908K09001
BUGGED BY BUGS
An EPA Family Guide to Safe Pest Control
Starring the
Fantastic
Professor
Frog!
8-EPA
PRINTED WITH
SOY INK
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BUGGED BY BUGS
An EPA Family Guide to Safe Pest Control
Starring the
Fantastic
Professor
Frog!
ISaj^W^
r^&- -jss*~^ir f
<^^o
vvEPA
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Professor Frog is a world famous
naturalist, who uses his wisdom to keep
families safe. His motto is "Look before
you leap, it's smart anil it's cheap".
Daran and Maureen
are two bug loving
neighborhood kids.
Ei/elyn - Your EPA host,
Maureen's Dad
does not like bugs but
loves Maureen.
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o o
Thanks again for the pond tour,
Professor Frog. This time, Maureen and
I found 14 different types of bugs.
I love bugs but my Dad
hates them. Last night he
called the exterminators.
He says they'll kill all
the bugs in our house.
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Bugs are so important to life,
Without them you'd be sad,
They are a link in the food chain,
And most delicious I might add.
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If bugs are so important,
why do people call them pests?
On TV they have commercials selling
bug bombs and sprays. It's like a war
between humans and bugs.
When in doubt,
Let's go find out!
"Bugs bugs are everywhere
They're rarely
3%L taking naps
If at dinner there
were no bugs,
I think I would
collapse."
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Mom and Dad aren't
home yet. Let's look.
Let's try the
kitchen first.
Bugs, they are like you and me,
Look, under the sink. We hit the T|) ^ , |ace to M|(| M
jackpot. Ants and cockroaches. ^ ^^ WMther.stri doors
What do you think professor? k ^ fc ^ fc fc s(,ore
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Professor, I think
these bugs got in
from those cracks
and holes.
Yeah, my Dad uses a tube of caulk to
repair holes like those in the wall
and around the pipes.
\
Hey, I thought
your Dad
collects bugs.
He does but he
doesn't want to eat
dinner with them.
I wouldn't
eat dinner
without them,
Let's look for
further gems.
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Once these bugs get inside,
They need food, water and a place to hide,
Keep things clean - inside, outside and all the rest,
Or this evening you'll have unwelcome guests.
Trash cans have lids
to keep in the litter,
they also keep out roaches
and critters.
Boxer hasn't been eating all his food
lately we ought to toss the leftovers
each night and make sure that the trash
can lid is on tight.
Uck. There's a few cockroaches having an
afternoon snack on the counter. You could help
your parents clean the dishes in the morning.
Don't leave dirty
dishes in the sink
or you'll have a
bug party -
quick as
a wink.
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Let's
check the
basement.
I'll bet it's
bug heaven.
Basement dampness
and water leaks
Bags of dry food, seeds
and mousey squeaks,
Before you use a
pesticide or poison
chowder
Try mouse traps, boric
acid and chili powder.
Professor, you always
teach us the natural
way is usually the best
way for us kids. Let me
write this down: Boric
Acid for cockroaches,
chili powder for ants,
and traps from the
hardware store
for mice.
-------
Professor, what about
those TV wars -
people versus bugs?
10
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If worse comes to worse with bugs,
Think of pesticides as dangerous drugs
Only buy as much as you will need
Directions are what you must absolutely read,
Lock up old pesticide or place high on shelves
So children will not poison themselves.
Don't dump pesticides down the drain,
it will pollute lakes, rivers and rain.
Storing pesticides in unmarked containers
is not the right way!
Got a question? Call your local EPA.
Only
buy as
much
pesticide
as you think
you'll need. To
discard old
contact
the EPA for
information on safe
pesticide disposal.
hi
11
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Dad, did you call those
exterminators yet?
\
Honey, I saw you
were worried about
that last night.
You know
that I love
bugs.
I know you're a big fan of bugs, but they really belong outside.
Bugs can carry diseases into our home. I am especially
worried about your little sister Baylee's asthma.
Cockroaches can trigger asthma attacks in
children.
Gee, I'd never want
that to happen.
12
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It's funny, a Professor sent me a fax today
on this very subject. Have a look—
Urgent
To: Maureen's Dad
Listen to Maureen's ideas first,
Then use this list if worse comes to worse.
LJ Always try non-chemical controls first.
ij Then try household pesticides from your local supermarket
(be sure to follow the directions carefully).
Li As a last resort, find a reputable professional exterminator.
LJ Call your Better Business Bureau for references.
Q Ask to see the pesticide applicator license or certification
_i Ask what products will be applied and if there are restrictions,
time before reentering or instructions for cleaning afterwards
LJ Ask for a product label, if you have questions about a chemical,
contact the EPA.
MESSAGE:
Keep your family healthy and safe,
if to this fax you need to respond,
Call on the professor,
who lives in the pond.
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Here's why we're
so concerned
about your
family's safety:
A Tragic History
Starting in late 1996, the United States Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) became aware of a problem
involving the illegal use of agricultural pesticides inside of
homes. These pesticides, particularly Methyl Parathion,
were bought at agricultural supply stores by dishonest
pesticide applicators and used to control cockroaches in the
homes and work places of uninformed consumers in several
states. Methyl Parathion is a highly toxic pesticide
normally used on cotton and other field crops. It is deadly
at very low doses. When used indoors, it does not break
down as it would outside, so it can stay at lethal levels for
several years.
This misuse of pesticides caused thousands of
residences and businesses nationwide to be contaminated,
and hundreds of families were evacuated from their homes.
The EPA estimates that decontaminating these residences
will ultimately cost over 100 million dollars.
Through this book and other media, the EPA is hoping
to alert the public of this danger and promote safe ways of
controlling pests around the home. For more specific
information on pest control or using pesticides around the
home, you can contact the EPA by following the
instructions on the back of this book.
14
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9
1. Find and block all entrances that pests use to get into your house.
Pests need the same things we do to survive: water, food, and shelter:
2. Water - Fix any leaking pipes. Clean out the refrigerator drip pan. Don't
leave standing water in the sink overnight.
3. Food - Keep food and waste in sealed containers. Don't leave dirty dishes
or pet food out overnight. Keep the kitchen counters clean and vacuum the
floors regularly.
4. Shelter - Remove clutter from the home.
5. Outside the home, remove food sources such as food waste around pet
dishes or under bird feeders. Remember, pests that live and eat outside
during the warmer months may try to move indoors once the weather gets
cold.
6. If these steps don't work, consider using less toxic controls such as boric
acid or diatomaceous earth for cockroaches, chili powder for ants or traps
for mice. If pesticides are used, try using baits first before you use
sprays. Store pesticides in their original containers in places where
children cannot get them.
7. Only buy as much pesticide as you think you'll need. If you need to
discard old pesticides, contact the EPA for information on safe pesticide
disposal.
8. If you decide to hire an exterminator, you can contact the Better Business
Bureau for references. Be sure the applicator is licensed. You can request
a copy of the label of the pesticide to be used. If you have questions
about the chemical, contact EPA.
15
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Bugged by Bugs '
An EPA Family Guide to Safe Pest Control
Family Safety Guide
Starring the Fantastic Professor Frog!
Published by the Environmental Protection Agency
999 18thSt Suite 500
Denver, CO 80202
If you have any questions about this publication "Bugged by Bugs"
or if you would like to order more copies, please contact Barbara Barren at (303) 312-6617.
Concept/Writing/Design: Orbit Design (www.orbitdsn.com)
Illustration: Frank Farrar
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BUGGED BY BUGS
An EPA Family Guk» to Safe Pest Control
If you're bugged by bugs, this book is for you
Getting the bugs out is easy to do!
(See page 15 for a Quick Review)
Natural methods are always the best
Pesticides are poisonous for you and your pets
If you have a question or there's something I missed.
Call the EPA today, we're glad to assist.
Look before you leap,
If you have questions about anything in this booklet or would like
more copies, there are three ways to get in touch with the EPA:
Our web-site: www.epa.gov/pesticides/
Or look for your Regional EPA Office in the white pages of your
local telephone directory:
Government Pages - U.S. Government Offices - Environment -
Environmental Protection Agency
You can also call: National Pesticides Telecommunications Network
at 1-800-858-7378 for information on pesticide.
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