My friend Stef asked if I’d ever researched kid-safe alternatives to pesticides. I hadn’t, but I thought it would be a great idea. For our household, the problem is fleas. We used to treat our dog Cuper with Frontline, and that worked fine until Cole was born and we didn’t want the Frontline getting on everything that Cole touches and puts in his mouth.

This is what I’ve found on pesticides:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FKA/is_5_69/ai_n19311254

Infants and children may be especially sensitive to the health risks posed by conventional pesticides because their internal organs are still developing and maturing. What's more, young children spend lots of time playing on floors and putting objects in their mouths, which increases their exposure to pesticides used in homes. Along with the neurotoxic effects, small children growing up in homes that routinely use professional pest control are more likely to develop leukemia.

The Safe Solution
ANTS
Deter them by sprinkling peppermint leaves, paprika or cayenne pepper across their trails. If you have a full-blown invasion, try dusting boric acid into cracks and crevices with a soft paintbrush.

COCKROACHES
Soap can be very effective against cockroaches because the strong scent repels them. According to researchers at Iowa State University, catnip oil is also an effective way to discourage roaches. Make a catnip tea to spray around baseboards by mixing 1 tsp. of the essential oil with 1 qt. of water.

BEETLES, WEEVILS AND GRAIN MOTHS
These tiny bugs can ruin an entire container of food. Place a cinnamon stick or bay leaf in with your flour, pasta or grains. The strong-smelling spice or herb will repel or kill the insects without affecting the taste or smell of the food.

HOUSEFLIES
Hang sticky, nontreated flypaper from the ceiling near exterior doors to catch and kill these pesky insects.

While it's easy to create your own pesticides, many of us don't have the time to do so. Fortunately, a growing number of companies are creating effective nontoxic or minimally toxic pesticides from essential oils. Just be aware that, even though these are natural, you should take the same precautions you would with chemical pesticides. Because these products use concentrated essential oils, prolonged exposure could cause skin, eye or respiratory irritation. Wear gloves, long pants and sleeves, and a mask to prevent exposure.

Non- or  minimally toxic Products:
MITES OUT! cleansing spray from BioForce uses neem oil to kill dust mites, a common allergen. Spray directly on fabrics, including mattresses, carpet and other cloth surfaces.

ORANGE GUARD is a water-based indoor/outdoor insecticide that may be used around food, humans and pets. Made from orange peel extract, it works on ants, roaches, fleas and silverfish.

Woodstream Corporation's VICTOR POISON-FREE ANT & ROACH KILLER uses a mint oil and a lecithin formula to help kill soft-bodied insects.

Hope that sheds a little light on the toxic pesticides versus pest-ridden home issue. There’s hope for ant and roach-free, healthy homes yet!