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Natural Pest Control

Every year Americans use hundreds of millions of pounds of industrial strength pesticides to get rid of bothersome bugs. If you are using toxic chemicals in and around your home it is important to note that they can find their way into your system as well as your family and pets. Here are some facts to consider if you have children:

•	Their nervous, respiratory, reproductive and immune systems aren't fully developed so their ability to detoxify and excrete toxins differs from that of adults.

•	Developing cells in children's bodies are more susceptible to damage than cells that have completed development, especially for the central nervous system.

•	They drink more water, eat more food, and breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults.

•	They put their hands and objects in their mouths more often than adults do, and so transfer more foreign substances into their bodies.

•	Because they are smaller and often play in the dirt or on the floor, they are closer to pollutants that adults aren't even exposed to.

•	They absorb a greater proportion of many pollutants from the intestinal tract and the lungs

•	Because they are exposed to toxicants at an earlier age than adults, children have more time to develop environmentally-triggered diseases with long latency periods, such as cancer.

An effective pest control program does not have to include toxic chemicals. There are companies that use natural, organic, botanical and biological materials combined with precise treatment methods to effectively and cost-efficiently control pest problems. It can be done without any pyrethrum chemical spraying or the use of harsh, EPA restricted-use pesticides. If you don’t have access to a company that uses natural products you may want to consider using some natural techniques for repelling pests. We’ve listed just a few ideas here - for more great ideas check out: www.eartheasy.com, www.pestinformation.com, or search the web for additional ideas and/or companies in your area.

**	Catnip is a powerful cockroach repellent. Distribute the herb or simmer it in a small amount of water and spray the liquid on baseboards. (Have cats? Use the spray!!)

**	You can lay down a barrier against ants with ground cinnamon. Also try squirting them with dishwashing liquid diluted in water – this can work for cockroaches, too.

**	For ants, apply toothpaste with a cotton swab to treat active spots and points of entry.

**	Both ants and cockroaches are deterred by bitter cucumber.

Other tips to keep bugs away:
•	Emptying trash containers frequently
•	Keeping trash containers clean both inside and out
•	Keeping full trash bags tied securely and placed in outdoor garbage storage areas
•	Cleaning outdoor garbage areas to remove debris
•	Using tight fitting lids and/or closed dumpsters to store garbage outdoors.
•	Emptying sink strainers and running the garbage disposal frequently to prevent food build up in the drain area
•	Washing dishes immediately after meals to prevent pests from consuming food residue on dishes
•	Cleaning food particles and grease from kitchen appliances (toasters, ovens, microwaves, ovens, stoves, and refrigerators)
•	Storing pet food in re-sealable containers
•	Limiting the amount of time that pet food and water dishes are left out
•	Storing food products in plastic snap-lid containers or kept in the refrigerator
•	Vacuuming and sweeping floors and furniture regularly, especially around eating areas such as kitchens and living rooms
•	Cleaning food storage areas and shelves regularly, where pests may be harboring
•	Sealing gaps around plumbing, wall outlets and switch plates to prevent pests from migrating from infested units to others
•	Screening windows and doors
•	Caulking cracks and gaps in and around the property to keep pests from invading from outdoors
•	Running water frequently in spare bathrooms, utility tubs and toilets to keep pests from entering through dry drainage areas
•	Scanning grocery items, produce and other packaged food products, which may have been stored in infested locations prior to being purchased, before bringing them indoors or storing them
•	Inspecting children’s book bags and lunch pails on a regular basis to prevent transporting pests from school to home
•	Keeping branches and shrubbery well trimmed and away from the property
•	Removing old tires or other open containers around the property that can fill up with water and provide a breeding ground for pests
•	Stacking firewood and lumber away from the house to eliminate harborage for rodents, spiders and centipedes
•	Pulling soil or mulch back from the foundation of the property to prevent termites
•	Channeling water from downspouts away from the property’s foundation
•	Paying particular attention to the maintenance and upkeep of the property’s foundation

Many thanks to Nature’s Best Pest Detection and Elimination for all of the great tips! If you are in the Central Florida area you can reach Nature’s Best @ 321-253-5600.