Eco-Friendly Home Security

Although it is only natural for you to worry about the safety and security of your family in the home, you might also find that you’re concerned about the environmental impact of many home security measures.  The ongoing electricity demanded by security systems, for example, may give you pause.  And although you almost certainly want to keep harmful insects out of your home, spraying chemical insecticides around the perimeter of your house isn’t really in keeping with your goal of reducing your carbon footprint.  But securing your home from unwanted intruders, whether of the human, animal, or insect variety, doesn’t have to come with an attendant cost to the environment.  There are plenty of ways to keep your house secure from outside threats while still doing your part to ensure the future of our planet for the very people you’re trying to protect.

The first and easiest place to start is with the smallest pests.  Although chemical insect sprays are certainly sufficient for keeping out the bugs that bother you, it may come as a surprise that there are totally natural ways to get the same results.  You can begin by making sure that screens are free of damage and properly seated.  From there, all you need to do is plant specific vegetation around the perimeter of your home that will deter whichever pests you frequently find in the home.  Garlic, onions /chives, mints, and marigolds will keep away a fairly large slate of common insects (including many varieties of fly and beetle, as well as mosquitoes and ants).  You may have to seek out specific plants if you still have insect problems, but they could even end up repelling some animals.  And they’ll add curb appeal, to boot.

As for larger animals that can get into your home and wreak havoc (like mice, rats, and other rodents), spreading disease and destruction, there’s no reason to put out poisonous traps.  All you really have to do is mark your territory.  Many people do this by purchasing cat urine (from predatory felines like mountain lions – you can find it at many pet, hardware, or garden stores).  But all you really have to do is pee in a cup for a week and pour it around your yard.  It may sound gross, but keep in mind that humans are at the top of the food chain and there are very few animals that will attempt to pass into our territory once it has been marked.  Another option is to spread hair clippings, but these can easily be stolen by birds to make their nests.

Finally, there is the biggest security threat to address: other people.  And you may want more than just a deadbolt on your door, depending on where you live.  But you don’t need to install a surveillance system or an electrical alarm to keep your domicile safe from intruders.  You could simply hang a sign that says you have an alarm system.  Or you could install flood lights.  While they use electricity, they only come on when movement is sensed, meaning a lot less energy waste.  Of course, you could just install a security system made by a company that embraces eco-friendly practices.  ADT, for example, used recycled materials while others have gone wireless or offer models that run on solar energy.  But whatever steps you take to secure your home from intrusion, keep in mind that there are ways to do so that will not only keep your family safe but also work in tandem with your desire to keep the planet clean and green.