Having control over who you share your living space with is something of an unwritten rule or right that everyone thinks they should have. Chances are that you have less say about it than you might think. Unless you’re taking a proactive approach to pest control, you’re probably sharing space with a pest or two, even if it’s just the occasional garden spider. Still, if you have kids or pets in the home, you’re going to want to be careful about the pest control solutions you use.

Pest prevention is usually the best, most kid- and pet-friendly way to control pests. Things like cleaning up spills and messes immediately, keeping food in airtight, sealed containers, and keeping your living space free of clutter can make your home less initially attractive to pests like ants, cockroaches, rodents, and spiders. Make sure your window screens are in good condition and that the seals around your doors and windows are working properly.

If prevention tactics aren’t doing the trick, there are some safe DIY pest control sprays you can try. You can make your own citrus oil spray by simmering citrus peels in water and then removing the peels. Put what’s left in a spray bottle and spray it on furniture and around doors and windows to discourage ants. If you have chrysanthemums, crush two tablespoons of the heads and soak them for a couple hours in a half gallon of water before spraying it wherever you’re concerned about pests. You can even add some of your citrus oil spray to it. Remember, if you’re ever concerned about any ingredients you might be using, you can always talk to your pediatrician or veterinarian.

Baking soda has so many practical uses that it shouldn’t really come as a surprise that you can use it for pest control purposes. A common ingredient in baking, baking soda shouldn’t cause harm if ingested by curious children. To use it as a pest control method, mix equal parts baking soda with powdered sugar and then spread it where you think ants, roaches, or termites might be entering or wandering around your home. They’ll like the taste of the sugar, which encourages them to eat it, and the baking soda will kill them by creating CO2 bubbles.



People who live exclusively with other adults may feel like they can use whatever pest control methods they like and be just fine. While that may be true for them, anyone with kids or pets should think twice about the pest control solutions they use. Here at Proterra Pest Control, we value the safety and wellbeing of everyone in your home (except, arguably, the pests you want us to get rid of). That’s why we make safety a priority for our pest control solutions, so you can feel good about the pest control you use.

Ready to schedule your kid- and pet-friendly pest control appointment? Contact Us today so we can get you that much closer to a pest-free home.