Warm weather brings blooming flowers, ripe vegetables… and plenty of pesky weeds. Whether you’re growing tomatoes, roses or a backyard jungle, most gardeners agree that weeds are not welcome. To keep the garden looking great, many people reach for herbicides—commonly known as weed killers. But as helpful as these products are, accidents can happen. The … more
Summer is in full swing! School’s out, the sun is shining, and families are spending more time at the park, in the backyard, or on evening walks. But warmer weather also brings out unwanted critters that annoy and bite and sting, oh my! Beyond the nuisance of it all, it’s important to protect yourself and … more
Bugs are among the most unwelcome guests in homes and gardens. Insecticides might be a quick fix, but here’s the twist: While these chemicals are effective against insect pests, they can also pose a risk to humans and pets. The Illinois Poison Center (IPC) handles over 1,000 exposures to insecticides every year. Our experienced staff … more
My wife hates spiders. My daughter hates spiders. As a medical toxicologist, I know that Illinois’ venomous spiders are about as rare as a Chicago Bears Super Bowl win, but I still perform my solemn spider removal duties in order to maintain the household peace. Illinois is literally crawling with spiders. The Illinois Department of … more
Mushrooms have a host of health benefits, from supporting your immune system to protecting brain health. But if you’re thinking of skipping the grocery store, think twice: Wild mushrooms are not always a good bet. In fact, they can be poisonous. If you see a mushroom glowing green in the dark, stop. It’s not a … more
Childproofing seemed like a simple concept before I started as an IPC poison information specialist. Fast-forward three years when it was time to childproof my own home. As it turns out, SO MANY of our calls are about kids who somehow manage to get past the usual childproofing methods. Thankfully, it’s uncommon for young children … more
