African Violets   Plants that Detoxify the Air   African Violets Sydney Park Brown The African violet (Saintpaulia species) is a popular houseplant that grows and flowers under light conditions found in the average home or under artificial light. Many different varieties, types, and flower colors exist.   Safety Around Pets: Common Names: African Violet / Scientific Name: Saintpaulia ionantha / Family Name: GesneriaceaeToxic Principle: Non-toxic, Leaves, No specific toxin, AlkaloidsClinical Signs: Mild allergic reactions (Ref.: OSU Center for Veterinary Health Sciences) African…

Spider Plants   Plants that Detoxify the Air   The Spider Plants are one of the most common houseplants, as they are easy to grow and propagate. This plant is very tolerant of neglect, being able to thrive in nearly any type of condition. Spider plants have also been shown to improve the indoor air qality by removing toxins / heavy metals from the air.   Safety Around Pets: Common Name: Ribbon Plant, Airplane Plant, Spider Plant Toxic Principle: Non-toxic (Ref.: OSU Center for Veternary Health Sciences)   Description Spider plants have long narrow leaves that are 8–15 in (20 - 40…

Biting Mites or WHAT???? Back to "Biting Mites" page One of the former sufferers who beat the mite problem that tormented his family for 10 months kindly shares with us the protocol of how he was able to eradicate the mite from his home and his family: "Protocol I used to rid my family and myself of the invisible mite. I will not get into details of how this started or how doctors ignored us. I will tell you how I was able to rid my family of 5 (including myself) of these invisible biting mites. 1. Permethrin Cream: Although Permethrin creams seemed pretty much useless in ridding…

Indoor Plants that Clean Pollutants out of the Air   Bookmarks on this page: Benefits of Plants Distribution of Plants Listing of Indoor Pollutants, their effects on our health and plants that are effective in reducing these pollutants Listing of plants that are the most effective in counteracting indoor pollution     There is considerable scientific evidence of beneficial effects of plants in the interior environment. Research by NASA and other organizations show that common house plants are powerful natural air cleaners. In laboratory studies, test plants removed as much as 87% of…

Eco-Gardening: Nature & Wildlife Conservation - Right In Your Own Backyard   Backyard Habitat The Easiest Vegetables to Grow   Gardening in an Environmentally Friendly Way How we are managing our gardens affects the health of the soil, air, water and habitat for native wildlife - as well as the human community. Following are some sustainable gardening techniques that you can use to help conserve resources and wildlife.   Replace Invasive with Native Plants Native plants provide a beautiful, hardy, drought resistant, low maintenance landscape while benefiting the environment.…

Getting Rid of Mosquitoes Pest Control Bookmarks on this page: About Mosquitos Keeping mosquitoes off you Protecting Aviaries / Bird Flights from Mosquito Infestations   About Mosquitoes ... Mosquitoes are common pests that can be found in most parts of the world - from the tropics to arctic regions. Mosquitoes serve as vectors for a variety of diseases that affect humans, pets and wildlife; including malaria, yellow fever, dengue, filariasis, some types of encephalitis, as well as West Nile Virus and Canary Pox. Mosquitoes lay their eggs on the surface of water, either singly or…

Simple Things You Can Do At Home To Minimize Pesticides / Chemicals on Your Food   Index of Diseases / Health Conditions ... Medicinal Foods, Herbs, Spices & Household Items The Health Benefits of Organic Foods The Most Contaminated Foods ... The Least Contaminated Foods Toxic build-up / exposure have been linked to serious diseases and developmental disorders Ways to Minimize Pesticides: Rinse produce with running water to remove most trace residues. Commercial produce washes are unnecessary. Do not use detergents since they can leave their own chemical residues. Remove and…

Ficus Alii   Plants that Detoxify the Air   The Ficus Alii, FICUS maclellandii 'Alii', is a large, ornamental, man-made hybrid plant that is rapidly gaining in popularity as it is more durable and easier to grow than other plants of the same genus and lacks their finickiness and tendency to shed leaves.   Description It can be found in many forms, including bushes, braids, standards and spiraled trunks. Its slender dark green leaves make it an extremely attractive plant. Its relatively thick leaves are long and narrow, growing from 3 inches to 10 inches long. New growth is sometimes…

English or Common Ivy   Plants that Detoxify the Air   Hedera helix (species name from Ancient Greek "twist, turn"), also called Ivy, Common Ivy, or English Ivy is a species of ivy native to most of Europe and southwest Asia.   Description It is an evergreen climbing plant, growing to 20-30 m high where suitable surfaces (trees, cliffs, walls) are available, and also growing as ground cover where there are no vertical surfaces. It holds on to tree bark and rock by means of short adhesive rootlets. The helix part of the name refers to where there are spirals in the leaves. The leaves…

Attracting to & Controlling Squirrels in Your Garden Attract Wildlife To Your Backyard   A little info about squirrels ... Squirrels belong to the most successful and widespread order in the world: the rodents. Most squirrels are active during the daytime.   Nesting / Breeding: They are known for their high reproductive rate. They usually produce 2 litters of 2-4 young each year. In the U.S., the first litter is born in January or February while the second arrives in mid-summer. Their nests are usually located in trees. However, they may also accept man-made nesting boxes,…

Chemical-free Lawns   Is your lawn green? Not just in appearance, but environmentally?   Gardening in an Environmentally Friendly Way ... Safe Alternatives for Weed Control, Pesticides / Insecticides ... Create a Backyard Habitat   Growing health and environmental concerns have some people turning to the search of organic, nontoxic lawn care alternatives. Fertilizers provide nutrients that may not be supplied by the soil, but excess nitrogen and phosphorus in fertilizers can be a huge source of water pollution. An eco-friendly, non-toxic lawn is initially more labor-intensive as you…

Backyard Habitat Attracting Wildlife to Your Garden   Why should I garden for wildlife and certify my yard as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat site? You'll attract and joy watching beautiful songbirds, cheerful butterflies and other interesting wildlife to your yard. It's relaxing! The natural environment of your habitat will provide a peaceful place to relieve stress and unwind, day or night. It makes your yard more attractive! Replacing barren lawn with beautiful wildflowers and other native plants will increase the appeal of your property and will provide a nurturing place for…

Swedish Ivy   Plants that Detoxify the Air   Plectranthus verticillatus (Swedish ivy) is commonly grown as an houseplant.   Safety for Pets: This plant is, according to OSU Center for Veternary Health Sciences, non-toxic and safe for pets. Whether this includes birds is assumed, but not guaranteed. Please discuss with your vet.   Despite its common name it is not closely related to true ivies of the genus Hedera. Unlike ivy, it is not thigmotropic, meaning it does not cling to walls with the roots when it grows. It is found naturalised around the world in certain areas with warm…

Plants that Clean Pollutants out of the Air Bookmarks on this page: Benefits of Plants Distribution of Plants Listing of Indoor Pollutants, their effects on our health and plants that are effective in reducing these pollutants Listing of plants that are the most effective in counteracting indoor pollution     There is considerable scientific evidence of beneficial effects of plants in the interior environment. Research by NASA and other organizations show that common house plants are powerful natural air cleaners. In laboratory studies, test plants removed as much as 87% of indoor air…

Weeping Figs aka Weeping Ficus, Benjamin Tree, Java Fig Plants that Detoxify the Air The Weeping Fig aka Weeping Ficus is one of the most popular indoor trees. They are available in green or variegated forms. They are not the easiest plants to grow, as they are sensitive to environmental changes. They can't tolerate drafts and require consistent light intensity and watering regimes. Safety Around Pets: Toxic Principle: Non-toxic, Foliage, IgE mediatedClinical Signs: Dermatitis, Asthma, Rhinitis, Conjunctivitis, Itching of hands and arms (Ref.: OSU Center for Veternary Health Sciences…