p.s., Kerry, Here's a personal comment on the E.P.A activity. The U.S. policy is so stringent that really dangerous chemicals can be used (having been approved by the E.P.A), while the use of relatively harmless substances (oftentimes more effective) is illegal. For instance, to kill yellow jacket wasps, one can legally use RAID, which includes insecticides and (though not stated on the label) methyl chloroform. As far as I can tell, the famous "knock-down" power of RAID stems from the inclusion of methyl chloroform as a "carrier" (hence not subject to regulation), which anaethetizes the wasps or bee and causes them to plummet to the ground. However, one cannot legally use soapy water (a tablespoon of kitchen detergent in a spray bottle full of water), because that substance has not been approved by the E.P.A. Thus, we have a backwards law; one cannot use any substance unless it has gone through a testing procedure. But, no company is going to "test" (at great expense) a relatively inexpensive and readily available product. Perhaps you can appreciate why I now sometimes privately refer to the E.P.A. as the M.P.A. (monopoly protection agency). Fortunately, the E.P.A. does not have the resources to police all that happens on the individual level and does not even bother to object when one recommends an unapproved technique. Hilary Dole Klein and I published a book (TINY GAME HUNTING, Bantam) a few years ago with all sorts of environmentally safe remedies for controlling pests in house and garden. Despite the so-called illegality of most recipes, no one from the E.P.A. came knocking at our door. The Australian/New Zealand edition of that book is now out, but the U.S. version is out of print. Will you be going to Georgia in September for the ABRC meetings? Adrian *************************************************************** * Adrian Wenner E-Mail [log in to unmask] * * Department of Biology Office Phone (805) 893-2838 * * University of California Lab Phone (805) 893-2838 * * Santa Barbara, CA 93106 FAX (805) 893-4724 * ***************************************************************