BEER INSTEAD OF PESTICIDE TO KILL RATS

Stephen L. Tvedten believes in using intelligence to win the battle against pests

GEORGE TOWN: Imagine using beer to kill rats. Or what about shining a red light at cockroaches to kill the pests.

Well, these are two examples an advocate of safe substitutes to toxic chemicals from the United States has come up with.

Stephen L. Tvedten has come up with more than 2,800 safe and effective alternatives to pesticides.

The former boxer has even posted a virtual pest management encyclopaedia called "The Best Control II" which among others, states that using aspartame (sweetener) or even beer is effective in killing rats.

"All one has to do is use a lasagna pan which has a thin layer of oil on it.

"Then pour some beer on the pan. Once rats consume the beer, they would develop some internal reaction before their tummies blow up."

Tvedten noted that pesticides were not only dangerous, but often did not work effectively.

"If we use our intelligence, we will win the battle against these pests, but if we use pesticides, we will lose.

"If pesticides actually work, there will not be insects around us," he said, adding that using the natural way was the common sense way to pest control.

He said that over half of the pest population had become immune to pesticides, dispelling the notion that pesticides were effective in getting rid of them.

Tvedten is here at the invitation of the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) and gave an insight on his views to the press yesterday.

CAP president S.M. Mohamed Idris, who was also present, said CAP had always maintained there should be a phase-out and banning of toxic chemicals.

"It will be better to immediately work towards drastically lessening the number of existing toxic chemicals and preventing the introduction of new ones.

"The unbridled introduction and use of toxic chemicals must be checked."