How to Protect Yourself and Your Family from Pests

If you spend any time at all outdoors, you know what it is like to battle mosquitos and ticks. These two pests are as prevalent in your backyard as they are in the woods and meadows. Some people think of mosquitos as simply annoying, but you should know that mosquitos carry disease; more than a million people a year die of diseases carried by mosquitos, which include:

• Malaria

• West Nile Virus

• Yellow Fever

• Dengue

• Encephalitis

Obviously, it is in your best interest to do everything you can to control the mosquito population in your backyard. The same is true for ticks; a pest that is not harmless by any means. Ticks carry many diseases, including Lyme disease, which is a bacterial infection that causes a wide range of illnesses, Babesiosis and Ehrlichiosis, which are parasitic infections that affect the red and white blood cells, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which despite its name, is prevalent all over North and South America. All tick-borne diseases are serious, many are permanently disabling, and some are fatal to both humans and animals.

Tips for their Teeth: Brushing with kids

With candy and sweets seemingly in endless supply these days, the battle for the health of our children is at an all-time high. This is especially true when it comes their first line of defense, teeth. With that in mind, here are some tips to take care of your child’s teeth.

It’s better with electricity

Invest in an electric toothbrush for your kids (and really, for the whole family). These are overwhelming recommended by dentists, because they simply work much better than a “normal” toothbrush. A 2003 Cochrane Oral Health Group study concluded that an electric toothbrush with rotating action resulted in less plaque and fewer bouts of gingivitis, compared to a hand powered toothbrush. An added benefit is that for children, it’s frankly a bit more fun!

Keep in mind that there is a difference between a battery-powered toothbrush and an electric toothbrush. A battery powered toothbrush is essentially a manual toothbrush that vibrates a bit, though at a price tag significantly lower that an electric one ($30 vs $90).