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Garrett: Ask city hall how to properly dispose of household chemicals

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Howard Garrett

I came across a box of chemicals from years ago, before I was using organics. How can I safely dispose of them so they do not end up in our water supply?

K.H., Plano

Call the city of Plano’s Environmental Waste Services at 972-769-4150 to find out how to safely and legally dispose of toxic chemicals.


We live in the Hill Country, and it’s very rocky here. We have a bad scorpion problem. What keeps them away?

L.L., Meridian

Use liquid sprays of essential oils such as Essentria or EcoSafe, and dust problem areas with natural diatomaceous earth. Take care, however, not to breathe in the DE particles.


What should I use around the perimeter of my home to control pests? After reading your article, I see the answer is not pyrethrum.

K.B., Centerville

The answer depends on what pests you see. DE (diatomaceous earth), orange oil and essential oils are broad-spectrum, but biological products are specific to certain pests. For example, Bt is effective on caterpillars; Bti kills mosquitoes, fungus gnats and black flies; Sluggo Plus kills pill bugs, slugs and snails.

There are also home brews that can be effective, with garlic-pepper tea leading that group.


I have lived on a heavily wooded lot in Dallas for 34 years and allowed nature to take its course with the trees. As a matter of fact, all the trees on my lot — including several elms, a bois d’arc, white oak, ginkgo and a few redbuds — were planted by the squirrels. I did plant a Texas red oak on your recommendation many years ago, and it is about 14 inches at the trunk now. My observation of the “natural way” as it has played out in my yard is that the trees deposit their leaves and twigs and create a nearly permanent mulch around the base of the trees and the root flare. I have intentionally mulched several trees in my small, grassy backyard to keep the grass (and the weed eater) away from the trunks. I have begun to remove the mulch from these trees, according to your instructions, but it seems that I’m working against nature.

S.P., Dallas

Mulch on top of the root zone of trees is a good thing. Just don’t pile it against the trunk. Nature spreads the natural debris in a thin layer that gets thinner quickly because of wind, rain and healthy biological activity.


I planted Asian jasmine around our live oak. I am worried that this plant is causing decay to the tree’s root flare. How can I get rid of this to improve the health of the tree?

S.T., Dallas

I agree that Asian jasmine and other vines and ground covers should be kept off the bases of trees. It has to be done by hand with pruning shears as often as is necessary. I usually have to remove the plants from around the bases of my trees at least twice a year.


Live oak sprigs sprout in the yard and are twice as tall as the grass. How can I control these sprigs? The yard and tree were planted in 2007 and the tree is doing well except for the constant wasps that seem to enjoy residing in and around the tree branches.

C.M., Dallas

Wasps are helping control pests and are not dangerous when they are foraging. You can repel them with orange oil or essential-oil sprays. Mowing or hand pruning is all that can be done to control root sprouts.


My brother recently heard you speak about an issue with tomato plants being close to pecan trees. He was not able to write down your advice, which he really needs.

F.C., Bedford

Pecans are not a problem for tomatoes unless they are shading the garden. Walnut trees can seriously affect the growth of nightshades such as tomatoes, peppers and eggplants.



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Mail: P.O. Box 140650, Dallas, TX 75214