My husband applies Sevin (carbaryl) in the spring and fall. That has allowed me to feel comfortable tramping through the grass.

After reading about its toxicity (in Desperation Medicine, Dr. S, and websites), I'm really afraid to use it now. It gets in the air. My husband sprays it unprotected. I imagine that walking through treated grass would get it on clothing. We have septic and a well, though the well isn't on our property. It's on a neighbor's, and I've encouraged him to use Sevin! Water here drains to a local lake, too.

We can't fence the yard. You'd have to see our property to understand why.

I don't know what else to do. I realize that this isn't an issue now (at 18 degrees), but I'd like to get ideas now.

I kept hearing how safe Sevin is, but I read so much to the contrary. What a shame.

I won't use pesticide on my clothes because of MCS. I don't want to breathe it, or drag it inside, either!

M friends tell me I should use Deet instead of staying out of the wooods that I love.

I feel itis the chemicals and toxicity that allowed our bodies to get so sick in the first place. We have to find other ways.

I live in an urban neighborhood so don't face the problem you do.

I have read of waysto keep deer away or at least lessen the #. Search on google. ALso read the lyme websites. I thinkthere might been something here in the library on keepng deer away.

I will look a bit ater today and try to give you some links.

http://www.nixticks.com/

http://www.stopticks.org/prevention/index.asp[/URL]
http://www.tickbook.com/ Looks good.

http://www.caes.state.ct.us/SpecialFeatures/TickHandbook.pdf[/URL] This looked really good. Look at the Table of contents....coves many topics. You need Adobe acrobat to read this.....if you need help let me know.

Hope this helps,
robi

Ok, buy a chicken coop...and raise Guinea Hens...they LOVE ticks. (Seriously)

That and SHORT grass....no water.

1-800-331-2867

used in conjunction with mice,mice run thru traps,traps I think are set out along perimeter of you property.

I wish I could have guinea hens here. It's against the law. And the landowner's association wouldn't allow it anyway. Phooey. I know that neighbors would report us.

I tried some of the sites listed, Robi. Thanks so much. I couldn't access some of them. One didn't have information about property. That book looks interesting, though. Maybe I'll buy it over the winter.

I'll try Max Force, too. Thanks, 3greatkids!

There has to be another way without toxic chemicals! Steph

I noticed that a Max Force user is in my town! I'll contact them closer to spring to get an estimate.

I saw you post and was about to suggest DE when I see that Lymemom has already suggested it.

Check it out at:
www.herbalhealer.com

I will go ahead and post the info:

DIATOMACEOUS EARTH

DIATOMACEOUS EARTH has been right under our feet for eons, waiting to be discovered as a safe, effective control for garden pests.

For relief of flea and tick problems with pets and for the elimination of parasites in livestock.

Diatomaceous earth is mined from fossilized deposits of shells formed by tiny diatoms. These are single celled plants of the sea that are millions of years old.

According to National Geographic reports, "Death comes within 12 hours after insects venture into the D.E. They pierce their skins or waxy shells on the sharp edges of the diatoms siliceous shells and die of dehydration."

This product is completely safe to use and because of it's trace mineral content it is good for the animals, plants and the environment. We have tested D.E. at the Herbal Healer Academy.
Roses: 1 cup to 2 gallons water in a sprayer. Or it can be dusted directly on all plants.

For turkeys, chickens, quail and pheasants, use 1 tablespoon per gallon of feed. You can give this product to horses; it adds minerals to the diet, helps kill intestinal parasites, and keeps the flies down in the manure.

D.E. can be added to your storage food to keep out the weevils. When applied topically on dogs and cats, you will find that it takes a few days to kill all the fleas.

Dust animal and then all the bedding and outside the front door. Will not harm your carpets, but will leave a white dust to vacuum up.

Note: If used outside and it rains and washes the D.E. away you must re-apply to be continually effective.

Diatomaceous Earth can be added to stored grains: 1 ounce per bushel, or 1 teaspoon per quart, will keep the bugs out for indefinite periods, doing no harm to the grain!

Diatomaceous Earth is completely safe to use and kills fleas and pests. The only contraindication is not to breath too much of the dust into lungs as it can irritate the lungs.
http://www.herbalhealer.com/parasites.html