Our Mommyhood

Despite there being many differences between humans and insects both often share a common space: the home.

Unfortunately when insects reveal themselves to humans people generally attack with harsh chemicals spraying poisons in the air that kill the little critters but also create serious health risks for the entire family.

Understandably, mild infestations aren’t fun but non-toxic remedies exist that keep everyone out of harms way:

1. Flies: There are all different types of flies and most turn into a nuisance when trying to eat, sleep, or concentrate.

• To repel: Place mint and basil plants or dried leaves near open doors, windows, and other strategic areas around the house where flies enter or accumulate.

• To kill: Besides the old fashioned fly swatter there are non-toxic fly traps and ways to make non-toxic fly paper.

2. Mosquitoes: They are attracted to moisture and enter through open windows and doors.

• To repel: One option is burning citronella candles. Another is to mix essential oils like citronella, catnip, or lavender oil with sunflower oil or with alcohol like witch hazel. Then apply to skin and reapply every few hours. Just remember, if you are new to essential oils first test on a small area of skin to make sure you or your children are not unknowingly allergic.

• To kill: Aside from smacking flies between your palms and zapping them in a bug light there are a number of non-toxic traps on the market.

3. Ants: Since they are attracted to sugar and protein and follow each other using scent prevention is as simple as keeping the house clean after eating. However, when things seem to get out of control try these tips before calling an exterminator:

• To repel: Make a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water spraying ants and their passageways. Alternatively, try leaving cucumber peals around. They don’t like the smell of either and will disappear.

• To kill: Mix 1 – 2 tablespoons of boric acid with a sweet gooey substance like peanut butter, honey, or jelly. Place the mixture in a small box or container with holes big enough for ants to enter. When the ants go for the bait they will bring boric acid particles back to the nest eradicating the colony. You can also place the powdery substance in places where ants walk, as any contact will damage their exoskeletons and kill them.

4. Roaches: Attracted to moisture and unclean conditions resulting from food cockroaches generally like to hang out in high places, even in small galley kitchens .

• To repel: Sprinkling particles or leaves of herbs like mint, catnip, bay leaves, and cedar will turn them away.

• To kill: a) Spray them with soapy water b) Place boric acid on top of cabinets where they roam c) Use diatomaceous earth powder, a naturally occurring sediment composed of microscopic single celled algae shells called diatoms. Similar to the effect caused by boric acid, when an insect’s exoskeleton makes contact with diatomaceous earth it kills them through dehydration. Diatomaceous earth should be placed wherever roaches are found.*

*NOTE: Both diatomaceous earth and boric acid are natural substances with very low levels of toxicity. Nevertheless, they should still be used away from food, should not be inhaled, and caution should be taken in keeping them out of reach of children.

Also, use diatomaceous earth and boric acid carefully and sparingly as they can eliminate beneficial insects as well.

Jakob Barry writes for Hometalk.com a growing community of homeowners and contractors sharing and monitoring home improvement projects together. He covers various home improvement topics including green pest control and home safety awareness.

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