Kitchen
PestsWhat You Need To KnowKeeping your home pest-free is important, but it’s even more important to avoid chemicals that could affect you and your baby’s health! Here are some tips to help you make safe and informed choices about pest control.
What To Avoid
Sprays, dusts and foggers:Assume any pest control product is dangerous to your health and should be handled with great caution. Avoid sprays, dusts, and foggers as these aerosols can enter our bodies through the air and our skin, which can negatively impact health.
Chemical flea products:Stay away from using chemical flea and tick collars, flea baths, or flea dips for your pets, as they can contain harmful substances that may not be safe for your furry friends.
Safer Choices
Prevention:The best way to handle pests is to keep them from getting in. Seal up any cracks or openings around doors, windows, or plumbing where pests might sneak in, and keep your place clean and tidy! Remove any crumbs, food, and water sources.
Traps:Using traps can be effective for pests such as mice and insects. They catch the critters without any chemicals.
DIY:There are some natural options to keep pests away. For instance, peppermint oil, cinnamon, vinegar and lemon can help deter bugs such as spiders and ants. Plus, they smell pretty good too!
Pet hygiene:Comb and clean your furry pals frequently! Explore natural alternatives and consult with your vet about safer options than traditional flea-and-tick collars. Some pest may be able to take oral medications that repel pests.
Licensed options:When seeking professional help, choose licensed pest exterminators with "green" solutions, which are safer and eco-friendly.
Find Safer Products
Websites and Apps:
Clearya
Clearya is a free browser extension and app that notifies you when there are unsafe ingredients in your makeup, personal care, baby care, cleaning and other products, and helps you find safe products.
Clearya is a free browser extension and app that notifies you when there are unsafe ingredients in your makeup, personal care, baby care, cleaning and other products, and helps you find safe products.
Campaign for Safe Cosmetics - Nontoxic Black Beauty Project
They offer a list and database of non-toxic beauty products made and sold by Black-owned companies that are committed to toxic-free beauty and personal care products.
They offer a list and database of non-toxic beauty products made and sold by Black-owned companies that are committed to toxic-free beauty and personal care products.
Detox Me
This app allows you to scan barcodes on products to find relevant tips. They also offer a buying guide to decode product labels and find non-toxic alternatives.
This app allows you to scan barcodes on products to find relevant tips. They also offer a buying guide to decode product labels and find non-toxic alternatives.
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG has a "Skin Deep" database that rates personal care and beauty products based on their safety and toxicity levels. EWG also offers a Healthy Living app that allows you to scan barcodes and find safer products.
EWG has a "Skin Deep" database that rates personal care and beauty products based on their safety and toxicity levels. EWG also offers a Healthy Living app that allows you to scan barcodes and find safer products.
Think Dirty
This app and website allow you to scan or search for personal care products to see their ingredient safety ratings.
This app and website allow you to scan or search for personal care products to see their ingredient safety ratings.
Resources
