloud of strong-smelling chemicals, did you know that there are certain natural oils and foods that can act as an insect repellent? The lasting power of  natural mosquito repellent  may not be as long as those repellents that contain DEET or other such chemicals, but their repellent qualities are a safer choice, and that in itself is worth the extra effort involved in more frequent application.

Natural Oils

The most common natural mosquito repellents are essential oils of varying types. The most effective are said to be citronella oil and clove oil. It is important to be careful when using clove oil as it is a skin irritant, so it must be diluted and used sparingly. Other effective oils include lemon, eucalyptus, cinnamon, castor, rosemary, cedar, and peppermint. When using any essential oil as a natural mosquito repellent, remember that they are solely for external use. Be sure to test the oil on a small patch of skin before applying it fully to ensure that you are not allergic to it.

Garlic

Another scientifically-proven natural mosquito repellent is garlic. If you like to relax in your backyard, but it is crowded with buzzing pests, commercial garlic sprays are available, and can be used on your outdoor garden. Studies have also shown that applying a jelly-based compound containing garlic on your skin can help keep mosquitoes away. However, its signature pungent aroma may also repel your friends and family! It is important to consult your doctor before using garlic as an insect repellent as it contains high amounts of allicin and could cause allergic reactions and/or skin problems. If slathering yourself or your garden with garlic is unappealing to you, you could add garlic to your daily diet. If a large amount of garlic is ingested, the odor tends to seep out of the body’s pores, acting as a natural barrier against mosquitoes.

Making your own

It is possible to make your own natural mosquito repellent spray. Using a 10-to-1 ratio, add one part of the listed essential oils above to 10 parts of rubbing alcohol, vodka, witch hazel or olive oil, and shake well before using. Mosquitoes are usually attracted to perfumes and flowery aromas, therefore adding a few drops of the listed essential oils to your shampoo and liquid soap can help counteract the fragrances in these products and keep mosquitoes away.

Don’t Sweat It!

Aside from using a natural  mosquito repellent  knowing when your body is most vulnerable is a plus. Carbon dioxide attracts mosquitoes, therefore when you are hot or have been exercising, mosquitoes may find you extra-tasty. They are also attracted to moisture and that includes perspiration. Exercising, as well as eating certain foods high in salt and potassium, will make your system release a greater amount of lactic acid, which will lure the mosquito population. It is not only perfumes, shampoos, body lotions, body washes, and sunscreen on your body that make you vulnerable to bites, but also the subtle fragrances of dryer sheets and fabric softeners in your clothes.

Anna DeGaborik is the author for the All Mosquito Netting Info website. She studies insect diseases and prevention, specializing in mosquitoes.

By Anna DeGaborik

Mosquito And Biting Insect Protection – Aromatherapy Style!

You know you need to protect yourself and your family from  mosquitoes. After all, they carry all kind of illnesses and germs that you do not want to expose your family to, like West Nile. When you go outside.

Those Pesky Mosquitoes!

Last Saturday morning (November 1st) upon waking up, Olivia came to find me and complained that "I got bitten by a lot of mosquitoes last night! I’m so itchy!" She pulled up her shirt as she said this to show me her "bites" on her chest 

Travel Vaccinations

Pitty there isn’t a vaccination for dengue fever or Malaria – I’ll be using a lot of N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) for the former, and Doxycycline pills for the nasty mosquitoes. 

Pesky Mosquito

We set up camp in the late afternoon and we were getting ready to start dinner, when the mosquitoes came out by the thousands. I couldn’t believe how many there were. Within minutes I had a dozen bug bites and couldn’t stop scratching 

Mosquitoes In Your Garden? Try Planting These!

ROSEMARY This wonderful herb we use for seasoning is also agreat, natural mosquitopesky insects away. Rosemary is a native ofthe Mediterranean, so it likes hot repellant. It has been used forcenturies to keep these 

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Having access to natural insecticides, particularly as a  mosquito bite prevention technique is easier than you think.

There are natural alternatives that do not make you glow in the dark after you have applied them to your home and garden.

Homemade natural insecticide does not only help our planet but they also cut the immediate risk to our families and loved ones. Many natural insecticides can be easily and quickly made up at home.

Not only are natural insecticides less toxic in general, but also many of them are more effective than their commercial counterpart. Making your own can save you some money in the long run, as commercial insect repellents can be costly and not necessarily affective.

Garden mix. Take the dried leaves of lavender, tobacco, rosemary, and Pyrethrum daisy. You can then mix all of these together and use it as a powder, or they can be steeped overnight in water and then strained into a spray bottle. Each of these plants can be used individually but often gardeners will combine them.

During the summer months we spend more time outdoors children are often in the grass playing late into the evening and many of us worked in our gardens once the temperature has cooled down. It seems as the sun goes down the bugs come out. Check out this recipe for natural insecticides homemade insect repellent that can be safely used instead of those toxic commercial sprays. This just a sampling of what can be made to help you in your quest to eradicate pests around your home.

Soak the following in water:
Lemon peels and/or orange peels
Mint leaves and/or sage leaves
Lavender leaves

If you can soak them all overnight, in the morning you’ll have a strong mixture. After straining this use 1/2 of this mixture and add some witch-hazel to make up the other half. Simply lightly spray yourself down with this mixture and you should be good to go in the evening. This natural insecticide is safe on the children and pets as well.

A natural insecticide that works as a flea repellent for dogs that will save you a lot of money can be whipped up in the kitchen in a matter of minutes. It should be noted however that this repellent should not be used on cats as citrus is toxic to them in large amounts.

You basically make a tea out of citrus peels, it doesn’t matter what type, lemon peels, or orange peels, any type of citrus peels will work. You put the peels in water and boil. After they have cooled, you strain the liquid and then rub it into his or her coat, during the final rinse of the bath. This kills fleas as well as acts as a repellent for any that might be lurking around the yard. Do not use on cats, as it is toxic to them!

As we all know citronella has been added to candles and sprays for quite some time. Citronella is an excellent repellent and can be classified in homemade natural insecticides. Also chamomile seems to make mosquitoes run the other way . Combining about 1 ounce each of these two plants leaves together and boiling them in a gallon of water, is a highly effective repellent.

Another natural insecticide that has been around for centuries in the Middle East is Neem oil. Although in the United States it has gained in popularity in the past few years. Neem oil is biodegradable and very low toxicity and seems to be in everything from toothpaste to pharmaceuticals. This natural insecticide works as a systemic that is absorbed into the plant and then ingested by feeding insects.

Neem oil is highly effective as an natural insecticide for the treatment of head lice, but it may be used in the garden, you can mix 1 ounce of Neem Oil to 1.3 gallons of water to spray around your yard.

Utilizing homemade natural insecticide within the garden and around your home may take a little effort in their preparation but in the long run and not only will save money, but you are reducing the risk to your family and the environment. There are many more powerful natural insecticide products that will do the job, you just need guidance as to which formulas will be effective for you. The great thing is that you will have an unlimited supply of product which has cost next to nothing and does an excellent job as well.

Natural Insecticides Homemade
For radiation free insecticide recipes go here! By Steve Knowles

If you would like to know more about insecticides and natural mosquito repellent go to the places listed below
Neem Oil: An Organic Pesticide
As an Insecticide. The active ingredient in Neem oil is azadiractin, and it has several different effects on insects. Insects go from egg to larva to pupa to adult. Neem oil actually interrupts the metamorphosis process.

Natural Is NOT Non-Toxic
Conquer is like a fourth generation pyrethrum which is an insecticide made from the chrysanthemum flower in Africa. It is tightly targeted to kill fleas and to be relatively non-reactive with mammals.

Organic Diet  Eliminates Exposure To Insecticides
A Predominantly Organic Diet Virtually Eliminates Children’s Exposures to Two Common  Insecticides

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