Cleaning Services

Do Cell Phones Cause Cancer?

Thursday, July 29, 2010 by Marie Stegner

Do cell phones cause cancer?

Supposedly, cell phones emit low-level, non-heating radiofrequency (RF) energy, rather than electron-stripping ionizing radiation, the type proven to permanently damage tissues and disrupt DNA.

But damage from radiofrequency energy may be cumulative over very long periods. Most American children today face a lifetime of exposure. It is very important to focus closely on the most recently published studies, the ones that show the effects of long-term exposure.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG), has reported on key studies that link radiation from long-term cell phone use with increased risks of brain and salivary gland tumors, migraines and vertigo, as well as behavior problems in children, including hyperactivity.

The current U.S. government radiation standards are outdated and no steps have been taken to update them. Particular concern should be focused on the amount of radiation that penetrates a child's softer, thinner, skull (twice the amount that could penetrate an adult skull), and that long-term use starting in childhood could pose even bigger risks than those already documented. Children's cell phone use should be limited.

Safety Tips:

1. Save long conversations for land-line phone use.
2. Use a headset or speakerphone setting, and keep the phone itself away from your body.
3. Find out how much radiofrequency energy your cell phone emits. This measurement is called the Specific Absorption Rate, or SAR. The SAR permitted in the U.S. is 1.6 watts per kilogram. The FCC has a list of the SAR of various phone models.

The U.S. government should take a stand and require phones to be labeled with their emissions at the point of sale!

Write to us and let us know how you feel about cell phones and radiation!

Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about the health of you and your family. For more informaiton on healthy green living and greeen cleaning, please log on to greencleancertified.com or maidbrigade.com.

Are Your Products Really Organic?

Monday, July 26, 2010 by Marie Stegner

The Organic Consumers Association has been working to clean up the "organic" cosmetics industry since 2004. Unlike organic foods, many health and beauty products are falsely labeled as "organic."

The word organic is not properly regulated on personal care products like toothpaste, shampoo and lotion unless the product is certified by the USDA National Organic Program.

Due to this lax regulation, many personal care products have the word organic on their product label, but unless they are USDA certified, the main cleansing ingredients and preservatives are usually made with synthetic and petrochemical compounds.

The Organic Consumers Association recommends consumers look for the USDA organic seal on personal care products that claim to be organic. Although there are multiple "organic" standards all around the world, each with its own varying criteria, the USDA Organic Standards are the "gold standard" for personal care products.

If you are looking to purchase a product that is totally organic, look for the USDA organic seal. If it doesn't have the seal, read the ingredient label to find out how many ingredients are truly organic and how many are synthetic.

Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about the health of you and your family. For more information on healthy green living, please log on to greencleancertified.com or maidbrigade.com.

The Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010

Saturday, July 24, 2010 by Marie Stegner

The Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010 is a bill that was introduced in Congress to regulate cosmetics that may contain hazardous chemicals.

This Act gives the FDA authority to make sure cosmetics and other products are free of toxic ingredients.

Some provisions of this bill will:

1. Phase out ingredients linked to cancer, birth defects, and developmental harm.
2. Create a health-based safety standard for children, elderly, workers, and   other vulnerable populations.
3. Require full ingredient disclosure on product labels and websites.
4. Educate workers about unsafe chemicals in cosmetics and hair and body care products.
5. Develop alternatives to animal testing.

Start paying attention to the products you buy. Educate yourself and learn more about the things that you are putting into your body.

Watch out for ingredients like synthetic fragrances, parabens, sodium laurel, phenoxyethanol, propylene glycol, and PABA.

Avoid liquid hand soaps with triclosan, nail polish and removers with formaldehyde, skin lighteners with hydroquinone, and anti-aging creams with lactic, glycolic, AHA and BHA acids. Watch out for hair dyes with ammonia, peroxide, p-phenylenediamine, diaminobenzene, and all dark permanent hair dyes.

Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about the health of you and your family. For more information on healthy green living and green cleaning, please log on to greencleancertified.com or maidbrigade.com.

Are Your Fragrances Full of Toxic Chemicals?

Thursday, July 22, 2010 by Marie Stegner

Musks are artificial chemicals used in fragrance mixtures that are added to everyday products. Studies indicate that musk may disrupt the hormone (endocrine) system and may also disrupt a natural defense the body uses to protect itself from toxic chemicals. Some musks are also linked to cancer. Musks can accumulate in fat and build up in the body.  Musks have been detected in breast milk, fat, and blood.

Exposure. Musks are often used in cosmetics and body care products that contain fragrance, like perfume and soap. Musks are also used in air fresheners, detergents, fabric softeners, cleaning products, and cigarettes. They are also used as food additives. Musks can be inhaled, ingested, and absorbed through the skin.

Health Effects.  Musks can irritate the skin, or trigger allergic reactions.  Some studies show that musk has been linked to cancer.  Certain musks were also linked to reproductive problems in women.  A recent study showed that musks can interfere with the ability of structures in cell walls to keep toxic substances from entering the cell. By disturbing a cell's natural ability to fend off toxic chemicals, musks could allow poisons to build up within cells and cause damage.

Regulation. In the United States, all musk chemicals are unregulated. Safe exposure has not been set yet. Europe has banned the use of nitromusks in chemicals and body care products because of the growing concerns of health effects.

Prevention.  Switch to fragrance-free cosmetics and body care products. Choose products that do not list "fragrance" as an ingredient.  Choose fragrance-free laundry detergents, fabric softeners, and household cleaners. Avoid air fresheners that use artificial fragrances to cover up other odors.

How do you feel about toxic chemicals in your cosmetic and body care products? Share your comments with us!

Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about the health of you and your family. For more information on healthy green living and green cleaning, please log on to greencleancertified.com or maidbrigade.com.

Does the Chemical, "Paraben" Cause Cancer?

Wednesday, July 21, 2010 by Marie Stegner

Parabens:

What are parabens?
Are parabens regulated?

The FDA limits the levels of parabens allowed in food and beverages but it does NOT regulate these chemicals in cosmetics and body care products.

Prevention:

One way to reduce exposure to parabens is to switch to paraben-free cosmetics and body care products.

Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about the health of you and your family. For more information on healthy green living and green cleaning, please log on to greencleancertified.com or maidbrigade.com.

Teens and Chemicals

Tuesday, July 20, 2010 by Marie Stegner

Recent laboratory tests reveal that teenage girls are being contaminated with chemicals commonly used in cosmetics and body care products.

Sixteen chemicals from four chemical families (phthalates, triclosan, parabens, and musks) were detected in blood and urine samples from 20 teen girls, ages 14 - 19 years.

Studies link these chemicals to potential health effects including cancer and hormone disruption. These tests also indicated that young women are widely exposed to cosmetic preservatives, with 2 parabens, methylparaben and propylparaben, detected in every single girl tested.

Teen study participants used an average of nearly 17 personal care products each day, most of them unknowingly exposing themselves to higher levels of cosmetic ingredients linked to potential health effects at a time when their bodies are more susceptible to chemical damage.

Cosmetics and other personal care products are an alarming example of government and industry failures to protect public health. Federal health statutes do not require companies to test products before they are sold. As a result, nearly all personal care products contain ingredients that have not been assessed for safety and are not required to meet standards of safety.

Help your teens make healthy choices by educating them about the toxic chemicals in products they use.

Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about the health of your family. For more information on healthy green living and green cleaning, please log on to greencleancertified.com or maidbrigade.com.

Clean Your Car Upholstery the Natural Way

Saturday, July 17, 2010 by Marie Stegner

Did you know that car upholstery can be cleaned with baking soda and water? Combine the two ingredients to make a paste and apply it with a used toothbrush. Wipe with a wet sponge.

Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services wants to hear from you! Share your natural cleaning tips and ideas with us! For more information on healthy green living and green cleaning, please log on to greencleancertified.com or maidbrigade.com.

Toxins in the Environment

Friday, July 16, 2010 by Marie Stegner

Chemicals in plastics and other products seem harmless, but mounting evidence links them to health problems — and Washington lacks the power to protect us.

With so many scary-sounding, potentially toxic compounds turning up in our household products, it's hard to know which agents are really worth worrying about. Here is a guide to some of the most commonly found toxins:

Bisphenol A (BPA):

What It Is: A chemical used in plastic production.

Found In: Water bottles, baby bottles, plastic wraps, food packaging.

Health Hazards: The government's National Toxicology Program has concluded that there is some concern about brain and behavioral effects on fetuses and young children at current exposure levels.

What You Should Know: Switch to glass products when possible.

Flouride:

What It Is: A form of the basic element fluorine.

Found In: Toothpaste, tap water.

Health Hazards: Neurotoxic and potentially tumorigenic if swallowed. The American Dental Association advises that children under 2 not use fluoride toothpaste.

What You Should Know: Government studies support current fluoride levels in tap water, but studies on long-term exposure and cancers are ongoing.

Phthalates:

What They Are: Chemicals that give plastic its resilience and flexibility.

Found In: Toys, raincoats, shower curtains, vinyl flooring, detergents, food packaging, shampoos.

Health Hazards: Animal studies show reduced sperm counts and reproductive abnormalities. There is evidence of a link to liver cancer in humans.

What You Should Know: Congress passed legislation in 2008 to ban six phthalates from toys and cosmetics.

Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA):

What It Is: A component of Teflon nonstick coatings.

Found In: Tap water, nonstick pots and pans.

Health Hazards: Has been found to cause hormone disruption and reproductive abnormalities in animal and human studies.

What You Should Know: The EPA is urging makers to stop using PFOA by 2015. Until then, avoid heating empty Teflon cookware to high temperatures.

Perchlorate:

What It Is: An oxidant in rocket fuel.

Found In: Drinking water, soil, some vegetables.

Health Hazards: Disrupts thyroid's hormone production.

What You Should Know: Environmental groups are urging the government to lower perchlorate levels in drinking water.

Decabromodiphenyl Ether (DECA):

What It Is: A flame retardant.

Found In: Electronics, furniture, carpets.

Health Hazards: Permanent learning and memory deficits, hearing defects, decreased sperm count in animals.

What You Should Know: Following EPA advice, the industry began phasing out the chemical in December 2009.

Asbestos:

What It Is: A naturally occurring fibrous mineral.

Found In: Housing insulation, drywall, artificial fireplace logs, toys.

Health Hazard: Mesothelioma, a fatal cancer.

What You Should Know: Asbestos in products is not always labeled, and while most manufacturers have abandoned it or reduced its levels, it's still not banned by the U.S. government.

Are There Toxic Chemicals in Lipstick?

Wednesday, July 14, 2010 by Marie Stegner

Who doesn't love a good lipstick? After all, the perfect shade of lipstick can make a woman feel attractive, sexy, and confident....

... but looks can be deceiving!

Tests conducted by the FDA last year on 22 red lipsticks found lead, a neurotoxin, in every single lipstick sample studied.

The highest lead levels were actually in three well-known, common brands. In fact, the lead level in one lipstick was 34 times higher than the lead found in the lowest-scoring lipstick.

The FDA does not regulate lead in finished cosmetics, only in the colors added to the products.

Studies suggest the average woman consumes about 4 pounds of lipstick over the course of her life.

Lead builds up in the body over time, some of it is incorporated into our bones. During pregnancy, breast-feeding, and after menopause, a woman's blood levels of lead rise as stored calcium, and bone lead is released. Small levels of lead are even dangerous to developing children.

According to the Mayo Clinic, 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter can cause brain damage in children. Lower levels have been linked to developmental delays, aggression, attention and learning problems.

How do you feel about cosmetic manufacturers putting toxic chemicals in your cosmetics? Share your comments with us!

Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about the the health of you and your family. For more information on healthy green living and green cleaning, please log on to greencleancertified.com or maidbrigade.com.

Did you know...

Tuesday, July 13, 2010 by Marie Stegner

Did you know that personal care products are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or any other government agency?

89% of the 10,000 chemical ingredients found in personal care products like shampoos, after shave, perfumes, lipstick and nail polish, have not undergone safety testing.

Most of these chemicals are now in our bodies, our breast milk and our children....

You have the right to know what ingredients are in the products you buy!

Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about the health of you and your family. For more information, please log on to greencleancertified.com.

Important Information About Your Health

Saturday, July 10, 2010 by Marie Stegner

Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about you and your family!

If you would like to learn more about the chemicals in your toothpaste, teeth whitener, shampoo, deodorant, or nail polish, please log on to greencleancertified.com and click on the article, "What Chemicals are in Your Cosmetics?"

Knowledge is Power. Take charge of your health and your life!

More Tylenol and Over-the-Counter Drugs Recalled

Friday, July 9, 2010 by Marie Stegner

On July 8th, Johnson and Johnson recalled more Tylenol and over-the-counter drugs after they were linked to a musty or moldy odor, expanding a recall the company started in January.

The latest recall involved 21 lots of medications, including Tylenol for children and adults, several forms of Benadryl allergy tablets and Motrin painkiller.

The lots were sold in the United States, Fiji, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Trinidad, Tobago, and Jamaica.

Consumer complaints of odors were traced to a chemical called TBA, which is present in the wooden pallets used to ship and store the medications.

Anyone who bought products included in the recall should stop taking them and contact the company about a refund or replacement.

Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about the health of you and your family. For more information on healthy green cleaning and green living, please log on to greencleancertified.com or maidbrigade.com.

Whiten Your Teeth The Natural Way

Thursday, July 8, 2010 by Marie Stegner

Instead of using all those harsh chemicals to whiten your teeth, why not try to whiten your teeth the natural way?

Mix one teaspoon of baking soda and a couple drops of hydrogen peroxide together. Use as you would toothpaste. After a couple weeks of daily usage, you should start seeing visible results.

Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about your health. Share your tips with us! For more information on healthy green living and green cleaning, please log on to www.maidbrigade.com or greencleancertified.com.

Chemical Exposure and Nail Products

Wednesday, July 7, 2010 by Marie Stegner

Did you ever wonder if that strong smell in nail salons is linked to toxins? Before your next trip to the salon, consider the downside to the fumes you will be breathing in during your entire treatment, along with the plastic coating seeping into your body through your nail bed.

Nail products like nail polish, polish removers and artificial nail products contain many chemicals known to cause cancer, reproductive harm, asthma, and other negative health effects.

It is reported that almost all brands of commercial nail polish contain toluene and formaldehyde. Many still contain Dibutyl Phthalate.

Toluene is a human reproductive and developmental toxin. It can affect the nervous system with symptoms like tiredness, confusion, weakness, and memory loss. It is thought to cause liver damage and skin irritation. In high levels, it can affect the kidneys.

Formaldehyde is a carcinogen and a common indoor air pollutant because its resins are used in many construction materials. Inhaling the fumes can result in watery eyes, headache, burning in the throat and labored breathing.

Dibutyl Phthalate. Phthalates are used to soften plastic, and are known to affect hormone function. Studies have linked phthlates to early puberty in girls and low sperm counts in men. Environmental groups claim phthalate exposure may contribute to the rising number of uterine problems in women and testicular cancer in men. Repeated and heavy exposure to dibutyl phthalate may cause nausea, vomiting, tearing of the eyes, dizziness, and headache. Long term exposures may cause damage to kidneys and liver, and may also harm a developing fetus.

A Natural Manicure:

Beauty does not have to be dangerous. File, wash, and soak your nails. Then soften, clean, and shape the cuticles. Try soaking your nails in organic apple cider vinegar or simple warm water, and apply almond oil to the cuticle area. Buff with several fine grade buffing files (on dry nails and always in one direction). Moisturize your hands.

Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about your health. For more information on healthy green living, please log on to greencleancertified.com or maidbrigade.com.

Treat Your Sunburn Naturally

Tuesday, July 6, 2010 by Marie Stegner

Sunburn is the most critical season for sunburns to occur. Due to over-exposure and pro-longed sun-baths, our skin becomes red and sore on the surface exposed to sun rays, especially to UV rays. Repeated sunburns lead to allergies, wrinkles, and sometimes even skin cancer.

After severe sunburn it is vital to avoid applying greasy, oily lotions, ointments, or butter to the skin because they will only obstruct the skin pores, blocking heat and pain within the epidermis. Using commercial soaps that contain chemical compounds will also irritate the skin.

The most recommended remedies for sunburns are the herbal ones that heal and soothe the skin and renew the capillaries, which are the thinnest and most sensitive blood vessels of the body.

Aloe Vera gel is the most common home remedy against sun burns. It is best to apply fresh Aloe Vera gel to the damaged area of the skin, as this will help the epidermis recover faster. The sterols in this healing plant are anti-inflammatory and will prevent skin from swelling, while the nutritive mineral zinc will enhance tissue regeneration.

Comfrey is also very beneficial for the sun burnt skin, because it contains allantoin, a natural compound that is an excellent anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, allergenic and skin cell regenerative. Apply the juice or lotion extracted from comfrey leaves on the skin. Allantoin is also present in wheat and sugar beets.

You can also try taking a bath in lukewarm water mixed with a cup of baking soda or apple cider vinegar. This will cool down the skin. Compresses with cold green, black, calendula or St. John's Wort will have the same cooling effect on the damaged skin.

Chamomile, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Rose hips and Buckthorn essential oils are also beneficial for the inflamed skin. They can be applied directly to the skin or added to the bath water.

Besides oils, some raw vegetables that, if sliced and applied to the burns, will have a very soothing effect.  Some of these are potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, cold juice from lettuce leaves, corn starch and water paste.

What you eat when you have a sunburn is also very important.  Drink a lot of milk and eat foods rich in vitamin C, E, betacarotene and Zinc. They will speed the recovery of the skin.

Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about the health of you and your family. How do you treat sunburn naturally? Share your recipes and tips with us! For more information on healthy green cleaning and green living, please log on to greencleancertified.com or maidbrigade.com.

A Free Gift Just For You...

Friday, July 2, 2010 by Marie Stegner

To celebrate the beginning of summer, Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services would like to give you a gift...

...a free 22 page guide to healthy green cleaning and green living!

This guide is stock full of information on green cleaning and why it is important to your health. The guide also lists toxic chemicals that every family should be aware of. Try our many tips and recipes on how to live an eco-friendly and "green" lifestyle and share your comments with us!

To get your free guide, please log on to www.maidbrigade.com/green-cleaning-e-guide.

Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services wishes everyone a happy, healthy, and "green" summer!

Controlling Fleas Without Chemicals

Wednesday, June 30, 2010 by Marie Stegner

Flea and tick treatments, even when applied as instructed on the box, may contain toxic chemicals that can poison pets and harm people. Avoid toxic chemicals by taking care of your pet. To reduce and control fleas, comb and bathe your pet, and vacuum your house regularly.

Combing. Regular combing of a pet can help reduce fleas. Fleas caught in the comb should be drowned in soapy water.

Bathing. Soapy baths are a great way to control fleas. Fleas tend to accumulate in bedding, so wash your pet's bedding in hot water at least once a week. Washing the bedding will also reduce the spread of flea eggs and larvae that may be contained in it. Try bathing your dog in a mixture of rosemary tea and vinegar. Fleas do not like vinegar!

Vacuuming. Vacuuming picks up fleas and eggs from the carpet, floors, crevices, and furniture. Immediately after vacuuming, throw away the vacuum bag to prevent fleas from escaping and reinfesting your home.

What about Rock Salt and Baking Soda? Sprinkling baking soda or rock salt on carpets and under beds, desks, and even heaters will dehydrate fleas and kill them. Adding some low-sided pans of water in areas where your pets can't get to also helps. The fleas will jump into the pan and die.

Outdoor Areas. Keep grass and shrubbery clipped short in areas where your pet spends time. This will increase dryness and sunlight, which helps the flea problem. Nematodes, can also be used as a nonchemical, biological aid to help control fleas in these areas.

Natural or Herbal Proucts? Not all essential oils used to treat fleas are safe for animals.

Products containing cedarwood, lemongrass, peppermint, rosemary, or thyme are probably safe.

Avoid the use of any flea or tick product containing pennyroyal oil. It can cause seizures, coma, and death in animals.

Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about the health of your family and your pets. Share your comments on how to get rid of fleas with us! For more information on healthy green living, please log on to greencleancertified.com or maidbrigade.com.

Go Green this Fourth of July

Tuesday, June 29, 2010 by Marie Stegner

Celebrate Independence Day this year and save the environment by throwing a little green into your mix of red, white, and blue!

Get outside and party before the fireworks. Consider a daytime party and make the most use of natural light. If your partying does run into the evening hours, consider soy candles to add ambiance without the expense or waste.

Ditch the Disposable Partyware. Disposable plates, cups, and utensils are convenient for parties with a lot of guests, but they are not so convenient for the environment. Do your best to use normal tableware that can be washed and reused. Cloth napkins and reusable cups are other eco-friendly options.

Use Propane for grilling. According to a study by the Environment Impact Assessment Review, LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) as a fuel, is more efficient than charcoal in its production and more efficient in cooking. When purchasing a propane tank, make sure there is a trade-in option. Most retailers will let you bring in an empty tank in exchange for a discount on your next tank.

Save and Reuse Decorations. Make a centerpiece by floating candles in wood bowls with rose petals in them. Arrange daisies in a glass vase. Buy small American flags at the dollar store and plant them in with the flowers. Reuse the flags next year.

Go Organic. Serve plenty of organic fruits and vegetables along with the whole food dishes. Avoid pre-packaged foods as much as possible to cut out the waste.

Use Large Water Containers. Plastic water bottles are convenient, but they can add up fast. Store water in large containers so family and guests can re-fill their cups.

Recycle! One of the easiest ways to go green is to recycle your waste. Be sure to put a clearly marked "recycle" bin out at your party.

Green your Fireworks. Fireworks are hardly an environmentally-friendly activity, but they are a tradition. If you plan to set off your own fireworks this year, be sure to use fireworks rich in Nitrogen. They might cost a bit more, but they put out less smoke in the environment.

Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services would like to hear your comments on going green this Fourth of July. Write to us and let us know! For more information on healthy green living, please log on to greencleancertified.com or maidbrigade.com.

All About Composting

Monday, June 28, 2010 by Marie Stegner

One of the best things you can do for the environment is to keep a compost bin, and whether it is kept in your backyard or your kitchen, either method is easy. Composting is not only great for the environment, for reducing the amount of methane and leachate organic waste gives off decomposing in a landfill, but it also produces a rich fertilizer that can strengthen any garden. Despite what you have heard, composting doesn't smell, as long as you avoid putting in meat and other stuff that doesn't belong there!

Instead of throwing away uneaten food, coffee grounds, tea bags, nut shells, and dozens of other types of organic waste you make everyday, scrape those uneaten veggies and fruits off your plate and put them into your compost bin!

As waste decomposes in a landfill, it releases methane, which is highly flammable and is the reason why dumps have release valves to release the pressure methane builds up so it doesn't cause an explosion. If you compost, you create a rich soil that can reduce the need for water, fertilizer, and pesticides.

Do you want to compost but don't have room in your backyard? Get a medium to large-sized bin (or one that can fit under the sink), and throw equal parts of "browns" (twigs, dead leaves, branches) and "greens" (grass clippings, fruits, vegetables). Once you have the "browns" and "greens" mixed together, let it settle for about five weeks. After that, start throwing in your organic waste (eggshells, wool rags, hair, fur, fire place ashes, grass clippings). Remember, not all organic waste (like dairy products, meat, coal, and charcoal) can be composted!

Your compost is ready to use as fertilizer when it starts to look like black dirt. This usually takes about 6-8 weeks. The product of compost is called humus and is great for your garden.

Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about your health and the environment. Do you compost? Write to us and share your comments! For more information on green cleaning and green living, please log on to greencleancertified.com or maidbrigade.com.

Controlling Earwigs in Your Home and Garden

Friday, June 25, 2010 by Marie Stegner

Earwigs are among the most readily recognized insect plants in home gardens. Although they can devastate seedling vegetables, annual flowers, maturing soft fruit or corn silks, they also have a beneficial role by feeding on aphids and other insects.

Earwigs are a concern in your garden if you are growing vegetables, herbaceous flowering plants, sweet corn, or plants with soft fruits like strawberries and apricots. They are not a concern if your garden is primarily lawn, trees and woody ornamentals or native plants.

Nocturnal in habit, earwigs feed at night and hide during the day in dark, cool, moist places in the yard or within flowers or vegetables.

Control earwigs by reducing outdoor hiding places. Eliminate dense undergrowth of vines, ground cover and weeds around vegetable and flower gardens.

Prune away fruit tree suckers.

Remove leaves, boards, boxes, trash, and other debris from planting areas.

Move flower pots and other garden objects that can harbor earwigs.

Check plastic or organic mulches and remove them to limit earwig numbers.

Reduce earwigs by trapping them with rolled newspaper, bamboo tubes, or short pieces of hose. Place these traps on the soil near plants just before dark, and shake accumulated earwigs out into a pail of soapy water in the morning.

A low-sided can (a tuna fish can) filled with oil and a drop of bacon grease, fish, or vegetable oil also makes a good trap.

Mix together a small amount of dish soap and water in a spray bottle and spray the earwigs. They do not like soapy water.

Daily trapping will reduce earwig populations to tolerable levels.

Inside the home. Earwigs may seek refuge indoors when conditions outside are too dry, hot, or cold.

Sweep or vacuum up invading earwigs.

Seal up cracks or other entry points.

Remove debris from gutters and around entryways.

Keep water and moisture away from structures.

Replace white outdoor lights with yellow ones which are less attractive to earwigs.

Spray them with a mixture of dish soap and water.

Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services wants to know how you manage earwigs. Share your comments with us! For more information on healthy green cleaning and green living, please log on to greencleancertified.com or maidbrigade.com.