When I arrived home to find my spouse pouring gasoline on an ant hill in the flowerbed, it could have been grounds for war. It took many deep breaths, and a strong will, to restrain from engaging in battle. Yes, the gasoline contaminates the soil. Yes, it will probably damage the plants. Yes, it was not an environmentally responsible act. It was, however, an opportunity for learning, for both us. The point is that, change evolves through knowledge.
Remember our mothers saying, “a lesson earned is a lesson learned’? That was after we tested just how hot that burner really was, when she warned us “it’s hot, don’t touch.”
In this case, the love of my life did not intend to contaminate the soil or damage the flowers. The focus was on the ants, in an overwhelming number, and in an undesirable location. A narrow focus, something we all experience, is what causes many environmental contamination issues.
Aquifers, the source of our drinking water, are deep below the land surface. They can become contaminated by traces of medication flushed down the toilet, as pills or in human waste. They can pass through the most sophisticated water purifying processes. Many of the same chemicals found in medications and cosmetics are used to manufacture electronics, the life’s blood of the computers, cell phones, and other gadgets we depend upon. The wastewater output of those production facilities, even when scrubbed, leaches traces of chemical into the water systems. Homeowners want lawns free of weeds. Therefore, the weed killer Roundup remains available at our garden shops. Roundup tops the list of the most toxic compounds in use. In all of these instances the contamination occurs because of narrow focuses.
If we want to change how humans affect the environment, we can take three important actions. We can learn. We can implement what we learn, and then we can share the knowledge. For every three people who remain inconvincible, or who chose to deny the knowledge, one will understand and take responsibility. Therefore, we cannot stop learning, implementing or sharing. One gasoline dousing of an anthill may cause trauma in one spot of the garden, but it will not cause a worldwide catastrophe. Refusing to move outside of our comfort zones, by sharing our knowledge, would be the greater catastrophe.
By the way, there is a natural way to solve ant problems. If they are inviting themselves in, seal cracks with 100 percent silicon caulk. Put up “detour” sign by sprinkling powdered red chili pepper, paprika, dried peppermint or borax on their trails. If they have already breached the perimeters, create a liquid bait by mixing 1 tsp boric acid with 2 ½ ounces of corn syrup or honey. Heat this until the boric acid dissolves, add equal amounts of water to the solution and, with an eyedropper, drop in places ants frequent for two weeks. Address issues in the garden such as mealy-bugs, aphids and whiteflies. They excrete a sugary substance that is gourmet ant food. Finally, attack the anthill with a natural repellent of citrus peelings and water, puree in a blender, and pour on the hill. If you are feeling particularly vindictive, pour 3 gallons of boiling water over the mounds and into the cracks of the bricks.
Protecting the environment means broadening of the focus. The dissimilar organisms that make up the environment of this planet, including humans, have a symbiotic relationship. We have to live, healthy, together, and as peaceably as is possible. After all, getting off the planet is not yet an option.
Research, and as our physicians pledge, “First do no harm.” Both are excellent mottos to remember except, even when at war with ants.
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