These days pesticides are all around us with the two common sources of exposure being the food we eat and the products we use in and around our homes. This is concerning for pregnant women, especially during the first three to eight weeks of the first trimester when the neural tube is developing. The best way to lower exposure to toxins during pregnancy is to minimize use of chemical pest-control products at home. But how do I get rid of pests? One effective alternative is Integrated Pest Management (IPM). It’s an organic method for preventing and eliminating pests. This presentation will highlight 7 other earth-friendly methods to try.

1. OR’ES LOOKBOOKS & GUIDES
7
Earth-friendly Pest Control
Solutions Every Expectant Mom
Must Know

2. faux
WASP NEST
Wasps are territorial and
will not build a nest
close to another one.
Hang an imitation wasp
nest on your porch as a
chemical-free alternative
to keeping the wasps
away.
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3. APPLE CIDER
VINEGAR
awesomeness!
Fruit flies follow
smells, but this time
they’re sticking their nose
where it doesn’t belong.
Partially fill a small
container with apple cider
vinegar and add a few
drops of dishwashing
soap to break the surface
tension so the flies can
sink to the bottom of the
container once they fly
into the trap.
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4. BET
ON BASIL
Flies despise the smell
of basil. So put potted
basil around your
windows, doorways, and
kitchen area as a
repellent.
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5. Up
LEMON
Did you know that
spiders aren’t fond of
citrus? It’s true! Fill a
spray bottle with waterlemon mixture and use it
to wipe your surfaces.
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6. IT’S ON WITH
CINNAMON
Ants rely on a scent trail
left behind by their scouts
to guide them to the food
source. Scents like
cinnamon destroy the
scent trail and thus keep
the ants away. You could
also use peppermint
oil, vinegar (50/50 vinegar
and water mix), black
pepper, cayenne
pepper, bay leaves and
5
whole cloves.

7. drain
STANDING
WATER
You’ll be surprised where
water collects after a storm
or watering the lawn. While
it may seems harmless, it
is a breeding ground for
mosquitoes. Simple
draining water around your
home, especially during
mosquito season, will help
to deter these pests from
your home.
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8. who-who?
OWL
If you attract owls to
your property with an
owl box, they will eat the
mice. Your job is the
upkeep of the owl box
so the owls will be
attracted to your home.
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9. CREDITS
Faux Wasp Nest – waspspray.org
Apple Cider Vinegar Awesomeness - GNC
Bet On Basil – ndsu.edu
Lemon Up – commons.wikimedia.org
It’s On With Cinnamon – foodpyramid.org
Drain Standing Water – freshhomeideas.com
Who-Who? Owl – greglasley.net
For more information visit: OurBabiesToday.Com
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