There’s a better way to manage pests than what has become the marketed and mostly careless chemical norm over recent decades. Natural remedies abound. Last year, I hung up “fake wasp nests” to control the wasp infestation in our home and they worked like a dream. The year before, I spread clove oil around the edges of our floors to eliminate the trail of ants that were incessantly marching around our kitchen. We haven’t seen an ant since.

Fleas are repelled by common salt, spiders are scared off by citrus, basil can block unwanted flies and cinnamon oil is a great tool to diminish dust mites. Most of these natural deterrents are already taking up space in our cabinets and, if not, the solutions are inexpensive and easily acquired.

Plants and their derivatives are our greatest ally against pests. Peppermint oil and catnip discourage mice and ants. Mosquitoes and flies stay away from lavender, marigolds, rosemary and lemon thyme, and spiders can’t run away from eucalyptus fast enough. Plants can even be protected by other plants. When you see that the leaves of your vegetables or flowers have been munched on, sprinkle cayenne pepper on the topsoil.

Becoming pesticide-free isn’t only easy and inexpensive, it’s essential! Children exposed to indoor pesticides are 47 percent more likely to contract leukemia, and a correlation between pesticides and brain tumors has been clinically identified. Pregnant women exposed to garden pesticides are more susceptible to delivering babies with oral clefts, heart and limb defects. And adults exposed to both indoor and outdoor pesticides show an increase in respiratory illnesses. The truth is, insects and rodents can be less harmful to us than the pesticides we use to kill them. Watch this video to learn even more creative ways to fend off pests using natural, non-toxic solutions.