For people with allergies to dust mites, dust mite bedding, pillowcases, and duvet and mattress covers are available with zippered, allergen-impermeable encasings designed to block dust mites. Check these periodically to ensure no rips are present. Avoid fabric-covered headboards.
Keep books, stuffed animals, throw rugs, and laundry hampers out of the bedroom of allergy sufferers. For children, store all but a few favorite toys away and rotate out periodically.
Dust your mattress, rugs, bedding, and surrounding area with diatomaceous earth. Leave for 2-3 hours or overnight if possible before vacuuming up. Food-grade diatomaceous earth will reduce dust mite populations (along with bed bugs and fleas) and isn’t harmful to humans.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, dust mites thrive in humidity higher than 70%. Measure your bedroom’s humidity levels and use a dehumidifier if necessary. Dust mites also prefer temperatures between 68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 25 degrees Celsius), so keep your bedroom’s temperature below this range.
Tannic acid neutralizes the allergens in dust mite and animal dander. Dust problem areas with tannic acid powder, available at health food stores and pet centers.
Cover heating ducts with a filter that can trap tiny dust particles smaller than 10 microns. Avoid using humidifiers. Dust mites thrive on warmth and humidity.
The best defense against cockroaches is a clean kitchen and bathroom. If roaches are a problem in your home or apartment, vacuum well and wash the area with a strong soap. Dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag in a sealed container.
Diatomaceous earth is a safe alternative that can be sprinkled in areas where roaches congregate, especially hidden areas such a cabinet tops and behind appliances. Harmless to people, the tiny particles cut the waxy exoskeleton and kills the insect within 48 hours. For a week or so after the treatment, the dehydrating insects will search more actively for water. Therefore, do not be surprised if you see roaches more often after the treatment. Most roaches should be killed within two weeks of application. Learn more or purchase diatomaceous earth.
Catnip is a natural repellent to cockroaches. The active ingredient is nepetalactone, which is non-toxic to humans and pets. Leave small sachets of catnip in areas of cockroach activity. You can also simmer catnip in a small amount of water to make a “catnip tea” which can be used as a spray to apply around baseboards and behind counters. This natural repellent should only be used in homes without cats!
Keep a spray bottle of soapy water on hand. Spraying roaches directly with soapy water will kill them.
In an empty one-pound coffee can, place one or two pieces of bread that have been soaked thoroughly with beer. Set a ramp leading up to the top and line the inside top edge with Vaseline. Place in areas known to have roach infestations.
It is a little known fact that roaches like high places. If you put boric acid on TOP of your kitchen cabinets (not inside), if space allows between ceiling and cabinets, the roaches will take the boric acid to their nests, killing all of them. Boric acid is toxic by mouth so keep away from children and pets.
Leave bay leaves, cucumber slices, or garlic in the affected area as deterrents. Non-toxic roach traps are also commercially available.
Fleas usually gain entry to your home through your pet or visitors’ pets. For every flea on your pet, there may be as many as 30 more in the pet’s environment. For flea problems in the home, the best line of defence is twofold: first, put an electric flea trap in the area your pet frequents the most; complement this by laying out diatomaceous earth (DE) in your home’s more discreet areas.
Nontoxic flea traps are available commercially. These traps are inexpensive and very effective, providing exceptional flea control without toxic chemicals. Simply plug the trap into an electrical outlet: the trap’s heat and light will attract fleas 24 hours a day.
For long-term nontoxic control of fleas, sprinkle diatomaceous earth where fleas may occur. You can also rub diatomaceous earth into the fur of your cat or dog.
Bathe and comb your pet regularly. Use mild soap, not insecticides. If fleas are found on the comb, dip the comb in a glass of soapy water.
Citrus is a natural flea deterrent. Pour a cup of boiling water over a sliced lemon. Include the lemon skin, scored to release more citrus oil. Let this mixture soak overnight, and sponge on your dog to kill fleas instantly. Do not use citrus oil on cats.
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.
Bed Bug IndiaCedar 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.
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.
