Today, we’re diving into creating a safe, fun, eczema-safe backyard for your kids to play in. We’ll explore the world of lawn care and bug control, focusing on strategies that are both effective and safe for our children. Most conventional lawn care and pest control solutions out there contain harsh chemicals that can aggravate eczema and pose serious health risks.
But don’t worry! I’ve got you covered with natural and affordable alternatives that will keep your lawn green, your garden thriving, and your kids safe.
We’ll discuss organic lawn care products, DIY weed killers, and pest control solutions. You’ll learn everything you need to maintain a beautiful yard without compromising your family’s health.
It can be done. So let’s get started and transform your outdoor space into a safe haven for your kids to enjoy!
Listen Below For The Entire Episode on The Eczema Kids Podcast
Glyphosate and Your Child’s Healing
One key way to keep our little one’s skin happy and healthy is by avoiding common chemicals and understanding their effects. We want our kids to play outside because outdoor time is essential for creating holistically healthy children. But it’s not beneficial if they’re running around in glyphosate.
Glyphosate, as you know, is the active ingredient in Roundup and many other weed killers. Even when products claim to be vinegar-based or natural, you need to check the active ingredients. I can almost guarantee you’ll find glyphosate in there. It’s a significant issue worldwide because the half-life of glyphosate in the soil can be up to 22 years. Its detrimental effects on beneficial microorganisms can last for generations, even if we stopped using it today. The World Health Organization classifies glyphosate as a carcinogen, linking it to cancer, kidney and liver damage, metabolic syndrome, and more.
Even services like TruGreen, which boast natural solutions, often use a mix of glyphosate and other harmful chemicals like prodiamine and chlorophenoxy. These chemicals wreak havoc on your children’s, pets’, and your own respiratory systems, immune systems, detox pathways, and more. They can be absorbed through the skin, inhaled, or ingested.
And it doesn’t stop there. When it rains, these chemicals wash down the storm drains and make their way into our bodies of water, affecting wildlife, fish, and the entire food chain.
Sometimes, it feels like people are misled about what’s truly feasible when it comes to natural, sincerely natural—meaning non-toxic and completely safe—methods. It’s actually quite easy to achieve a lush lawn and a beautiful garden using these methods.
-Andra McHugh
Lush Grass and Pest-Free Backyards Are Possible
You all know this. I know you do.
But sometimes, it feels like people are misled about what’s truly feasible when it comes to natural, sincerely natural—meaning non-toxic and completely safe—methods. It’s actually quite easy to achieve a lush lawn and a beautiful garden using these methods. Okay, a garden might be a bit more challenging, but you can definitely have a bug-free house and a stunning lawn without resorting to harsh chemicals.
This is how we maintain a reasonably beautiful lawn and the exterior of our house, where our kids can safely play. Sure, there are a few weeds around the edges and through the rocks, but we tackle those as we go.
We don’t spend countless hours on this. With four kids, work, and everything else, our goal is a safe, reasonably beautiful yard with soft grass where the kids can run around without any harm. It’s all about finding that balance and making it work for our family’s health and happiness.
Non Toxic Weed Killer Recipes For Eczema-Safe Backyards
For the weeds, we stick to manual weeding. It’s the safest and most effective method. The kids can earn some money by weeding after school, and my husband and I pull weeds whenever we have the chance.
I’ve also had success with homemade weed sprays. There are a couple of ways you can do it.
One option is a vinegar and salt spray: just one gallon of white vinegar and two cups of salt. This works great for driveways and sidewalks.
You can also use straight boiling water for weeds in driveway cracks.
My go-to method is a mix of vinegar, a bit of liquid castile soap, and essential oils like tea tree, clove, and cinnamon. Put that in a spray bottle, and it goes a long way. It doesn’t take long to put together and helps slow down regrowth. You’ll still have to weed, but it makes a difference.
And I know you all are the kind of people who are okay with that!
Eczema-Safe Grass and Lawn Care
For really lush, green, soft grass, my husband handles most of the work. He seeds the lawn, ideally in the fall, with organic, non-GMO grass seed. First, he removes any big debris and aerates the soil. You can find a walk-behind aerator for around $35 on Amazon.
Then, he uses a handheld seed distributor to spread the grass seed. After seeding, we water the lawn a bit more for the next few days and mow it about two or three weeks later. This method has worked well for us, especially for those spots that get burnt by the sun or where the dogs have peed too much.
It really works and brings the grass back to life.
No Poison In Your Eczema-Safe Backyard
I want to talk about natural pest control solutions because, oh my goodness, we used to rely on a pest control service. My husband insisted it was the only way, because that’s what we’re taught, right? We think it’s impossible to have a bug-free house without resorting to toxic chemicals.
I had to cancel our service about four years ago when I was pregnant with my third daughter. I remember that call vividly—it took about 20 minutes. They assured me everything was safe, but of course, it wasn’t. Tried to convince me for a long time. They even said no one should be around the treated areas until they dried—not for efficacy, but for safety.
These services use synthetic insecticides that are very toxic to humans and animals. These chemicals are designed to be poisonous, and exposure to them interferes with normal nerve and brain function, causing a host of side effects, including skin reactions, respiratory issues, and nervous system problems.
It’s poison, plain and simple. No matter how you package it, it’s still poison. Don’t let anyone spray it in or around your house, and don’t do it yourself either. There are safer, natural alternatives that protect your health and your family’s well-being.
Non Toxic Bug Control Solutions
We use vinegar for ants and bugs. Outside, I pour it straight, and it handles any ant issue you can imagine. Inside, I dilute it 50/50, and it’s just as effective. It’s so simple and works wonders.
Of course, this is if it’s a problem for you—if there’s a group of ants you really don’t want around. Otherwise, you might just let them be.
Be careful not to use vinegar on surfaces like wood or marble, and avoid areas where you’re trying to attract bees, as it’s not good for them.
For earwigs, a client once asked me for a solution, and I recommend equal parts of 70% rubbing alcohol and water in a spray bottle. You can kill them on contact or deter them with the smell.
The point is, there’s so much you can do. Your house won’t be overrun by bugs, and your lawn can be green and lush without harsh chemicals.
I promise.
Enjoy Those Moments In Your Eczema-Safe Backyard
Enjoy those precious moments running around in your backyard with your little ones or playing soccer and frisbee with your older kids. We’re committed to helping our children heal in every area of our home, including our non-toxic lawn care and pest control strategies.
If the cream you’re using on your little one’s eczema is running out, or if you’re simply exhausted from dealing with this condition and your kids’ suboptimal health, head over to eczemakids.com. Check out the Natural Eczema Solution Shop. You’ll find our course, skincare products, and prebiotic tea—all designed to nourish your kids from the inside out and the outside in.
You’ll see real results in just 90 days, so don’t wait when it comes to your child’s health—it’s too important.
If you’re looking for more ways to reduce toxins in your kid’s living environment, check out Safe and Non-Toxic Home Materials for Kids, Are Your Child’s Favorite Toys Full Of Hidden Dangers? and Eczema Triggers and Irritants.
FAQ
How can I create a safe and fun outdoor space for my kids without using harsh chemicals?
Focus on natural lawn care and pest control solutions. Avoid conventional products that contain harsh chemicals, as they can aggravate eczema and pose serious health risks. Instead, use organic lawn care products, DIY weed killers, and natural pest control methods to maintain a beautiful and safe yard for your children.
What are some natural methods for weed control?
Manual weeding is the safest and most effective method. You can also use homemade weed sprays like a vinegar and salt mixture (one gallon of white vinegar and two cups of salt) for driveways and sidewalks. For weeds in driveway cracks, straight boiling water works well. Another effective solution is a mix of vinegar, liquid castile soap, and essential oils like tea tree, clove, and cinnamon in a spray bottle.
