Book excerpt: Why use toxic and potentially harmful chemicals to control pests when chemical-free methods are equally effective – and much cheaper! This book contains everything you need to know to make pests unwelcome in your home – from ants, cockroaches, silverfish, slugs and snails, cane toads, rats, rabbits and foxes through to common household dust mites, bacteria, mildew and mould. Robin Stewart's Chemical-Free Pest Control introduces simple, effective and chemical-free alternatives – citronella oil, borax, soap, pyrethrum, vinegar, eucalyptus oil, bicarb soda, cloves and many more. Its household, pet care and garden procedures are extremely easy to follow, economical and environment-friendly. By treating pests yourself, rather than resorting to expensive professionals, you can decide what method or product is used and how much. Tips for a pesticide-free modern home include: • Moths cannot tolerate cloves, so scatter them in your wardrobe. • Cockroaches are repelled by Epsom salts; or killed by sprinkling borax powder in crevices, corners and dark places. • Head lice are readily eliminated using hair conditioner or mineral oil rather than toxic chemicals. • Ants are deterred with eucalyptus oil and killed with a bait made up of equal parts borax and jam. • Possums will stay away from your favourite plants if you sprinkle blood and bone around or spray with quassia.