Home & Garden...

Yesterday we started looking at how to get rid of summer bugs without toxic chemicals or sprays that can be harmful to humans and pets. Today more of the same...

Mosquitoes:

To keep mosquitoes out of your home use screens on both doors and windows - much like the fly situation.

If you're hanging outside at night try burning some citronella candles or using citronella rings near lights.

You can also plant flowers that attract birds, or if you have the means, create a small pond and keep frogs, or get a bat house. Birds, bats and frogs all like to eat mosquitoes.

If the mosquito problem is serious, and you need a spray try Burt's Bees Herbal Insect Repellent. By serious I mean that you're getting really bad bites. I never had mosquito issues until this one summer in Humboldt; a bunch of mosquitoes moved into the neighborhood and bit my son and I to death. It sucked, so I got the Burt's Bees spray and it works but has no chemicals.

Fleas:

There are some organic sprays you can use - try your local natural food store or pet shop. Most of these are made from things like cedarwood, bay leaves, or eucalyptus.

Spiders:

Um, hit them with rocks, cars, get someone with big feet and courage to stomp them. Seriously, spiders won’t hurt you in almost all cases. I however, am one of those with major irrational spider fears. We’re talking MAJOR fears. I actually own one can of raid and the reason is spiders. I can’t even vacuum them up; I’m too scared.

In any case, if you’re not irrational, know that most won’t hurt you, and they’ll actually eat all those other pesky bugs. They won’t even get in your food. As for other scared people? My friend recently told me that frogs eat spiders. I’m not running any sort of test to find out, but you could try.

You should know which spiders are dangerous though. In New Mexico we saw a lot of black widows – and they’re not fun. To learn more check here. (PS I had to keep my eyes half closed while getting this link!)

Photo credit:  Leaps Environmental Consulting www.leaps.ms/