Having pets and pests together in your home can mean danger for your pets especially if you are not aware of some eco-friendly products to use to eliminate pests.  Eco products are necessary not only for your pets but also for you and your family, and the environment, as well. Using eco–friendly alternatives in eliminating pests is an important aspect of raising green pets.

Here are five tips on safe alternative ways to control pests:

1.  Ants

They are absolutely small but they surely are disturbing. The moment we see ants, we are immediately drawn to eradicate them through the easiest and fastest way we know to do so. And that is, to spray toxic pest killers. Unfortunately, using chemical pest killers is not only deadly for these pests, but also for our pets and damaging to the environment.

So before you grab that killing machine, remember first that the first line of environment-friendly defense against ants is to remove the attractants.  Make sure counters are always clean.  Cover sugar jars and all food containers securely. For persistent ant invaders, sprinkle cinnamon on areas where they are mostly seen. Trace the ant column back to their entry point.  Sprinkle more cinnamon or you can also use cayenne pepper so ants won’t be able to cross that line again.

2.  Cockroaches

Cockroaches are one of the dirtiest pests you will ever see in your home.  They are carriers of bacteria including salmonella, staphylococcus and streptococcus.  Roaches thrive in warm and humid climates.  They also multiply easily; therefore, your prompt and decisive action to eliminate them in your household is foremost.  And again, the common notion is to grab a toxic pest killer spray, which most likely will not totally free your home from cockroaches.

To ensure that cockroaches won’t stay in your house, remember that the best defense is always a clean home, particularly your kitchen and bathroom.

• Empty the kitchen trash can regularly;
• Store food in sealed containers and don’t leave food out in your kitchen counters;
• Don’t leave your pets’ food out;
• Don’t stack magazines, cardboard boxes or newspapers inside the house; and
• Repair any holes in the walls immediately.

Vacuum well and wash the problem area with eco friendly soap and water.  Afterwards, you can use catnip to drive away cockroaches.

Catnip is a natural repellent to roaches.  The active ingredient which is nepetalactone is non toxic to humans and pets.  Simmer it in a small amount of water to make a catnip tea. This can be used as a spray to apply around the baseboards and behind counters to keep the roaches away.

3.   Fleas

These pests enter your household in a very subtle way. They usually gain entry through your pets or your visitor’s pets.  And you don’t usually see them immediately until they grow in number, or in stature because of the blood intake they got from your beloved pet. These pests are surely alarming, but before your reach for pesticides, try a safer and eco-friendly option:

Use citrus as a natural flea deterrent.  Put a slice of lemon into a cup of boiling water. Include the lemon skin, it releases more citrus oil. Let this soak overnight. Dip a sponge and scrub on your pet’s body to kill fleas instantly. Go green while keeping your dog

fleas-free.

Regular vacuuming, dusting off, mopping and wiping counters and floors will also ensure that your house is free from fleas and other pests. A clean home is a safe home for green pets.

Another important practice to do is to regularly shower your pet according to the acceptable times of pet bath. Don’t forget to brush his fur with flea comb to catch adult fleas and keep his fur clean and shiny.

4.  Mosquitoes

These pests do not only bite your pets, but you and the rest of the family as well.   Mosquitoes are capable of carrying deadly diseases like St. Louis encephalitis, malaria and dengue. Sealing the point of entry is your best defense. They are most active in the early morning and early evening so make sure that you close your doors and windows. Also ensure that no gaps and broken screens exist to fully block them from entering your home.

The most important measure is to remove standing water sources around your home. Change your pet’s drinking water regularly, at least twice a day.  To conserve water, save that water in a container or bucket for other uses such as watering your plants. Pour one or two drops of cooking oil into birdbaths. This will prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs.  Outside your house, burn citronella candles to keep the mosquitoes away.

5.  Flies

They can easily fly in and out of your home bringing with them diseases and germs. Aside from ensuring that you block their points of entry, you can also make your own fly paper.  Mix ¼ cup water with 1 tbsp granulated sugar and 1tbsp brown sugar in a small bowl into a syrup. Cut strips of brown Kraft paper.  Soak in the mixture and let it dry overnight.  Hang using a thread or string.

For your green pets, place a small open container of sweet basil and clover near your pet’s food so flies will stay away.

Getting rid of pests doesn’t require toxic products.  For a green pet and green home, try out these simple and natural green tips for pest control using eco–friendly products.  You’ll be amazed at how effective they are.  Most of all, they are safe for your precious pets, your family and the environment.

Marisa

Technorati Tags: eco products, Eco-friendly products, go green, Green Pets

“I’m so excited to be able to introduce you to Marisa Herrera.  Marisa is a Green Pets Eco-Living Consultant that is dedicated to reaching out to the global community and teaching us how to make our homes and pets in harmony with Mother Nature.  She is also passionate about a raising the funds to open up an animal sanctuary in Mexico.”

Chris: Marisa, thank you for stopping by Waggy’s Pet Tips and Tales.  Please tell us how you started out on this wonderful journey in helping animals and families become more eco friendly.  What is your working background?

Marisa: Thank you, Chris, for having me.  It’s great to connect and talk with you!  My journey started a long time ago with my love of animals and my desire to help them in any way possible.  Since young, I’ve also had a deep connection with Nature and concern about the environment.  I grew up in Mexico City and remember wanting to help and rescue all the stray dogs I would see.  I saw so much apathy, cruelty and injustice that it forever touched me.   I have been an animal and environmental advocate for decades and, finally, I’ve reached a point in my life where I had to pursue my passion and purpose of dedicating my life to help as many animals as I can while helping Nature, too.  So, this is how Green Pets Eco Living was created in late 2009.  I integrated my passions, interests, background and knowledge to help pet parents “green” their companion animals and create toxic-free home environments so their pets can live as long and healthy as possible.  By incorporating eco-friendly practices, your pets, you and the planet all benefit from living green and having a green pet.

My working and academic background is diverse.   I’ve done environmental education, administrative work, public relations and field research.  My academic background covers tourism management, wildlife management, restoration of natural systems, ecological landscape design and sustainable gardening.  Over the years, I have developed my environmental conscience and have learned about ecology, sustainability, holistic living and holistic pet care.

Chris: I see you have loads of information and videos regarding living an eco friendly life.  Can you tell us what things we can learn from you?

Marisa: Indeed.  Living an eco friendly lifestyle starts with awareness and education.  Awareness that we live in a highly toxic world that affects us and our pets; that our planet needs help and that we have options to create non-toxic and more sustainable environments at home, our communities and the world.

This is my approach:  Bring awareness about the problems, conditions and risks associated with doing things the conventional way (from the foods we feed our pets and eat ourselves, to the cleaning supplies, cosmetic and personal care products we use and the vaccination regimes to which we expose our pets). Awareness about the toxic overload that is all around people and pets in their very own homes but are unaware of it.  Educate and present the options and benefits of implementing safer, holistic and eco-friendly practices for you and your pets.  Promote action by taking that first green step, by implementing the solutions for a healthier and greener lifestyle for you, your pets and the environment.  This whole process assists pet parents to reduce and eliminate the toxics that abound in most homes now and, in turn, help their pets live long, healthy lives.

For example, let’s take pet food.  What type of food do you feed your pet?  Is it the nutritionally-devoid commercial brands, or the vet prescribed diets?  Are you aware that many types of pet food use fillers made from corn and/or by-products (meat “meals”), artificial flavourings and colours, and ingredients that are grown with toxic pesticides or synthetic preservatives or contain ingredients that are deemed unfit for humans?  These pet foods are harmful to your pet’s health and to the environment.  So, what are the options?  There are high quality commercial pet foods that contain superior sources of protein; organic, whole, unprocessed vegetables and grains and other foods.  Another option is home-made organic food for your pets.  There are various online recipes and resources to help create wholesome, healthy and properly balanced meals and treats.

Being exposed to a toxic environment by what we eat, drink, breathe and absorb through our skins overloads the immune system leading to potential health risks and degenerative diseases.  We see this in people and animals.  However, because our pets have shorter life spans, faster metabolisms and are constantly on the ground, they are at higher risk with less exposure than people.

Roco & me!

Chris: I know that you are passionate about opening up an Animal Sanctuary in Mexico.  If you had all the funds you needed, and could afford to have the sanctuary of your dreams, what would that look like?  What kind of animals would you house?

Marisa: Yes, I am passionate about having my animal sanctuary in Mexico and help those most in need.  It has been a dream of mine for 10 years now, but finally I am taking action to make this a reality.  This is one of the reasons I created Green Pets eco living…to raise the funds to afford and maintain my animal sanctuary.  My intent is to open the sanctuary in 2010.

I will describe my sanctuary:  The Animal Sanctuary is located in the Colonial Region of Mexico; it’s an hacienda nearby natural habitat.  With my team of local staff and national and international volunteers, we rescue, rehabilitate, provide medical care, find foster homes, facilitate adoptions, and provide permanent refuge to as many animals in need as we can, including domestic, farm and exotics.  We deal with animals that have been abused, injured, abandoned and the numerous stray animals without any hope of a life worth living.  We also help people without the financial resources to pay for veterinary care by providing complimentary veterinary services for their companion animals.  Our free mobile clinic reaches remote communities.

Our ongoing humane education program facilitates resources and information about treating animals with compassion and respect and being better stewards of Mother Earth.  We have partnered with the local school Board to give complimentary Humane Education presentations throughout the school year.  It is our belief that we need to teach the young generations about treating animals with compassion and respect, and living more harmoniously on Earth.

We conduct low-cost and free sterilization programs for dogs and cats, both in-house and out in the local communities.  The local government agencies support our on-going sterilization campaigns as a public health effort.  The Sanctuary provides internships to Mexican veterinary students, who work along with our resident veterinarian in performing these surgeries and other veterinary care.

The Sanctuary is also a Nature Retreat where people come to connect with Nature and her creatures, a place to find simplicity and refuge from the hectic demands of urban living.  Our accommodations are simple and comfortable with the touch of Mexican culture.  The Nature Retreat is another fund-generator for the Sanctuary.  The people you find at the Retreat have all one thing in common, whether they are volunteers, staff or guests; they all love animals and have an appreciation of Nature.  This is what brings us together.

Here at the Sanctuary we have a mission:  To help animals (domestic, farm and exotics) most in need by providing rescue, rehabilitation, medical care, temporary and permanent residence, and humane education to foster animal compassion, respect and protection.

Chris: Please tell us about your consulting business.  Exactly what does it mean to have an eco friendly consultant?

Marisa: Actually, just this month I launched my online consulting services as a Green Pets Eco-Living Consultant.  I am very excited about this!   It will allow me to assist a global community of pet parents in creating toxic-free, healthy home environments for their pets and themselves.   As an Eco-Living or Eco-Friendly Consultant, I also show you how to incorporate eco-friendly practices that are good for the planet.  Our pets rely on us to provide for them; they are not aware of the toxic overload that may surround them in their homes and communities.

There is a lot of information online about green living, which can be overwhelming.  I simplify the process for pet parents who don’t know where to start, don’t have the knowledge, patience or time to do all the research to start living green with their pets.  Through my services, pet parents become aware of the options and the solutions they have available.  I help them discover new ways to immediately implement easy steps to green their pets, themselves and transform their homes to healthy living spaces so their pets can live long, healthy lives.

For instance, my One-On-One Personalized Phone Consultation covers a thorough assessment of what your pets are exposed to, your home environment and the potential risks to your pets and you.  I provide you with recommendations and solutions to improve the health and safety of your pets and to create a toxic-free home.

Chris: If someone wanted to start living green with their pets, but didn’t know what to do, what would you suggest?

Marisa: That’s an excellent question, Chris, because I believe many people face that situation.  They hear about “going green” or having a “green pet”, but they may feel overwhelmed by all the information out there, which, in turn leads to a standstill.  I would suggest starting with small steps, actually one step at a time so that taking action is doable and satisfying.  Once pet parents see the benefits, I believe they will be motivated to move on to their second green step and so forth.

A good way to start living green with your pets is by starting to think toxic-free and learning to identify harmful, toxic substances you don’t want for your precious pets, yourself or your home.  This gives you a foundation to start eliminating toxic products.  It’s important to read labels.  The words “caution,” “warning” and “danger” point to the toxic ingredients in a product.  You need to avoid them!  Buy products that are free of synthetic ingredients like colorants, fragrances and preservatives, and are cruelty-free; that is, not tested on animals.

An example on how to apply this information to start living green with your pets is with flea and tick products.  Read the labels of whatever product you intend to buy.  The conventional flea and tick products on the market are highly toxic; they are pesticides, basically!  Pesticides are poisons and we know that they are dangerous and harmful to the environment, but what effect is it having on our precious pets?!

If you are currently using these toxic treatments on your pet, first, get rid of those collars, spot-on treatments, etc.  Detoxify your house by washing bedding, clothing, and other things with which your pet has come in contact.  This leads you to your second green step; that is, the use of a natural, biodegradable, phosphate, formaldehyde and chemical-free laundry detergent.   It’s also important to bathe your pet regularly using a natural, bio-degradable, chemical, phosphate and cruelty-free pet shampoo.  And by doing this you easily move on to your third step of grooming your pet with non-toxic products.  As you can see, one step leads you to another and as you move on, you will have the awareness and information to select toxic-free and eco-friendly products for your pets and yourself.

Chris: It’s been wonderful to talk to you today.  Please tell everyone how they can reach you on the web and on Social Media.

Marisa, I wish you all the luck in the world on your Animal Sanctuary and thank goodness there are people like you that care deeply for the animals that have no voice.

Marisa: Thank you very much, Chris!  I’ve enjoyed our talk, as well.  I appreciate your good wishes and the work you do to help animals, as well.  Every step, every action counts!

I can be reached via my website:  www.GreenPetsEcoLiving.com, Twitter, Facebook and my YouTube Channel.

Technorati Tags: abused animals, animal lover, eco friendly pet products, eco living consultant, eco pet, eco pets, green dog, green dog products, Green Pets, toxic-free home

“Host Kahi Lee takes the Koo family living room to a whole new level and gives it a complete Green makeover according to their needs and goals.

Green Done Right presented by Scott Naturals is a web series focusing on making sustainable-living, budget-conscious design choices.”

Duration : 0:4:36

Technorati Tags: bamboo, boyle, done, eco-friendly, environment, family, Green, green done right, home, house, kahi, lee, lifestyle, living, makeover, naturals, recycle, right, room, scott, susan, sustainability

Eco friendly living doesn’t stop during Holiday Season.  There are easy ways to be green during the Holidays.   Your choice for holiday greeting cards can save you money and be eco-friendly.  You can send a green greeting with e-cards, used Holiday Season cards or by making your own cards with materials you already have at home, such as recycled paper.  If you want to purchase cards, there are tree-free options available.  Also, look for those made from recycled material and soy-based inks.

Make your own decorations with Nature’s gifts, such as pine cones, evergreens and other plant material that will cost you nothing.  You can make wreath decorations out of these natural materials and compost them after the Season is over.   Be creative with what Nature offers and items you already have at home.

Holiday season shopping can be done online.  This will save you the hassle of driving to the mall, dealing with crowds and save you gas.  The options for green gifts include reusable water bottles made from stainless steel or aluminium, soy-based candles, fair trade and organic teas and coffees, rechargeable batteries and a battery charger, bamboo cookware, hemp and organic cotton clothing, hemp toys for your companion animals, etc.

Green Christmas trees include organically grown cut trees, which you can recycle at the end of the Season at designated facilities to make compost and mulch.  A potted tree which you can plant outdoors in the Spring, or decorating a live outdoor tree with natural items so they don’t pose a threat to wildlife or critters.

Wishing you and your precious companion animals a joyous, healthy and green Holiday Season!

Marisa

Technorati Tags: eco friendly Christmas gifts, eco friendly gift ideas, eco friendly holidays, green Christmas gifts, green Christmas ornaments, green Christmas trees, green greeting, green xmas, holiday greeting cards, holiday season shopping

Song: Pocketful of Sunshine by Natasha Bedingfeild

Duration : 0:4:34

Technorati Tags: BC, coast, cove, float, freedom, house, living, sustainable, Tofino, west, wilderness

One other thing Mr Romania is right don’t be an ass about it allow people to make up there own minds about the issue. But answer freely when someone asks. Good luck.

Duration : 0:1:22

Technorati Tags: Better, Food, Green, Health, home, Klein, Laura, living, Organic

Duration : 0:3:12

Technorati Tags: Better, cleaning, Food, Green, Health, home, Klein, Laura, living, natural, rganic, scrub

Sorry I cheated couldn’t do just one. (It was hard enough limiting it to just these)

Duration : 0:4:57

Technorati Tags: al gore, an inconvienient truth, bill clinton, climate change, consumer, eco, eco-friendly, ed begley jr, environmentaly friendly, Green, green living show, green movement, living, shop, stephen lewis