| While insects play beneficial roles in the greater natural scheme,
we often label them as "pests" when they invade or impact the human built
environment. Most of us now know that we do not have to declare full-scale
warfare with an arsenal of toxic chemicals to manage insects in our buildings.
Some of us have even come to look upon household spiders and occasional
ant visitors as signs that our homes are not toxic. (Much like the living
worm or multi-legged hitchhiker sometimes found on our local organic produce.)
A good first strategy with respect to insect and warm blooded critter management is prevention of problems. Securing of crawlspaces and attics, sealing of cracks and crevices, and elimination of building and site water problem areas will go a long way in minimizing the opportunities for critters to become household pests. For new construction, building material choices, detailing, and construction techniques can have an enormous effect upon how inviting the human abode is to other animal and plant (mold, mildew) potential invaders. A second line of defense might be the use of non-toxic repellents such as herbs and plants. Oftentimes these have the secondary benefit of adding visual and/or olfactory pleasure to the human occupants. At times lethal, but nontoxic, means of dealing with insect invaders/destroyers
are called for. Some of the strategies known to ward off insect pests without
compromising the health of human and other mammalian species (like the
family cat & dog) are boric acid, diatomaceous earth, beneficial insects
and fungus, insect growth regulators and Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
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Kenn Brown, owner of Environmentally Sensitive Pest (ESP) Control,
will share with us his expertise in the area of least toxic pest control.
Kenn has 27 years of experience in the pest management field - 25 years
of conventional work and two years of "doing it right" (His words). ESP
specializes in problem prevention and low toxicity products, and they have
been a member of the City of Austin's Green Builder Program for over 2
years. Some of their special programs are: non-lethal removal and relocation
of pesky critters such as squirrels, raccoons and opossums; boric acid
spray treatment after the framing stage of construction for permanent ant
and termite protection; and working with Southwest Texas State University
on the development of deer repelling strategies for the yard and garden.
Resources
Kenn Brown, Environmentally Sensitive Pest Control, 1-888-238-6528. Using natural controls for virtually every type of pest problem. Check out their web page at www.kennpest.com, or email Kenn at Kenn@Kennpest.com. Natural Insect Repellents for Pets and People, published by the Herb Bar in Austin, describes herbal approaches to dealing with unwelcome critters. Includes chapters on such topics as "Non-chemical Insecticides for Yards", "Ants & Fire Ants", and "Housecleaning". Available from the Herb Bar, 200 West Mary, Austin, Texas, 512-444-6251. Sensible Indoor Pest Control for Central Texas, prepared by the Austin Regional Group of the Sierra Club. This useful guide covers preventative measures in general as well as specific pests. It offers lots of good, practical advice (except their recommendation of inhumane glue traps for mice and rats), and is unique in its focus on Central Texas. Call or write the Austin Regional Group of the Sierra Club at PO Box 4581, Austin, TX 78756-4581, 512-860-2993. Extoxnet, http://ace.ace.orst.edu/info/extoxnet/ - Pesticide toxicology information National Integrated Pest Management Network, http://ipmwww.ncsu.edu/ urban/urban_contents.html City of Austin IPM homepage, http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/ipm |
| Graduate of the Month: Jim Walker
Since last month I did a "Member of the Month" even though we don't officially do that, I am creating another ad hoc honoring slot to recognize the achievements of another one of our outstanding SBC members. So, congratulations to Jim for completing his master's degree in Community and Regional Planning at UT, with an emphasis on the farm-community connection and the economics of utilizing agricultural waste products in the production of building materials. (Hope I got that right, Jim.) But not only is Jim well educated now, but he has many other fine qualities that he has shared with the SBC. He has worked tirelessly for our organization for years, contributing in countless ways, from contributing at coordinators' meetings and maintaining the membership database, to conducting meetings and meeting setup/closedown. And now he is serving as our political/community action informant. For all of these things, and for being such a wonderful person, the SBC gives heartfelt thanks and congratulations to Jim Walker. Strawbale Workshop
Doc & Kathryn Kistner's Post and Beam Led by: Frank Meyer, Thangmaker Construction July 11 - 12, 1998 (Saturday - Sunday) 6am- 2pm Call 243-1472. We are paying your Workshop Fee in exchange for your help. Bring Food to share, Pliers - PLEASE BRING PLIERS, Work gloves, Hat, Long-sleeve shirt (for straw & sun protection), Sunscreen. 12702 Wright Road, Creedmoor, TX Directions: Take IH-35 to Hwy
1327 (exit 223)/[or take Hwy 183 & go W. on Hwy 1327]
Go East on Hwy 1327, about 3 1/2 miles.
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Natural Building Workshop in Tennessee
A workshop focusing on Cob, Straw Bale, Hemp and Sod will be held at Moonshadow in Whithall, TN from July 13 to 19. The cost is $300 and up. A session will be held on Finnish cob contraflow wood-stove construction a topic not previously seen on any list of natural building agendas. Contact Anthony or Ashley at 423/949-5922 or email<mediarights@bledsoe.net> for more information or to register. Co-Housing
The San Marcos Co-Housing Association formed in February and hold business and social meetings weekly. Legal, financial, marketing and membership committees have been formed. Members will discuss their project at the monthly San Antonio Sustainable Building Coalition July 28. The project will be built on a 3 acre site in town. Co-Housing business meetings are held at 3 PM on Sundays. Call 512/353-4617. |
Texas Solar Energy Society, www.txses.org
Info on clean, renewable energy for Texas and the world
Sustainable Sources, www.greenbuilder.com
Sustainable building techniques