Presents will usually have to be washed, aired outside, or even given away if toxic residues cannot be eliminated. Tell friends and relatives about your problem and give them reading material on the subject, but don t expect them to understand. Relatives and friends often feel environmental illness is all in the sufferer s head, and that all one needs to do is use positive thinking, rise above it with willpower, or simply ignore offending chemicals or allergens. Some hosts become highly offended that their homes have odors that are perceived by their guests as indicators of possible danger, thereby adding insult to injury for the chemically challenged. If toxic levels are too high, visits must be kept brief or avoided.
Outdoor camping is often the only alternative.
Actually, camping is a lot more fun than staying in some moldy family basement or fragrance-soaked motel room. Cockroaches can be encouraged to find other digs by combining several methods. Two of the best natural deterrents are boric acid crystals and diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth can be purchased at many nurseries and through N. E. E. D. S. catalog. It works because the small particles of earth are razor-sharp and cut the cockroach s exoskeleton to shreds.