Insects, bugs, rodents are called pests for a reason. No one wants them around! Getting rid of them is a big priority. Beware the convenience offered by a pesticide’s quick fix; it has a big price. Pesticides are poisons and in most cases their negative effects — especially on children — can far outweigh any positives of being rid of the pests. Pesticides have been linked to a range of health problems in children, including asthma, hyperactivity and behavior problems, autism spectrum disorders, diabetes, birth defects, cancer, obesity, and more.
Prevention is simple and much, much safer.
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Follow these easy steps to prevent pests naturally, instead of breaking out the pesticides.
1. Keep clean.
Clean food and drink spills immediately to deprive pests of snacks. Remove clutter where pests set up house — this includes newspaper stacks. Seal food in airtight containers.
2. Maintain your home.
Repair leaky plumbing, and seal cracks and block holes both inside and outside the house. This helps bar pests from entry and freedom of movement.
3. Take advantage of the food chain.
Don’t destroy webs. Spiders serve as natural predators to most pests, so consider them helpful housemates (thankfully, most spiders are harmless). Welcome ladybugs and other beneficial insects, which feed on aphids, mites, small insects, and insect eggs.
Enlist predatory insects, birds, and other wildlife to feast on pests by creating a hospitable habitat in your backyard. Did you know bats eat as many as 3,000 insects a night? If you have a real problem, you might consider building a bat house in your yard.
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For more than 20 years Healthy Child Healthy World, a non-profit whose mission is to empower families to make better, safer choices, has been protecting children from the harmful effects of toxic chemicals. Through evidence-based information and up to date resources and programs, they help families, promote solutions, and influence policy.