Go Green And Keep Pests Out Of Your Home

No one wants pests in their home.

Unfortunately many solutions to getting rid of pesky pests involve harmful pesticides which are poisonous to you, your children and your pets.

As a green product itself, Clear the Air likes to find green solutions to keeping pests out of your home.  We would like to share some helpful tips on keeping your home pest free, naturally!

Before spreading poison throughout your living environment, which you, your children, and pets will breathe in, try these all-natural alternatives:

Prune Shrubs – To control pests inside the house, a lot of work needs to be done outside the house. Insects often find their way into the house by climbing on shrubs and trees that are touching the outside walls of your house. Trim everything back so there is a foot clearance between plants and exterior walls.

Rake – Likewise, many insects that live in leaf and lawn debris are going to find easy access indoors if they are hanging out near the foundation of your house. Rake this area well. Pull weeds and only keep plants and shrubs that are well cared for near your foundation. Anything that is dead or dying will attract insects.

Clean the Kitchen – Ants often infest a kitchen faster than you can put the cap on the soda bottle. To prevent an all you can eat ant buffet, keep your kitchen clean. Washing dishes after each meal and putting all food away in the refrigerator will go a long way towards keeping the ant pests out of your house.

Relax – Most insects won’t kill you, but the poison you spray on them might. So, if your insect problem is minor, then don’t worry about it too much. Take some preventative measures and let it go.

Meet Tuffy, An Available Dog At The SD Humane Society

Tuffy is one of the Employee Picks at the San Diego Humane Society.

Clear The Air loves featuring pets from the San Diego Humane Society who are in need of a home.

Here is who we chose today and why the employees at the SD Humane Society things she’s a gem!

Amie, one of the certified teachers on at the San Diego Humane Society‘s staff who does educational outreach, simply adores the sweet senior doggie named Tuffy. Here’s Amie’s explanation for the bond she feels with this special gal:

“The first time I saw Tuffy, I was drawn in by her big beautiful eyes and sorrowful expression. This girl wears her heart on her sleeve! From the minute you meet this sweet girl you know she is longing for a forever-family of her own. She takes her time when she meets a new person, but once you gain her trust (and having some peanut butter doesn’t hurt!) she blossoms into a love-bug. Tuffy embodies what I love most about the animals I see come through SDHS, an amazing resilience and capacity to love and trust no matter what circumstances that brought them in our door.”

Come to our Central Campus to meet sweet-souled Tuffy today!

How To Move With Pets

Moving with your pets?

Whether you are buying a new home or moving into a new rental, if you have pets it is important to make sure the move is as uneventful as possible.

If you plan to move in the near future, check out our helpful tips to make sure your pets stay as calm as possible during the move:

• Stick to your routine – If you have certain times you feed, play and walk your pet, stick to them even during the move. On the day of your move, feed in the morning as you usually would and take your dog out on a walk before your move.
• Bring your pets’ toys – Bring along your dog and cat’s favorite bed, toys, treats and food and water dishes. When arranging their items in your new home, place them in places similar to where they were in your old home.
• Keep things calm – If you feel your pet will benefit being near you during the move, plan on that. If your cat would rather be away from all the hustle and bustle, keep him in a crate away from the madness until it is safe to let him or her out in your new home.
• Keep your pets confined – During the move and while you are packing and unpacking, it may be likely doors and windows will be left open. Avoid having your pet hide or run away and keep him confined to one room you know will not be bothered. It is also a very good idea to keep your pet’s identification and your contact info on your pet. Keep vet records with you as well.
• Be patient and provide plenty of love and reinforcement – It may take a while for your pet to get used to their new surroundings. Let your dog and cat explore and come out when they’re ready. Make sure your cat’s litter box is easily accessible and in the same room you let him out in. Give them lots of attention, more than usual. Change is difficult for your pets; let them know everything will be alright by paying extra attention to them!

How To Eliminate Cat Litter Odor

Does your cat’s litter box smell?

Clear The Air’s Cat Odor Eliminating Products are specially formulated to eliminate cat urine odor.

If you have a cat you know that cat urine odor is incredibly strong and can be almost impossible to get rid of. However, our Cat Urine Odor Eliminator works wonders at keeping this odor away.

Check out our helpful tips to ensuring your cat’s litter box goes unnoticed to your nose:

Scooping – The number one rule, and the only thing that will keep litter box odor at bay, is constant cleaning. That means scooping the box out at least twice a day, removing the solids and liquid clumps if you use clumping litter.  If you don’t use clumping litter, you can use a large solid metal spoon to lift out the most urine-soaked areas each time you clean and add litter as needed to replace what is removed.

Washing Your Litter Box – You should also get in the habit of washing the litter box at least every other week if not more.  Use a mild unscented dish detergent and rinse clean.  Remember to clean your scooper too.  When the box is dry, sprinkle a thin layer of our Cat Urine Odor Eliminator in the box first.  Then add two to three inches of litter.  Cats do not like a deep tray of litter and this allows you to add litter as you scoop.

Type of Litter – Some have perfumes and others have additives to only cover the smell.  To a cat, these smells can be overwhelming and make the box unwelcoming.  It is usually a good idea to get unscented litter and sprinkle our Cat Urine Odor Eliminator in the box to eliminate the odor, not cover it up.

Type of Litter Box – Using the largest box your home can accommodate is the best idea.  A good rule of thumb is to get a box that is at least twice as long as your adult cat and wide as the cat is long.  Even though a covered box is nicer to look at, most cats don’t like them and they also trap odors inside making it unpleasant for your pet to enter.

Location – Lastly, location of your cats litter box is very important to keep your pet happy to relieve himself in the correct areas.  The rule is one litter box per cat plus one.  It is important to have the boxes in different locations.  Also make sure the box is in a low traffic area, away from his or her food and in a place that your cat can easily get in and out of.

These suggestions may take a lot of effort but not only with your cat be happier but you will as well, not having to put up with cat urine odors.    Remember to pick up Clear the Air’s Cat Urine Odor Eliminator available at all Petco stores or online.

How To Care For Pets In The Cold Weather

Cold weather tips all pet owners need to know.

The east coast of the nation is experiencing extreme cold weather conditions. During these conditions it is vital to make sure your pets are inside and warm.

Clear The Air would like to share some cold weather tips from the Humane Society:

• Keep pets indoors and warm – Don’t leave dogs or cats outdoors when the temperature drops. Regardless of the season, short-haired, very young, or old dogs and all cats should never be left outside without supervision. Dogs and cats are safer indoors, except when taken out for exercise. During walks, short-haired dogs may feel more comfortable wearing a sweater.
• Help neighborhood outdoor cats – If there are outdoor cats, either owned pets or community cats (ferals, who are scared of people, and strays, who are lost or abandoned pets) in your area, remember that they need protection from the elements as well as food and water. It’s easy to give them a hand.
• Give your pets plenty of water – Pets who spend a lot of time outdoors need more food in the winter because keeping warm depletes energy. Routinely check your pet’s water dish to make certain the water is fresh and unfrozen.
• Protect paws from salt – The salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate the pads of your pet’s feet. Wipe all paws with a damp towel before your pet licks them and irritates his/her mouth.
• Avoid antifreeze poisoning – Antifreeze is a deadly poison, but it has a sweet taste that may attract animals and children. Wipe up spills and store antifreeze (and all household chemicals) out of reach.
• The best tip of all: keep your pets with you – Probably the best prescription for winter’s woes is to keep your dog or cat inside with you and your family. The happiest dogs are those who are taken out frequently for walks and exercise, but kept inside the rest of the time.

Read entire article at the Humane Society’s website.

How To Eliminate Cigarette Smoke Odor

Need to get rid of that pesky cigarette odor? Read on!

If you have bought or rented a new home and the previous dweller was a smoker, you are probably fed up with trying to get that sultry cigarette odor out of the house.

Did you know Clear the Air will remove cigarette odor from ANYWHERE? Cars, homes, carpets, rugs, clothes, offices and anywhere else cigarette odor has crept in to.

Unfortunately, cigarette odor has a way of creeping into the walls making it almost impossible to remove the odor completely.  Earth Care’s Clear The Air Odor Eliminator will pull these odors out of your house, 100% guaranteed!  Our product doesn’t even need to come in contact with the odor and it will remove the odors out of carpets, drapes, furniture, clothing and bedding.

Clear the Air is simple to use and is an inexpensive solution to odor elimination.  Here are the directions to removing cigarette smoke odor out of your home:

• Hang 1-2 Earth Care Odor Eliminator Bags in each room that smells like cigarette smoke. One bag will cover 50-100 square feet. Odor will be eliminated in 24 hours.
• A Bag will last 1-2 months, if room is heavily permeated with smoke odor the bag may need to be changed more often at first.
• If odors are particularly strong or room has been smoked in for years sprinkle Clear The Air Odor Eliminator for Carpet and Furniture granules on carpets and furniture. Leave down 24 hours and vacuum. Odors will be completely eliminated.
• One canister of Clear The Air Odor Eliminator for Carpet and Furniture covers 100 square feet; one bucket covers 900 square feet.
• Granules can also be placed in ashtrays and cigarette butt receptacles.

Of course, if you have any questions on removing cigarette smoke odor, please do not hesitate to call our helpful Customer Service Agent, Pat, at (800) 611-1611 or (760) 941-5302 or via email: pmolina@cleartheair.com

Meet Nelson From SD Humane Society

Meet Nelson, available for adoption!

Check out why he is an employee pick at the San Diego Humane Society:

Yes, it’s true. Nelson has MANY admirers around here. And one person on whom he has left a most indellible paw print is Adoptions Counselor, Rebecca. (Sharing a smooch with the special pooch, to the right.)

Mutt Monday’s Dog Of The Week

Check out Duke from the San Diego Humane Society.

Duke (#124538), is an American Pit Bull Terrier/Great Dane. He is 4 years and 6 months old and his Adoption Fee is only $95.00. Check him out:

Why I’d make a great companion: To know me is to love me or so I’ve been told! My name is Duke and I am an independent thinker who enjoys a bit of adventure. I am also devoted, loving and mellow as well. In short, I have a multifaceted personality that I believe that as you get to know me you will come to adore. I am well-mannered on walks and I take everything in stride, including passing dogs, skateboarders, bikes, cars and other distractions. Prepare yourself, as I am generally the center of attention when I am out and about because of and I quote ” stellar good looks and gangly long legs.” Although, I enjoy a moderate activity level, I am perfectly content with the occasional lounge session at the feet of my beloved pet parent where I can enjoy a chewing session with my tennis ball. I absolutely enjoy a good rub down and I L-O-V-E the sensation of ‘collapsing’ tennis balls in my mouth. But what I would really enjoy, is a family to call my own. I have been waiting to give my heart completely to my forever family and if that is you, than you can expect to rewarded a hundred-fold.

Type of home I’m looking for: I will do best in a house with teenaged children and without cats.

Other things you should know about me: My adoption fee includes my spay / neuter, current vaccinations, permanent microchip identification, a certificate for a free veterinary exam, a gift from Hill’s Science Diet, a license if residing in Oceanside or Vista, and limited veterinary medical coverage from VCA Hospitals up to $250!!

During the adoption process a San Diego Humane Society Trainer will be present to answer any questions and share how to best care for me and tips for continued training in the future.

How To Sell Or Rent Your Home Faster

Trying to Sell or Rent?

Property management companies and Real Estate Brokers and Agents deal with odor issues on a routine basis. Cigarette, pet, musty/mildew, dead rodent, and cooking odors are most common.

Real Estate is often slow selling/renting or discounted due to odor issues. It has been reported that approximately 5-10% of all listing have odor issues that may impact the sale. Clear The Air Odor Eliminators are an easy, inexpensive way to solve the problem and get your property sold or rented.

Here are some tips to get your home sold or rented faster:

• Eliminate odor from your home and make it smell good. Smell is very powerful and instantly sets the tone for your potential buyer’s experience in your house.  Use Clear The Air’s Odor Eliminators to get rid of any embarrassing odors lingering in your home.
• Clean your house and keep it clean. If you are planning to live in your home while it is on the market, you have to make daily cleaning a part of your plan.  A dirty home will give the potential buyers sense that the home is not well taken care of and can keep them from coming back a second time to look at your home with an offer.
• Fix the broken stuff.  If little broken things are visible, your potential buyers start wondering what other maintenance issues your home might have and get scared.
• De-personalize your home.  Want potential buyers or renters to imagine themselves living in your house?  Then take you out of it.  You have got to take down your personal photos, scrapbooks, take down from the mantle the carving of your last name.  Buyers need to see their family living here…not yours.

How To Care For A Pet Bunny

Did you know a rabbit can be trained to use a litter box, come when you call them and sometimes play tag with you?

Domestic rabbits make great pets and if well cared for, indoor rabbits can live for seven to ten or more years.

Clear the Air would like to share some helpful tips to caring for your bunny rabbit:

• Bunnies should be kept indoors in a cage large enough from him to move freely.  If you have a wire cage, it is a good idea to cover the bottom with a piece of wood or corrugated cardboard since wire bottoms can ulcerate your rabbit’s feet.  For bedding, you can use hay, aspen shavings or straw so he can make a cozy nest.

• Sprinkle Clear The Air at the bottom of their cage to eliminate any odors caused by your bunny. Our product is 100% non-toxic and safe even if ingested.

• Your rabbit’s diet should consist mostly of grass hay, such as timothy or brome.  This helps keep his intestinal tract healthy and unlimited hay should be available at all times.  You should also feed your bunny rabbit pellets that are of good quality.  Fresh leafy greens are the third important component of your pet’s diet such as turnip greens, carrot tops, collard greens or dark leaf lettuces.

• Always have clean fresh water available for your rabbit.

• Rabbits will do their best to keep their living quarters clean as they are very clean animals by nature.  They will usually choose one corner in their cage as their bathroom.  To help litter train your bunny, once you see where his bathroom area he has chosen is, put a newspaper lined litter box in that corner.  Fill it with pelleted newspaper litter.  Don’t use pine or cedar shavings as these fumes can cause problems to your rabbits liver enzymes.

• Brush your bunny regularly and handle him often very gently and he will become a wonderful family pet!