Green Guru
Advice for the eco-minded.
By Starre Vartan
 

Michael Cogliantry

I would like to create a small pond in my yard to attract wildlife, but what can I do to prevent mosquitoes from settling in and spreading West Nile virus?
—Barbara Mitchell, Annapolis, MD

Whatever kind of splashy set-up you have in mind, the key to mosquito prevention is to keep the water moving. Mosquitoes are the primary carriers of West Nile virus, producing eggs that are most likely to mature into larvae (then stinging bloodsuckers) in standing water that’s not well aerated. Using an appropriately sized circulating pump will keep the flow moving in your water feature and make it inhospitable to mosquito reproduction. Going one step further, a small waterfall that feeds into your pond will look inviting, sound relaxing, and create an especially good place for songbirds to gather for a bath.

If further steps are necessary, Roger Nasci, chief of the Arboviral Disease Branch of the Centers for Disease Control, recommends natural biological controls to keep mosquitoes at bay. Stock your pond with top minnows, he says, because they feed on mosquitoes. Gambusia affinis is the most common species, and can often be found in pet stores. Also try calling your local mosquito control district—they may be giving the minnows away. Another way to discourage mosquitoes from settling in is to use a natural bacteria-derived pesticide, commonly marketed as a “mosquito dunk.” The bacteria kills filter-feeding mosquito larvae when they digest it. “The dunks are not toxic to other animals, fish, or birds,” says Nasci. Even if a bird or other wild animal were to eat the poisoned larva, it would not affect them.

Other sources of standing water kept outside—pet food dishes, flowerpots, swimming pool covers, buckets, barrels—can also be cozy homes for mosquitoes. Make sure to empty such standing sources of water at least once or twice a week.
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Burke/Triolo Productions/Brand X/Corbis

I’ve been reading all this bad news about poisoned pet foods. Is there anything I need to do to ensure my birdseed is safe?
—Cheryl Sanders, Chicago, IL

The most common problem with birdseed that can lead to bird sickness and death is a combination of a naturally created toxin and human error. When mold grows on seeds and grains (and especially peanuts), it can produce aflatoxin, which is lethal to birds. Storing your bird food in a cool, dry area, in a closed, rodent-proof container—small trash cans are ideal—will likely keep any mold from breeding in your seed. If you do see mold, throw away the seed immediately. “The other thing to keep in mind is not to feed birds overprocessed foods. Make sure anything you feed birds has no preservatives, artificial colors, or flavors,” says David Bonter, an ornithologist at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology at Cornell University. You can also easily make your own seed by combining about 10 pounds of millet, 10 pounds of cracked corn, and 25 pounds of black oil sunflower seed for a mix that will appeal to a large variety of birds. If you feed hummingbirds, make sure never to use artificial sweeteners to make their liquid food, and avoid adding coloring to the water, as hummingbirds will be just as attracted to a red container, or even a piece of red yarn. Bonter also says it’s important to avoid feeding birds suet in the summer because it can easily go rancid, making birds sick.
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Mark Weiss/Getty Images

It’s time to freshen up the color in my living room, and I would like to use a paint that doesn’t pollute the air I breathe every day, or the environment. What should I look for on the labels?
—John Douglas, Phoenix, AZ

Conventional paint gets its scent from volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These chemicals are found in paints, paint strippers, solvents, aerosol sprays, and more. VOCs affect indoor air quality, and once they seep outside, contribute to ozone pollution. Whether VOCs will affect your health depends on several factors, including the amount of time you spend near fresh paint, the frequency of exposure, your individual threshold for chemical sensitivity, as well as your age and size. Because of links to cancer and to reproductive and developmental effects found in lab animals exposed to VOCs, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends that pregnant women minimize time spent in freshly painted rooms, and that young children and people with breathing issues stay away from paint vapors altogether.

Fortunately, there are now a number of low- and no-VOC paints on the market, so you don’t have to make do with dingy walls to keep a healthy home. Many home improvement stores now carry these paints, which can be mixed to almost any color. While no-VOC paints cost slightly more than standard paints, the low-VOC options can actually be less expensive, and prices for both have been dropping in the past year as more people choose less-toxic alternatives. Chemical levels in low- and super-compliant-VOC paints are regulated by California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District, so look for paints certified by that organization. Green Seal, an independent nonprofit eco-labeling organization, also tests paints for VOCs and other environmental toxins. Milk protein paints, which have a different tone than commercial paints, are also nontoxic and have been in use for hundreds of years. However, they are prone to mildew, and therefore should not be used in kitchens or bathrooms. Since most people spend 90 percent of their time indoors, when it comes to decorating walls, beauty is more than skin deep.
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