Introduction

Many people today are seeing the issue of pest control in a different way
to previous generations.
Many people are concerned about the use of chemicals to irradicate
pests, especially where children or pets are concerned, and are turning to
natural solutions to solve this age old problem.
Chemical pesticides have been linked with Alzheimer's, cancer, fertility
issues and many more health problems. So- called “safe levels” still put
chemicals in your anatomy, placing you at risk many years from now, and
many poisons designed to control pests can cause immediate harm if
consumed by children or pets.
This book has been designed to help you make informed decisions on
how to deal with pests.
Of course, prevention is better then cure which is why have written this
book; it deals with how to detect pests and how to prevent infestations from
occurring in the first place. Every aspect of this complex issue from how to
detect pests around your property to how to remove pesticides from your
non-organic produce is covered.
I believe that pests are not a naturally occurring problem, everything in
nature is finely balanced and it is only when humans try to “improve”
nature, trying to solve problems that they disturb this balance and end up
causing more problems in the long term then they solve in the short term.
This is why, where possible, people need to find organic solutions and work
with nature rather then against it.
Dr John Stone
DISCLAIMER
Notice: The user of this information assumes all risks for personal injury
or property damage.
Warning! All manner of pest control involves some level of risk to
person or property, please use common sense and the best safety procedures
when implementing any instructions found in this book.
 Pesticides and traps can be harmful. Read and follow all directions and
safety precautions on labels. Handle carefully and store in original labelled
containers out of the reach of children, pets, and livestock. Dispose of
empty containers right away, in a safe manner and place. Do not
contaminate forests, streams or ponds.
 Contents
Chapter 1
The 11 Main Invasive Pests In The Home 5
Chapter 2
Five Easy Steps To Prevent Pest Infestations 12

Chapter 3
The Best Organic Sprays To Keep Pests Under 18
Chapter 4
How To Make Your Own Organic Pest Control Spray Other Home-Made
Pest Control Solutions 23
Chapter 5
How To Protect The Inside Of Your Home Organically From Pests 26
Chapter 6
How To Prevent Invasion Of Your Garden By Pests While Keeping Your
Plants Safe 35
Chapter 7
How To Remove Pesticides From Your Non-Organic Produce 39
 Chapter 1
The 11 Main Invasive Pests In The Home

Rats

Rats are medium sized rodents which can be mistaken for mice. The
easiest way to distinguish the difference between a rat and a mouse is to
note that the rat is the larger of the two. The two most harmful species to
humans are the brown rat and the black rat. In many areas rats can be a
deadly and destructive pest.

The fleas that a rat carries can transmit many diseases; the most well
known instance of this being the bubonic plague which killed up to 25
million people in Europe in the Middle Ages. Rats are usually very
intelligent and shy rodents that can make their presence difficult to detect.
Places around the house to look for the presence of rat activity are behind
walls, in roof cavities around garbage cans and around pipes.

Mice

Smaller then rats, mice can adapt to almost any environment. Mice can
spread disease via their excrement and fleas.
 Mice are prolific breeders and if not controlled or eradicated can quickly
invade a home causing expensive damage Places around the house to look
for the presence of mouse activity are in roof cavities, behind walls around
garbage cans and around pipes.

Fleas

Fleas are wingless, parasitic insects that can live within the fur or hair of
most living mammals including humans, feeding off their blood.

As well as causing itching and painful bites, because fleas are blood
suckers, they can spread disease especially when they migrate from one
victim to another.
Fleas flourish under ideal conditions such as a dog's back and breed at
alarming rates.
Flea infestations of many animals can easily be detected as the animal
will usually try to remove fleas by scratching or biting themselves.

House Flies
 The common house fly vomits on its food in order to break the food
down into particles small enough for it to digest. This, and the fact that flies
constantly deposit faeces means that they can spread many diseases such as
typhoid and dysentery.

Ants

Ants form colonies which range in size from a few hundred large ants
living in tree hollows to large colonies that consist of millions of small ants.

While generally ants don't pose much of a problem, in some instances

they can become a problem by raiding food (which can spread disease to
humans), damaging crops and damaging indoor structures.

Cockroaches
Cockroaches are among the most common household pests.
 They can feed on both human and pet food and can leave an unpleasant
odour. Cockroaches have been linked to human allergies and they can
passively carry microbes which can be harmful to both humans and pets if
deposited on food and then consumed.

Spiders

Many types of spiders are harmless and may be of benefit around the
home as they feed on other insects can therefore can help control insects
such as flies and mosquitoes.

Some can pose a danger as they are venomous and the webs they create
can be unsightly.
Also, many people have a phobia of them and their presence can cause
panic.
Termites

Termites mainly feed on cellulose or plant fibre. In the wood or forests

this is not a problem, however they can do a great deal of damage to
unprotected wooden structures.
 Because they remain concealed their presence usually is not detected
until the structure has been badly compromised. Once termites have
invaded a house they often don't only damage the timber structure but will
also damage paper and cloth materials.
 Bed bugs

Bedbugs are insects that feed on blood. Bed bugs prefer warmer climates
and like to hide in but are not limited to soft furnishings.

Bed bug bites can cause a few adverse health problems including allergic
symptoms and skin rashes.
Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are a family of small fly-like insects. A few species are of no

harm and some are even useful to humans, most are considered potentially
dangerous as they feed on blood mainly from mammals including humans.

Because they feed on blood, along with a painful itchy bite many can
transmit harmful diseases to both humans and livestock like yellow fever,
malaria and filariasis.
When the female mosquito bites its victims to extract their blood she
also injects her saliva into the wound, this saliva contains an anticoagulant
which prevents the blood from clotting. It is by this transfer of fluids that
mosquitoes are not only able to feed but also to transmit diseases.
Chapter 2
Five Easy Steps To Prevent Pest Infestations
 Detection is an important part of the approach to controlling agents of
deterioration, which involves these five steps:
Avoid: Reduce the incentive for pests to live or multiply in a particular
place. For example: improve cleanliness; discard refuse and clutter.
Block: Further reduce the chance of infestation by blocking possible
entry points through which pests can enter your property. For example:
screen off ventilator outlets or fill holes in walls, install insect covers over
windows which will let the draft in but keep the pests out. Inspect
surrounding areas to determine the extent of the infestation and to locate its
source.
Detect: Take measures to determine if there are pests present: for
example, collect specimens. Inspect and look for droppings from active
pests.
Respond: If an infestation is detected, apply control methods to the area,
for example: increase sanitation, lower or raise temperature exposure, set
traps or apply pesticide. Assess control measures by continuing detection
practices.
Restore: Clean the affected area to prevent false alarms during later
inspections. Perform necessary consolatory and restorative work.
Block And Avoid Sources Of Infestation
Rodents and insects and can be difficult to avoid, however the threat of
infestation can be reduced by ensuring the place is kept clean and removing
anything which may attract the pests. Pests can enter a building through
existing holes or spaces or by digging their own. They can also be carried in
by people or objects. Proper building maintenance can prevent pests from
entering your property, while inspecting and treating items (by exposure to
low temperatures) can help prevent pests from entering.
Pests can enter your property through air vents, open or poorly sealed
windows, walls or doors. Lack of proper maintenance of your property can
allow water to penetrate the structure, which causes dampness, decay and
eventual attack by pests.
Accumulated dust, dirt and hair from poor housekeeping, improperly
stored foodstuffs and animal nests in eaves, walls and attics all provide the
perfect homes for many pests.
 Many pest problems can be traced to common sources of food and warm
conditions.
Maintaining proper housekeeping practices greatly contributes to
preventing infestation.
The more protective layers around and object (box, case, room or
building) the safer they are from infestation during transport and storage.
Solid food containers will deny pests a source of food which will help
prevent an infestation.
Temperatures which humans find comfortable are usually ideal for pests
too, cooler temperatures and, in certain cases, lower humidity can help slow
infestations.

How To Detect The Source Of Infestation

Irrespective of the condition of the building, sanitation and procedures it

is a good idea to routinely inspect the property for signs of infestation. This
is especially true around temporary storage or high traffic areas where pests
are likely to hide when the "block and avoid" strategies fail.
Early detection allows you to assess the risks and take preventative
action.
If infestations are not detected and dealt with promptly, they can cause
extensive damage that may require laborious and expensive work to stop
and repair.
For insect activity look for dead or living insects at their various stages
of development. Look for damage to the building or object such as loss of
hair or fibres, chewed feathers or quills, perforated skins or holes in the
surfaces of timber.
Termite larvae are rarely seen on timber, however their entry and exit
holes are noticeable. Cast remains of moulting larvae are common
indications of a termite attack.
Dead adult moths, webbing, cocoons, and faecal pellets are often evident
around a moth infestation. Insect eggs are not so easily seen with the naked
eye.
 Insect frass can sometimes be mistaken for eggs. Frass is usually larger
in size than individual eggs and is present in greater quantity. Frass often
matches the object in colour and appears in the form of chips, fine powder,
or pellets. Eggs are deposited singly, in small groups, or in orderly clusters.
Insects usually choose to deposit eggs in sheltered spots such as protective
egg cases or in crevices .
Rodents can be detected by urine stains, faecal pellets, gnawed surfaces,
corpses and nesting activity.

How To Arrange For Easy Detection

Keep areas free of obstacles to reduce the possibility of pest habitation

and allow for easy inspection.
These precautions will allow quick visual detection of pests. Many
commercial establishments will often fill perimeter trenches with landscape
cloth or pea gravel to prevent plant growth and to reduce rodent burrowing.
Creating clean perimeters around floors through the organized layout of
cabinets and shelving is imperative to decreasing the labor of inspections
and increasing the chances of detection. Many pests will follow along the
joint between walls and floors, making this a prime site for traps and
detection.

Examining Objects And Structures

Thoroughly examine wooden objects and structures.

Examine joints, knot holes, hinges, the bottoms of legs, reverse sides,
and hidden areas. Many types of termites will gain access to wooden
structures through end grain or through joints and cracks. The emerging
adults will usually avoid painted and varnished surfaces, choosing to
emerge through the raw back faces of wood.
Frass that is packed in holes may be loosened by handling, but may
also indicate that there are or were active insects in galleries within the
wood. To check if termites are still active
check the area and leave the area alone for a few days, a second
inspection may reveal insect frass that continues to pile up beneath insect
holes. Old frass oxidises with time to become darker or grey, which can be a
good indication that the termites are no longer present.
In areas where fallen dust would be dispersed by foot traffic, wind or
routine cleaning, tape polyethylene swatches over suspected active holes of
wood borers to collect ejected frass. However, only do this if you can later
remove the tape without damaging the surface and be sure you remove the
tape within two weeks of application.
Some types of termites can be detected by acoustic detection, but this is
ineffective during times when larvae are not active. Radiography over
several months can detect further excavation by wood borers, but may not
be possible in all places.
Examine textiles, curtains, sheets, clothing, and accessories front and
back; inside and out for insect and rodent activity.
Examine paper goods such as cardboard boxes, stacks of paper, and
foodstuffs such as bread and cereal for chewing, and grazing.
 Chapter 3
The Best Organic Sprays To Keep Pests Under Control
In this chapter I will be discuss the best pest control sprays available.

Veggie Pharm.

This natural fungicide and insecticide is made of pure garlic extract.

Garlic is a natural insect and small mammal repellent.
It also contains potassium bicarbonate, which means it works great as an
organic fungicide.
So it is one on the most natural pest control sprays in the market.
Other natural oils are in Veggie Pharm too. Organic, natural pest killers
and fungicides work as miticides, which will completely protect your
vegetables from most common problems.
Veggie Pharm does not leave strong or overpowering odors that humans
can detect after being applied, but it is effective enough to keep pests away.
There is a slight garlic odor when initially applied but this smell quickly
dissipates while leaving your fruit and vegetables protected.
This product can be used freely on vegetables and fruit until the day you
harvest them. It is natural and safe for your pets, family and the
environment.
 Bon-Neem Insecticidal Soap

Neem is a type of tree that is native to India, known for its drought
resistance and natural ability to repel pests. The oil from the Neem seed lets
you use the power of the Neem tree to fight pests on your own plants.
Neem controls a wide variety of insects on house plants, herbs,
vegetables, nuts, fruit, flowers, trees, roses, lawns and shrubs.

Orange Guard

Orange Guard kills on contact. May be used around food, humans, and
pets. Fresh citrus scent. Indoor and outdoor use. EPA registered. It is a
broad range contact insecticide and broad range residual repellent.
Works on ants, fire ants, roaches, fleas, silverfish, plant pests, and other
insect pests.
The active ingredient in Orange Guard is orange peel extract, which
destroys the wax coating of the insect’s respiratory system. When applied
directly, the insect suffocates.
This can be applied directly to a carpet to kill fleas but only if you steam
clean afterwards.

St Gabriel Laboratories All Natural Mosquito/Gnat/Flea/Tick

Repellent

St Gabriel Mosquito Repellent is made from natural oils including garlic

and black pepper. Any garlic odour fades within minutes and the other
natural ingredients have no lasting smell.
St Gabriel Mosquito Repellent provides up to 60 days of mosquito
control.
It controls: mosquitoes, gnats, fleas and ticks, for a truly pest-free yard it
will treat 5,000 square feet and will become odourless within minutes once
applied.

Hot Pepper Wax

 Hot Pepper Wax is pest repellent made from a blend of extremely hot
cayenne pepper extracts and combined with a food grade wax that will last
even after rainfall. It protects garden produce, such as ripe tomatoes.
Hot Pepper Wax Insect Repellent stops insects as well as rabbits,
squirrels, gophers, hedgehogs, prairie dogs, chipmunks and more. Yes, this
bottle of Hot Pepper Wax works on both critters big and small. It contains
the same ingredients as the Hot Pepper Wax Animal Repellent.
Once sprayed with the Hot Pepper Wax in the morning, food can be picked
and eaten the same day.
 Chapter 4
How To Make Your Own Organic Pest Control spray

This general purpose insect control spray combines garlic, onion, and hot
pepper to repel insects with the insecticidal properties of soap.

What Protection Does It Offer?

This solution can be used on almost any leaf eating pest in the garden.
 How to Make

Grind or chop one garlic bulb and one small onion.

Add 1 teaspoon of powdered cayenne pepper with 1 quart of water and
mix well.
Allow mixture to sit for one hour, strain through piece of fly wire or
cheesecloth, then add 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap to the strained liquid
and mix well.
Pour the liquid into you spray pack.

How To Use

Completely spray your plants, including under the leafs.

Storage

Can be stored, in a sealed LABLED container for up to one week in the

refrigerator.

Warning

The ingredients in this solution can cause painful eye and skin irritation.
Wear gloves when preparing this solution and keep it away from your
nose and eyes.

Other Natural Pest Control Solutions

 Soft Bodied Insects I.E Mites & Mealy bugs

To one quart of water add a few drips of ivory soap and one tablespoon
of canola oil, mix well and pour it into your spray pack. Completely spray
the plant including the undersides of the leaves. The oil is designed to
smother the insects.

Soft Bodied Pests, I.E. Slugs & Snails

Sprinkle diatomaceous earth over your plants and in the garden bed. The
diatom particles are very small and sharp but only harmful to the
exoskeletons of small insects, snails and slugs. This is a mechanical killer
not a chemical one so insects cannot become immune.

Fungal Diseases & Insects

To one quart of water, add two tablespoons of cooking oil, a few drops of
ivory soap, and two tablespoons of baking soda, mix well pour the solution
into a spray pack and completely spray the plant including the undersides of
the leaves.
 Chapter 5
How To Protect The Inside Of Your Home Organically From Pests
One of the best ways for protecting your home against pests is to make
sure they never enter your home in the first place.
Just like humans, pests need shelter, food and moisture to live and thrive.
Eliminating these by properly storing your food supply and getting rid the
pest’s favourite hiding spots, can reduce the risk that pests will infest your
home. The best way to prevent infestation is to keep pests out entirely. To
do this, you’ll need to seal up the cracks and gaps in your home’s exterior.
Carefully examine your home, you will prbably be surprised by the number
of unsealed gaps you see, which make an easy entrance path for pests. To
prevent pests from crawling under your doors install an aluminium
threshold under the door.
For even better protection, combine this with a door sweep. A sweep is a
cheap device that can be found at most hardware stores, and helps to cover
the gap between a threshold and the door bottom. For the best protection
against pests choose nylon brush sweeps.
Add weather stripping to the outer edge of the door frame to prevent
insects from entering along the sides or top of the door. Use caulking
compound along the bottom of the frame at the area where it meets the
ground to seal between the door frame and the wall.
Consider installing a door closer. This will close and latch your door
automatically after it has been opened and you can adjust the closing speed
and power. These are very simple to install using basic tools.
Summer is the worst time of the year for flies, mosquitoes, and other
pests to invade your home, however many people like to open their
windows and doors for ventilation. To enjoy fresh air without being
annoyed by insects, install screens in your windows and doors. Remember,
pests can still sneak in through damaged screens so it's important to ensure
that you keep your screens in good condition and repair or replace damaged
screens.
Mosquitoes need moisture to breed so ensuring there is no pooled water
in your yard is one of the best ways to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
 It's important to maintain drainage channels such as drains and gutters.
Ensure they are free of obstructions such as leaves and debris so they can
flow freely. If you have a pool, keep it filtered and chlorinated, even when
you're not using it. Frequently change the water in your birdbaths and
fountains to keep mosquito eggs from hatching in them.
Make sure you remove any leaves or debris in your yard as these are
perfect places for pests to live and multiply.
As a rule, if a pencil can fit in a small crack or hole so can a young
mouse or many types of insects, so it is imperative to ensure that all
possible openings are blocked or filled.
Use cement to patch foundations and masonry walls.
Replace damaged bricks and fill the joints with mortar.
Replace rotting wood and repair sections of cladding that are damaged.
Pay attention to the roof line, where wasps frequently like to build nests.

Caulking compound is one of the simplest and most affordable ways to

seal cracks around the home.
Caulking compound is a cheap and effective method of filling in many
cracks and small holes, use it around window frames and air vents.
If you need to fill larger openings try using a fine wire mesh similar to
fly wire, as this can be stapled over holes to keep pests out and can also be
installed over basements, crawl spaces and vents.
 No matter how well your home is sealed, it will still make a
tempting haven for pest if they have easy access to food and places to
hide so always keep an uncluttered house and make sure food is kept in
sealed pest-proof containers. Clean up spills as soon as they occur and
remove pet food as soon as meal time is over, or use a pest-proof container
which will allow your pet to eat but keep pests out.
To keep pests from eating or living in you trash, proper handling and
storage is vital.
Make sure food waste is kept in the kitchen and not in waste baskets
around the house. The trash can should have a lid, and should be emptied
every day. All interior and exterior trash bins and recycling bins should be
cleaned and sanitized regularly, especially if spills have occurred in them.
If you like to compost your waste make sure you use a bin with a lid, and
that it is empted every three to six months.

A sturdy plastic compost bin complete with lid

Encourage predators to frequent your yard, many birds such as Swallows
will eat small insects such as mosquitoes and flies.
 The best way to encourage birds to your yard is make sure you have
plenty of trees and bushes where they can establish their nests and provide
plenty of fresh water for them to drink, just ensure that the water is
frequently replaced to prevent it from becoming stagnant or allowing
mosquitoes to breed.
Of course if pests do enter your home you will need to control them.
Aside from natural or non-toxic pesticides trapping them is also a great way
to control them.
Some of the best traps for a variety of pests are:
Adhesive traps can be covered with a cardboard shelter which attracts
the pests inside but protects the adhesive from falling debris and dust.
Adhesive traps should be checked at least every month. Replace adhesive
traps every six months as this is about as long as the adhesive is designed to
last. Dead insects in the traps may also be used for bait to attract insects that
eat protein which may increase the success rate of these traps.

Typical Adhesive Trap

 Light traps can attract many types of flying insects. Always try to aim
light traps toward external doors to attract insects away from your home.
Inspect and clean light traps fragrantly to prevent infestations by protein
eating insects.

Light trap or Bug-Zapper

Mechanical Traps can help control rodent infestations. These can

include live release traps, snap traps or wind-up traps which reset after the
rodent is caught. Place traps along floor to wall junctions rather then
exposed areas. Because rats and mice can become skilled at removing baits
without setting off the trap it is necessary to bait the trap in a manner which
makes it difficult to remove the bait without setting off the trap, while there
are baits designed with this purpose in mind, one of the best baits found
around most homes is peanut butter.
A Mechanical Snap Trap
 There are many companies selling plug-in pest repellents which are
supposed to repel the pests by emitting an electro sonic or electro magnetic
frequency which the pest cannot tolerate. However there is little or no
scientific evidence that these actually work.
 Chapter 6
How To Prevent Invasion Of Your Garden By Pests Whilst Keeping
Your Plants Safe
Organic gardening involves working with nature to get the best results
rather then working against it. It involves both preventative measures and
supporting eco systems found in nature.
In a healthy eco system a healthy balance is the answer NOT
annihilation.
Insects are vital to a healthy garden and should not be annihilated.
Insects provide food for birds and other wildlife, help the pollination
process, help break down soil nutrients and eventually become nutrients
themselves when they die.
Every eco-system's balance is delicate and completely removing one
insect only encourages other types of pest to infest.
It is important to eliminate chemical pesticides from your gardening.
Plants sprayed with pesticides lack the same nutrients which only occur
when a plant comes in to contact with insects. Pesticides kill useful soil
microbes, which creates an unhealthy environment for many animals with
no means of protecting them selves against diseases.
Chemical pesticides have been linked with Alzheimer's, cancer, fertility
issues and many more health problems. So- called “safe levels” still put
chemicals in your blood stream placing you at risk many years from now.
Indiscriminate use of pesticides kills all insects - both the useful ones
and the harmful ones - and however harmful insect populations such as
aphids are, they will recover much quicker then useful insects and will
attack your plants in much higher numbers tahn before without predators to
stop them. Unfortunately at this stage many gardeners will again spray their
plants with pesticides, thereby aggravating the vicious cycle.
 Before pests infest your garden or before you decide to use chemical
pesticides here are a few things you should try in order to prevent pests
from becoming a problem:
Companinon Planting should be an important part of organic
gardening. For example you can use basil to protect tomatoes. Plants should
be planted close together to encourage a permacultre type of environment as
opposed to a monoculture type of environment.
Silver Reflective Mulch This is a relatively new tool in the context of
organic gardening. It's a silver thin sheet which is laid down on the garden
bed around the plants, this help to prevent pest infestation in two ways. 1) It
shines light on the underside of the plant's leaves, thereby deterring shade-
seeking insects and 2) Shining light scares away all pests from the garden
bed and the plants in general.
Keep Your Soil In Healthy Condition One of the
most important steps to ensure a healthy garden. Keep your plants
properly watered. Make sure your soil is properly fertilized using only
natural fertilizer and position your plants properly so that they are getting
the right amount of sun and shade. Compost tea is a great way of ensuring
your plants are healthy and of introducing good bacteria to your soil. It is
also a good idea to test the nutrient levels in your soil, affordable testing kits
can be purchased from most gardening supply shops or you can have the
testing done professionally.
Natural pesticides Try some of the great natural products mentioned in
previous chapters.
Encourage Natural Predators To Live In Your Garden Most birds,
frogs and lizards will be more then happy to eat your bugs for you. Create a
healthy safe habitat for these animals. Keep cats and dogs indoors. It is
advantageous if you have some trees and some bird houses and a source of
water which can easily be cleaned of mosquitoes.
Allow Benificial Insects To Thrive Lady bugs, preying mantis and
lacewigs pray on many other types of insects so they can be a great asset to
have in your garden. These beneficial insects can be attracted by certain
plants such as dull and fennel.
Salt & Copper If you have a slug problem, you can place copper strips
around the base of your plants. Slugs will avoid the copper as it gives the
slug a shock. If salt is used in high enough quantities it can kill slugs but be
careful using salt as too much may harm your plants.
Adhesive Traps Similar to flypaper the traps attract bugs to their sticky
surface and keep them there. These are excellent for removing large
amounts of insects during the first months of the season. Simply throw the
traps away after use.

If you have previously used chemical pesticides give your garden time to
rebalance itself. Initially you may notice an increase of insect attacks, and
may even lose a few plants. Don't sit back and hope that nature will sort
things out. Routinely apply these organic pest control methods, you've
created this imbalance therefore you - and nature - will have to work
together the re-establish a proper balance. Don't expect this to happen
overnight or even in six months. Restoring an unhealthy garden takes time,
work and lots of patience.
Chapter 7
How To Remove Pesticides From Your Non-organic Produce

Many people want to eat organic food, however organic food is more
expensive so they cannot afford to go all-organic. Also, a full selection of
organic food is not always available in all grocery stores all the year round,
so there may be no choice but to buy non-organic fruit and vegetables. For
these reasons it is good to know how to remove some of the pesticides that
are left on your non-organic food.
 Here are three simple methods to remove pesticides from your non-
organic fruit and vegetables:

Pesticide-Removal Spray this simple pesticide-removal spray can easily

be made using ingredients you probably have around the house.

• One cup of water

• One tablespoon of lemon juice

• Two tablespoons of baking soda

Mix all the ingredients together until the baking soda has dissolved and
pour the solution into your spray pack.

Spray your non-organic food with this mixture and let it sit for twenty
minutes.

Completely rinse with clean water and enjoy.

Pesticide-Removal Produce Wash This solution will not only remove

most of the pesticides from your food it will also help preserve your food so
it can be stored longer without rotting. Simply combine one part vinegar to
four parts water. Soak your produce for one hour (for apples allow one and
a half hours). Remove the food and rinse with clean water.

Store-Bought Produce Washes These days there is a wide variety of

products which are designed specifically for the purpose. Make sure before
you purchase any of these products that you read the active ingredient list
because if the product has a list of chemicals of its own it defeats the
purpose of using the products to remove chemicals in the first place.

Peel Your Produce Where practical after washing, peel or remove the
skin from your produce before consuming.