Safe, Green Insecticides Keep Homes Healthier

8/8/2008

(NAPS) With organic food and eco-friendly cleaning supplies now widely available, being green at home is getting easier. When it comes to killing bugs, however, most people still reach for chemical insecticides and they don t know that healthier choices can be just as effective.

There are many smart and affordable ways to create a safer, healthier environment for children, said Christopher Gavigan, CEO/Executive Director of the nonprofit organization Healthy Child Healthy World, which offers free information and expertise to help create healthy environments for families and children.

At its Web site, www.healthychild.org, parents can find tips for healthier pest control, including:

Prevent pests through good sanitation and food storage habits.

Remove shoes and wash hands immediately after playing outside to prevent tracking dirt indoors.

Seal cracks and install door sweeps.

Use or fix window screens.

Manage outdoor lights to prevent insects gathering.

Eliminate moisture problems to keep the home dry.

Properly store all food.

Use non-toxic products.

Most Americans don t realize that they can kill household insects without using conventional pesticides that leave behind a harmful chemical residue, said Steven Bessette, whose company, EcoSMART Technologies, makes organic insecticides that are safe to use around children and pets and are recommended by Healthy Child Healthy World.

Botanical pesticides kill ants, roaches, wasps and hornets as effectively as most synthetic pesticides. Made from unique blends of essential oils, the insecticides work by blocking specific neural pathways in insects that regulate movement, behavior and metabolism. Because these pathways do not exist in mammals, the formulations are completely safe to use around children, animals, birds and fish.