. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that poisons that can kill insects can’t be all that great for us either–they are poisons after all. (Read a report of the dangers of household pesticides here.)https://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/pagerender.fcgi?artid=1519137&pageindex=1

Here are a number of tips to prevent pests from entering your home:
* Get rid of any standing water, damp areas or water-damaged material–they all attract insects.
* Fix leaky plumbing (good for water conservation too!). Don’t leave water in plates under your houseplants, under your refrigerator or anywhere overnight.
* Don’t inadvertently feed them! Clean areas where food is stored, prepared or eaten. Don’t leave dirty dishes or pet food out for very long.
* Store opened food items in tightly closed glass containers which will deter insects from chewing through boxes or bags.
* Put food scraps and trash in a tightly covered garbage or composting can, and take out the trash frequently.
* Remove or block their hiding places. Caulk cracks and crevices to block access to your home.
* Caulk and seal openings in walls, use weather stripping on doors and windows, and use screens on floor drains, windows and doors.
* Don’t store newspapers, paper bags, and boxes for long periods of time–they make cozy homes. Also check for insects in packages or boxes before bringing them into your home.
* Vacuum regularly, especially under your appliances.
* Keep exterior spaces clean to deter flies: Clean up pet litter, and tightly close all garbage cans.
* For fleas, bathe your pets regularly. Wash mats, beds or surfaces that they lay on and vacuum your house weekly or more.
If these steps fail to curtail your pest problem, you may choose to bring out the big guns. Well, the big non-toxic guns that is.
Try these green solutions to pesky pests:
https://www.care2.com/greenliving/get-rid-of-pests-naturally.html
Homemade all natural pest strips
Natural flea control
How to rid you home of mice