Pesticides used in pet products aren’t regulated by the government, and many have been shown in lab tests to be health risks, especially for small children and pregnant women (not to mention the pets themselves).

• Avoid chemical solutions to pet problems. Keep your pets comfortable and flea-free by keeping their home environment clean, vacuuming often, giving them frequent baths (dogs much more than cats), and using a good flea comb.
• Try adding brewer’s (not baking) yeast to their diet for a boost of vitamin B that also makes them less tasty to fleas, and use nontoxic or “natural” flea collars or sprays that are designed to repel rather than kill fleas and ticks.

Staying away from pesticides doesn’t mean you have to surrender to pests! The easiest way to control pests is to avoid attracting them or giving them a place to hide in the first place.

• Make sure the whole family practices good sanitation and food storage habits. Rinse your recyclables before you put them into the bins to avoid attracting ants. Wipe down kitchen counters after meal preparation, and be sure to seal leftover food in airtight glass or ceramic containers.
• If pests do show up, choose nontoxic, pesticide-free products to deal with them. Or try making your own remedies from safe, inexpensive ingredients that are probably already in your pantry — like paprika, peppermint oil, or even plain soapy water.

These are just some highlights from the important information and hundreds of tips provided on www.healthychild.org and in the new book, Healthy Child Healthy World (Dutton, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., copyright 2008 by Healthy Child Healthy World).