Add brewer’s yeast and garlic, or apple cider vinegar, to your pets’ food. However, it’s not advisable to use raw garlic as a food supplement for cats.
Cedar shampoo, cedar oil, and cedar-filled sleeping mats are commercially available. Cedar repels many insects including fleas.
Fleas in the carpet? The carpet should be thoroughly vacuumed especially in low traffic areas, under furniture, etc. Put flea powder in the vacuum cleaner bag to kill any fleas that you vacuum up, and put the bag in an outdoor garbage bin.
Trap fleas in your home using a wide, shallow pan half-filled with soapy water. Place it on the floor and shine a lamp over the water. Fleas will jump to the heat of the lamp and land in the water. The detergent breaks the surface tension, preventing the flea from bouncing out.
In the yard or garden, plant fleabane (Fleabane Daisy Erigeron speciosus) to repel fleas. This is an annual growing 16-24″ tall with violet, daisy like flowers.
The first line of defense against mosquitos is to seal their point of entry. Mosquitos are most active in the early morning and early evening. They seek areas of still air because they are hampered by breezes. Close the windows and doors on the side of your house opposite the breeze.
Removing standing water sources is the most important measure you can take to curb the proliferation of mosquitos around your house. Change birdbaths, wading pools, and pets’ water bowls twice a week. Keep your eaves troughs clean and well draining. Remove yard items that collect water.
Campers often report that the very best mosquito repellent is Herbal Armor, a nontoxic DEET-free repellent recommended by National Geographic.
For small areas such as decks or patios, try using citronella beeswax and soy candles. These candles are most effective when placed low to the floor of the deck and in areas where there is little breeze.
If you’re using the barbeque, throw a bit of sage or rosemary on the coals to repel mosquitos.
An effective natural bug repellent, mix one part garlic juice with five parts water in a small spray bottle. Shake well before using. Spray lightly on exposed body parts for an effective repellent lasting up to six hours. Strips of cotton cloth can also be dipped in this mixture and hung in areas, such as patios, as a localized deterrent. Commercially available, garlic-based, all natural mosquito repellent and larvae killer will repel mosquitoes up to four weeks.
Neem oil is a natural vegetable oil extracted from the Neem tree in India. The leaves, seeds, and seed oil of the Neem tree contain sallanin, a compound with effective mosquito repelling properties. Neem oil is a natural product and is safe to use.
Planting marigolds around your yard works as a natural bug repellent because the flowers give off a fragrance bugs and flying insects do not like.
Safe, nontoxic biological controls for mosquitos are now commercially available. Mosquito Dunks is one example of a highly effective, low impact mosquito killer that’s safe for people, pets, birds, and other wildlife.
For outdoor mosquito control, bat houses are effective. These also come in triple chamber sizes. Some bat species can eat 500 – 1000 mosquitoes each per might.
Cymbopogon citratus, also known as Thai lemongrass, is a natural and effective mosquito repellent. It contains the natural oil, citronella, which is safe and effective; in fact, lemon grass citronella is considered more effective than true citronella as an insect repellent.
You can buy Thai lemon grass at garden centers and supermarkets, and it grows readily into a clump about 15” across and about two feet tall. To use as a mosquito repellent, break a stalk off from the clump and peel off the outer leaves, until you find the scallion-like stem at the base. Bend the stem between your fingers, loosening it, then rub it vigorously between your palms: it will soon become a pulpy, juicy mass. Rub this over all exposed skin, covering thoroughly at least once. You can also make a tincture using alcohol for spray applications. Plantings around the patio will also help repel mosquitoes.
For a look at the latest scientific research into mosquito controls, both natural and synthetic, see What Keeps Mosquitoes Away? Mosquito Controls That Actually Work.
The active ingredient in most chemical-based mosquito repellents is DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), developed by the US military in the 1940s. This powerful chemical is absorbed readily into the skin and should be used with caution. Common side effects of DEET-based products include rashes, swelling, itching, and eye-irritation, often due to over-application. For safer use, consider the following:
Bed Bug Treatment Near MeThe American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that repellents used on children contain no more than 10% DEET. Parents should assist children in applying DEET-based products.
Recent research suggests that DEET products, used sparingly for brief periods, are relatively safe. Other research points to toxic encephalopathy associated with use of DEET insect repellents. Experts warn that DEET shouldn’t be used in combination with sunscreen because DEET shouldn’t be reapplied often.
If mosquitos bite you, Ditch the Itch is a nontoxic cream that takes the itch out of mosquito bites.
Flies are a nuisance around the home that bring along with them the threat of germs and disease. The first line of defence is preventing flies from entering your home. This includes sealing up doors, windows, and roof vents, and washing fruit and other produce when it comes into your home to eliminate any eggs it may be carrying. Next, try:
Mint is an effective fly repellent. Small sachets of crushed mint can be placed around the home to discourage flies.
Hang bay leaves, cloves and eucalyptus wrapped in small cheesecloth squares by open windows or doors. A few drops of eucalyptus oil on a scrap of absorbent cloth will also deter flies. Leave in areas where flies are a problem.
Place a small, open container of sweet basil and clover near pet food or any open food in the house. You can also place fresh basil leaves on bananas and other fruit in your fruit bowl to discourage flies from landing there.
Place a small, open container of sweet basil and clover near pet food or any open food in the house. You can also place fresh basil leaves on bananas and other fruit in your fruit bowl to discourage flies from landing there.
Make your own flypaper with this simple recipe: mix ¼ cup syrup, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, and 1 tablespoon brown sugar in a small bowl. Cut strips of brown kraft paper and soak in this mixture. Let dry overnight. To hang, poke a small hole at the top of each strip and hang with string or thread.
For outdoor fly infestations, the best trap you can use is the Flies Be Gone trap, now available in our online store. This trap is a safe, non-toxic, pheromone-based outdoor trap used to control flies. Indoor flytraps are also available and can be discreetly placed in your window.
The best defense against bed bugs is prevention, and this is easily achieved in rooms that have not yet been infected. If there is presence of bed bugs in a room, then a thorough cleaning and vacuuming is required, followed by preventive measures. Frequent travellers should be especially alert to early signs of bed bugs in the home.
The best defense against bed bugs is prevention, and this is easily achieved in rooms that have not yet been infected. If there is presence of bed bugs in a room, then a thorough cleaning and vacuuming is required, followed by preventive measures. Frequent travellers should be especially alert to early signs of bed bugs in the home.
If you are sleeping in rooms where you suspect bed bug activity, non-toxic bed bug spray can be applied which kills bed bugs and their eggs on contact. It also acts to prevent bed bug activity for up to two weeks. This spray can be applied to mattresses, furniture, luggage and clothing.
The first step in controlling bed bugs is to determine if there are bed bugs present in your home or hotel room. Non-toxic bed bug traps use heat, CO2, and a pheromone lure to attract bed bugs to a sticky glue surface. These traps are safe for air travel and can go in your luggage or carry-on bags.
The best preventive measure against bed bugs is to apply non-toxic diatomaceous earth in the vicinity of bed bug activity. Be sure to use food-grade diatomaceous earth. Do not use pool-grade diatomaceous earth.
Wash all bedding in hot water (120 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter). This will kill any bedbugs in the bedding.
If there is a bed bug infestation, a thorough cleaning and vacuuming of the room is necessary. The most likely hiding places for bed bugs will be small cracks and crevices closest to where you sleep. The mattress and box spring should be lifted from the frame, and after vacuuming, sprinkle diatomaceous earth along the edges of the frame which holds the box spring. Personal items such as stuffed animals, blankets, etc. should be vacuumed and placed in plastic bags for several weeks.
