Get Started Yourself
Or Let's Work Together
Other Ways To Help Nature and $ave
If you're not ready to rewild but still want to help Santa Ana's environment, then here are some simple things you can do:
- Don't Mosquito Fog - Fogging kills mosquitos, but it also kills bees, butterfly, moths, or just about any insect that comes in contact with it. As an alternative, dump standing water or dose it with "Mosquito Bits" (available online or local stores like Ace Hardware) to kill the larvae so you don't have to spray. OC Vector Control can also help by doing a site inspector and talking to neighbors.
- Avoid Pesticides - Most pesticides are "harmful to invertibrates". This includes insects, spiders, snails, and a wide range of aquatic life. Runoff contaminated with pesticides can pollute our ocean and rivers. We recommend letting nature find balance, and only stepping in as a last resort. And always read the labels.
- Don't Use Fungicides or Herbicides - These have been linked to declines in bee and other insect populations. Both fungicides and herbicides contaminate the bees' food and make them more susceptible to pathogens. These chemicals can also be expensive.
- Reduce Light Pollution - Switch to motion activated flood lights or use a warm "bug light" bulb to make the light less attractive to insects. These insects are attuned to sun and moonlight and always fly with the light on their backs. Artificial lights trick this natural instinct and force them to fly in circles around the lights, causing exhaustion. Warm tinted LEDs are less attractive and turning off the lights saves electricity.
- Leave the Leaves - Instead of bagging or mowing leaves, use them as mulch. Many beneficial insects rely on leaf cover as shelter or food, especially during winter. We recommend tucking them between plants in a protected corner of your yard so that the Santa Ana winds don't blow them everywhere.
- Volunteer - Help local organizations like OC Habitats clean up existing wild areas.
