Thursday, December 13, 2012

Decking the Halls, the Toxic-Free Way!



By Kate Watkins, Outreach Intern with Toxic Free NC

(some information adapted with permission from Dr. Mike Waldvogel and Patty Alder, NCSU Department of Entomology)

            With the winter holidays just ahead, many people have begun to the deck the halls, hang the mistletoe, and decorate their homes.  With all of the excitement the holidays bring, we sometimes forget the environmental impact that this season can have, not to mention the impact on our health.  This year, while retrieving the decorations from the dusty attic and strapping the tree to the roof of the car, keep the following tips in mind.
            Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands are often sprayed with pesticides that can be dangerous to us and to our families.  These toxins affect the health of farm workers and pollute the environment.  In order to protect ourselves from these harsh chemicals, we should opt for organic or low-spray greenery whenever possible.  By buying from farms that use sustainable and safe methods, we show support for workers and businesses that respect the environment and their customers!  For a list of toxic-free and low-spray tree and wreath distributors in North Carolina, visit the Toxic Free website at http://www.toxicfreenc.org/involved/actionalerts/organic_christmas_tree_guide.html
            Concerned that an organic purchase means bringing critters into your house?  Don’t be!  They are many non-toxic ways to handle any little critters that may try to hitch a ride.  One such potential hitchhiker is the Cinera Aphid (common on conifers), which has been known to occasionally tag along on greenery.  Some people mistake Cinera Aphids for ticks; however, they are not ticks and there are many toxic-free methods for preventing them from getting into your home.  The simplest way to make sure they don’t come in with the tree is to vigorously tap the base of the tree on your sidewalk or driveway several times before bringing the tree inside.  If you want to be extra-thorough, blasting the tree with a stream of water and leaving it outside for a few hours to dry is also an effective pre-decoration method and will remove other undesirable hitchhikers like pollen, dust, and loose needles.
While some people may want to use aerosol insecticides, these can be as toxic as agricultural pesticides and are also a fire hazard when old-style incandescent lights are used on treated greenery—so don’t spray anything on your tree, especially not while it is decorated and the lights are plugged in!  Vacuum cleaners with crevice tools are another efficient and non-toxic way to remove aphids.  Remember that even boxed, artificial Christmas trees can be infested with bugs like spiders and dust mites, so you may as well go real and organic!  Real trees sometimes mean real bugs, but this is a problem that is easily solved without using harmful and toxic pesticides.
            By choosing organic or low-spray decor, we are voting in support of healthy families and sustainable farming.  Now, go stand under your organic mistletoe, and wait for your kiss from the environment!


Resources:
Toxic Free NC Organic Christmas Trees and Wreaths: 2012 Buying Guide http://www.toxicfreenc.org/involved/actionalerts/organic_christmas_tree_guide.html

Cinera Aphid Prevention information provided from an article by Dr. Mike Waldvogel and Patty Alder- NC State Department of Entomology: http://entomology.ncsu.edu/training
Ways to recycle and reuse your holiday greenery: http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/recycle-your-christmas-tree



Kate Watkins is a student, nanny, dancer, and she is also a volunteer for Toxic Free NC.  She hopes to join the Peace Corps or another international NGO, and she is extremely passionate about environmental issues and their impact on human rights.

Toxic Free NC is a non-profit organization in Raleigh fighting pesticide pollution by advocating for common-sense alternatives that protect our health and environment. Toxic Free NC works extensively with child care providers and parents to reduce toxic pollution in children’s environments. You can find out more about their work at www.toxicfreenc.org, or by calling (919) 833-1123.

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