Natural Insect Pest Control pests are an intimate part of every home. In the air, carpet, counter or cupboard, every home shares it's resources with these tiny, often unseen invaders. Pesticides are available for most common household insect pests, but these potent chemical compounds may be more harmful to you and the environment Here are some natural, non-toxic ways to control household insect pests. 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 to DEET-based products include rash, swelling, itchingoften due to over-application. For safer use, consider ~ The 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.

~ Lotions can be applied more effectively than sprays. Only a thin layer ~ Be careful to avoid areas near the eyes or mouth. ~ Wash skin exposed to DEET after coming in from mosquito areas. ~ Minimize exposed skin areas by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long research suggests that DEET products, used sparingly for brief periods, points to toxic encephalopathy associated with use of DEET insect repellents. Experts warn that DEET shouldn’t be used in combination with sun-screen because DEET shouldn’t be reapplied often. can buy Thai lemon grass at garden centers and supermarkets, and it grows readily into a clump about 15" across and about 2ft tall. a mosquito repellent, break a stalk off from the clump, peel off the outer leaves, until you find the scallion-like stem at the base. 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 helpRepels mosquitoes, ticks and black flies, without DEET Eartheasy has a separate page about natural wasp Cedar chips in a cheesecloth square, or cedar oil in an absorbant clothThe cedar should be 'aromatic cedar', also referred to as juniper in some areas. Homemade moth-repelling sachets can also be made using any of the following: bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, cloves, eucalyptus leaves, lavender, pepper corns or wormwood. Dried lemon peels are also a natural moth deterrent - simply toss into clothes chest, or tie in cheesecloth and hang in the closet. Natural attractant pheromones have been developed for controlling moths, and are now available as clothes moth traps and pantry Diatomaceous earth is a safe and effective way to control earwigs in theOne application in key spots (bathroom, baseboards, window frames)

can be a long-term repellent. To trap earwigs, spray a newspaper lightly with water, roll it up loosely and secure with a string or rubber band. Place on the ground near earwigThe next morning pick up and discard the paper in a sealed container. Another method to trap earwigs is to take a shallow, straight-sided container and fill it half full with vegetable oil. henry vacuum cleaner second handClean the trap daily; sanyo vacuum cleaner user manual Silverfish prefer damp, warm conditions such as those found around kitchenvacuum cleaner stores atlanta gaStart by vacuuming the area to remove food particlesSilverfish can be easily trapped in small glass containers. Wrap the outside with tape so they can climb up and fall in.

be trapped inside because they cannot climb smooth surfaces. The best preventive control is to remedy the damp conditions. traps are also commercially available. Stink bugs found indoors can usually be controlled with a vacuum cleaner. Attics can harbor stink bugs which migrate in living areas of the home. Diatomaceous earth can be applied in attic areas. especially near openings to the living areas. Natural Garden Pest Control For a full range of natural. non-toxic pest control products, visit our online1. ID the Ant Take a close-up photo of one of the invaders, and e-mail it to your local university extension service. (These offices provide research-based information on issues like pests. To find your closest office, check here.) The extension service can tell you the type of ant you’re dealing with and where it nests. It may give you fact sheets about the ant species and maybe even some advice on getting rid of it. 2. Make Poison Easy to Reach Place bait stations in areas where you’ve seen ants, like under the sink and along walls, to make it as likely as possible that the ants will take the toxic bait back to the nest.

Expect to see more ants when you set out the bait at first. That’s a good thing. It means more ants are taking the bait back to the colony, where they’ll share it with the rest of the ants, including the queen. 3. Don’t Squish Them After setting out the toxic bait, resist the temptation to step on the ants. They’re working for you now—gathering the poison and taking it to the nest. 4. Erase Their Trails Ants leave a scented trail that other ants follow. Sweeping or mopping isn’t enough to eliminate the scent. Instead, mix one part vinegar with three parts water in a spray bottle, then spritz wherever you’ve seen ants. 5. Remember Your Yard Spot treat ant hills or mounds with an outdoor insecticide. For large-scale ant problems, use an insect killer that contains bifenthrin as the active ingredient. First mow the grass, then spray the insecticide on the entire lawn in the early morning or late afternoon, when the ants are most active. 6. Eliminate Easy Entry