Keeping unwanted critters away can be tricky business, and options are somewhat limited. For starters, make sure exterior garbage, recycling and compost containers are shut tight, and pick up and remove any fallen fruit that your apple, pear or plum trees may have discarded. Of course, these measures will go only so far in deterring unwelcome critters, so you may need to employ a repellent or more proactive strategy.

Bed bugs, tiny little rust-colored insects of the Cimicidae family, live by feeding on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded hosts. They get their name from their favorite habitat: mattresses (they like sofas and other cushy furniture, too). Bed bugs are most active at night, just when you’re asleep in your bed and easy prey. While their bites can be itchy, bed bugs are more of a nuisance than a health threat at this point.

As it’s summer in Florida, the pesky pests are in their glory and “bug” us any chance they get. From mosquitoes to rats, these guys seem to make it their goal to live up to their nickname “pests”. Below are some tried and true methods of naturally, and easily, handling some of these pests.

This is a great one and I use it all the time at my house. Put some Listerine in a spray bottle and keep it outside. Spray it around on the ground or on chairs etc when you’re going to be outside. It totally keeps mosquitoes and gnats away.

Everyone is affected in one way or another in dealing with ridding mold effectively and permanently. Whether you are trying to sell a house or concerned about the health of your small children, mold is a recurring problem. Typically a problem of moist climates, it has grown to a more global problem with flooded homes, towns and neighborhoods.

The universal solution to killing mold has always been a bleach solution even though it does not kill mold spores, but in fact encourages their return! The good news is there is a true solution to this growing epidemic in our homes.  Essential oils. Pure essential oils must be distilled properly and be free of synthetic properties.  While all essential oils kill microbes, certain oils destroy specific ones more effectively. It has been discovered that no pathogens (germs) can survive in cinnamon oil. Clove is additionally a powerful bactericidal.