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Safer Pest Control Project
is dedicated to reducing the health risks and environmental impacts of pesticides and promoting safer alternatives in Illinois.
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Get in Compliance with IL Schools and Childcares Law Now!
IPM Workshops Available Throughout Illinois
Safer Pest Control Project, in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Public Health, is pleased to announce a series of workshops aimed at getting your facility in total compliance with IDPH pest control laws. Attend one of our five FREE 4 hour Integrated Pest Management (IPM) workshops offered throughout Illinois and learn from experts how to succeed with IPM and put a program in place. By doing so you can avoid having to take the 8 hour IDPH course required for those that fail to put an IPM program in place.
Whether you are just starting out or are already in the process of transitioning to IPM, these workshops will help you fine tune and improve your program. The workshops will also advance your understanding of IDPH and DCFS expectations. In addition, attendees will receive a binder with everything necessary to set up an IPM program tailored to your facilities needs.
Keep children safe and get moving with IPM! See the workshop flyer, IPM Workshops for Schools and Childcares, 2009, for more details.
These trainings are FREE, but pre-registration is required to attend. Register by going to www.spcpweb.org/training or calling (773) 878-7378 ext. 207.
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SPCP'S Childcare Program Wins National Award
Rachel Rosenberg, Executive Director, traveled to Atlanta on October 21 to accept an EPA Environmental Justice Award on behalf of SPCP. This award honors SPCP's achievements to reduce pesticide exposure for children in Illinois childcares. This work, begun over five years ago, has been a great success and is serving as a model for other states. SPCP would like to thank all of its colleagues and funders for their help in creating such a strong program.
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Why are Americans Hooked on Grass?
Follow the link to this wonderful article by New Yorker writer Elizabeth Kolbert
I love this article because it takes all of the different aspects of lawn care in America and distills it into a cogent argument for reducing our dependence on chemicals for our lawns. It is also a fascinating history of lawns in American.
New Yorker article
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Pesticide Free Zone
Let everyone know that your yard is pesticide free and pet and child friendly by posting a pesticide free zone sign. You can post these signs at schools, parks, and businesses.
Ideally, pesticide free means that no chemical pest controls at all are used. However, we consider the use of organically certified materials and EPA-exempt pesticides to be compatible with our philosophy because we want to encourage manufacturers to develop safer products. If the sign accurately reflects your practices, you can purchase it from SPCP.
The signs are eight-inch diameter aluminum signs that will last through harsh winters and hot summers. Each sign costs $10.00 which includes shipping and instructions for posting. Use our order form (at right) to place your order. Call about discounts for larger orders.
This sign comes with two factsheets: Talking to Your Neighbors About Pesticides and Pesticide Free Zone Yard Sign, including display instructions. | | 
orderform1.pdf |
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Natural Lawn Care is promoted in City of Chicago Parks
Safer Pest Control Project has partnered with the Chicago Park District and Department of the Environment of the City of Chicago to promote natural lawn care techniques. Check out the materials that will be placed in all of the field houses in the Park District.
Chicago Park District Healthy Parks
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BED BUGS BE GONE
Fact sheet offers solution to this not-so-little problem
Bed bugs are on the rise nationally -- from four star hotels to one bedroom apartments. Since they are so small, bed bugs are one of the most difficult home pest problems that you'll see (or not see as as the case may be!). They don’t just hide in mattresses but also bed frames, furniture, wooden floors and carpeting. Even after you have found them bed bugs are still very hard to remove. Not even the use of hazardous pesticides is totally effective.
Don't panic. The best strategy is one of persistence and patience. If you have bed bugs, immediately remove all sheets and wash them in hot water. Place them in a dryer, and turn the heat on high for maximum effect. Next, put a plastic mattress cover over the bed. This will have to stay in place for at least 4 months. For treatment in carpets and furniture, use a portable hand held steamer set at the highest setting. Press the steamer hard into the fabric and slowly move it over the entire surface. This will kill bed bugs and their eggs. You may need to repeat this several times over the next few months.
For more tips please take a look at our Bed Bugs Fact Sheet
fact sheet. For our fact sheet in Spanish click Bed Bugs (Spanish).
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Protect Yourself from Involuntary Pesticide Exposure
The State of Illinois Has Laws to Protect Homeowners and School Children
Did you know that there are a number of laws in Illinois that protect homeowners and school children from involuntary pesticide exposure? SPCP has written a fact sheet that you can easily download that explains the two laws and gives you information on reporting violations. Laws to Protect You From Outdoor Pesticides
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