Similarly, flies are carriers of many bacteria and pathogens, which they transmit each time they land on a surface. Flies typically congregate around feces, trash, and animal corpses and then contaminate our food, water, and living areas with diseases such as typhoid, cholera, dysentery, salmonella, anthrax, and tuberculosis. Without the services we have come to rely on garbage and waste may begin to accumulate, attracting flies and harboring their eggs.

Wasps and other stinging insects are not generally considered dangerous, unless someone is allergic. A severe allergic reaction to bee or wasps stings can be life-threatening. Normally an allergic reaction can be controlled with proper medication but in the wake of a disaster or crisis epinephrine (the drug in the EpiPen) may be in short supply and high demand.

Moths may not seem to be problematic and are not directly dangerous to humans. Although they play important roles in pollination, they can also become a nuisance inside your home chomping holes in your limited supply of warm clothing and blankets and laying their eggs in dried foods like flour and grains. Because moths are drawn to light they often enter through an open door or window at night and then take up residence.

Like moths, slugs and snails are not directly dangerous to humans but they can pose quite a threat to a garden. Slugs can eat and destroy vegetation faster than it can grow, destroying a potential yield. They can also feed on the fruit or vegetables before they are harvested which can be unsightly and can leave the whole crop vulnerable to disease and rot. 

There are a variety of general and species-specific repellants and traps available to help keep pests away from you and your gardens without the use of dangerous chemical pesticides.

Citronella Candles & Mosquito Coils & Sticks

Citronella candles are a useful multipurpose gear item as they can serve as a light source with long burn times as well as a natural insect repellent. Mosquito coils and mosquito sticks are other repellant options. These incense-like coils or sticks are lit and smolder continuously, giving off a mosquito repellent smoke. Mosquito coils are inexpensive and easy to use as well as portable and can burn for up to 8 hours continuously. Mosquito sticks are used in the much the same way but can be stuck directly into the ground and burn for about half as long as a coil.

Moth, Fly, & Wasp Traps

Moths, fly, and wasp traps are safe and effective ways to protect your family and your food from these pesky insects. These safe, effective, and pesticide-free traps combine pheromone lures and a trapping system specifically designed for each type of insect.

Slug & Snail Deterrent

While slugs and snails don’t irritate, bite, or contaminate our dried foods the way flies and mosquitos do, they can do significant damage to a garden or crop. Many slug and snail baits have chemicals that can be toxic to humans and other pets and animals and can actually taint the soil in your garden. The Contech SlugsAway repels snails and slugs with a harmless but effective electronic barrier. Undetectable to animals or humans the mild static sensation is triggered when a snail or slug approaches the barrier line and causes it to turn away from the protected area.

Bear & Dog Mace Pepper Spray

Specially formulated pepper sprays for wild animals like bears, dogs, coyotes, etc. A disaster or emergency situation can affect the animal kingdom as well as humans. Animals’ environments, food, and water supplies may be disrupted and this could cause unpleasant run-ins between humans and animals. Mace pepper spray for dogs and Mace pepper spray for bears are effective yet safe means of ensuring your safety if approached by a wild animal. The spray has the same effect on the animal as on a human, causing temporary burning sensations and difficulty seeing, allowing you time to escape away to safety and hopefully convincing the animal not to return.