Part- A

What are macro nutrients? Mention their importants in our diet.

Macronutrients are nutrients that provide calories or energy. Nutrients are substances needed for growth,
metabolism, and for other body functions. Since macro means large,macronutrients are nutrients needed in large
amounts.
The human body can be an amazing machine capable of endless potential and capabilities. Like most
machines, a well oiled/fueled body runs the most efficiently and produces a greater output. Fuel for the human body
for energy, growth, metabolism, and many other bodily functions, come from what are called macronutrients. The
word macro meaning large, is appropriately attributed as these types of nutrients needed in large quantities to
obtain healthy bodily function.
Macros provide the body with the all of its daily caloric intake and are categorized into 3 areas:

Protein (Can provide around 4 calories per gram)

Carbohydrate (Can provide around 4 calories per gram)

Fat (Can provide around 9 calories per gram)

Protein is a critical food group for everyone. Most adults need about 10 to 11 ounces of a protein food each
day. The best way to eat this is to have two portions daily of 4 to 5 ounces each of a protein food.
Also, women can have up to 6 eggs per week. Men can have up to 8 eggs per week, and no more.
Proteins need to be cooked, but not overcooked.
Avoid all pig products, although they are nutritious. Most can contain parasite cysts or eggs, even when wellcooked.
Too much protein causes toxicity of the liver and kidneys, and excess production of proteinaceoustoxins in the
colon, evidenced by foul-smelling stools. Too little protein in the diet can cause weight gain or loss, and severe
malnutrition.
*************
Definition. Proteins are one of the most amazing group of molecules in the human body. They are complex
combinations of smaller chemical compounds called amino acids. These are like the bricks or building blocks of a
building.
There are about 22 amino acids. Some can be made in the body from other amino acids, or in other
ways. However, at least 8 or 10 of them must be obtained from our diet. All of the amino acids contain oxygen,
hydrogen, carbon and nitrogen. Many also contain sulfur.
Like building blocks, millions of these amino acids are chained together, stuck together, and folded over
each other to form complicated shapes and structures to create millions of critical body components.
Metaphorical definition. Proteins are associated with motion, the basic quality of animal life. While plant
life is more concerned with sugars and carbohydrates, animal life is more concerned with proteins. (However, all
life contains both proteins and carbohydrates.)
WHAT ARE PROTEINS USED FOR IN OUR BODIES?
The quick answer is they are used to make most everything in our bodies. Here are a few of their main
uses.
Hormones. Many of the hormones such as insulin and progesterone are proteins.

Oxygen transport. Hemoglobin, a blood protein, carries oxygen to the cells.

Cellular repair. Heat shock proteins help rebuild our cells after stress.
Binding and transport of nutrients. Transferrin, metallothionine, ceruloplasmin and other transport
proteins bind to minerals and other things, and carry them throughout the body.
Movement. Muscle protein (such as myoglobin) is responsible for our ability to move.
Holding genetic information. Proteins such as RNA (ribonucleic acid) and DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
in the nuclei of our cells are responsible for the genetic code.
Structural proteins. Proteins are also essential for the body structure. Bone consists of a protein matrix
that fills with calcium and other minerals. Other structural proteins include collagen, cartilage,elastin and keratin
that form the skin and other structures.
Enzymes. All enzymes are proteins. Thousands of enzymes facilitate every chemical reaction in the body.
Conversion to fuel. Proteins may also be converted to sugar or fat to be used as fuel for the body. This is
not ideal, but it does occur in some people.
3.mention the importance of personal hugiene to food handlers

Maintaining personal hygiene is necessary for many reasons; personal, social, health, psychological or simply as a
way of life. Keeping a good standard of hygiene helps to prevent the development and spread of infections, illnesses
and bad odours.
Body Image
Body image influences self-esteem, confidence and motivation. Those who already have low self esteem and
especially those with depression often neglect personal hygiene which perpetuates the problem of poor body image.
Many forms of modern media including magazines, fashion, TV, film and the internet present a certain body image
as being "acceptable" or "expected". Young children and teenagers are especially influenced by this; physical
appearance being the ultimate factor by which to judge and be judged.
To youngsters, teenagers and those who care for them, there are 3 things to remember:

The first thing to accept is that you will probably never look like those perfect specimens in the media - but
you can, and WILL look good to most people if you follow basic personal hygiene principles
Secondly, your actions and the way you behave are more important to most people than the way you look
Thirdly, good hygiene practices will help to keep you healthy, give you confidence and be pleasant for
those around you

Social Reasons
Most people hate to be talked about, especially in a negative manner. By ensuring that our body is clean and well
presented, we are more assured of projecting a positive body image that reflects our personalities.

Children should be taught the importance of hygiene and how to achieve good hygiene very early to keep
themselves and others healthy and to reduce the risk of being bullied at school.
Health Reasons
Poor hygiene can lead to poor health. If you have cut yourself, the wound should be cleaned and dressed suitably,
this can help reduced the risk of infection and pain.
Conditions such as head lice, athletes foot etc. should be treated immediately to prevent further infections and
spread to others.
Hand washing cannot be emphasised enough as this simple action can prevent a plethora of illnesses and disorders
developing. Many people forget to wash their hands after using the toilet or before handling foods; this can cause a
great deal of illness and even death.
Psychological Issues
By being well presented, clean and tidy, people can feel more confident, especially in social situations. Our chances
of succeeding either in work or social settings, or even with the opposite sex can be altered by maintenance of good
hygiene.
7.what is food poisoning?mention its causes

Food poisoning is a disease that usually results in vomiting anddiarrhea after a person eats ordrinks fluids
contaminated with certain bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemicals (toxins).
The most common symptoms and signs of food poisoning are vomiting and diarrhea.

Other symptoms that may occur are fever, abdominal pain and/or cramps.

Severe signs and symptoms may include dehydration, blood in vomit or stools, diarrhea over three days,
and neurologic symptoms; for example, weakness, blurry vision, and an abnormal sensation of the body such as
burning, tingling, or numbness (paresthesias).

Causes include many agents including viral and bacterial strains, parasites, and chemicals (toxins).

Depending on the cause of food poisoning, the duration of the majority of food poisoning usually ranges
from a few hours after exposure to contaminated food or fluid to several days.

Treatment of food poisoning depends on the cause; most people self-cure in a few days, but some causes
may benefit from specific antibiotic or antiparasite treatments once the cause is identified.

Home remedies to soothe food poisoning symptoms may help speed recovery and may include:
o

Rest

Rehydration

Slowly begin to eat bland foods like rice, bananas, toast, gelatin

Avoid alcohol, nicotine, fatty, and seasoned or spicy foods)

Viruses are the most frequent cause of food poisoning in the U.S. The next highest causes are bacteria. About 31
viral and bacterial pathogens are responsible for almost 9.4 million diagnosed food poisoning illnesses per year;
about 39 million food poisoning cases are unspecified (undiagnosed). Yearly, about 128,000 people are hospitalized
and about 3,000 die from all causes of food poisoning.
The most common pathogens that cause food poisoning are:
1.
2.

Norovirus
Salmonella

3.

Clostridium perfringens

4.

Campylobacter

5.

Staphylococcus aureus

The most common pathogens that caused hospitalizations due to contamination of foods or fluids are:
1.
2.

Salmonella
Norovirus

3.

Campylobacter

4.

Toxoplasma gondii

5. Escherichia coli (E. coli)

The most common pathogens that cause deaths are:
1.
2.

Salmonella
Toxoplasma gondii

3.

Listeria monocytogenes

4.

Norovirus

5.

Campylobacter

8.write note on any two methods of garbage disposal

Disposal methods
Burial pits and encapsulation are suitable in locations without shallow groundwater and for small volumes of waste.
Burial pits: The bottom of the pit should be 1.5 m above the groundwater level, 3-5 m deep, and lined with a
substance of low permeability, such as clay. Surround the opening with a mound to keep run-off water from entering
the hole, and build a fence around the area. Periodically, cover waste layers with 10-15 cm of soil.
Encapsulation: Cement-lined pits or high-density plastic containers or drums are filled to 75% capacity with health
care waste. The container is then filled with plastic foam, sand, cement, or clay to immobilize the waste. The
encapsulated waste is then disposed of in a landfill or left in place if the container is constructed in the ground.
Incineration: Medium- and high-temperature incineration devices require a capital investment and an operations
and maintenance budget. They operate on fuel, wood, or other combustible material and produce solid ashes and
gases. Pollutants are emitted to varying degrees. The ash is toxic and must be buried in a protected pit. Combustible
waste is reduced to incombustible waste with a decreased volume. The high temperatures kill microorganisms.

Medium-temperature incinerators, commonly a double- chamber design or pyrolytic incinerator, operate at a

medium-temperature combustion process (800-1,000C).
High-temperature incinerators, recommended by WHO, treat health care waste at a temperature >1,000C.
When operated by staff trained in correct use and maintenance, incineration in a device like this onecompletely destroys needles and syringes
kills microorganisms
reduces the volume of waste
generates less air pollution than low- temperature burning.
Part-B
11
(a)salting is the preservation of food with dry edible salt.[1] It is related to pickling (preparing food with brine, that
is, salty water) and is one form of curing. It is one of the oldest methods of preserving food,[1] and two historically
significant salt-cured foods are salted fish (usually dried and salted cod or salted herring) and salt-cured meat (such
as bacon). Vegetables such as runner beans and cabbage are also often preserved in this manner.
Salting is used because most bacteria, fungi and other potentially pathogenic organisms cannot survive in a highly
salty environment, due to the hypertonic nature of salt. Any living cell in such an environment will become
dehydrated through osmosis and die or become temporarily inactivated.
It was discovered in the 19th century that salt mixed with nitrites (saltpeter) would color meats red, rather than grey,
and consumers at that time then strongly preferred the red-colored meat. The food hence preserved stays healthy and
fresh for days avoiding bacterial decay

(b) Canning is a method of preserving food in which the food contents are processed and sealed in an airtight
container. Canning provides ashelf life typically ranging from one to five years, although under specific
circumstances it can be much longer. A freeze-dried canned product, such as canned dried lentils, could last as long
as 30 years in an edible state. In 1974, samples of canned food from the wreck of the Bertrand, a steamboat that
sank in the Missouri River in 1865, were tested by the National Food Processors Association. Although appearance,
smell and vitamin content had deteriorated, there was no trace of microbial growth and the 109-year-old food was
determined to be still safe to eat
The original fragile and heavy glass containers presented challenges for transportation, and glass jars were largely
replaced in commercial canneries with cylindrical tin or wrought-iron canisters (later shortened to "cans") following
the work of Peter Durand (1810). Cans are cheaper and quicker to make, and much less fragile than glass jars. Glass
jars have remained popular for some high-value products and in home canning. Can openers were not invented for
another thirty years at first, soldiers had to cut the cans open with bayonets or smash them open with rocks.
Today, tin-coated steel is the material most commonly used. Laminate vacuum pouches are also used for canning,
such as used in MREs and Capri Sun drinks.
To prevent the food from being spoiled before and during containment, a number of methods are used:
pasteurisation, boiling (and other applications of high temperature over a period of time), refrigeration, freezing,
drying, vacuum treatment, antimicrobial agents that are natural to the recipe of the foods being preserved, a
sufficient dose of ionizing radiation, submersion in a strong saline solution, acid, base, osmotically extreme (for
example very sugary) or other microbially-challenging environments.

Other than sterilization, no method is perfectly dependable as a preservative. For example, the
microorganism Clostridium botulinum (which causes botulism) can only be eliminated at temperatures above the
boiling point of water.
From a public safety point of view, foods with low acidity (a pH more than 4.6) need sterilization under high
temperature (116-130 C). To achieve temperatures above the boiling point requires the use of a pressure canner.
Foods that must be pressure canned include most vegetables, meat, seafood, poultry, and dairy products. The only
foods that may be safely canned in an ordinary boiling water bath are highly acidic ones with a pH below 4.6,[7] such
as fruits, pickled vegetables, or other foods to which acidic additives have been added.

13.list out various domestic pests?

Ants

Argentine ants

Carpenter ants

Fire ants

Odorous house ants

Pharaoh ants

Thief ants

Bed bugs[1]

Cockroaches

Brown-banded cockroaches

German cockroaches

American cockroaches

Oriental cockroaches

Beetles

Woodworms

Death watch beetles

Furniture beetles

Weevils

Carpet beetles

Fur beetles

Varied carpet beetles

Spider beetles

Mealworm beetles

Centipedes

House centipedes

Earwigs

Crickets

House crickets
Flies

Bottle flies

Blue bottle flies

Green bottle flies

House flies

Fruit flies

Moths

Almond moths

Indianmeal moths

Clothes moths

Gypsy moths

Common clothes moths

Brown house moths

Red spiders

Silverfish

Woodlice

Termites[2]

Dampwood termites

Subterranean termites

Weevils

Maize weevil

Rice weevil

Mammals[edit]

Mice

Field mice

House mice

Rats

Black rats

Brown rats

Wood rats

Cotton rats

Step One: Keep 'Em Out

A buggy infestation cant ruin your life if it never happens. Here are a few basic tips to deter critters of all kinds
from setting up camp anywhere in your home.

Clean Up
Pests love a good snack, so keep food under wraps to prevent your home from turning into the next trendy spot in
the buggy club scene.

Store flour, sugar, and other dry ingredients in sealed bags or glass or plastic containers.

Take out the trash often and store outdoor garbage cans (with secure lids) far from the door.

Dont leave pet food out overnight.

Clean up spills and crumbs right away.

Wash dishes right after a meal, and dont let food-encrusted plates and bowls hang out throughout the
house.

Regularly recycle old newspaper, cardboard, and boxes. Bugs and rodents love to burrow in these warm
and cozy materials.

Stay Dry
Mosquitoes and cockroaches are particularly drawn to bodies of water, so keep the house dry whenever possible.

A full sink is basically a cockroach swimming pool, so drain water as soon as the dishes are done.

Wipe puddles or spills that form pools of water. Plus, nobody will slip and hurt themselves!

Fix leaky pipes, sinks, appliances, and bathroom fixtures so they dont drip water.

Be Mr. or Ms. Fix-It

Remember when you said youd repair that hole in the wall or door? Its time to make good on that promise. A tiny
hole or rip is an open invitation for pests of all shapes and sizes to come strolling in.

Patch or replace holes in screens and walls, especially around windows and doors.

Get out the caulking gun and seal up cracks and openings around baseboards, windows, and pipes.

Store firewood and mulch piles far away from the houses foundation. Bugs and rodents can easily travel
between the two environments. Try to keep at least 30 feet between pile and house, if possible.

Step Two: Know Your Pests

While every geographical region has its own pesky pests, here are 16 of the most common home invaders. This list
is arranged in alphabetical order to make browsing easiest. For each pest entry, weve included info about what they
look like, where they reside, what they eat, what dangers they present, and how to get rid of them. If these simple
solutions dont work (sometimes those unwanted houseguests can be stubborn), its probably time to call in the
professionals.

1. Ants
What they look like: Segmented black-brown body, three legs (plus two long antennae that can look like legs).

Typical hood: Pretty much everywhere.

Home headquarters: Nesting in soil next to or under buildings, along sidewalks, or near trees or plants. Ants also
love warm, damp locations (think between walls, under floors, or near heating system components).

Fave Snacks: Fruits, seeds, nuts, other insects, sweets.

Danger Zone: Some ants can bite or sting, although most species that dwell in homes do not.

How to Ditch Em: First, find entry points and seal them with caulk or petroleum jelly. Natural ant
repellants include cream of tartar, pure cinnamon, coffee grinds, garlic, chili pepper, paprika, cloves, or dried
peppermint. Leave a sprinkling of one or more spice at entrances where ants enter the house to deter the critters from
crossing into your home. Lemon juice and peel are also useful. The commercial non-toxic ant repellant Orange
Guard is harmless to humans and other animals, and drives ants away without harming them.

2. Bed Bugs
What They Look Like: Flat oval body with six legs, about the size of an apple seed that can be either brown
or reddish brown.

Typical Hood: Can be found around the world, but recent outbreaks have centered in the United States, Canada,
the UK, and other parts of Europe. Bed bugs are found in environments where many people cycle through on a
given day this includes apartments, hostels and hotels, trains, buses, and dorm rooms. Some theorists suggest that
recent bed bug outbreaks are due to an upswell in international travel, since the bugs can easily hide in luggage,
bags, clothing, or bedding.

Home Headquarters: Unsurprisingly, these pests love to hang out in and around the bed. Bed bugs small, flat
bodies allow them to hide quite easily in seams of mattresses, bed frames, headboards, other bedroom furniture,
behind wallpaper, in clothing, or any other household clutter.

Fave Snacks: Blood. Bed bugs can live for up to a year in between meals.

Danger Zone: Bed bugs dont transmit diseases and are not considered a public health hazard. Bites cause itching,
and dealing with an infestation can cause anxiety and insomnia. In some cases, bites can trigger a serious allergic
reaction, but this is fairly rare.

How to Ditch Em: Unfortunately, getting rid of these little critters is hardly a walk in the park. First, all surfaces
where bed bugs might dwell (sheets, pillows, towels, clothing, curtains, etc.) need to bewashed in hot water and
dried at the hottest setting for at least 30 minutes. Next, scrub the mattress with a stiff brush and vacuum it and the
surrounding room thoroughly, disposing of the vacuum cleaner bags immediately. Cover the mattress in a bed bug
cover (available at most home goods stores) or toss it if its really been infested. Be careful when trashing bed-buggy
items wrap anything in heavy plastic and packing tape and label it clearly so others know it contains bed bugs.
Seal up peeling wallpaper and cracks in floorboards to remove future hiding spots, and clear up any household
clutter around the bedroom. Pure essential oils(cinnamon, lemongrass, clove, peppermint, lavender, thyme, tea tree,
and eucalyptus) can repel bed bugs from setting up shop in the first place, so spray em in your suitcase before
heading out on a trip and before coming home again.

3. Bees and wasps

What They Look Like: Bees are inch to 1 inch long and oval-shaped, with six legs, wings, and antennae. They
are usually golden yellow with brown or black stripes, although carpenter bees are blue-black with a yellow furry
patch on their backs. Hornets havemuch larger bodies and are usually black and brown with some orange-yellow.
Wasps are thinner, with long legs and jagged yellow and black stripes.

Typical Hood: Bees, wasps, and hornets dig temperate climates, although theyve adapted to thrive in pretty much
all habitats. They can be found around the world.

Home Headquarters: These arthropods are creative house-hunters! Bees, wasps, and hornets often build nests
underground, in trees, in empty man-made structures (barns, cars, attics, etc.), or even chimneys. They also love
sweet stuff and hang out near fruit trees and garbage cans.

Fave Snacks: Bees love to munch on pollen and nectar from flowers. Hornets and wasps are omnivorous and eat
smaller flies and insects as well as fruit, sap, and human garbage.

Danger Zone: Many people are allergic to bee, hornet, and wasp stings. For those with allergies, a single sting can
be deadly. For those without serious allergies, the venom from stings can result in painful, itchy, and swollen areas.

How to Ditch Em: Bees, wasps, and yellowjackets are actually quite important for ecosystems (they pollinate
plants and crops and manage other pests by preying on them), so avoid removing themunless theyve infested a
home or are a direct threat to someone with an allergy. To remove an active nest, wait for the queen to leave (shes
the big gal) and then fill the nest with dirt to discourage a new queen from setting up shop. You can use non-toxic
essential oil sprays and containment traps (with bait) to discourage all kinds of flying, stinging creatures. Fun fact:
Since wasps are extremely territorial and will not set up near another nest, hanging a fake nest near your home can
keep actual wasps from moving in nearby. Simply removing a nest or drowning it in soapy water can be effective,
but can be dangerous (as insects especially wasps dont go down without a fight).

4. Birds
What They Look Like: Varied. Pigeons are grey or white, Canada geese are usually white and beige with black
necks and feet, and songbirds or gulls can be any color.

Typical Hood: Across the United States, Canada UK, Europe, and other temperate climates. Many species of birds
are migratory, although some that live in more temperate areas do not move from place to place depending on the
season.

Home Headquarters: On flat roofs and ledges, in house eaves, near bodies of water, on athletic fields.

Fave Snacks: Birds eat small insects and fish, grains, and green vegetation (usually grasses). Species used to living
in close quarters with humans eat food scraps and garbage.

Danger Zone: Geese, pigeons, and other pests can carry H1N1 or other strains of avian flu, which are dangerous to
humans. Birds (usually those that dwell in a flock) can attack humans when threatened or provoked.

How to Ditch Em: The best way to discourage our avian friends is tomake roosting spaces unavailable. If
installing metal bird spikes (and turning those friendly pigeons into shish-kebabs) sounds unpleasant, there are
cruelty-free solutions. Install nets to close off certain areas (courtyards, for example) and place plastic or metal bird
slides on ledges so birds cant hang out there. The best way to keep geese away is persistent harassment dogs
trained to chase geese are an excellent solution. In a pinch, try a fake dog cutout on the lawn! Most importantly,
dont feed birds (or any wildlife), as this makes them more likely to treat your yard like an all-you-can-eat buffet.

5. Chiggers
What They Look Like: Extremely tiny (smaller than a period at the end of a sentence) and red.

Typical Hood: In the United States, chiggers are typically found in the Southeast or Midwest regions.

Home Headquarters: Damp wooded areas or pastures and fields with lots of tall grasses. Chiggers often attach
themselves to the tops of socks or waistbands.

Fave Snacks: Animal blood. Chiggers are actually the larvae of harvest mites, which are vegetarian when fullgrown but parasitic in this specific stage.

Danger Zone: Chigger bites are extremely itchy but carry no serious health risks (except an infection derived from
scratching).

How to Ditch Em: Prevent chiggers from attaching to clothing or skin by wearing long layers, using buy spray, and
avoiding areas known to contain chiggers. After walking in a chigger-infested area,take a hot shower with lots of
soap and dry clothing with hot water.

6. Fleas
What They Look Like: Red-brown body, about 1/8 inch long with a narrow body and long claws on all six long
legs.

Typical Hood: All over the world.

Home Headquarters: Hair or fur of humans or animals.

Fave Snacks: Human and animal blood.

Danger Zone: Fleabites are itchy and can trigger allergic reactions. Fleas can be dangerous (in addition to simply
annoying) in the house because they transmit serious diseases like typhus and tapeworms.

How to Ditch Em: Using special pet preventative medications can stop fleas from latching on in the first place.
Once theyve made it indoors, though, fleas are difficult to remove. Start by vacuuming frequently (especially in
areas where pets hang out) and discard the bag after each session. Wash pets frequently with soap and hot water.
Use traps that attract bugs by emitting light and heat. Natural herbs and aromatics like lemon, citronella, wormwood,
and rosemary can also deter fleas from sticking around. Mix a few drops of oil with water in a spray bottle and spritz
dogs every other day.

7. Flies
What They Look Like: Dark grey or black body, six legs, wings, and an oval body about inch long.

Typical Hood: Everywhere

Home Headquarters: Where people are homes, barns, dumps, etc.

Fave Snacks: Garbage, animal excrement, rotting ickiness of all varieties.

Danger Zone: Houseflies can spread bacteria and diseases like food poisoning and dysentery. Some kinds of biting
flies can transmit illnesses through the spread of human blood.

How to Ditch Em: Clean up garbage, take out the trash, and mop up spills ASAP. Put screens on windows and
sliding doors to prevent bugs from getting in from outside. Fashion some homemade traps(sans harmful chemicals)
to control flies inside the house.

8. Lice
What They Look Like: Grey-white bugs the size of a sesame seed. Nits (lice eggs, which are more commonly
seen than full-grown adults) appear as yellow, tan, or brown dots.

Typical Hood: All over the world.

Home Headquarters: Lice usually hang out on the scalp, although some varieties can infest the rest of the body.

Fave Snacks: Human and animal blood.

Danger Zone: Itching, insomnia, and infected sores due to itching are the worst side effects.

How to Ditch Em: Lather, rinse, repeat. The best (and most environmentally-friendly) way to ditch lice is by
washing all clothes in hot water and soap. Use tea tree oil shampoo and then follow with a rinse made with equal
parts vinegar and water. Use a special nit comb to go through the hair and remove nits. Sprinkle an essential oil like
peppermint or tea tree on the comb before combing and in hair afterwards.

9. Mites

What They Look Like: Invisibility cloak these little guys are too small to spot with a naked eye.

Typical Hood: All humid environments.

Home Headquarters: Where people and animals spend a lot of time particularly in the bedroom and pet bed
areas.

Fave Snacks: Dust mites are omnivorous but not parasitic. They chow down on shedded human skin flakes, pollen,
fungi, bacteria, and pet dander.

Danger Zone: While mites themselves arent dangerous, many people are allergic to them (most people allergic to
dust are actually reacting to mite feces and body parts).

How to Ditch Em: Getting rid of mites can be tricky, given that theyre invisible. Step one should be reducing
humidity by grabbing a dehumidifier. After that, a little bit of elbow grease is the best way to rid a home of mites.
Vacuum and mop human and pet sleeping areas often to reduce dust. Regularly wash bedding, curtains, and any
other textiles in bedrooms. Consider zipping the mattress and/or pillows into bug-proof covers. And consider the
mite situation before buying new stuff choose washable or non-fabricfurniture, dcor, and floor coverings that
make dust management easy.

10. Mosquitoes
What They Look Like: Brown body with thin wings and six long, thin legs.

Typical Hood: All around the world.

Home Headquarters: Mosquitoes typically lay eggs in still water(although some species have adapted past this
requirement), so theyre often found near lakes, swamps, ponds, marshes, and tidal areas. Theyre especially active
during spring and summer in the Northern Hemisphere.

Fave Snacks: Female mosquitoes bite humans and animals and consume blood to provide nutrients for laying eggs.
Adult males snack on nectar from flowers.

Danger Zone: Nearly everyones experienced the most common mosquito side effect a red, itchy bite. The
swelling and itchiness are actually due to the bodys reaction to mosquito saliva. Skeeters are infamous for carrying
and transmitting diseases like malaria, encephalitis, West Nile Virus, yellow fever, and heartworm, a serious disease
for dogs.

How to Ditch Em: Yes, it is possible to manage mosquitoes without pouring on the DEET. First, make the house
an inhospitable environment for the insects keep windows closed and install screens, drain any standing water (to
prevent breeding), and keep yard grass short. Before hanging out outdoors during the spring or summer, put on long
sleeves and pants and apply a natural repellantlike lemon eucalyptus oil or another essential oil like lavender,
peppermint, or citronella. Since mosquitoes are weak fliers, positioning an oscillating fan in outdoor areas can keep
the bugs away without using chemicals.

11. Meal moths

What They Look Like: Meal moth larvae are inch long and off-white. Adult moths are about the same length,
but grey and reddish-brown colored with long wings.

Typical Hood: All around the world.

Home Headquarters: In cupboards and pantries, especially in and around packages of grains, pet food, candy, and
dried fruit.

Fave Snacks: Rice, pasta, cake mixes, granola, dried fruit, birdseed, cereal, dog and cat food, flour, crackers, nuts,
powdered milk, popcorn, spices, and any other dry goods.

Danger Zone: Bugs waste and secretions contaminate food, and some people experience allergic reactions as a
result. In humid climates, food bugs can secrete compounds that are carcinogenic.

How to Ditch Em: Luckily, pantry and meal bugs are fairly easy to get rid of. Once an infestations been detected,
put on the rubber gloves and start cleaning. Toss any packages with bugs and carefullyinspect even unopened
packages for larvae or adult bugs meal moths are more than willing to chew through cardboard or aluminum foil
to get to the goodies. After everythings been cleared, vacuum crevices of cabinets and wash them with hot, soapy
water. If bugs are a recurring problem in your kitchen, consider storing non-perishables in the refrigerator or in
glass, metal, or plastic canisters. Clean the kitchen regularly to prevent future infestations.

12. Rats and mice

What They Look Like: Rodents of the household pest variety hardly look like Mickey. Rats can be up to a foot
long (not including the tail), while mice are smaller (three to five inches long). Both types of rodents usually have
brown, grey, or black fur.

Typical Hood: All around the world. The house mouse, the roof rat, and the Norway rat are the most common
rodent species that live amongst people.

Home Headquarters: Wherever people (and their garbage) live. Rats and mice like to make nests or burrows
in sheltered indoor and outdoor locations like basements, attics, and tool sheds.

Fave Snacks: Almost anything. Rats are partial to meat and grains (and tasty trash), while mice particularly enjoy
dining on cereals.

Danger Zone: Rats are historic transmitters of epidemic diseases(bubonic plague, anyone?). They regularly harbor
and spread potential life-threatening infections like typhus, hantavirus, and Lyme disease (via ticks). Rodents can
also contaminate home surfaces and food through feces and other diseases they carry.

How to Ditch Em: Once again, the best way to get rid of rodents is tocontrol the environment. Seal up holes
between outdoors and indoors (including window screens rats and mice are excellent climbers), store garbage and
food in tightly sealed containers, and clear out woodpiles or any other debris (including boxes and indoor clutter)
that could function as a rodent roadhouse. If rodents are particularly attracted to a certain area, spray it with
a solution of horseradish, garlic, and cayenne pepper to deter mice and rats. Other no-chemical solutions include
getting a pet (cat and rat terriers are natural rat and mouse predators) and setting catch and release traps that dont
harm the animals.

13. Cockroaches
What They Look Like: inch to 1 inch long, with six legs and long antennae. Roaches are brown with
light colored or black markings on the back of the head (depending on whichspecific species it is).

Typical Hood: All over the world, particularly in densely populated cities.

Home Headquarters: Warm, humid areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and basements; also heating pipes and drains.

Fave Snacks: Pretty much everything, but they particularly love to chow down on starches and will eat paper,
cardboard, boxes, and any food scraps.

Danger Zone: Roach saliva, feces, and body parts can cause allergic reactions, particularly in children. People with
asthma are especially susceptible to cockroach allergies. The creepy-crawlies can also transmit bacteria like E. coli,
Salmonella, parasitic worms, and other pathogens.

How to Ditch Em: Since roaches are largely nocturnal, they often crawl around unseen spotting one roach,
unfortunately, usually means that its buddies are hiding around somewhere. Theyre stubborn (it takes some
chutzpah to survive nuclear war, after all), but not impossible to get rid of. Prevent an infestation by keeping
counters clean (wipe em down with white vinegar), draining sinks, and storing food in the fridge or in sealed glass

or metal containers.Seal any big gaps in walls and floors with caulk and plug up sinks with drains. Roaches
hate boric acid, so use borax to thinly line the perimeters of rooms and existing cracks. Whole bay leaves can also
deter cockroaches.

14. Spiders
What They Look Like: Eight legs; bodies can be brown, black, grey, yellow, or beige.

Typical Hood: All over the world.

Home Headquarters: Spiders live pretty much everywhere, so its hard to generalize. Spiders in houses tend to
hang out in nooks and crannies, in cupboards, closets, chests, woodpiles, and under furniture.

Fave Snacks: Other insects, smaller spiders, and various tiny invertebrates. Spiders are carnivores, but their teenytiny mouths cant harm humans or other large mammals.

Danger Zone: Although many people are afraid of spiders, theyre usually largely beneficial. The creepy-crawly
arachnids eat other insects, including other spiders, roaches, earwigs, flies, moths, and mosquitoes. Black widow
spiders and brown recluse spiders are the only poisonous species in the US.

How to Ditch Em: Most of the time, spiders keep to themselves and can actually reduce populations of other pests.
If youre concerned about poisonous spiders, call a local pest control organization, since they can be dangerous
when disturbed. Clear away clutter in the house, trim long grass or vegetation outside, and get in the habit of
cleaning and vacuuming storage areas regularly. Discourage regular spider populations from getting out of hand by
spraying nests withsaline solution. A spray made with crushed chestnuts or essential oils can also be effective in
getting rid of arachnids.