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Poison will kill small rodents and can seem like the quick and easy way to get rid of them. But—in addition to its inhumane nature—poison has some drawbacks. First of all, if you have small children or pets in the home, setting out poison isn't the best idea, as your pets or children could ingest it. 

Poisoned mice and rodents don't die instantly. Instead, it can take several days for the poison to work its way through their system. In the meantime, there's a chance that a predator, such as a cat, fox, or other mammal, will eat the poisoned rodent and become poisoned themselves.

It may be better to have a mouse in your house than a rat. Rats are larger, more aggressive, and more difficult to eradicate once settled. One rat can cause more damage than one mouse. However, both animals pose a danger in that they can spread bacteria and contaminate food, so you’ll want to contact an exterminator as soon as you detect an infestation of either animal.

Some of the smells we love are, thankfully, pretty putrid for mosquitoes. A few essential oils that might have them swarming in the other direction include:

• Lavender

• Citronella

• Eucalyptus

• Cinnamon

• Thyme

Be careful how and where you apply essential oils around pets and children, and top them off regularly so they stay effective.

Flea eggs can’t take heat, so use that information to your advantage. Take any affected clothes and linens and wash them on a hot setting (140℉ or higher) to kill them off. You can also rid carpets and furniture using heat. After vacuuming all surfaces thoroughly, use a steam mop or cleaner to get rid of the remaining flea eggs and residue. 

Flea eggs also can’t handle extreme cold. You could seal affected linens and store them in a freezer.