| Pesticides are toxic and, while often | | | | windows.Nontoxic Pest Control |
| effective against pests, can be dangerous for | | | | ProductsTraps:There are many kinds of traps |
| your family and pets. Outdoors, sprayed | | | | available that target many kinds of pests. |
| pesticides might drift on a breeze and dust | | | | Some examples are sticky traps for |
| your vegetable garden or your neighbor's | | | | cockroaches, glueboards for mice, flypaper, |
| yard. Indoors, pesticides can linger in the | | | | bug zappers, and traps specifically for rats, |
| air, exposing the family to harmful | | | | gophers, or moles. You can usually pick up |
| chemicals. For these reasons, many people | | | | traps at your local Home and Garden |
| are turning to nontoxic pest control | | | | store.Pheromones:Pheromones, essentially |
| methods.Prevention is the best way to control | | | | insect scent hormones, can be used in traps |
| pests, but there are times when even the most | | | | as bait. By emitting the scent of the female |
| thorough preventative measures will not save | | | | insect, pheromones can be used to lure males |
| you from intruders, so this article discusses | | | | into a trap, where they are caught in a |
| both preventative pest control methods and | | | | sticky glue. Insects are only attracted by |
| nontoxic pest control products.Preventative | | | | pheromones emitted by their own kind, so you |
| Pest Control MethodsSanitation:As they say, | | | | need to know exactly what kind of insects |
| cleanliness is next to godliness. And it | | | | you're trying to eliminate and plan |
| keeps pests out, too. Keeping your home | | | | accordingly.Biological Control:Biological |
| clean is the most effective pest control | | | | control is more often used in agriculture but |
| method. If you don't leave food or dirty | | | | can sometimes be used in home and garden |
| dishes lying around the house, animals and | | | | situations as well. Basically it means using |
| insects won't be attracted to the smell. | | | | desirable organisms to eliminate undesirable |
| Sweep and vacuum regularly. Remember, just | | | | organisms. For instance, planting certain |
| because you can't see crumbs doesn't mean | | | | plants in your garden can deter certain |
| they don't exist. Clean inside pantries and | | | | pests. For example, spearmint repels ants. |
| cabinets cabinets, under and around the stove | | | | Garlic repels Japanese Beetles. Indoors, |
| and refrigerator at least once a | | | | spiders eat fruit flies and houseflies, so it |
| year.Screens:This may seem obvious, but | | | | may be worth leaving some of those webs |
| screens on doors and windows are a simple and | | | | around.Repellents:There are nontoxic |
| relatively cheap way to keep insects out of | | | | repellents available for pest control. |
| the house. Also, screens on crawlspaces keep | | | | Mosquito repellents are the most popular, but |
| rodents from obtaining easy access routes | | | | if you look around, you can find repellents |
| into the house.Caulking:By caulking cracks in | | | | that target other pests. Some herbs, like |
| your house, you can minimize places for | | | | eucalyptus and wormwood, are known for |
| insects to hide and nest. Target bathrooms | | | | repelling animals and insects. |
| and the kitchen, especially doors and | | | | |