I'm looking for an pest control that won't be so toxic that we have to abandon the house. We've always been nervous about doing this with young children about and have put it off until we really can't wait any longer. Our smaller efforts with moth traps and roach baits in this old house no longer are enough. Thank you in advance for any recommendations.
Do yourself a favor a pony up the dough for an exterminator. By the time you "buy and try" all those homemade/natural/ol' wifetale, etc, etc, "remedies"....you can have an exterminator come out and zap your problem once and for all. Believe me...Ive "been there, done that"
Margaret:)
We had a similar problem in our old house. We were able to deal with it completely organicaly, but it was A LOT of work. Basicly, you have to remove everything from all of your cabinets, pull out all your appliances and furniture and really get every last crumb and bit of dust(dust is mostly dead skin, which roaches and other bugs like to eat). Also, roaches like to eat soap and other yummy smelling non-food items, so make sure they are stored in air tight containers. Use vinegar and diluted bleach to scrub every surface (roaches carry several nasty germs and they must be removed). Once every thing is totally clean, put down Borax in all the corners of cabinets and behind appliances. The most important step is to go around outside of your house and check for obvious points of entry and close them up. Roaches can get in through very tiny holes (like under doors and at the drier vent). Hope this helps!
We use Bulwark. They are safe for kiddos to be around. The smell is not as strong as others. They use more organic products. I still go outside till after the house is aired out. I open the windows after the first major treatment. Their number is 402-0492. I do not have problems. If there seems to be a problem they will return for free. You really can not beat that!
Putting a cedar mulch surrounding your house keeps the pests out, even rodents if you live in the country. There used to be a product called "Cedar Cide" that was wonderful. I can't find it anywhere in our area anymore though, you might google it. They sold products that were completely organic, made from a cedar base, and, had indoor products as well. There are plenty of products for inside the house that kids will not get into. The cedar barrier outside the house not only keeps the pests out, but, it looks pretty too! There are plenty of brands of cedar mulch to choose from.
I use the roach bait traps (the ones that are closed and have a sticky back), and, they are small. You can put them where kids cannot get to them, (I hide them), and, I have NEVER had a problem. We live in the country, and, we have EVERYTHING out here, so, I know it works. The trick is to make sure they don't get old, and, change them every few months. I have about 10 places that I keep them throughout our house. I also have the sticky traps just in case any pests get in. You can hide these under sinks, behind washing machine, etc. I just check them every couple days and see if there are any roaches or anything that got past the other barriers!
call Orkin...we never have to leave the house when they come to spray
I use Home Team Pest Defense.(pestdefense.com) $85.00/qrt. and they spray the inside and outside of your home. If you need a retreat, they don't charge you to come back out. I have used them for about 3 yrs. and have been pleased with the service.
If it's roaches, get on the Internet and buy Raid Maxx. It's very effective and is what the exterminators use. It costs about $60, and comes with 3 applicators. You squeeze a couple drops of brown goo at target spots - back of cupboards, closets, behind the fridge. You don't want your kids to eat it, but because it's not diffused into the atmosphere it's a better alternative.
We use Stout Pest Control in San Antonio and they have products that are all natural. It even smells great when the leave! I have been worried about it with my little one now crawling. I just don't let him down until it dries and he is fine!
I personally attempt to control any pests with the most natural things I can. I hate the toxic chemicals that people use for every day living. For ants, for example, I make a spray with dish soap with lime or lemon(citrus), vinegar (acid), and water, and it kills them but is not toxic to my family. THen I put cinnamon around the openings where they can get in. The cinnamon has kept ants out of my house for months now!
I have always used boric acid (usually Borax laundry stuff) to make sure roaches don't come in from the garage (it's connected to our house). This is a list of ideas to try:
Give your home a professional steam cleaning to eliminate roaches. Steam can be sprayed into openings where roaches enter and leave your home which should kill any lurking roaches.
Buy some roach traps. These are boxes filled with a residue that allows the roach to stick to the residue permanently so that he can't escape. These work well if you have a small population of roaches in your home but won't control a large roach population.
Try mixing a little boric acid with brown sugar and place it on an elevated surface. Roaches have a preference for high places. Plus, you don't want your pets to ingest the borax.
Fill small sachet bags with catnip and leave them at sites where roaches congregate. Catnip acts as a natural roach repellent and isn't toxic to pets or humans.
Keep a bottle of soapy water handy. If you spot a roach, spray it with the contents of your bottle. Soapy water will kill roaches in a matter of minutes.
Another natural roach repellent is an equal mixture of tea tree oil and citronella oil.
I don't know about moths, though. GOod luck. I applaud you not wanting to use toxic chemicals around all your children and most pest control companies use chemicals. My sister has been spraying her yard for ants for years and we were talking recently about gardening. She wants to put in a vegetable garden, and I looked at her asked, "Are you crazy? After all the chemicals you put in your yard?!?" It never even occurred to her!
There is a good one at Walmart oderless and harmless. It comes in a white container sorry I don't know the name put it works.
We use Nature's Pest Solutions 713.868.5588. They only use natural ingredients, and they are really reasonably priced.
Hi Laura,
I have to agree with Heather H. I have used natural products. I have indoor pets and two kids myself. It is safer to use what comes naturally. There are several books on natural cleaning products that you can make at home just using your own cooking ingredients and plant essence. Or below is a website it is melaleuca, tea tree oil, when I dont feel like making my own I use them. I have been a customer for years. Also look up at any book store or online. Here are just a few websites to get some ideas I have used them and they worked for me. You can google homemade natural cleaning recipes or just homemade cleaning products. I hope this helped
http://www.melaleuca.com
http://www.vanessasgift.com/cleaning_recipes.htm
http://www.eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm
http://earthnotes.tripod.com/clnrecipes.htm
There are links between autism and pesticides, not to mention chemical sensitivity, etc. Google "integrative pest management". Use the most natural cleaning supplies you can find: baking soda, vinegar, orange-based cleaners. Pests are in the house because there is easy access to food and water. Roaches especially love water. If you get rid of those sources and calk up cracks and holes in the house, you won't have pests.
I would recommend Bugstoppers Pest Control. They are based in the The Woodlands but have accounts all over the greater Houston area. The number is 281-363-3000 or toll free 866-284-7867. They are wonderful; I would specifically ask for Olen to come out. He has 3 children of his own and would understand your concern.
Hope this helps and that you can get rid of those pesky critters!
You can try boric acid. Take your light switch and electric outlet covers off of the wall and squeeze the powder inside the walls. You can also put it in any other area that is not easily accessable such as behind the refrigerator. This is not a quick fix but will work. If you are having a major problem I would exterminate one last time and use this method as prevention. When bugs come in contact they will not die instantly but after a time you will not see any living bugs in your home.
Our bug place has an envrionmentaly safer spray. Its also suppose to be ok for kids and elderly people. Talk to them about your consirnes and I am sure they have good plans. I have also heard of something called bitter apple or bitter horse apple. Your suppose to put it in a cabinet and its suppose to ward off pests. Not sure if it actually works or where you can get it.
I absoulty love who we use and I have a six year old and a baby on the way with 2 pets and we are all fine staying here when our guys sprays! We love this company! Superior Pest & Termite. There # is 281-419-4059. The more often you have them come out the cheaper it is. I ahve them come every 2 months and we have little to NO bugs! Highly recommemded. Tell them Jennifer Houston sent you.
Laura,
I use Bulwark and really love them. The best thing is that the first month or so they had to come out several times inside the house, but now that things are under control they only come out every 2 months and spray on the outside of the house, they never have to come inside anymore! And believe me, we live in an old house and had a serious roach problem! Good luck, and I really suggest hiring someone, we tried to take care of it ourselves, and it got out of hand fast!
I highly recommend Family Pest Control. I looked up the tough stuff they used and once it is dry it is perfectly safe even for your garden vegetables. But, they can accomodate you with anything you want.
Also, when go camping, we use Ajax powder. It doesn't kill the bugs, but they don't want to cross it.