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White Hutchinson Leisure & Learning Group, Kansas City, MO, USA

Natural Ways to Handle Pests in the Child Care Environment

How do you safely debug your childcare facility when the creepy crawlies head inside during the summer - without endangering children with toxic chemicals? Try the natural way! Read on for a number of chemical-free solutions to keep bugs away.

When the weather starts to get warmer, the bugs head inside. Are there ways to fight pests in a childcare environment without resorting to all out chemical warfare? The answer is yes!

Your first line of defense is to make your building bug-proof by caulking all windows and doors, filling in cracks in your siding and foundation. Then you will need to repair your gutters and trim the bushes and shrubs around your foundation. If bugs are still bugging you, here are some natural, non-toxic home remedies:

• Plant mint around the perimeter of your building. Ants hate it!
• Make a solution of one quart of water and one teaspoon of peppermint oil and use a spray bottle to spray the solution on windowsills, thresholds and other points of entry. Citronella oil, lavender oil or cinnamon oil can be substituted for peppermint oil.
• If the problem is fire ants, sprinkle grits on top of the nest and the worker ants will take this food to the queen ant, who will eat it. The grits expand and swell when water is taken in, thereby killing the queen ant. When she dies the worker ants will die in several days.
• Here are two alternatives for head lice treatments that do not use toxic chemicals. Essential oils can be purchased at the health food store.
  • Make a mixture of essential oils (100 drops total)
  • 20 drops geranium
  • 40 drops bergamot
  • 20 drops lavender
  • 20 drops tea tree
  • Massage into DRY hair. Cover with shower cap and leave overnight. Wash out using shampoo before the water. REPEAT 4 TIMES IN 2 DAYS AND USE A FINE COMB TO REMOVE THE NITS PHYSICALLY.
  • Another alternative is 1/2 tsp. rosemary oil, 1/2 tsp. pennyroyal oil, 1/2 tsp. eucalyptus oil and 8 Tbsp. vegetable oil or olive oil.

We hope you'll consider using these natural remedies instead of the more toxic forms of pest control.

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