Quick Tips to Conquering Ants in the Kitchen - All Natural and Effective!

Ants seem to be a problem in many homes and summer seems to be the worst. The ants are just as excited about the warmer weather, are looking to find any crumb possible and are bringing their friends. But there’s nothing more frustrating than waking up or coming home to an ant invasion in the kitchen!  You are ready to bomb the house of any possibility of the pests returning. However, those chemicals that kill and repel them are also dangerous for your own health. At Bayes, we know that and we want to share with you our top quick tips to conquering ants in your kitchen that are natural, organic and effective!

First of all, it’s important to know that ants are only able to navigate their way to food using the sense of smell in their antennae. Use strong smells to confuse their inner compass and they won’t be able to find their way to you so easily!

Cinnamon and Garlic. Place cinnamon sticks or garlic at their points of entry; this will take some investigating, but usually they enter at window tracks, by doors, sometimes floor vents and in corners around your home. It’s true that garlic cloves aren’t as aromatically pleasing as cinnamon sticks, they work really well. Just peel and slice a few cloves and place them where you notice the ants.

Clove and Peppermint/Rosemary.  Similar to the above. Get essential oils of clove and peppermint or rosemary, depending on the combination you prefer. Place about 20 drops of each in a spray bottle with just a little fractionated coconut oil and then about 6 TBSP of water. Shake and spray at points of entry. Alternatively, place a few drops of each oil near entry points for extra measure.

Black Pepper. Sprinkle black pepper where you see ants. The ants will immediately scatter. Pay attention to where they run; chances are they will be exiting your house and you’ll be able to treat the entry area with pepper too.

Remember to avoid the possibility of ants. Keep your kitchen clean and keep all food scraps and wrappers rinsed and in their proper containers immediately. Rinse dishes as soon as they are dirty and make sure to sweep up any crumbs as soon as you notice them or are done in the kitchen.

Be sure to have a bottle of Bayes All Purpose Cleaning Solution around for all your cleaning needs, from countertops to fixtures!

This Super earth-friendly formula makes easy work of all your dirtiest household surfaces. Cleans and shines glass, chrome, tile work, wall, countertops and more. Will not harm natural stone, stainless steel, or enamel. Ph neutral, safe for use on food preparation surfaces. Cleans surfaces glass, chrome, tile, and most household surfaces!

• No Harmful Fumes
• Phosphate Free
• PH Neutral, Safe for Food Preparation Surfaces
• Will not Harm Stone Stainless Steel, or Enamel
• Non-Toxic & Biodegradable
• Recyclable Non-Aerosol Bottle
• Made in USA

Bayes wants your home to be clean and stress free. This means natural products and pest free living. We’re happy to be in your home and life, keeping things easy and healthy! Check out our full line of organic home and outdoor cleaning products today!

Budget Friendly Tips for the Organic Kitchen You'll Want to Know!

Every home deserves affordable organic options, from food to cleaning supplies. At Bayes, are happy to have the honor of not only passing on helpful organic food tips, but also to provide you with quality cleaning products we proudly stand behind. 

Are you ready? Here are some budget friendly tips for the organic kitchen you'll be happy to have!

grow your own. 
Most living spaces allow for some type of gardening. Backyards, balcony's and windows are all great places to try your hand and growing edible plants! Whether you'd like to grow tomatoes or even just basil and mint, it all can be done. And the huge bonus is that you know the ingredients, the grower and you can harvest as needed. 

buy as you need it. 
Ok.  Maybe this is obvious to some, but not all. Do your meal planning based on ingredients rather than recipes. One idea to have a list of staples you use each weak, like bananas, apples, spinach, broccoli and zucchini.  Get your staples and then choose a few other veggies or fruits that are on sale that week and find a recipe online based on that ingredient. Usually, the things on sale are the foods that are in season. Great news for you? You'll be eating affordably and in season; double healthy points! Don't have every last item?  That's ok.  Get creative. I'm sure you have a great replacement and you will surprise yourself at your ability to make affordable, organic and edible pieces of art!

freeze the extras.
If you found a particularly good deal on a food item, go ahead and grab it to have on hand at a later date and simply freeze it until you're ready to use it again.  

coupon your savings.
More and more, Natural food stores are releasing coupons for organic products. This is great news! You will save the most money when you pair coupons with a store sale. This way, you get the store’s lower price, plus you get a greater cost reduction by using a coupon. If you can stack a store sale with a manufacturer’s coupon and a store coupon, then you will be making your purchase at the absolute lowest price. Keeping your coupons and their expiration dates clearly organized is the key to strategically using those little slips of paper to save big on your grocery bill.

compare prices for bulk items.
Find the best prices on prepackaged snacks, organic varieties, and even produce when you price match online. This is a great strategy for moms looking for affordable school snacks for the kids. The best shopping strategy for a wholesale club is to purchase items there that you typically don’t see featured on sale, or that do not offer coupons. (Think: gourmet coffee and cheeses, produce, organic products, nuts and dried fruits.) After purchasing in bulk, dole out smaller portions into zippered snack bags. Packing your own snack-size options not only cuts down on spending, but it provides you with healthy, ready-to-eat snacks in appropriate portions.

make it your own.
We tend to shy away from cooking from scratch because we think of it as an inconvenience. But it actually doesn't take that long and doesn't have to be complicated! From cakes, to cleaning supplies, making your own DIY goods is far more easy and affordable than you may have thought.  Ease into cooking from scratch by starting with something simple, like chocolate chip cookies or a delicious marinara sauce. For cleaning, make a simple all purpose spray. You’ll avoid the extra costs of prepared goods by avoiding unnecessary packaging and ingredients. 

At Bayes, we strive for excellence in health and home, which is why we are committed to making quality organic cleaning products especially for your needs and budget.  Everyone deserves a healthy home and we want to start with you. 

Does Choosing Organic Cleaning Products Really Make a Difference? Find Out Now!

There's a lot of discussion around whether or not people should use chemical or organic ingredients in cleaning. We want to help clear it up for you. We at Bayes, had the same concern years back and did our own research and is why we have chosen to use only organic ingredients in our cleaning products. 

We say that choosing to use organic cleaning products DOES in fact, make a difference and here's why: 

Organic Cleaning Products Are Safer for Your Health

One of the main benefits of using organic cleaning products is that they are much safer for your health than traditional cleansers. Because these products contain natural ingredients, they do not pose the same health risks and potential for allergic reactions as other common cleaners. Many cleaning products can contribute to cancer, respiratory problems, reproductive abnormalities, allergic reactions, and behavioral problems. However, green cleaning products use ingredients such as isopropyl alcohol, citrus oils, and vinegar, which clean just as well as the ingredients found in other cleansers but without many of the harmful side effects.

Organic Cleaning Products Are Safer for the Environment

In addition to being safer for your health, organic cleaners are also much safer for the environment, as they do not contain the toxic chemicals found in traditional household cleansers. Unlike standard cleaners that can poison the air and water, organic cleaning products have extremely low toxicity, low volatile organic compound (VOC) content, and are extremely biodegradable. These cleansers not only improve indoor air quality by reducing the number of harmful chemicals released into the air, but can also reduce water and outdoor air pollution. In addition, green cleaners are extremely easy to dispose of, since you do not have to follow special instructions to prevent them from harming soil and water supplies.

Our organic cleaning products are an excellent option for homeowners that want to protect both the environment and their health. While such cleaners may require a bit more of an initial investment than standard household cleansers, the benefits you receive by protecting both yourself and your environment ultimately make this worthwhile. Bayes is dedicated to your health and we are happy you've chosen to take steps toward your self care.

Consider This Before Installing Granite Counter Tops!

You deserve a stone counter top that creates the most luxury for your bathroom remodel. 

Did you know that granite counter tops are the number one choice for high end bathroom remodels and kitchens too! It's no wonder really. Granite delivers a luxurious look with it's rick speckling and crystalline grain texture. It's also a versatile option that compliments all decor from contemporary. 

Here's what you'll want to consider before diving in:

Measurements: Countertop thickness varies by geographic location from three-quarter inch to an inch and a quarter (preferred). Standard overhang is an inch to an inch and a half. A range of edge treatments is available, including straight, beveled and rounded.

Color: Granite comes in a wide range of colors, including gold, blue, brown, green, violet, black and white.

Finish: Choose from a few finish options. Polished granite is sleek and shiny. A honed or matte surface is less glossy and a little more porous. A leather finish offers unique texturing reminiscent of leather.

Slab or tile: Unbroken expanses of granite lend a luxurious look and exude contemporary flair. Granite tiles offer the same surface beauty at a lower cost and with simpler installation.

Practicality: Polished surfaces in dark colors can show watermarks and fingerprints. Granite is virtually nonporous, so water won't cause damage.

Sink types: Options include drop-in, undermount and vessel styles.

Budget Considerations: Beautiful granite can be a pricey countertop option. And if you're choosing granite slab, unlike tiles, you can't just buy what you need—you need to purchase the whole thing. A professional will then cut it and install it carefully.

Care: Care for granite counter tops can be so simple and pure, especially with an organic granite counter top cleaner. You'll want to both be able to clean and condition the counter tops regularly and the Bayes cleaner does it all!

Granite counter tops are the perfect choice for any kitchen or bathroom, big or small and Bayes has you covered for care!