Don’t Berate the Bat

January 10, 2012 By greengirlinc 1 Comment

Photo courtesy of CDC

Bats have a bad reputation.  Most of these image issues come from misinformation and misunderstanding. Many people think of bats as blood-sucking, rabies-carrying evil creatures. How sad and most definitely not true.

First of all, only 3 out of almost 1000 species of bats drink blood. All three are found in Central America. These bats mostly feed on larger warm-blooded animals. They make small incisions and lap up the blood, they do not plunge fangs into them.

Another reason people hate bats is because they think they have a high incidence of rabies. This is patently false. They have no greater incidence than squirrels, foxes or raccoons, about one percent of the population in North America, according to a study by the University of Calgary.

Bats are not rodents, contrary to popular belief, they are mammals. They are the only flying mammal. Many bats are also protected either by Federal or State laws in the United States. Bats are also protected in other counties around the world. Killing them could likely be illegal.

If you dislike biting, flying insects, bats should be one of your favorite animals. One little brown bat can eat 600 insects in an hour, according to the Berkley bat site. I would love to have a colony of bats in my yard. We have an overabundance of mosquitoes.

By having these fantastic little bug eating animals, we are able to reduce pesticide use around our homes and on crops. Bats are also pollinators and seed dispersers.

Bat populations are on the decline due to a very nasty fungal disease called White Nose Syndrome or WNS in North America. The name of the fungus is Geomyces destructans, according to an article in Science Daily. This deadly syndrome is decimating our important insect-eating bat population.

So, put down that tennis racket and step away from the poor confused bat that inadvertently flew into your house. Go with a catch and release method or call a professional for help. Install bat houses on your property to encourage the bats to sleep there instead of in your house. Bats have much more to fear from humans than we do from them, even if they do get in our house.

Filed Under: Animals, Environment

Green Guide for Holiday Shopping

December 12, 2011 By greengirlinc 1 Comment

Photo courtesy of Reuseit

It’s that time of year when many of us are banging our heads against the wall trying to figure out what gifts to get for everyone on our list. Maybe this is the year to give those friends a nudge, who have yet to make the move to the green side. I hope this makes some of your Holiday shopping a little easier.

Gifts for Men:

1. Recycled Rolling Rock Tumblers

2. Made By Humans Pocket Cutlery Set

3. Lyziwraps Reusable Gift Wrap

4. Stainless Steel Pints

4. Pad Stash

5. S’well water bottles

6. A masculine Reuseit Workhouse Bag

7. Resource Revival Bike Chain Bowl

8. Mountainsmith Apex Recycled Backpack

9. Patagonia’s recycled Men’s Micro D Fleece

10. L.L. Bean Solio Gadget Charger

Gifts for Women:

1. Essential Oil Atomizer

2. Reisenthel Bottle Bag

3. S’well Water Bottles

4. Recycled precious metal jewelry by DeAnna Cochran

5. Upcycled Wool Scarf or any upcycled item on Etsy

6. Hemp Kindle cover

7. Organic Spa Box

8. Ecoist Wristlets

9. Organic Zen robe

10. Recycled Jewel-Tone Vases

Gifts for Kids:

1. Fairy Insulated Lunch Bag

2. Homemade Popsicle Molds

3. Reusable Water Bottle

4. Posh Pouches snack or sandwich bag

5. Eco-Friendly Wooden Push Toy

6. Green Toys Tea Set

7. Soy Wax Crayon Rocks

8. Lyra Colored Pencils in Wood Box

9. Basic Black Record Cuff Bracelet

10. Converse Chuck Taylor Hemp Shoes

Gifts for Pets:

1. Orbee-Tuff Bone

2. Skinny Mayday Pet First Aid Kit

3. Nature Nap for Cat by West Paw

4. Sojos Organic Cat Nip

5. Hemp Dog Collar

6. Silly Kitty Breakaway Hemp Cat Collar

7. Organic Bumper Dog Bed by West Paw

8. All Natural Paw Rub for Dogs

9. The Organic Dog Biscuit Cookbook

10. Organic Cat Grass

Of course, always check in your locally owned stores for handmade gifts and goodies made by local artists and crafters from recycled, upcycled and repurposed materials.

Filed Under: Animals, Environment, Holiday, Sustainability, Uncategorized, Upcycled Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Licking a Stamp Could Save a Tiger

October 13, 2011 By greengirlinc Leave a Comment

Image Courtesy of U.S. Postal Service

One of the latest and greatest stamps recently issued by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is the Save Vanishing Species Stamp. This stamp benefits numerous species which include; elephants, rhinoceros, tigers, great apes, and marine turtles. The stamp sells for 55 cents which is 11 cents more than a regular first class stamp. That 11 extra cents will go to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to aid the Multinational Species Conservation Funds (MSCF).

So, go ahead and lick a stamp to help save endangered species.


Filed Under: Animals, Environment, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

What’s in your hormone replacment medication?

March 31, 2011 By greengirlinc Leave a Comment

It depends on what medication you are on, but if you are taking Premarin by Wyeth Pharmaceutical (part of Pfizer), then pregnant mare urine is an active ingredient. According to animal rights activists and some medical experts, there are better and more humane replacements for Premarin. There is also a helpful article by Harvard Health Publications that addresses hormone replacement issues.

If you are someone who is an animal advocate, supports The Human Society and local animal shelters, then you may want to switch to a synthetic replacement. The mares used to collect the urine from are repeatedly impregnated, held stationary in stalls for months at a time, attached to urine collection devices and severely limited in water intake (to concentrate the urine), according to United Animal Nations. Many of the foals produced from this industry are destroyed because of the already saturated horse market, according to UAN.

Until recently, I had heard of Premarin, but had no idea what was in it or how it was produced. Many women, at a certain point in life, start to think about hormone replacement therapy. Not every woman decides to go down the HRT path, but many women do. Premarin has been one of the most widely prescribed drugs in America, and yet I do not think most women know how it is made, or what is really in it. There are a slew of alternatives to Premarin that you can talk to your doctor about.

This is not necessarily a sustainability issue, but I do consider it a health and animal welfare issue, both of which are important to myself and many others. We should all know what is going into our bodies. Animals should be treated in the most human matter possible. This does not seem humane to me.

Filed Under: Animals, Health

Eco and Pet Friendly Ice Melt

December 20, 2009 By greengirlinc Leave a Comment

Sometimes we need a bit of help melting ice on sidewalks and driveways.  Unfortunately most ice melt products are bad for our pets, plants, and the environment.  There are now some available that are safe for all three.  Safe Paw is one brand and Safe Pet is another brand.  Look for these at your local pet food store.  You animals and the environment will thank you.

Filed Under: Animals, Environment, Health, Home Toxins, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

Lead Tennis Balls?

September 16, 2009 By greengirlinc Leave a Comment

Yes, lead.  Lead is not in the tennis balls we use for tennis, but in the tennis balls intended for our dogs.    According to a study done over half the tennis balls intended as toys for dogs had detectable levels of lead.  One ball tested had almost 3,000 ppm.  That is a pretty high concentration.  Children’s toys are allowed to have up to 600 ppm.  Having lead levels this high is not only bad for our dogs, but anyone who plays with the dog and these tennis balls.  How many of us got rid of piles of toys when all those warnings about lead in our children’s toys came out.   Most pet products are not regulated very well.  It’s up to us to research and look for products that don’t have chemical additives. Below is the link which lists all the balls tested and their results.

HealthyStuff.org

Filed Under: Animals, Environment, Health, Home Toxins, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

Organic Cat Nip

August 12, 2009 By greengirlinc Leave a Comment

Well, I’m inspired to write about organic cat nip today because my 13-year-old, indoor cat just returned to us last night.  Rudy was gone for over two weeks.  I’m very happy and relieved.  We all love our pets very much.  If we’re buying organic food for ourselves, why not treat our cats to the same benefit of organic in their favorite treat, cat nip?  There are a number of brands that now offer organic cat nip.  Look for it at your favorite pet food store.

Filed Under: Animals, Organic, Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,