Summer time! A great time for early morning and later day walks, swimming and enjoying the warm weather with your best friend.  It’s also a great time to adopt some safer options for lawn care, insect control and cleaning.  Greener, more natural solutions are not only better for the environment, but they are better for the environment right in your home.

Here are some simple tips you can use:

• Mint is like nails on a chalkboard to mice and rodents. Put a few pots with mints around your home, indoors and out. Mint is invasive so if you don’t want it everywhere, keep it as potted plants. In sheds or garages cotton balls soaked with peppermint oil are helpful.
• White vinegar and baking soda make a great cleaner for sinks, microwaves, coffee pots etc. Sprinkle the baking soda on first and pour or spray the vinegar over the baking soda. It’s non toxic and does a great job cleaning.
• There are some great flea, tick and insect repellents. You don’t have to resort to products with chemicals on a hazardous list to protect your home, your pets and yourself. Lavender repells fleas so a few drops of oil of lavender in bedding or areas your pet frequents can help. Don’t put the oil directly on  your pet. There are also some natural alternatives to flea and tick products such as Buck Mountain Parasite Dust. It does need to be reapplied if the pet gets wet, but you need such a tiny amount it’s well worth it.
• Bugs on and around plants are a nuisance easily taken care of. Spray plants with water mixed with a small amount of dish soap. For flying insects in the house keep basil around, especially near fresh fruit on your kitchen counter.

I hope you’ll try some of our tips and that they are helpful for you.  If you have other natural solutions please send an email though the web site. I’ll be happy to post any safe solutions in my next post.

All the best,

Patti & Desi