Family Pest Control Tips

Fall is my favorite time of the year because it is so pretty outside. Here in Alabama, nothing beats a cool Fall evening out on the back porch.  This time of year it is especially important to make sure your home and family are protected from pests. Our friends at Moxie Pest Control would like to share a few tips with you on controlling pests around your home.

Also, if you haven't already, don't forget to register for my Simply Said Monogram Giveaway! I'll be taking entries until Monday 10/15!
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Controlling pests inside your home while keeping the kids safe can be arduous. First, insects and rodents carry germs and diseases that are unhealthy for kids as well as adults. Second, chemicals and solutions used in treating those pests, can be unhealthy as well. The key is finding the balance between controlling pests and protecting your children and family.

Roaches, ants, rodents, flies, bees, wasps, spiders, mosquitos and ticks play a role in the food chain of life and our ecosystem, they do not play a role in my home-system. Did you know that roaches, ants, rodents, and flies can transmit food poisoning agents such as salmonella. Furthermore, mosquitos and ticks carry diseases, most of which are more serious when infected in children. Finally, bee stings and spider bites, while rarely serious, can be really painful to a child. So how do we deal with the health risks associated with pests while also not exposing our family to additional health risks from pesticides and chemicals.

Here are some creative and effective ideas

1.  Ants can be killed on contact similarly, except you want to add some cooking oil with the soapy water. Spray when you see them and wahla. Since this is safe, you can even have your kids do the dirty work.     From the outside, pour a line of cinnamon across doorways or window sills and watch as the aroma prevents the ants from crossing.

2.  Mosquitoes are a real pain, but easily controlled from the inside of the house. They need water and any water that sits stagnate for a period of time will attract mosquitoes. Check your shower drains, sink drains and toilet drains to make sure they are properly draining. Also, check your air/conditioning drain as well. Sometimes the water pools before it is drained to the outside.

3.  Spiders can be rid by using simple vinegar.  The acetic acid, gives it the sour taste, in vinegar will rid many spiders from your home. All you need to do is mix equal parts of vinegar and water and spray the usual areas.

4.  Rodents such as mice pose a more difficult dilemma. Mouse traps are dangerous to kids, but extremely effective. You can purchase an owl, they love catching and eating mice, but no one wants an owl staring at them while they sleep. Try an electronic mouse repellant. They plug right into an outlet and emit pulses that prevent mice and other small rodents from feeding and nesting in the walls.

5.  Roaches breath just like the rest of us. Spraying a roach with soapy water will block the roaches ability to breath, thus eliminating a pest. Longterm solutions include mixing a couple of drops of tea tree oil, romemary oil, and citronella oil with water and spraying the usual areas such as baseboards and closets.

Ridding a home of unhealthy pests does not have to be done with dangerous chemicals that are harmful to children and families. Just purchase some empty spray bottles and start mixing some of the concoctions listed above and you are on your way to naturally solving your pest problems.

Bryan Baker works with MoxiePestControl.com, a pest control company with organic solutions.